raori

living handmade

Tag Archives: lace


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Lace heaven in a basement

 

 

I found a treasure the other day! I was given the opportunity to go through a basement full of old lace, night gowns and table cloths from the 50s and 60s… The least to say is that I was in paradise!

My favorite find was a beautiful shear night gown, but the sad thing with night-gowns are this: to use the gown as a dress is almost impossible as it really is a night gown and however we style it, it’s hard to get away from “the pajama-look”. So my second thought was to sleep in it … But it’s too pretty to sleep in! And such a waste only to show it to my family. The truth is that lace-loving freaks certainly feel gorgeous sleeping in grandma’s old vintage dress, it is indeed romantic and beautiful, but definitely not sexy in any way ….

So I was left with one scary choice: to cut this beautiful piece in two and make something wearable out of it. And so it was that I got my sexy open back lace top (will look stunning with boyfriend jeans) and my daughter a gorgeous lace skirt with a silk belt.


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Making a wedding dress

There is something very romantic and sweet about making a wedding dress for someone… I’m always so happy to be given that honor. It’s also a lot of nerves involved when I make a wedding dress; it has to be perfect for that big day! There is no room for mistakes on white silk and lace…
When I make dresses like this to measure, it’s really “old style”. What I mean is that this is how clothes used to be made at the tailor’s; a sketch, a photo, choosing the fabric, maybe trying on something similar, but not being able to see the actual garment until it’s finished. There is certainly something exiting and beautiful to make clothes like this. It makes me think back on the long history of my profession and why I love what I do so much! I think the best part in working “old style” like this, is that the bride can decide fabrics, style, feeling, length and fit all by herself (with my counseling of course!) This particular dress was custom made for Stacy in Colorado. You can check out the photo shoot she made with the dress in Thailand on her blog.