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 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 iridescentblue 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
Dark..
Light…
Teen…
*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!
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.
So, here I sit, surrounded by beautiful fabrics I have collected, been given, and love them all dearly.
And I am preparing to start creating pieces for an upcoming event in early March where I will hope to sell pieces I have created and put my heart and soul into, hoping the right combination of size, style and colour will find it’s happy new owner.
But it’s completely illogical to my nature.
I co-create.
I design for my clients, working hand in hand with them to bring a shared vision to life. They give me a starting point, some silhouettes, so colours, some concepts, and then I let my creative juices flow, drawing up ideas and offering them their options based on budget, time, and any other relevant factors.
Every piece is an original, every piece is a creation born from energy combined by two of us.
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe my personally generated designs are lovely, and have great potential to be personalized by the person who purchases them, either with my help or with their own styling.
Most people don’t see what I see. I have created pieces that I considered beautiful canvasses that can be reworked with beads or tailoring and made into completely awesome pieces. But people often only see them as too plain.
By keeping them plain, I keep them budget friendly, so that the dancer can choose how much more she wished to spend on embellishment.
all hand beaded
This grey velvet became my costume, but started as a one piece baladi dress that had no beadwork. Then I decide I would just rework it for myself – and it turned out to be my featured performance costume for my Halyma’s Bellydance DVD # 1.
In the early days of sewing for the Bazaar, I used to create pieces while thinking of specific dancers who might like them, and quite often, I was blessed with their agreement and purchase. Since I would tend to make them in the correct size for that dancer, it worked out well.
But I started to feel like I was almost victimizing those dancers and coercing them into purchasing by using my powers for evil.
I have continued to create simple pieces, but found that, without focus on a specific dancer to inspire me, many of the pieces remain unsold. So they will be heavily discounted at the upcoming event in hope that will find a new home.
I think I need my muses back.
So, if you come shopping on March 8th at the Dancers’ Bazaar and see something that looks like it was made for you, and it’s in your size – feel flattered – you probably inspired me 🙂
Details:
Dancers Bazaar, Sunday March 8th, 12 noon to 4 p.m., 250 McArthur, Knight’s of Columbus Hall. Free parking and free admission. Facebook event Organizer’s website
And remember, if you actually want something custom made, that’s what I do – email me!
Power dancers: Powder blue silk two piece dress with hand beaded stripe details; grey velvet diagonal cut dress with hand beaded dangles and details
Specializing in Custom Designed Garments since 1988
Fascinator:
