VJ


Seamsters

The blog explores professional seam finishing techniques for unlined garments, responding to makers who want their handmade dresses to look as beautiful on the inside as they do on the outside. While most bespoke studio garments are lined, there are occasions—such as Grecian, bias-cut designs—where lining would disrupt drape and movement. In these cases, thoughtful seam finishes become essential to durability, comfort, and aesthetics.

When it comes to clothing—especially handmade clothing—fit matters more than trends. One of the most helpful tools for understanding fit is knowing your general body shape. This is particularly important when choosing your style of wedding dress/outfit. Body shapes are typically categorised by the proportions of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips, and while no two bodies are identical, these categories can act as starting point for pattern choice/dress style choice.

Invisible zips have a reputation for being a little intimidating — but once you know the right steps, they’re one of the quickest ways to give your wedding dress a professional finish. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from choosing the right zip and preparing your seams, to mastering the necessary stitching techniques that keep the zip truly “invisible.”

Before buying the right size pattern you need to take your body measurements...correctly, or as correctly as possible. Here are a few tips to get your measuring 'groove on', so you can (i) measure yourself properly in order to (ii) use the correct size pattern, which (iii) specifies a specific amount of ease so that you can (iv) get the best fit for your personal style.

The toile is finished - or as finished as you need it to be: you haven't bothered to include fastenings such as zips and/or buttons and buttonholes. You've sewn the major seams: side, shoulder and perhaps set in the sleeves. Wearing the appropriate underwear and shoes, try the toile on.

If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of sewing your own wedding dress, chances are the thought has made your heart skip a beat—half with excitement, half with fear. In our sunny little Sheffield studio, we’ve seen that exact look cross many faces: disbelief, panic, wonder… then a spark of possibility.