Dorothy Dress with modified thrifted blouse
This iconic Dorothy dress was originally designed by Adrain, the famous costume and fashion designer. The deceptively complex design incorporates bias cut accents and button details. The above version is paired with a thrifted blouse – with added rick rack accent to mimic the original costume details. It also features a built in petticoat to give the skirt soft shaping. Halloween 2012.
Zippered clutches with removable wrist strap for a bridal party.
These clutches were commissioned by a bride to be for her bridesmaids (and one for herself) to match their dresses. Each one is personalized with the recipient’s name hand painted on the lining inside.
Bridal Party Clutches: Personalized interior detail.
A friend asked if I could make repairs to a cherished (but abused) family fur coat. The shoulder seams needed a lot of TLC. As a surprise, I made her this monogram – in the style of vintage furs.
Custom (surprise) monogram for a cherished heirloom fur coat that I repaired.
For the Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2012 I worked on a play as a Stage Manager, as well as a costume and props builder/designer/consultant. The two outfits I made were for the main character of Lulu. The first is a 1920s style imagining of the classic french clown character Pierrot based on a scant description in the source material for the play. Modified satin nightie and slip (made into culottes), velvet fascinator. Black wool pom poms and hand stitched ‘crows in snow’ edge detailing.
The Pierrot outfit. Charlene VanBuekenhout as Lulu in Lulu: A Monster Tragedy (2012)
The second Lulu costume I made was based on the concept of a ‘sexy elf’. This outfit was dramatically revealed to one of Lulu’s lovers from under a dress. Organza tunic with strategically placed stain leaves, satin tap pants with fringe hem.
The Sexy Elf costume. Charlene VanBuekenhout as Lulu in Lulu: A Monster Tragedy (2012)
A quick custom elfin-like dress for a wedding guest: rayon with crinkle organza overlay.
Elfin Dress: Front View.
Elfin Dress: Back View. Lacing and double bow.
More 1920s style mods for a local rental shop:
1920s style dress from a vintage slip. Custom made for a costume rental shop.
A less fringed flapper dress with a sheer overlay top.
Another flapper dress from a vintage slip.
Peacock inspired flapper dress from modified slip for Ragpickers costume dept.
In the spring, I costumed a high school drama production set in the regency period. For budgeting reasons, most of the costumes were rented/modified thrifted items. Here are a few of the pieces I transformed:
Regency style bonnet from a sun hat and some vintage ribbon for Hideous Progeny (2012)
Breakdown on thrifted shirt and pants for “The Monster” Hideous Progeny (2012)
This dress was modified to make it appear more Regency style.
Before: Empire Waist formal gown.
After: Added overskirt and fisshu.
With an influx of babies in my life, I made gifts of a practical nature for the new additions.
Baprons for my nephew. These things are great for using up smaller pieces of cotton and flannel.
Flannel crib quilt and burp cloths for the new niece!
More Baprons for the new Niece!
Baprons, Burp Cloths and a knitted ‘Sprout’ hat for another baby relative.
A favourite handmade gift: Custom hot pads (these went to a newly wedded couple)
The finally finished Wedding Quilt for my mother and her husband:
The Wedding Quilt
See more on this project here.