01/07/2026
Fabulously rewarding day today.
Three beautiful women came in today.
❤️The first an interesting and vibrant lady who has an exquisite fun fashion sense. A very successful second fitting for a special and unusual birthday outfit. All the preparation showed clearly that her final result will be a perfect flattering comfortable fit. She was so happy to try it on again.
I can always tell, a smile grows across their face and they stand tall and proud. ❤️
Today I’m completing it for her special birthday for collection tomorrow.
I had two lovely excited teens in too.
❤️The first with a huge ball gown. 6 layers of nets and skirts and horsehair and glitter tulle. Nothing spared 😄
She needed it shortened by 6 inches and of course I kept my methods creative in order to save Mum as much in the alterations bill as I could.
The curtain went back and that smile lit up the room. She swept out of the fitting room in the perfect gown, the perfect length skimmed the floor and glided around her.
❤️The other young lady came to try on her gown that had arrived on Monday. It had been a Sunday morning message hopeful I could help with this last minute alteration to her mesh and satin gown. It was a lot of work to reshape her illusion sheer net bodice and waist in this gown that had a ruched drape of gathers from the hip on both layers of the main dress and also on the additional under panel which formed the wide thigh high split. I worked late into the evening and early the next morning on this one and I’ll say I found it a real dilemma as to how I would approach this.
But listen to your inner wise woman and know you have always got this. Pick up the pen, blade and pins, document the gown and deconstruct it.
From there the magic flows and you enter the zone.
She came with her proud Nan to try on and collect. That smile I’ll never forget. As we positioned the gown and I laced her in, the relief and happiness in her face was the perfect picture. A very happy young woman and the proudest Nan.
Another completely perfect fit.
I’ve been exhausted and burnt out by the busy season and today nourished my soul so deeply.
These outfits are challenging, the physical weight of a ball gown, the complexity of the construction. They all need skill and bravery, creativity and an understanding of fit that has to be part of your soul to achieve the best results.
But still we work almost always with a huge lump in the throat because all three of these outfits hold such a lot of meaning to the lovely women who are looking forward to their special evenings who deserve the very best.
I wonder if the day will ever come when I don’t feel a sense of fear and the relief.
I doubt it I care too much to lose that.
