Maui Dresses

I went to Maui to visit my boyfriend's family.  I designed a couple new dresses for the trip.  I actually ended up fixing my boyfriend's mother's sewing machine and sewing them while there. Therefore they aren't the best sewn, and may still get some tweaking yet.  Click the Read More! link to see a preview of some new designs I'm working on for you all, including one for you bombshells. 



There's actually a toppled over ship in the background of these images of the ocean.





This dress was inspired by a regency dress I saw and a popular style of Victorian dress for girls.

Source: retronaut.co via Alegra on Pinterest

Source: retronaut.co via Alegra on Pinterest

I had to try and keep up the tradition of taking photos with these things in sailor dresses.



I finally figured out how to make a wing bust and faux sarang style dress!  This style will be available soon in store for all you bombshells.



This is all one tree, by the way. All these photos of trees is actually just one. This banyan tree is the largest in the world, recorded anyways.



It was pretty clean and bug free too.



Those little hanging things grow down and some of them become the new faux trunk-like things



I fell pretty soon after taking these. It was me or the dress.  I chose the dress and luckily managed to avoid any injuries myself.



Oh, and I have a purse shaped like a coconut now.  It is awesome.



We rode the train, and I got engaged. But more on that later.



It's called the sugar cane train but there was no suger cane.



I made a hula dress too. It's a pretty simple, classic. It'll likely be jazzed up a bit the next time you see it.



A lot of famous people stayed at this hotel.  They even shot that step by step hawaiian episode here, apparently. 



There were giant koi in this pond, the biggest I've ever seen. They could barely keep themselves underwater.



The lobby of the hotel.



We came to the hotel to eat at this restaurant.



Their breakfast wasn't very good.



Another restaurant we had breakfast in.  This time, it was on a mountain.



I couldn't wear heels everywhere.



This is my exotic kitty dress.  The bodice is designed to look a bit like a wild cat's head. 



It also has a lot of very subtle kitty cat details.









The trim on the hem has little cats embroidered on it.



If you click through to the big size pictures, you can see the cats I embroidered all over the skirt



It's a pretty comfortable dress, made in a linen blend.





I also gave it a zip down the back and two pockets, making it a perfect dress for me to run errands in.



Sewing forever!

Ivy Frozen

Fashion Show--Fanime 2012

I held my first fashion show earlier this year at Fanime 2012. It was part of the Indie Lolita Designer Fashion Show. It was my first show, so I learned a lot and will be more prepared next time. Despite my failings, I was still very proud of my models and my designs. Click the read more! link to see my portion of the show. Image heavy!

Baudelaire Dress

Bow Peep Dress

Fairy Tale Embroidery Dress





Forest Dress



Forget Me Knot Dress



Group Shots

Two Videos of the Whole Show From Stage & Audience



 

Measurements

I get a lot of questions about measurements, so I figured I should make a blog post  about it.  This blog post will be updated as needed.

The main measurements I need for a dress are your overbust, bust and waist measurements. Optional measurements you can provide for a better fit are your bra size, your overbust/chest measurement, your back length to natural waist, and your height. Feel free to throw in any other measurements you want and mention any fit issues you tend to have or any concerns you have.

Genral Information for Taking Measurements
-It's best to take the measurements over the garments you'll be wearing under the dress or garment. It might not seem like it, but wearing a different bra or not wearing one at all can make a difference.

-Make sure your undergarments fit you properly!  Your bust should be about halfway between your shoulder and elbow.  If it's not, your bra is not doing its job.  My dresses are designed to be worn with a properly fitting bra.

-You can find tape measures for about a $1 at a number of places.  Supermarkets and big box stores like Wal*Mart and Target all carry them in addition to fabric stores.  Look for them in the sewing and repair section,

-If you don't have a tape measure, you can use a ribbon or string. Just wrap in around yourself, mark where the measurement should be, and then measure it flat with a ruler.

-When you measure, stand how you normally stand. 

-When you take your measurements, the measureing tape should be snug, but not tight.  It shouldn't be digging into your skin. 

-I recommend having a friend help you take the measurents, as having to bend over or hold the tape in place can effect some measurements.




How to take the Measurements I Require
 -For your overbust/chest measurement-This measurement is taken over bust and under your arms. It helps prevent gaping at the neckline.  Think of where the neckline would be on a strapless dress.

-For your bust- measure around the fullest part of your bust (across your nipples) and around your back, keeping the measuring tape as straight horizontally as you can. You want it snug but not pinching in.

-For your waist- measure around your natural waist which is usually about an inch or two below your rib cage. To find it, just bend sideways and measure straight across where the bend is.

Here's two videos that show how to take measurements:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UguOJMyEs4g&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAMv9hS5Lz4&NR=1

Additional Measurements (and when to provide them)

-You can provide as many measurements as you'd like. The more measurements you provide, the better the fit will be. At worst, I just won't use them.  If in doubt, just send it in.

--underbust- This measurement is taken right under your bust.  If you see a seam line under the bust, this is a good measurement to send in if you want a snug fit. 

-bra size- Most of my dresses are drafted for a B cup standard. A couple of them are drafted to a D cup.  If your cup size is larger than that, it may cause the waistline to rise in the front a bit (as well as the hem), your chest to look a little squished giving you more cleavage, and possibly gaping at the neckline. The gaping usually isn't a problem if the dress has shirring and back lacing.  The waist may also be raised up a bit in the front. If your bust is smaller than a B cup, you may have some extra fabric in the bust area that wrinkles.

-your back length to natural waist- This helps me adjust the bodice so the waistine will sit in the right place. The dress will likely still fit, but it's surprising how much difference an inch (or even less) can make in how flattering the dress is. It'll fit and look good, but it'll fit and look even better when the waist line is at the right place on you.

-your height- This is if you are taller or shorter than 5'4" to 5'6", then likely the length of the bodice and or skirt needs to be longer or shorter respectively. Send in your back length along with this measurement for best results, since standard I'll adjust the bodice length by 1 inch and the skirt length by 2. Not every body has a longer or shorter torso and legs.

-your shoulders- The standard shoulders on my dresses tend to be adjusted to be a little bit smaller.  This is good for those of you who have narrow shoulders or trouble with straps falling off your shoulders all the time.  It's a good measurement to provide if you order anything with sleeves from me.  This measurement is measured from the bone in your shoulder, behind your neck, to the bone in your shoulder.  It's pretty much right where your arm starts and your shoulder ends.  The pictures will be updated in the next day or two to show this measurement.

Here's another video showing how to take measurements:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbpCs0H5nSM&feature=related

Rose Tea

On Sunday January 22nd, a group of local lolitas met up for tea at Rose Tea in San Francisco. Click the read more link for a write up of the meet and a review of the tea house.




It was raining off and on. The Rose Tea Lounge is located near Golden Gate Park on Irving Street in San Francisco. It's kind of a steep, hilly area, and it was difficult to find parking. Two members of the group spent an hour and a half trying to find parking, and missed much of the tea. My group managed to arrive early and find parking in a small nearby lot.

Parking: 2/5



While we waited for guests to arrive, a small feast was laid out. There was plenty of food for all, including things I liked. I'm a very picky eater who doesn't really like fancy, complicated food, so that's a big plus for me. There was plenty left over, so even the people who arrived late didn't miss out on choices.

Amount and Variety of Food: 5/5



Even though I was in it for the fruit, I found myself enjoying the treats as well. I especially enjoyed the coconut cookies dipped in chocolate and the almond tarts. I was informed by others that the sandwiches tasted good and were filling. There wasn't a complaint about any of the food.

Food: 4/5



Unfortunately, considering they're a tea house, the tea wasn't particularly good. It was kind of weak, an not flavorful enough. I was glad that I ordered a cup of hot cocoa, which was good. We tried their cherry tea and their apple cider tea. It smelled really good but failed to deliver.

Tea: 2/5



Everyone mingled really well. It seemed no one was left out, as can sometimes happen at meet ups when people just stick to the people they know. The teahouse was comfortable, not too hot, not too cold, and smelled of flowers since they also sold flowers. It was nicely decorated, but the floors and ceiling were left out.

Atmosphere: 4/5



After eating, it was time for photos!



The ladies all got together for a group picture, while the menfolk obeidiently took photos. The shop staff also were very excited to take photos too!



Shoe flower!



Then individual shots. Everyone was really shy for some reason, so I went first. I wore my Cars and Guitars dress. It was inspired by Angelic Pretty's Classic Melody jsk, Heather Ross's wonderful print, and Tori Amos's song Cars and Guitars. I made it quickly for her concert in Oakland back in December. I paired it with Angelic Pretty's Melody Doll piano bag in white for the concert, but took my new pink violin bag for the tea party. My shoes are from lovelyshoes.net and decorated with a shoe clip off a pair of Baby the Stars Shine Bright shoes and a pair of guitarr earrings from clairs. The headband was made by me. The necklace is from Alice and the Pirates.



A lovely couple. I actually do know everyone's first names, but I don't wish to reveal them to the internet. The gentleman is in mostly black peace now I believe, and the lady is wearing black peace now boots. Her dress and headbow looks to be from either baby the stars shine bright or angelic pretty.



Our lovely hostess! She's wearing baby the stars shine bright starry sky of mother goose print skirt.



My new best friend! Naw, really. I'm not sure what she's wearing, but it looks super cute.



Angelic Pretty's Suger Hearts Twins!



This girl shall forever be known n my head as nutella. She's in Alice and the Pirate's Melty Mermaid op.



This girl is looking sweet in Metamorphose's Twinkle Journey Jsk.



She's wearing a bow print from Angelic Pretty expertly coordinated with some pink with white polka dotted shoes from Baby the Stars Shine Bright.



This young lady looks to be wearing Angel's Whisper in the Holy Night JSK from Baby the stars shine bright and making it look amazing.



My honey pilfering blueberries and looking dashing in his first brand purchase, a black piece now tie. I love it with that shirt!

After photos came the awkward moment when the bill was sorted out. Even though only 14 people showed, the reservation was for 17. We had to pay for 15 people, which I guess was the minimum for our package. The staff were very friendly and good at allowing substitutions to the menu, such as the hot chocolate for me at no extra cost. They also had a piano player who played in the afternoon. They could sometimes be hard to track down and weren't the most attentive to our party.

Tea House Service: 4/5

Overall, the meet was a success and a lot of fun. I give the teahouse a 3.5/5. The food was good, the atmosphere was nice, the staff was friendly, and the food was good; however, parking could be a nightmare and the tea could be better.