My elevator pitch used to be: ” I sew, I dance; I teach both.”
I have retired from performing and teaching dance< Belly and Bollywood>, but I still am lucky enough to be able to keep up the creativity with my sewing work.
Every once in a while, I am lucky enough to be able to assist another sewist in the completion of their projects that may have gotten away from them, their lives have become too busy, or whatever the reason…
Here’s the latest – and I love it – I want one for me now ! I don’t need one though… sigh…
TADA~ and yes, it will look better with a body inside and a bit of aging from laundering..
Click on the first thumbnail and hit the right arrow to go along for the journey!
The pieces – a cut out apron, extra denim and some leatherette!
and checking the size at the “waist”
Adjust the curve to even things out
and determine the length and add hem -make sure it’s squared off too!
Small pockets – using the grid to make them square
serged all the edges and folded them back to create the finished openings with topstitching
openings finished and the sides and bottoms folded back and pinned
the same treatment on the apron itself – and two rows using the foot as a guide.
making sure it’s all even – fold it in half.
pocket placement is centred along the centre front fold.
and the lower pockets are checked …
ruler helps to again ensure they are straight and even
and they get sewn in place with more topstitching – again using the foot as a guide for consistency
making the straps in leatherette – measuring and making straight strips
folded in thirds and using paper underneath to ensure a smooth ride through the machine
when you pull away the paper, some bits will stick between the threads – I find a slight rubbing with a stiff brush gets more of it out.
see…
Conchos and Grommets for details!
The straps were stitched so that they can be slipped out to launder the apron and criss cross in the back similar to a Japanese apron style.
and yes, there are the original chalk lines – which my client will wash out, but ignoring them… I LOVE IT!
So pleased with how the conchos worked out – even though I did hammer my finger
and even though they are different colours, with the straps, it blends beautifully!
TADA~ and yes, it will look better with a body inside and a bit of aging from laundering..
So…. yes!
If you need help finishing a project, let me know and let’s co-create something amazing!
As Ontario looks at how to reopen businesses, I also am looking at how to safely conduct business in my highly up-close and personal main operations.
I specialize in custom garments, making them with multiple appointments to ensure the look and fit are what my clientele wants in…
Bridal wear
Proms
Dance costumes
And even with these jobs I am often still looking at at least one fitting to ensure a good final result when providing…
Tailoring
bridal alterations
clothing repairs and renovations….
So what to do?
I have been making masks steadily since March 2020 , and I will continue to do so as demand exists, that will be one of the streams of income I will be dedicating time to. Curious? email me
Be sure to use #TAVMasketeer or #TAVMaskateer if you post a selfie in one I’ve made for you!
That’s me – on a morning walk and squinting into the camera!
Aria – #TavMaskateer wearing size small!
Testing on the foam head!
No-contact alterations will be available
– you mark it, I sew it can work reasonably well for pant and sleeve hems, and likely straight skirts…contact me if you have projects like this to get finished!
This will also work for curtain hems, and repairs of clothing!
Resuming fittings with safety protocols in effect:
For my bridal clients and custom clientele who are looking at having their special garment made or altered/ tailored for a future event, I have been postponing fittings until we have a better flattening of the curve happening. As we begin to open up, I will be looking at slowly setting up more appointments with the following protocols in place for my health and yours.
– both of us wearing masks -if you have your own cloth mask, cool, if not, let me know and I’ll make you one and will wash and iron it to kill off germs right before you come.
–wearing disposable plastic gloves or washing hands immediately upon entering < if you prefer to bring your own soap, I won’t be insulted, or you can use our bar soap in the bathroom>
-personal items kept to a minimum and put on the removable sheet on the futon in the studio – it gets removed and laundered after every appointment.
– limit it to just 1 person coming in. We can set up a FaceTime or Skype over our internet with whoever wishes they could be here but cannot.
–more efficient fittings…Fittings presently are limited to 20-30 minutes, and I hope to reduce that, depending on what needs to be discussed.
I also plan to offer variety of platforms for video chats in advance of even meeting – so let me know if you want to explore that option!
Above all, I want to keep sewing, contributing to the economy and helping others when I can with donations when possible.
I look forward to the new adventures in creativity we will go on together!
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 Traveller.
Travelling through time with flare, The Traveller once was a delicate maid, with a flowing dress and gentle smile. She has evolved into a fierce no-nonsense character, with her dress evolving as well into a sharply styled jacket, and worn here with an ivory gown remade into a walking skirt, along with a lovely sleeveless blouse for the times she needs to really move!
The Design:
The Traveller was a bridesmaid in the lovely teal satin dress many years ago. And the dress waited for a new life.
As the Downton Abby High Tea approached, and costumes were on the minds of the attendees, we had some fun deciding to use her dress to make her outfit for the tea!
Striking a poseBridesmaid gown REMADE into jacket
Remake of 2 dresses into Jacket and skirt :
Labour: $945
The wedding dress used to make the skirt was one of the many donated pieces found in the TAV Creations reclaimed textiles stashes and the ensemble came together!
Supplies:
Bridesmaid dress to remake into jacket
Wedding dress to remake into skirt
Blouse– sleeveless shell with ruffle collar Labour = $90
Supplies:
.75m cotton rayon blend
.5m lace for ruffle
White satin wide brim hat with blue accent and lace and satin roses Labour $280
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 PheonixQueen !
Gold and red, textured silk and embroidered silk satin with elegant feathers, The PhoenixQueen rose to the occasion as a TAV Creations Angel Superhero!
PhoenixQueen – getting casual – because…pants!Dark and Dramatic – absolutely!
The Design
Custom evening ensemble:
Overdress Labour: $550
Pants: Labour $200
Venetia’s two-piece evening set features the comfort of a robe and pyjama pants in luxurious silk. We discussed many options as we were creating this original TAV Creations outfit, and were so pleased with the final look!
On a personal note: the red and gold silks came from a prolific Ottawa performer and teacher, Anjali < Anne-Marie Gaston> who passed away in 2018, after dedicating her life to bringing her love of Odissi and Bharatnyam style dance to Ottawa and beyond. These fabrics would have been used by her for back drops, for future costume pieces, etc. so it was bittersweet to have the opportunity to collect many of her fabrics and give them new life. #phoenix #usewhatyougot
NOTE: Pockets in the side seams of the overdress – yes!
And the Chinese silk collar, made from a small remnant piece of fabric collected years ago, brings colour and softness to the neckline!
Overdress
Supplies:
Gold silk 4m
Red Chinese silk .75m
Button
Pants
Supplies:
Red thai silk 2 m
Elastic
Matching headband $40
Red silk remnants that match
Elastic
Gold and red silk wrap gown over pants – with pockets!!!
PhoenixQueen and Zombie Dragon Girl
Elegance on a floral throne!
Is that.. yes.. Sweet Sarcasm and PhoneixQueen – cut from the same cloth!
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.
Andrea’s bridal coat represents an option to dress up an existing dress or add to a full ensemble custom concept.
The unlined jacket features some fun body flattering shaping with princess seams into pleats. The high low hem shows off the skirt while still creating a formal look.
Supplies:
Fabric 3m
Lace appliques – 4 pair
Hooks and eyes
The matching hair florals
Labour $90-$120
Made from the coat fabric to be either separately pinned into the hair or all in one piece.
“Ursula” Base Gown:
Labour unlined gown: $600-$900 Or – Adding upper bodice on existing strapless dress $150-$300
Andrea’s Ursula gown represents the possibility of adding upper bodice coverage to strapless gowns, the flattering lines of a princess style dress, and the options of having long sleeves in a slightly stretching fabric added to a solid gown.With the added coverage, a regular bra can be worn.
Thank you to my friends who helped me preparefor this weekend! Weeks of fittings, the photo shoots, the working the booth- every part helped create a space that was unique and fun for the brides and their crews coming through! And special note to Michelle, my bride from last year wearing her most amazing co-creation and sparkling personality – you rock!
Thank you to the brides who came with their people and stopped to chat, get more information and ask questions- there is a lot to figure out as you are planning your event, so I hope we were able to provide a bit of reassurance that yes, your dream dress is possible!
Thank you to the other vendors and businesseswho were great to connect with and are open to creating a supportive system in the Ottawa area for bridal parties and beyond!
Thank you to Shelagh Mills and Steve Mills of the Capital Wedding Show and all of their staff, as well as the Freeman staff – you folks ran a lovely show from a vendor perspective and all of your assistance and engagement along the way is amazing!
Thank you to my husband of almost 21 years for his support in the weeks leading up to and the few days in advance of it all- his photography and tech skills help everything look amazing!
Tomorrow I will take some time to process the admin from this weekend as well as take some time to relax before starting back at it this week! Already time to get meeting new clients and get things rolling for an amazing 2019!
So, Here I sit in my design studio after having spent yesterday beginning prep on a costume for my alter ego, Halyma, and I stopped because I cannot decide which direction to go next.
The fabric…
The project:
A “Renovation” of a second hand silk chiffon beaded 2 piece dress into a dance costume to complement that of the lovely Eurika for an upcoming show on June 6.
I have a straight skirt to work with, already opened up the slit and will insert a circular piece to add flare and movement and it happens to be the fabric that matched Eurika without going overboard.
The question is the top.
I can attach the present fully covering existing top and create a baladi dress, for which I will have to lower the neckline, take it in to create some shape < a blouson style won’t quite work>. The bottom of the top has the same scallop detail as the hem of the skirt, so it will create a line at the hip – but I will have to shape it, so that it looks more flattering than a straight horizontal line.
Or I can go out, get a bra and cut the top up to cover it, use the sleeves and create a finished edge to the top of the skirt.
Decisions, decisions…
Specializing in Custom Designed Garments since 1988
