Toolkit Tailoring Studio

Oh Dries, how I love thee… We started with a stunning zebra print dress with a jaw dropping neckline and a strong shoulder. In order to fit this dress close to the body, the bodice was shortened, taken in, shoulders adjusted and the sleeves were hemmed to a bracelet length. When you visit your local trusted tailor and their first instinct is to grab up at the shoulders in order to shorten the bodice, take a breath. If the dress has a waist seam, this may be the better option. It’s less likely to affect the armhole and shoulder. However, ……, it may also need to be adjusted at the shoulder, like this one. It does involve unpicking the zipper below the waist and reattaching and some tailors don’t have enough time for that. I always take the time to do it right. Slide through to see start to finish. This now fits like a glove, especially that neckline. It’s a jungle out there, always be prepared for the red carpet. ( I couldn’t help myself)

Another legend in the books. Had a fun few days sewing with old friends, meeting new ones, and being a small part of the traveling circus stop in Boston. Couldn’t believe I was in the presence of Bob the drag queen! Saw a glimpse of the show on my way out, Madonna’s tribute to all the artistic souls we have lost to AIDS during Live to Tell brought more emotion than I could fathom. She will always be the OG Queen Mother.

When I was approached by my new friend, Jane Ellen, the community relations coordinator at the Morse Institute library to submit a piece for the annual Fiber Art Exhibit, I immediately said yes. She asked if I just have pieces on hand, no, they are usually flying out the door ready to be worn. We chatted about the founder of the library, Mary Ann Morse, of Natick. Her life intrigued me, a single woman who died at the age of 37 in 1862. She had not been educated past grammar school yet gifted her estate to Natick to build the first lending library. There are no existing photographs of Mary so I wanted to create an inspired 1850’s day dress that I imagined she would be wearing. It is made of cotton muslin to simulate a sepia tone of a vintage photograph with highlights of a colorful Liberty of London fabric to represent the color and vibrancy she contributed to my town of Natick and it’s beautiful library now celebrating it’s 150th Anniversary. If you are in Natick, stop by the Morse Institute for this extensive fiber exhibit, do some local shopping and eating and imagine what life was like 150 years ago. Professional photography courtesy of my friend OJRT Photography

It’s officially ! We are up bright and early in line at . Check out the paper and bubble wrap dress I made for Kristina in the front window for the momentous occasion.