Lily-Pink

Hello hello!
I haven’t blogged for a while now.


Why you ask? Well I have been crazy busy designing and making a Prom dress.
I was asked by a friend from work if I could make her daughter a Prom dress. She had been looking all last year and not found anything she liked and it was now about 6 weeks until the prom! So as you can guess I have been working none stop, night and day to get it finished in time…I am still not finished.
So here’s just a few sneaky peaks of the dress so far and the ‘hopeful’ finished look;

With summer holidays fast approaching I decided a shopping trip was in order



 (it was also payday :P).

So off we cruised on the M1 to Meadowhall! Now it’s always a bad decision for me to make Primark the first shop I visit, but yes I still did it. I think I spent about 2 hours in there, I mean how can you not?!

I picked up the following from Primark;

Hello fellow stitchers :) I have been sewing since I can remember, helping my Nan with clothing repairs and anything I could find to just put a few stitches in. So I adopted her sewing box full of treasures, however I was never sure of what did what, until I got into school. It was so exciting building my own collection of goodies in my box, so as a helper to other new sewers here’s a breakdown of essentials for your box.

I purchased this one from Amazon but there’s a wide variety here: http://bit.ly/12drjpS
Although not necessary, it is good to get a box with little storage sections and pockets etc. Equally in store Tkmaxx do some stunning vintage storage boxes.


Tape Measure

Tape measures are available in many colours and widths and can be bought in most supermarkets and sewing shops. 


Scissors

The smaller pair are embroidery scissors, perfect for those little fiddly jobs, cutting thread close to the fabric and other small bits and pieces. The larger ones are dressmaking scissors. Used for cutting fabric efficiently. They should feel comfortable to use and not too heavy. Cheaper versions don’t cut fabric as easy so try to spend a considerable amount. Mine were £12.


Pins

These pins are perfect for those delicate jobs where you don’t want to cause damage to fabric e.g. chiffon/organza.


More Pins

These are better for more general use and thicker more stiff fabrics. They are longer and also easier to spot if dropped. You can purchase pins like these with cute heads, flowers, hearts etc.


Pin Cushion

So for all those pins you need a lovely pin cushion. There are many different styles, some are worn round the wrist, there’s novelty ones (like the one pictured). Also for a first D.I.Y you can create your own using a bit of spare fabric and some stuffing from an old cushion :)


Needles

Obviously needles are essential for sewing. Most standard sets come with an array of different sizes for different uses such as sharps (general use), Beading and crewel (embroidery use).


Tailors Chalk

Also known as French chalk, comes in a variety of shapes and colours. Used for marking on fabric and brushes off easily when not needed. Also come in pen and pencil versions.

Threads

A wide selection of threads for hand and machine sewing. Also overlocking thread if you have an overlocker. There are threads for other purposes also, including embroidery and metallic style.

Other items to consider are;

Quick unpick (seam ripper)

Saftey Pins

Press Studs

Buttons

Zips

Tweezers

Hook and Eye

Check out these brilliant site for all your sewing needs;

Jaycotts

Josy Rose

Sew Essential

Sewing World

And there you have your very own sewing box.

Hello Lovelies.
In a previous post I explained the process of choosing your Wedding dress. Now that’s done and dusted (hopefully), it’s time to get your bridesmaids sorted! 



At times this can be more challenging than choosing your own! Reasons for this tend to be, the amount of bridesmaids you choose, different ages, different shapes and sizes, different tastes, skin and hair colours and so on. A lot to take into consideration you might say. Sometimes you may be lucky and suit all your bridesmaids tastes etc and have everyone in the same dress, but this is rare. Unless you are adamant that you want everyone in the same, why not consider having everyone in the same colour but different styles?

My number one favourite for these dresses is Two Birds.
They are a bridesmaid dress company who specialize in one dress that can be tied 15 different ways! I know there has been a huge hype about these dresses lately, no surprise, they really are the best idea. They suit every shape and size possible, and it can be worn in whatever way the individual bridesmaid wants making it unique to her. They are made of a poly jersey blend so are extremely comfortable and lightweight, and there are no alterations needed.
They come in numerous styles; Classic Ball gown, High low gown, Classic short straight, Full mini rosette. All come in stunning variety of colours for all schemes and as a bonus the dresses can be customized. Once the big day is over, the dresses can even be worn again, for a night out, holidays or everyday life. 

Alternatively check out these sites for stunning bridesmaid dresses in tonnes of styles and colours;

Misses Dressy- Has one of the largest variety of dresses out there. Plenty to suit all budgets, styles and colours. You really will have an endless choice! Also perfect for evening styles.

Kelsey Rose- for stunning romantic styles with a twist in the most gorgeous colours. Their candy colours are perfect for a spring/summer wedding.

Sorella Vita- A wide range of different styles from simple satin, to delicate chiffon, with hints of lace. Large variety of colours sure to suit even the fussiest of maids.

Jlm Couture- Has plenty of choice for all wedding styles. Anything from short and flirty, to stunning elegance. 

What’s your favourite style of bridesmaid dress?

Happy shopping 

x

Hii Dolls! It’s that time of year again, prom time!



I know most of you will have your dresses and hair ideas etc already, but I can’t help but write about this fab time. Given, my prom was a long time ago but I admittedly still browse through site after site of dresses, accessories an shoes! There’s just sooo much choice out there now!

Whether you are buying your dress from a specialist shop, or from the high street, there’s bound to be something for every shape, style, taste!

Most specialist shop and websites stock similar dresses, they tend to be full length ball gowns, short ballet style dresses, slimmer fitting fishtails, Corseted A lines and empire lines. All are in ranges of colours, some very flamboyant, plenty of sparkle or just a little here and there. There really is an endless choice. These can range anywhere from £50 to £200 sometimes higher. The amount of hand beading and effort that goes into these dresses is incredible. Once prom is over, there’s no need to get rid of your dress, take it to a seamstress and get it made into a more day to day wearable dress. Check out www.missesdressy.com for a huge range of amazing prom gowns and accessories.

On the other hand there is also now a great deal of dresses on the high street if you don’t want spend the higher end prices. These dresses are normally a little less prom like, more party style. Perfect to be worn again for another occasion. This season has seen High low skirts, ballet styles, maxi dresses, hitch up dresses, body con etc. These dresses range anywhere from £20 to £100. A great alternative if you want someone a little more simple and wearable after. Try Topshop, Asos and River Island for some great prom/party dresses.

If you haven’t yet got your dress, I hope this helps a little. If you already have your dress, what’s it like?

Enjoy your prom nights :)

x

So I have been crazy busy lately making numerous things. Here’s just a few to take peek at :)

Hello lovelies.

As it’s really getting into wedding season now, I thought I would share a bit of my wisdom and experience when it comes to choosing your dream dress.


Obviously the dress is hugely important to most, if not all brides. It’s the one day where you get to wear that stunning gown that makes you feel amazingly beautiful! Therefore you need to make sure you are making the right decision.

I would suggest to begin looking at images online (do not buy a dress online!) or in magazines for different dress styles, shapes, fabrics, colours, embellishments, fastenings, basically anything that catches your eye. A good idea would be to create a scrapbook of ideas that you can take to a bridal shop with you. This gives the consultant a better idea of what you may be looking for. On the other hand, if you don’t have quite enough time to do this, a consultant will still be able to help you find the perfect dress.

Once your ideas are compiled, begin looking for your dress around 12 month before the wedding. It is best to do this as certain aspects of your wedding will more than likely be based around your dress, for example Bridesmaids dresses. Try to source a few shops that you may know are reputable, or visit some shops websites, you will soon get the idea of which will be best for you. Upon making your first appointment, I would advise not taking many people with you. Only take the people you really know and trust to give you honest yet nice opinions. There’s nothing worse than having lots of people with too many different opinions. Try to limit yourself to 3 guests.

When at the shop try to pick out the styles you’ve been looking at, but also a few other styles too, simply because, each dress style looks different on everyone. One might not look great on the hanger but when it’s on, it can be surprising how much you may like it. Basically try to keep a bit of an open mind as well as following your scrap book ideas. Every shop will have each dress in one sample size, therefore a dress you try on may not fit 100%, but the consultant should be able to make it so that you can get a good idea of the correct shape and style on you. 

Try not to go round too many shops or try on too many dresses. Yes it’s so tempting to go and just try on loads of dresses for the experience, but this may cause you to get confused over which dresses you liked and didn’t. They do have a tendency to blend into one sometimes.

So after all the trying on you will have done, you should hopefully have a good idea of the dress, and possibly a shortlist of a few. Go back and try these few dresses on, you should have one or two that have really stuck in your mind. Now is either the really easy or hard part. Basically making your decision on the dress. Whilst in the dresses, think about which one will suit your venue, which  one you feel most comfortable in (remember you are wearing the dress all day), which one you can see yourself looking back on in photos and still loving and ultimately which one you feel most special in! If you love yourself in a dress as it is there and then, whether it fits properly or not, this is a good sign!  It may take a while of walking round in the dress or looking at yourself in the mirror a lot, but ultimately you will get to that big decision. Family/friends and the shop consultants will be more than happy to help with this but ultimately the decision is yours. You have to be fully happy and sure of your choice. 
Oh and once you have purchased your dress, as tempting as it may be, don’t look at anymore dresses!

Good luck on finding the one!
:)
Come visit us or phone to book an appointment:

www.Limelightoccasions.co.uk

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask below :)

xx

Hello, hello :)

Yesterday I had a brilliant shopping trip with my Mum. We haven’t been shopping for a long time now, so we thought it was about time!



Now usually for me it’s a case of if I have no money I see everything I want/need, but if I have money I see nothing at all. This time it was totally different! I had money and I saw soooo much. I was buzzing. Only problem was I knew I had a lot to pay for this month, Scott’s birthday, car insurance renewal, M.O.T, my brother’s birthday etc. So I was very good and limited myself to things that I really wanted/needed! I admit, the things I did get, I didn’t necessarily need at the moment, but I thought well I’m sure a treat won’t do any harm.

So the first place we went was h&m, I did see a few things in here that I was planning to get, but I’m one of those people who likes to shop around first as I may find something better. Which I did! We did the same in New Look. Then ventured on…until we got to Tk Maxx. Now Mum loves this shop, I can deal with it if I can be bothered to sift through everything. So most of the time I whine (only a little :p) if Mum wants to go in, but then I get in there and find loads! Literally it happens every time! 

So these are the few bits I purchased from Tk Maxx:

So I always remember in School I hated my name!


 I know nobody really likes their name, but I always wanted a name you could shorten. But no my parents stuck me with Claire. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice name (no offence to any other Claire’s out there) but in junior school I just wanted something that could be made into a cool nickname.

You’d have your Rebeccas who could be called Becca, Bex, Becky. You’re Louises called Lou, Nicola to Nicci or Nick, Charlotte to Char or Chaz, even your Francescas to Frances, Franny or Fran. Me, I was stuck with either just Claire or, the unfortunate (but which everyone thought was really clever) Claire Bear…Hmm…imagine my disappointment.

Sad to think about it now, but I think most people just wanted that shortened version of their name, because it was somehow cool and popular. I tried many times to think of ways to shorten mine, but as I’m sure you can imagine, all failed! Then I tried getting people to call me by my name spelt backwards erialc, yes, that failed too. Quite glad it did, thinking about it now.

I know a lot of people hated the way their names were shortened, but I used to think, you lucky so and so! I used to think my name was old fashioned and boring, but i think that’s just the names in my family in general. Claire Elizabeth, Paul Matthew, Thomas James. Think we sounds quite good together now, like a victorian family, HA!
Moral of the story, just love the name your given, it could always be worse!

Yes I am still to this day called Claire Bear by most people!

Does anyone else have some cool nicknames to make me envious about? Lol

x

Fabric has arrived super fast!! Soo happy :)!