I've been sewing for over 15 years...
I got my start creating reproduction Victorian fashions for a company called Recollections. It wasn't always sunshine and daisies though... In the beginning I was mostly just winding bobbins, matching fabrics and ruining the occasional strip of patchwork. My (very!) patient mentor, Mimi, took me from 0 to 60 though, and in the end I was tearing my way through paneled jacquard jackets, hand beading wedding dresses, winding handmade silk roses to add to gowns and creating beautiful bustled trains.
Click the image to the left to go to Recollections...
Here come the tutus...
Growing up my mom and dad always made our Halloween costumes and I continued that tradition as I got older. In college I went as a pink, yellow and white Disco Tooth Fairy to a party one year and the rest is history. My homemade tutu was such a hit I started making them for any and every occasion! As I got older and friends started having kids I wound up making tutus for a few select little ones and was talked into selling them (even though I didn't think anyone would want my quirky dress up pieces!) and since then I've expanded into hair pieces, wings, and all the other dress up pieces I cherished or dreamed of as a little girl.
Now I find inspiration everywhere in my world travels, in my friends, in their kids' ideas and drawings, through books, dreams and nature. I've become really picky about the materials I use and I LOVE to throw real fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystals into my work.
In the future I'd really like to start a line of tutus using recycled wedding gowns, ball gowns, and prom dresses.
Now I find inspiration everywhere in my world travels, in my friends, in their kids' ideas and drawings, through books, dreams and nature. I've become really picky about the materials I use and I LOVE to throw real fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystals into my work.
In the future I'd really like to start a line of tutus using recycled wedding gowns, ball gowns, and prom dresses.
In the works...
In the "Real World" I was a Childrens Librarian for almost 5 years and have a serious soft spot for picture books to this day. I guess it's only natural that now I'm writing one! Like getting into the tutu game I'm pretty nervous about it, but I've finally had an idea that I think is unique enough to be really good so here I go! The pic to the left is a small hint of things to come...
