Dressmakers Year in Review

By |2023-12-26T06:14:52-05:00December 26th, 2023|Costumes, Fashion Dress Replicas, Formal Wear, Heirloom Sewing, Uncategorized|

My life is far from perfect, let’s just say I have a lot going on like everyone. Perhaps all of this making is my escape. I am so very grateful for all of these privileges and experiences 2023 has brought me. What a great year for growth! And it wasn’t just work – it was […]

Learning to Flat Pattern Block

By |2023-12-09T06:23:01-05:00December 9th, 2023|1940s Style Fashion, 1950s Style Fashion, 1960s Style Fashion, Fashion Dress Replicas, Formal Wear, Sewing Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized|

I believe it takes a lot of bravery and strength to start something completely new and even more to share it with the public. I hope you enjoy my new adventure. A few months ago I took a break from dressmaking.

Not running directly into the next sewing project opened possibilities to […]

Star Wars, Now and Then

By |2020-10-26T07:03:39-04:00October 26th, 2020|Costumes, Fashion Dress Replicas, Formal Wear, Makes of 2009, Tracy Designs Dresses|

My very first white dress was a replica of Princess Leia’s formal gown from the 1977 Star Wars film, “A New Hope.” If that sounds like a lot it, it is. Almost ten years later and reading this old blog post helped me recognize my growth as both a writer and a designer.

My first experience […]

All the Bells and Whistles with Pauline Trigere

By |2020-03-16T06:53:58-04:00March 16th, 2020|1950s Style Fashion, Formal Wear, Makes of 2015|

I was already dreaming of going on an adventure when this pattern popped into my hands. I fell in love with what looks to be a very young Liz Taylor on the cover. Famous 1950s designer, Pauline Trigere, makes a gorgeous dress and I knew I had found the perfect way to fill some spare […]

Dayton Garment Designers Fashion Faves

By |2019-11-25T07:43:38-05:00November 25th, 2019|Costumes, Fashion Shows, Formal Wear, Interviews w/Sewists, Uncategorized|

We all want to feel like we belong to a group that shares a common thread? Through a meet up group called, The Dayton Garment Designers Meet Up , I have found my tribe! Connecting with others that share your passion stimulates growth and inspires. While other people may get tired of […]

Evolution of the Lost Dress Hem

By |2019-11-18T06:07:49-05:00November 18th, 2019|Art made by Tracy McElfresh, Formal Wear|

This year I completed over 200 formal hemlines. With the lining most have about 9-12 yards of length. You would be blown away if you knew how many of these have gone to waste in the past! No more!

This year I started collecting these multicolored scraps and […]

Get Funky with Fine Fabrics

By |2019-07-15T06:47:47-04:00July 15th, 2019|1960s Style Fashion, Formal Wear, Sewing Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized|

If you even remotely dabble in the sewing world you have probably heard the rumors about how challenging fine fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, georgette and many more slippery goodies, can be.

It is my opinion that when learning anything new and different there are always lots of problems that pop up. I am here to […]

Fire Dancing Performance Wear with Astrea Taylor

By |2018-12-31T10:06:55-05:00December 31st, 2018|Formal Wear, Interviews w/Sewists, Uncategorized|

Magic, fire dancing, witchcraft, published author, blogger and elf ears, Co-Curator of Blessed Be Boxes! When I met Astrea in 2012 I immediately knew she would be someone I would admire. I have been watching her perform since 2009 and I have a lot of questions about the clothing she wears. This was […]

Kaftan Dress Wedding

By |2018-03-26T06:31:51-04:00March 26th, 2018|1970s Style Fashion, Formal Wear, Today's Fashion, Tracy Designs Dresses, Uncategorized|

I hear the Kaftan Dress is all the rage in Italy. I’m not surprised by this at all because this style can really hit a wide range of beautiful looks and they are so comfortable. I love that 1970s inspired flow during movement. I was more than happy when Stephanie called and asked me to […]

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