All posts by Tracey Vibert

I've been sewing since I was 12 and creating bridal gowns since 1987. Let's play!
Creative journeys, creativity abounds

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on: The Whine-icorn!

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.
This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !
Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about The Whine-icorn !

This TAV Creations Angel Superhero combines the powers of the teen and the unicorn in a tall talented soul!  

 

Let the teen be comfortable – bridesmaid or prom!

The Design

Prom dress/ Ball gown/ Bridesmaid dress

Labour $600

Original sketch brought to TAV Creations

Designed with the assistance of a school mate and then *organically created* in the TAV Creations Studio, this iridescent  blue textured gown is light and flows with a grounded feel.

It has the elegance of a ball gown with the flexibility to be dressed up, down or sideways with accessories and attitude.

Supplies:

  • Blue crinkle satin 6m
  • Interlining 1m
  • Boning 1m 

Crinoline- single layer:
Labour $45
Supplies:

  • pregathered/reclaimed crinoline 
  • 1.5m broadcloth

Fascinator:
Labour $45
Supplies:

  • comb, 
  • horsehair, 
  • applique, 
  • satin from dress
The Whine-icorn corset back gown by TAV Creations

 

 

*organically created*: This is the way of things in my studio…  we start at an inspired point and then the creation takes on a life of its own. The client has full input throughout the process and we decide together what changes may occur from the original idea to create a highly personalized finished piece! 

 

And a reminder that The Whine-icorn and Zombie Dragon Girl came as a team!

Creative journeys, creativity abounds

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on Zombie Dragon Girl!

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !

Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about Zombie Dragon Girl!!  The juxtaposition of this superhero: a Darkness that gives Light in creativity and movement.

Zombie Dragon Girl in elegant Darkness she shines..

Zombie Dragon Girl had a clear vision of what her gown could be and the pieces all came together -from two separate donated gowns, a TAV Creations purse created in the 90’s, a sample veil that worked perfectly to enhance her distinct hair style!

 

TAV Creations sketch from ideas discussed!

Starting from a sketch that gave me the direction to head in, I had assembled the elements for our first meeting, and we kept just raving at how it could all work together!

The Design:

RE-Design and melding of Wedding gowns

Labour: $450

Two dresses, a sash, purse and veil from different sources all came together in the TAV Creations studio!

Zombie Dragon Girl’s Regency inspired silk gown was created by taking 2 wedding gowns , resizing, redesigning and reassembling to create this new piece. 

 

 

 

The original silk gown, shown here,  had full length set in sleeves, a “v” neckline in front and a lower waist line.

It was recut to remove any unsightly stains, the sleeves made into a new fun style, the skirt regathered into a more back waist emphasis. The train was reshaped to match the lace overskirt that was added.  

 The lace overskirt also offered up some appliqués to add to the donated veil to make it a fun matching headpiece 

Supplies:

  • Donated silk dress
  • Donated lace on tulle overskirt

Veil redesign – 

Labour $30 

  • Donated veil
Using lace from the overskirt, I was able to create a bun wrap shape that kept the veil long and flowing.

 

Regency Hybrid gown
Zombie Dragon Girl “Regency Hybrid gown” – back view

 

The bonus of working with this TAV Creations Angel/ superhero, was that she came with a sidekick – The White-icorn! 🙂

 

Creative journeys, creativity abounds, TAV Studio News

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on “Magnificent”

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !

Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about The Regal ” Magnificent“…

Wearing beads and sequins on silk chiffon, a glorious green colour and exuding an ageless elegance, Magnificent, AKA Queen Ivy, holds all to a higher standard.

She commands attention to the finest details in her own endeavours and expects nothing less from others. Her superpowers challenge those around her to excellence.

The Design:

Vintage silk beaded dress redesign

Labour: $260 for the second Renovation/ incarnation

This two piece gown is in its third incarnation –  having been once a dance costume < approximately in a size 18, worn by 5 feet 8 inches /173cm tall Halyma>,   and before that, it had been a two piece set with full sleeves, and a higher front neckline.

The ultimate in upcycling is keeping these vintage pieces in circulation, adjusting in ways that allow for future changes and resizing it for our Magnificent who did not fill it out –  in height or width, but it now flatters  her frame !

Worn by Halyma back in 2015 for a performance in Ottawa. Photo taken by WTL < darner media.ca>

 

It was adjusted for size and style once again, and tailored to make it wearable for the Downton Abby High Tea!
Magnificent judging you…
Using the fullness of the skirt to create a new design of flattering pleats in the back, this helped reduce the size as needed.

 

We also had some fun at the Capital Wedding Show…
Magnificent at the Capital Wedding Show…

One more fun thing that we were able to enjoy at this year’s Capital Wedding Show was meeting and participating in 3DAvatar‘s booth:

You walk into their time machine and are immortalized instantly!

Head over to my Facebook page here to see the dress in 3D –

Creative journeys, creativity abounds, Events

COUTURE ADVENTURES 2020: FOCUS ON “SWEET SARCASM”

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !

Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about some Sweet Sarcasm…

This sassy character will keep you guessing about her true intent, as she can be so gentle and sweet one second, then swoosh, you’ve be sliced with the sword of sarcasm she keeps hidden behind that smile…

#alliterationmuch?

With an evening gown to show her elegance…
And on a lighter happier note…

 

The design…

How amazing is this ? A  totally reversible silk jacket that has a pocket accessible in both directions?!

Sweet Sarcasm had a vision of the jacket and we could not decide which silk would work better – so we chose both!!

Worn with an evening gown or a casual matching skirt or pants, this jacket will be a staple!

Custom Reversible jacket in silk:

Labour $495
Supplies:

  • 3m Gold silk 
  • 3m burgundy silk
  • Two fabulous buttons

We also had some fun at the Capital Wedding Show…

Sweet Sarcasm being Sassy!
Sweet Sarcasm being …Smirky<?>

 

One more fun thing that we were able to enjoy at this year’s Capital Wedding Show was meeting and participating in 3DAvatar‘s booth:

You walk into their time machine and are immortalized instantly!

Head over to my Facebook page here to see the dress in 3D –

Creative journeys, creativity abounds

COUTURE ADVENTURES 2020: Focus on “Blossom”

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !

Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

 

Today’s focus is on the Beautiful Blossom…

“Blossom”, a gentle soul whose smile radiates joy…and brings that to everyone she meets.  

She floats about as a flower dances in the breeze, with an inner strength to carry her gracefully along!

Last year, I had created this dress and was able to showcase it a bit in 2019, but was so please that “Blossom” could join me at this year’s Capital Wedding Show.

So we had some fun taking shots throughout the weekend…

 


 

 

One more fun thing that we were able to enjoy at this year’s Capital Wedding Show was meeting and participating in 3DAvatar‘s booth:

You walk into their time machine and are immortalized instantly!

Head over to my Tumblr page here to see the dress in 3d –

https://tavcreations.tumblr.com/post/190488170543/tav-creations-original-design-remake-of-a

creativity abounds

Nominated..What? Faces Magazine Ottawa Awards…

A few weeks ago I shared this:

“Hmmm… over 30 years of quietly sewing for folk in my home studio as well as with other local bridal industry folk and whoa- I’ve been nominated in the #TailoringAndAlterations category for the 2020 Faces Magazine Ottawa awards… wow!

Thanks to Deek Labelle < a fabulous client > who nominated me!!! #gratitude #humbled”

And so I let folk know about my nomination and people were so kind as to log on and vote!

Update:

Uh, yeah, so I won…

Every day my clients bring me joy, challenges, and fun… and sometimes touches of beauty like this rose…

Today’s the big day.

Unfortunately, although I did purchase tickets to attend, it’s not looking likely that I will make it out to the event tonight.

Really though, as cliche as it is, it’s super amazing just to have been nominated!!

Congratulations to everyone who has been given some added and deserved attention to their efforts in all of the categories listed by the Faces Magazine Ottawa for this event of recognition!

Everyone is a winner no matter what the final tallies announce and thanks again for voting and being supportive friends and patrons of my business and me!

Ottawa Faces Awards 2020

creativity abounds, Events, TAV Studio News

Studio Sale/ Open house – BY APPOINTMENT!

Ok – I have items that need new homes!
Instead of trying to choose a weekend date or evening date that might work for some, but not others, I will be setting up 30 minute appointments for folks to come and check things out at our mutual convenience this month!

Costume items:

TAV Creations originals
Gently used Halyma pieces < bely dance and/or Bollywood styles>
A very limited selection of items from colleagues who have just a small number of pieces they have left with me, hoping to move them along.

Accessories:

Jewelry – mostly costume/ dance related, some recent retro < 80’s90’s>
Plus:
Other stuff as I go through things.
 
How it works:
EMAIL ME to book a viewing appointment:
tracey@tav-creations.com

Appointments can be made between:

  • October 1 and 29th
  • Tuesday through Saturday
  • 11am – 6pm

When you EMAIL ME for your booking, let me know a few options that will work for you within those days/ times.

 
Prices will be mostly by donation – cash preferred.
Some items will have set prices but I am flexible.
Partial proceeds from sales of my items will go to iSisters
creativity abounds, On a more personal note

Remaking my dog’s harness…

I took some time over this month, around seeing clients and working on gorgeous wedding gowns, bridesmaids and other fabulous pieces, to do some camping.

early morning on Pog Lake.

The #StudioMascot, Sprocket, of course came along with us. Her present harness, which I bought in the spring to replace her previous ones that had clips that snapped, is made from a combination of straps. All of them solid and stiff, with strong rings connecting them.

The family…

Sadly, the hard straps and her barrel chest did not work well for the 18km walk day.

Blisters developed in her “armpits” and I did not realize until we were taking the harness off of her back at camp.

She’s very stoic at times.  But the sores needed to heal.

 

We switched to just attaching the leash to her collar and that worked for the most part – when the mole popped onto our site, we have to wrestle with her to keep her from chasing it, but otherwise, the leash on her neck was fine for our walks. We enjoyed the remaining time on the campground and sighed deeply as we packed up to come home.

One of her old harnesses I used to re create a new one.

Back in the studio, I immediately grabbed some of her previous harnesses, which I keep in case I can use the parts. I checked  them to see what I could do to get her into a more comfortable but still functional harness.

The choice was made to use one that offered a padded chest support as a pattern and  I extended the length of it.  I used part of the original straps and added reclaimed ones that I had taken off my husband’s back pack.

Thus, I was able to create a cute denim harness that works well and won’t cause her discomfort if we go on long walk in the future.

Out for a test drive with the excess strapping still there until I confirmed it was big enough to fit her chest.
Side view shows the bit of extra at her neckline, which I darted for the finished product.
New elastic was installed into the triangle and straight spine strap from the original, and new waist strapping.
Before I darted the centre front, still was comfy. but the dart creayted just a bit better fit.

 

And a trip to the vet for updating her shots proved the concept of the harness fully!

 

creativity abounds, Events

Looking ahead to new adventures.

As my summer break approaches,  I am winding up on the bridal work that I need to finish before I disappear briefly to give my arm a break, refresh my creative spirit and probably lie around reading .

And as always, although I am already fully booked for the first few weeks back, I am looking ahead into the mid-late fall and contemplating some fun stuff to do.

Mainly:

1- An open house to clear out excess fabrics, supplies, costume items etc that need to go on to live new lives instead of being packed in my storage boxes/closets etc.

hemming pants is one option for a mini workshop..

2- actively promoting my Private sewing lessons – both as “Sewing Guru” in my student’s home, as well as some project oriented mini workshops in my apartment studio for limited tiny groups.

SO keep an eye out for these activities in the fall, and if you have any questions or ideas of projects you would like to work on and need some guidance, let me know!

Events, TAV Studio News

Come see me at Ottawa’s first QueerSphere 2019


This is the first year for Queersphere LGBTQ+ Expo!

And I am very pleased to be taking a quick break in my bridal season sewing to be there, in booth 304, to let folks know that I am here, happy to sew for you!

I just want to make beautiful things with my clients, and I want to know you are a creative soul, and that’s it!

If you are interested in meeting amazing business owners who are members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community here in Ottawa, come stop by!

And if you would like to get a 20% discount on your tickets < Trade Show and AfterParty>, use this code:

TAV20
when you purchase your tickets online here!

 

 

The After Party will feature Chad Michaels..