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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2008

    Yay for Beth!!

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited June 2008

    Beth, the new "couturier" sounds wonderful.  What fun to have a new friend who SOoooooooo wants to make you beautiful (even more beautiful, that is).  I really like his ideas.  Cannot wait to see some sketches???

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  • Emelee26
    Emelee26 Member Posts: 569
    edited June 2008

    That's great Beth :)

    I'm so excited for you!

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited June 2008

    Beth, a good dress maker can do that, make you feel like you are the only client that they have. My sister and I make custom bridal gowns and formal wear and we do the same thing. We tell the bride to be to get pics out of magazines of the different things that they like on different dresses (neck line, waist, back, skirt, sleeves, etc.) and we design the perfect dress for the bride from the picts she brings in as well as any other ideas she has. We go to the greatest fabric store in North Carolina (Mary Jo's in Gastonia) with the bride and she can help pick out the fabric, lace and other details that she wants in her dress.

    One of our brides did some modeling for a local bridal shop and when they found out that she was getting a custom gown for her wedding, they told her to bring it in and let them see it, they wanted to make sure that it did not look "homemade", When they saw it, they couldn't believe that it did not come from a fancy boutique and it was not like anyone elses gown.

    Sheila

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited June 2008

    So, I had the fitting of the muslin today.  Let me set the scenario.  It's 90 degrees and so humid out it should be illegal.  I have to park four blocks away, and by the time I get to the store I can smell the alcohol from last night seeping through my sweat filled pores.

    I roll in, big sunglasses covering half of my face, as I chug the last few drops of my poland spring bottle.

    Here comes Jose.  If ever there was a time I should've had a camera crew with me for a reality show, today was the day. 

    No words can describe this amazing, flamboyant, dominican man, as he floats through the store draped in the black, white, and Bright Fuscia chiffon fabric he will use for my dress.

    His movements were like a fluid ballet.  He circled around me with the fabric before draping them across the table.

    I couldn't help but instantly feel at ease.  The pounding in my head seemed to dissipate, and he told me to slip into the black muslin.

    I was scared at first because it was so tight around my arms, and high on my neck, and practically down to my ankles, but as soon as I stood in front of the mirror,  Jose began to work his magic.  He moved around me with scissors in one hand and a pink pin cushion secured to his wrist.  I stood so still as he moved around me cutting here, pinning there.  I felt like cinderella, when the fairy god mother waved her wand and instantly she was transformed.

    Before I knew it, I was looking at this once black frock, now resembling a sexy dress.  Then he took chalk and drew lines and marks where the waist cincher, and fabric would flow from.

    It was a magical experience. 

    I was brought back to reality when I took the muslin off carefully, but still managed to stick myself in the butt with two pins. 

    The first fitting is in the middle of July.  Pictures to come....

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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited June 2008

    Wow, Beth - this is just too exciting! To have custom dresses made for these occasions is such a fabulous treat - you will feel so pampered and spoiled for these memory-making moments. And you deserve nothing less! Kiss Jose sounds divine - all he needs is a wand and the bibbity-boppity-boo! Yes, indeed - pictures please!

    Lisa

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited June 2008

    Oh, Jose!  Where have you been all my life?

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited June 2008

    Sheila - your business sounds so exciting, creative and fulfilling. wonderful.

    Beth - I think I am in love with Jose myself. Your tale about your fitting above is simply terrific. Really, you should be a writer - the way you describe situations and people. You've got the gift, girl. Back to the dress- can't wait to see pics!!

     Raye

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited June 2008

    Raye, we only do the dress making on the side of permenant full time jobs (myself - office, my sister - child care), not a lot of requests for custom gowns except at prom time. We don't advertise anywhere, we get referrals from word of mouth. My mom and aunt got started doing these gowns together in the early 70's and as my sister and i grew up we just fell into assisting our mom in the business. My mom and aunt used the name Willene Originals (combination of Wilma and Arlene), my sister and I use Willena Sharie Originals (continue the first name and adding our names Sheila and Marie). It is great seeing the woman's look on her face when she puts her gown on and it is very uniquely hers.

    Sheila

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited June 2008

    Sheila I have a question.  So in two weeks I have the first actual fitting.  Do I need to have my shoes by then?  The dress right now is like mid calf, but we plan to cut it to the knee.  If it was a long gown, I know I would need my shoes, but do I need them by this fitting?  Most likely I will be in 3-4 inch heels.  Does it even matter on a shorter dress?

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited July 2008

    Hey Beth,

    I peek in on this thread now and again. Your story about your dress fitting with Jose was almost magical! I felt as though I was there, perhaps watching through the shop window!! You definitely have a flair for fashion as well as words. I am with Raye, can't wait to see the final masterpiece!!

    Lexi

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited July 2008

    Good to see you Lexi.  Our cancerversaries are right around the same time- just a year apart.

    Hope all is well!!!!!

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited July 2008

    Beth, We usually get the bodice fitted at the first fitting then after the bodice is finished, then we need the shoes to measure the length. So my opinion is you will not need the shoes at the first fitting and the shoes don't really matter that much on a shorter dress - unless we are doing bridesmaid dresses in the shorter length. We have them all come to one fitting with the shoes they are wearing and measure everyone's hem to the same length from the floor so the hems are all even as they stand in front of everyone. (yes we have done that so the pictures all look great!) That fitting we actually have them meet us at our church so we have plenty of room for all the girls to move around.

    Sheila

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  • Isabella4
    Isabella4 Member Posts: 2,166
    edited July 2008

    Just bobbing onto this thread, I read all your goings on with interest.

    I once made 2 bridesmaids dresses, for a 5 and a 6 year old, 3 other women also made 6 more dresses between them, EVERY ONE was a different length, and all the girls wore different shoes, most of which were showing, they looked awful !!

    Isabella.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited July 2008

    GRRRRR-----------------what IS it with the dept. stores and air conditioning?????  Shopped for a swimsuit today.  (that's bad enough!)  But the damn store was burning up!  I have to travel about an hour to a real dept store, so I HAD to find one.

    By the time I was finished, I was melting and didn't cool off till we got home and I had a cool shower. 

    Oh, and the miracle suits???  Loose inches in minutes?? Yeah, sure if you get 1-2 sizes larger than you normally wear, otherwise you cannot pull the dang thing UP.

    SO glad that's over.  I swim about 3 x wk and my other 2 are almost in rags. 

    Ok I will get down off the box and go sleep the sleep of the heat stroked!

    and to top it off, my dh forgot to turn off the lights at one mall and we had to find jumper cables and bought a new battery!  Had to be 199 degrees!

    we invested in one of those thingys you plug into a cigg lighter and start the car.  $30 is well worth not having to borrow jumper cables or find some one to help you move your care so it CAN be jumped.

    WHEW!

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    Dotti, just think how hard it would be to get those miracle suits up when you're hot, sweaty and wet and have to pee...............LOL. 

    Oh, cripe, another one with a dead battery.  Been there, done that last week, too.  Had to actually be towed as the battery would not hold a charge.  $218.00 later..............Cry  Thats' a lotta mozzarella (or swimsuits).  Sorry for your angst.

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited July 2008

    I don't know what's worse...pulling up bathing suits, or spanx undergarments.  You break a sweat and get aggitated within minutes of attempting either of these things.

    I wore these killer betsey johson 5 inch heels last night, and my back is KILLING me today!  I'm taking advil like it's going out of style.

    The things we do for fashion.

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    Just want to say that I've been sightseeing in my Havai-somethings and my feet are very happy.  I was surprised to find that they are comfortable all day, even walking and shopping.

    I guess that was a well-spent $22.00.

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  • gracejon
    gracejon Member Posts: 972
    edited July 2008

    Just a little note, Beth.   think I'm pretty excited about your dresses!  They both sound so terrific.  I do think weddings are such special occassions that ou so deserve to be extra pampered and have everything as perfect as possible.  Please keep posting as this is so much fun.  Best wishes!

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  • Emelee26
    Emelee26 Member Posts: 569
    edited July 2008

    Beth my favorite motto is

    Beauty hurts :)

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited July 2008

    Beauty definitely hurt at my dress fitting this weekend.  It was pretty bad, and I actually don't even want to get into it...

    my mom is coming with me next week, and I know that she'll open her mouth with no problem.  I guess I feel like I don't want to say anything that may be perceived as negative by my dressmaker... but this dress is costing a ridiculous amount of money- and I expecteds to see a lot more than what I tried on the other day.

    This is just one more additional stress that I didn't want.  Pepto bismal is my friend right now.

    I shouldn't even stress until I see how far the dress has come when I go back this Sunday.

    And on a brighter note- my nipple is FINALLY starting to get better, and hopefully I won't have to bandage it within the next 2 weeks!

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    Oh, cool.  Some good news.  I needed that.

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited July 2008

    cross fingers... leaving for dress fitting in 20 minutes.

    I found two pair of INCREDIBLE shoes.  One that kind of hurts my feet, and the other that I am absolutely in love with, but I don't know if they will totally look right with the dress.  I could always start the party out in the killer shoes that hurt my feet, and flip to the ones I love midway through.

    I did my hair, and partially did my eyemakeup with the colors I would use for the party- so hopefully I can see a more complete look today.  My mom is coming with me, so I will either come home a happy camper, or completely in tears.... lets hope for the happy dance.

    I'll report back later tonight.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited July 2008

    fingers crossed for a great outcome

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    Well??????  How did the fitting go?  We are all waiting to hear.

    Forget the uncomfortable shoes.  There's always another (comfortable) pair out there.  Kinda like men.  Why settle for less than tops?

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited July 2008

    Let me start by saying I love my mother.

    We get there, and I put on the dress (and the comfy shoes that I love are the winner!!!! wahoooo!!!!)

    And, immediately, everything I think I wanted to say but was too scared to, my mother had no problem taking care of.

    The entire top half of the dress is being de-constructed, and we're using different fabric.  There were these awful darts at the breast, and it made my already huge boobs look even bigger, and it was so uncomfortable.  Then, the white waist cincher, which just looked sort of plain-- well, my mom pulls out pictures of dresses out of her purse from magazines(I was in shock)- and shows Jose what it should be, and in seconds he draped a piece of white taffita around the dress and rouched it and it covered the seams, made me look smaller in the waist, and totally added to the dress.

    The bottom half was perfect- length, color, the way the fabric draped, and the shoes---

    It did come at a price- another $150 for all the changes, but my mom said it's totally worth it-- I'm literally having a new top half of the dress made.

    Having my mom there was the best thing ever.  She's coming with me on Sunday again, and it should be ready within 3 weeks-- I think there's still 6 weeks to go- maybe 5 until the party.

    I'm returning the uncomfortable shoes, and taking the money straight to the MAC counter to get a custom eye pallette to go with the dress.

    I'm an idiot for not taking pictures-- but I will next Sunday. 

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited July 2008

    Beth, sometimes it does take someone else to help make our ideas clear to others. When we do dresses we tell the women to look at magazines and bring in the photos that show exactly what they want. We will take aspects from different photos and blend them together to make the perfect dress. We have, on occasion, made suggestions concerning their choice if something they want will not work with their body type. We have also totally reworked bodices that did not turn out the way or fit the way we expected it to.

    Sheila

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited July 2008

    Yep, mom's are great!  My daughter said she knew she had finally grown up when she dropped her keys in the toilet at a gas station and she had NO MOM to fish them out for her.  LOL!!!

    Mom's have no fear when it comes to our kids, that's why the phrase "Mama Bear" has such meaning!!!!

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    While we are waiting for Beth's dress to be finished, we do need to start thinking about getting our wardrobes ready for fall.  Imagine that!  In this heat!

    What are the big trends for this coming season?  Anyone plugged in?

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited July 2008

    Beth, what a mom you have! I can't wait for the dress to be complete and see some pics!

    Oh, fall fashion. My favorite. I am still in summer mode, so don't  know of any upcoming trends. Can't wait for the BIG fall Vogue to come out - my favorite issue. We'll see some new ideas in there, I am sure. Hopefully, lots of tights and boots.

    Raye 

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