"Joelle" Before Afters

Joelle had us dry clean her dress as well as steam and tack her ruffles to revive them. We fit the bodice to her, replaced a torn area of overlay, hemmed, and bustled.  She also purchased a sash that was made by The Gilded Thimble. Oh! and we added buttons down the back. 

"Heidi" Before Afters

Heidi wanted custom straps made as well as needing her gown taken up a smidge.  To really make the straps seem original to the dress, we had to custom make appliques that matched the dress perfectly. 

"Valentine" Before Afters

Valentine needed extra support!  We re-boned her dress.  The designer didn't put hardly any boning in the gown! She looks so much better now.  She added a set of straps just for looks.  She doesn't need them for support now! 

"Hally" Before Afters

Hally wanted us to add boning to her dress to change the structure to more of a full bodice instead of an empire waist. She also had us create a V back for her and a sweetheart neckline.  Last but not least, she purchased one of our custom made sashes.  

"Willow" Before Afters

Willow is the perfect example of what pressing and what we call, "grooming" a dress can do.  Of course, we fit the dress to her, but the biggest difference is in her tamed skirt.  I'll give you a hint.  There's NO WAY to get this look with a steamer.  It takes hours of Gilded TLC. 

"Sabre" Before Afters

Sabre had a dress that had an over-zealous curve in the bust.  Do you see the redness on her chest in the before picture? The bust didn't come near to touching her, but the edge of the bodice would chafe her when the dress was pulled tight enough to fit. We had to do a very deep alteration here.  We had to open up the seams and change the curvature of the bust to be a more natural curve.  Yay!  Say bye-bye to those fifties cones!   

Where did I come from?

It's been so long since I received the email asking me that.  How did I get here?  How fast did I grow? When did I let go of the railing and jump?  Did I drop like a rock into water and have to hold my breath for years until I surfaced?  Or did I spread myself wide and find an air stream to light me, growing wings as I glided?

I feel really bad for taking so long to answer.  I'm sorry.

There's a long, impassioned, multi-act story to tell.  I sometimes share it while sewing lace overlay to someone's form.  They have to stand there for hours anyway. There's the short, almost elevator pitch that I can rattle off as I escape to the back room of my shop while we are packed to the gills with brides and questioning aunts, fretting mothers. I'll try to relay something in between those renditions.  

The first time I sewed, I was 8.  I sat by the sewing machine while my mom tattled on and on about what she was doing. She let me make a guided cut or two.  Sew a seam here and there.  Mess up, redo, mess up, redo, mess up, redo.  And then... she held up the ugliest Bermuda shorts I had ever seen.  She declared them my first creation. I was the first human mother to recognize that my baby was homely.  The huge palm leaves snaked their way across the cotton fabric. The printed broad greenery was punctuated by random tropical flowers.

Well that was the most tedious, frustrating thing I had ever done.  No, thanks.  

My second trial at sewing was when I was a senior in High School. The Hotel Roanoke was nearing completion of their monumental renovations project.  For some reason, I got excited about this.  I had these strange visions of attending dinner in The Regency Room with my mom and dad.  That year, I stole some of my mom's velvet fabric.  I measured her, but wouldn't tell her why.  I holed up in my room for a couple days and created a long green velvet skirt for her. It even had a zipper!  I made it custom to her size.   It was completely hand stitched.  Before you get impressed, let me tell you the result.  I had her try it on. I didn't know what "wearing ease" was. Basically, she couldn't try it on.  It was skin tight.  It rode up. Unzippable.  And the crowning glory was the iron-shaped streak down the front of the skirt where I had pressed it with a hot iron, (note:  you don't press velvet directly with a hot iron. EVER.)  Sooo... I had this new dream of attending dinner with just dad.  I bought a garish silver satin dress from goodwill and re-designed it to make it even more garish.  I included a train, of course.  ((clearing throat)).  That was the end of that.

My mom was always a practical kind of seamstress, using fabric engineering to solve our problems around the house. She probably invented the toaster cover.  Because everyone's toasters were cold until she came along and cozied them up.  Photo albums were covered in fabric.  Organizers were made and draped over arm rests of couches. Complex Halloween costumes were designed and executed with perfection. But she and my grandmother had this agonizingly perfect way of sewing that just terrified me!  It was like the closer you came to martyrdom over your machine, the more house-maven points you scored. After seeing their calculated methods of sewing, I didn't want any part with it.  After seeing my failed attempts at fashion creation, I would rather die than be a seamstress.   

I didn't try sewing again until my mother gently pushed a yard sale find sewing machine into my room and tip-toed out. Alone in my room, my freshman year of college, I discovered the creative side of sewing.  I ripped goodwill treasures into shreds and reshaped them into couture expressions of me.  With having materials that I had purchased from Goodwill with my own money, as opposed to finely folded yardage from Piece Goods, I felt free to mess up.  Glory Hallelujah!  This was fun! 

I sewed on that order- mashups and problem solving projects dominated my hobby for ten years or so.  I began to sew for friends and relatives.  I had a small circle of private clients that I served regularly.  

After my son was born, I asked my dear Pastor's wife one day to pray for direction on how I could contribute to the family purse.  A few days later, she left me a voicemail to meet her in her office before church.  When I went in the office, she tossed a stack of note cards down and raised her voice at me saying, "You can do this!! You are creative.  This is what you need to be doing!" I looked down at the hand painted cards that I had gifted her with previously.  It was one of those moments where you're like, "Okaaaay...?"

I sat through service as my Pastor, unaware of his wife's prodding, gave a motivational sermon about making things happen sometimes. Don't just pray about stuff.  Be a do-er!  That night, I stayed up til 3AM sewing art-to-wear, tote bags, corsages, and various other accessories. I painted one of a kind note cards. The next day, I called a favorite boutique of mine in Roanoke, Gone Coco. Precious Susan answered the phone.  I asked for the owner, it was her.  I introduced myself as an artist selling wares.  She enthusiastically told me that she was looking for someone like me.  She told me to come in the next day to show her what I had. The next day, I nervously spread out my treasures before her. She bought every piece and offered me a whole wall of her store to fill for fall.  I left breathless!  I couldn't believe, I  just got a job as a designer- just. like. that. Over the next few years, I labored many hours building a brand, gaining new boutique accounts, and having online sales while still keeping a few private clients.  

Years later, my friend from church opened a bridal and formal wear shop and she started asking me to sew for her. "Noooo", I would say! "I don't want to mess up gowns and have brides yell at me!!"

Hang in here with me... One morning, I heard the voice of God clear as a bell.  He told me to sew for my friend. I cocked my ear like a dog hearing a distant knock.  "Are you sure about that?"  I knew it wasn't me, because sewing for the public was the last thing I wanted to do.  I was kinda comfortable where I was, thank you very much. I purposed to obey God when I set out to live for Him.  There was no disobeying now.  I went to the city administration building the next day and changed my business license over.  I ran an ad in the paper.  I ordered business cards, and gave a thumbs up to my victorious friend.

Wouldn't you know it, right then, the recession hit and within that year all of my boutiques closed except for one? (Gone Coco) The alterations side of my business took off like an antsy racehorse.  I worked from my home until the traffic became too much. I rented a small fitting room at a vendor mall.  I pinned in there and brought the work home to sew.  I outgrew that location.  I rented an office at The Bedford Mini Mall. I outgrew that and doubled my space. I contracted out the tailoring and casual sewing with a second seamstress, while I only altered Prom, Bridesmaids, and Brides.  I soon outgrew that space as well.  I took out a 3 year lease on a 2,000 sq ft loft space.  We are on our second lease now. When I moved into there, I cut all of the casual sewing and switched to private appointments only.  As the workload became too much, I systematically cut the types of jobs I would take, until I was whittled down to only Bridal.  

Now, 20 years after learning to sew, and 10 years after starting in the sewing business, The Gilded Thimble has blossomed into a destination-worthy experience for Brides. 

The Gilded Thimble has been a living, breathing thing.  It's been a product of direction from the ministry in my life, and, of course, the voice of God.  It has been the recipient of unwavering support from my husband. He is the Treasurer of this corporation and supported me in the early, unprofitable years. He continues to support me daily with the loving look of admiration in his eyes.  He accompanies me on my many out-of-town wedding trips.

I describe the course of growing a business as a conversation.  You have to listen to what people respond to.  Clients were a smidge more enthusiastic about my Bridal work.  I also feel more motivated by Bridal than any other type of sewing. If you take the path that gives both you and your client the most joy and success, you will end up where you are supposed to be.

I hope this post has been clear and helpful.  Please email me if you have any other questions.  I love to share my experiences with you all, my friends!

With warmth:

Carissa     

 

"Jaime" Before and After

"Jaime's" dress pretty much fit her nowhere when we started on it.  We also gave her a very manageable hem length.  She opted to keep the side flair, (it will move back as she walks) but she has a nice safe hem length front and center...

Eboni and Leon

Saturday, we wound our way around country roads, passing vineyards and equestrian racetracks to arrive at the wedding of Eboni and Leon Council.  It was held just outside of Charlottesville at a charming B&B and venue named, Rosebrook Inn.  The inn boasted 4 suites adjoining a large, airy gathering room.  The downstairs held ample space for Eboni's late-night karaoke jam, and an eclectic Coca-Cola room for guests to cool down in. The entire inn was wrapped in white picket decking and crepe myrtles.  Eboni held her ceremony outside at the gazebo.  

Meet Eboni!  She is a blast!  I've been looking forward to this wedding for a while.  Eboni and I hit it off, goodness... it seems like it was a year ago that she booked me for the day. She has big expressive eyes, and lots of tricks up her sleeves.  She surprised her wedding guests with a doughnut truck at the wedding, flower girls dressed as frozen characters, and 3 wardrobe changes!  

Upper left, you'll see her bridesmaid's dresses that I freshly steamed.  Below them, you'll meet Jasmine, Eboni's planner.  She was super sweet and organized.  She is from Agape Love Events, LLC.  Above right, Eboni dons her tiara and cathedral length veil before walking down the aisle.  Her ceremony dress was a full ballgown, covered in large fluffy roses. 

Her gowns were from Church Street Bridal.  The cathedral veil was from The Gilded Thimble.  Eboni made her own bouquet.  I could go on and on about the details of this wedding!  Each table had a cake on it.  Each table had hand-wired place settings denoting the guests that should sit there. So every guest received his/her name wired in copper as a favor to take home.  

Here are pictures of her other dress...

The first picture shows how Eboni wore this gown to her "first look" moment. Remember, she has tricks up her sleeve?! Leon was not really sure about doing a "first look", because he's a traditional guy and didn't want to see her gown before Eboni walked down the aisle.  When her future husband and family members saw her in this first dress, she didn't spoil the surprise.  They thought that it was her ceremony gown.  ;) 

The second picture shows the dress bustled for the reception. She also has on her birdcage veil that The Gilded Thimble whipped up for her.  We selected a brooch, an ostrich feather, and a bit a tulle, and combined them all to make a fascinator which complemented her dress. 

The final picture shows her front bustles, which would get her dress off of the ground all the way around. Eboni joked and called these her "Delta Burke" bustles.  Remember the 80's prom dresses that had this look? It's perfect for a night of celebration!

"Nope, nope, don't make me cry!"  These were Jasmine's words before she left Eboni to walk the aisle. I loved her body language at this moment. It sums up the feelings we often have with brides.  Yes, this is a job, but we get connected.  I feel like it's my job to somehow fall in love with every bride we work with. Eboni made that easy to do.  I'm glad my heart comes through to my brides!  Eboni gave me a perfect, new nick-name.  "Friendor"  Get it?  It's a wedding vendor who is also a friend. So sweet! 

 

Other vendors not mentioned above:

Planner: Agape Love Events

Videographer: Andrew Tawes Photography

Photographer: Santiago Vidal, U Imagine Photography

Cake: Whole Foods

Catering: Hank's Smokehouse

DJ: Andy Wilfong

 

"Tootsie" Before and After

"Tootsie's" zipper flap had popped loose and the buttons were not evenly spaced.  We fixed all of that. Her zipper flap still doesn't lay completely flush, but we will be with her on her wedding day and we will sew the flap down.   

Sabrina in Luray

This past weekend, we worked a wedding in Luray, VA. I was happy to see our bride Sabrina and a venue I had never been to before.  But, unusually enough, I was also excited for the road trip, because I wanted a photograph of the Luray Volcano.  I know what you're thinking, "The Luray, what??" Yes, there is an ancient volcano in Luray, (possibly many of them?) and no, you can't google image search it to find it.  Thus my desire to photograph it.  So I had my camera ready in anticipation.  As we neared Harrisonburg, the sky opened up and we had a hard, driving rain on 81.  Oh, poor bride, I thought.  It is an outside wedding.  As we neared Luray, the rain ceased and a beautiful, gray hovering mist embraced the mountain range.    It also wound its way around the volcano so that it was shrouded beyond recognition.  Harrumph. 

As we pulled up to Stover Hall,  I took in the charming brick facade with white trim.  We drove deeper down the drive, and the Appalachian Mountains spread her arms in greeting, the garland of fog draping her ancient shoulders.  I drew in a breath.  Sabrina's pictures were going to be amazing.

You guys know about my favorite wedding weather.  It's a morning that is washed and brightened by rain, followed by a full day of partly cloudy skies.  I'm even up for a rain shower or two.  The colors come out in full strut after a rain shower, I tell you.  And you also have no squinty pictures.  Hooray! This is the kind of day that was prepared for Sabrina! 

I did my usual dress prepping.  I steamed her gown and veil.  I steamed the bridesmaid's dresses.  Tacked a few things where needed.  I tightened up the MOG's dress a smidge for her.  

Sabrina took the route of having coordinating dresses for the bridesmaids.  My fave.  <3  Look really close, and you can see a blur of Sabrina in the field to the right of the bridesmaids.  She is approaching the site of her first look photos. 

See the picture on the right?  That's MOG and MOB.  I love their dresses!  They both wore lace overlay shifts.  

Hair by friend of the bride, Devin.  Awesome job!!!  

Gown from Church Street Bridal.  Veil was also from Church Street, but was re-tulled by The Gilded Thimble.  Don't be scared of damaged veils!  You can save a ton and we can swap out the tulle and comb.  No biggie! 

Sabrina's bouquet was a show-stopper! Her flowers were perfectly bloomed lilies, roses and succulents. Vivian's got it right! It's rare to see lilies that aren't creased or in the wrong stage of blooming.

A couple other vendors that I should mention: Planning by James Umana.   Sabrina also had live music performed by loved ones from her church.  

Above, Lindsey from one of Sam Stroud's teams coaches the girls for their picture.  She was super nice and knowledgeable.  So was Meredith and Mitchell.  I had a great day working with that team!  Kaylee, a friend of Sabrina's was doing video.  I can't wait to see her interpretation.

 While I've given you a good report on the vendors of the day, there are many details lacking.  I had to help Sabrina with her dress pretty intensely because of the wet grass.  So all the stunning vistas will be masterfully captured by Sam Stroud's team.  Watch for those breathtaking images! I also would've loved to share a pic of Sabrina's dad and his long-time girlfriend, Jenn.  They were sweethearts.  They accompanied Sabrina on her sewing day at my shop, so we have literally spent a couple days together. Thanks Dad and Jenn!

As I packed up, I hugged Sabrina goodbye and mentioned my missing the volcano picture, (she knew I was going to try to get one that day.) But, Sabrina looked beautiful and she had a glorious backdrop for a wedding day.  ~Sigh~   I'd give up getting that shot again and again if it meant she could have a day this beautiful.  xoxo, Sabrina.  Wishing you many happy years of love! 

Our Contracts are Fun!

Most people dread perusing and signing contracts. Most people are boring and serious. Our brides are the exception!! Check out this fun notation that was included in the contract that came in the mail today. I just love Gilded Brides! <3

September 19th can't get here soon enough.  

upload.jpeg