Blue Silk Striped Dress

I've just completed a new dress that I'm really happy about.  Originally, I bought the fabric almost three years ago and at the time, it inspired me to paint the walls of my living room with the colors in the fabric.  As you can imagine, I have a beautiful inventory of fabrics and hold onto a number of them until the exact and perfect project enters my imagination and I now just what I want to make with it.
I love the creative process more than the construction of the garment...but alas, I have to do both to render a wonderful product!
I love the stripes in this fabric.  It's laden with beautiful green and silver striping with a heavier royal blue bands of twill.
Loved working with this and I lined it with silver shantung.  Soft to the skin and a great weight to accommodate the lightness of the outer fabric.  I'm going to love wearing this and the chevron-effect is marvelous...love it!

So the re-upholstery project is finally accomplished!! I worked with Linda from Linda's Upholstery at www.lindacustomupholstery.com to create these marvelous patchwork themed sofa and loveseat pieces.  I had obtained these couches from Craiglist free of charge from a wonderful lady who was trying to sell them but couldn't.  I offered to pay for them but she simply was thrilled to have me take them off her hands.  I thought the style of the couches was perfect for this type of project so my wonderful boyfriend went to pick them up for me and surprised me by bringing them home and moving them into my house without any assistance!!  Sometimes, I just don't know how he does it.
I've posted before and after pictures so that you get the complete feel for the process.
I had to measure each piece and mix/match corresponding fabrics to get the palette of colors and textures that I thought would work beautifully.  The process of measuring each separate piece was tedious and required some thinking.
I created a legend of sorts...numbering fabrics with the corresponding piece on the furniture.  I took pictures of different sides/angles of each couch and matched them up with the fabric that I wanted to have sewn together.  Some of these fabrics I had for many years in my inventory, especially since I don't usually work with upholstery materials very often.  I've purchased these types of fabrics to make coats, jackets, pillows, and occasionally, a long skirt.  It was gloriously fun to go find additional pieces needed to complete the project, since I don't typically shop from those sides of fabric stores..wow, I found a new passion!
I searched for an upholsterer who would be either familiar with this patchwork idea that I had in my head, or was willing to try their hand at creating these unique pieces with me.  I was so fortunate to find Linda Arvai on line and I contacted her to find if she would be interested.  To my pleasure, she was indeed willing and interested to work with me!  In addition, she was located in my city so this was an added bonus!
Despite an unexpected delay of 4 months, Linda was able to get to this project and completed both pieces in two weeks.  Her work is exceptional!  Professional finish and creative.
Linda and I have discovered that we work well together and could create pieces for customers since we both individually have personal businesses moniquesoriginals.com..and .www.lindacustomupholstery.com, we've discussed forging our talents and resources, and letting folks know that we can do this.
Our first effort will be to post these images here and spread the word.
I'm eager to see where this can take us...
Take a look at the shots below and let me know your thoughts!

Lori's Yellow Linen Dress

So it's been quite a long while since I posted on my blog.  I've been at it with my sewing business and recently completed a cool yellow sheath linen dress for a coworker who spotted a nice outfit in a magazine.  She brought me the picture and asked me to make her one....hmm...love it when they do that!

I got to work and crafted a one-of-a kind chic lined dress with chain adornments.  My daughter Dannylle made the accompanying jewelry.  Lori was thrilled to wear her dress and she wore it at work today...it was a big hit and gave me the opportunity to pass out more of my business cards.  I found it amazing that there were still some folks who didn't know about my sewing passion...I'm excited because I really believe that this is going to bring in more inspiration and creative projects.
Life is good.....

Baby's Kate Middleton Engagement Dress is DONE!

So this was quite a doozie!  This is how I did it!
At first I didn't really have a plan of action as to how to proceed because the pattern for this dress is non-existent and images of the dress are not easily zoom-able.  So I was able to Google different side shots of the dress but none of its backside.  Initially, I thought to buy a doll dress of the Kate Middleton Engagment dress and attempt to fashion a baby's dress from that but I found that the doll dress that was created didn't look anything like the actual dress.  I sent the doll dress back and started over.
Luckily, I found a look-a-like reproduction for an adult and was able to see that it actually ties in the back and interweaves through the sides of the seams.  I considered how complicated this would be in dressing a baby and decided that I would omit that piece but aim at recreating the rest of it.
I was able to locate a prototype pattern that would give me a similar bodice and then located a basic toddler's pattern for 6 months and up.  I purchased both, took the bodice piece from the adult pattern and took it to Kinko's to have it shrunk down to the size of the bodice piece in the toddler pattern.  The look on the employee's face was hilarious!  She worked with that pattern piece for a good 15 minutes to get it to the same size as that of the toddler pattern.
I them proceeded to intertwine the two sets of patterns and attempt to create the sash piece that criss-crosses in the front.  Essentially, I constructed the dress as I would have an adult's dress but in a flannel-backed satin so that it has a luxurious look, but a soft and washable feel for a baby.
What an endeavor but I'm glad I took the challenge!
Thanks Pat for believing that I could do this!  Now I want a picture of the mother-to-be when she opens the gift and sees this little darling!!

So 2013 is upon us and it's time to begin with new dreams, imaginations, and creations for the upcoming year.  I am very excited about what this new year will bring.  I have increasing hope and inspiration to thoroughly launch my sewing business and take it to the next level.  I am waiting for my website to be fully functional and will have a sign created to hang outside my home on a wooden post.  I will let folks know near and wide that I am in the business of making custom-made clothing and would like to broaden its scope.

I am currently working on a recreation of Kate Middleton's engagement dress for a six-month old baby.  A dear friend and customer of mine thought this would make a fine baby shower gift for a friend who is enamored with the British Royal attire.  Unbelievable challenge because this dress isn't available except by picture and there's no such remake for children, let alone a baby!!!
Anyway, I didn't want to disappoint and am in the midst of completing this charming little dress.  Once completed, I will post on here as well as my website.  I am looking forward to seeing the mother-to-be's face when she opens the gift and see this little darling!

First time at this.....

Hi there...I'm Monique.  I've decided to try my hand at creating a blog...I've viewed other blogs and found them to be inspirational and inviting.  I'm hoping that I can do the same for you.  This can prove to be a fun experience and hope to connect with the world out there that shares the same passions as I do!!
I live in Riverside, California in a historical landmark home who we had titled The Wilson House once we discovered that the original builder's last name was the same as ours!! We were able to get approval from the Cultural Heritage Board to do this back in the 90's and changed the title from Structure of Merit #75 to The Wilson House. Too cool, huh?

I love my home...it's charming and cozy.  One of a kind, for sure.  It has been a wonderful house to live in the past 23 years...I don't expect I'll ever leave it.  I've enclosed some pics of it for you..

I love to sew and do all sorts of other needlework and crafts...I've done a lot of mosaic work as well.  I've been sewing since I was 12 and have never stopped.  I have a lot of other creative interests that I want to bring to life and can't wait to move forward and get it done!!