Working Tuesday: Garters on the brain.

I was looking at the garters I have on hand and realized I only had white, white garters. So I poked around in my lace collection and found some beautiful net lace with little flowers embroidered on it. A Biz bath later, it still had a creamy hue, so I pulled out the ecru ribbon and off I went... or so I thought.

Three lengths of ribbon later, I figured out why my sewing machine was acting so crazy (yes, I'm THAT slow). I'd been using quilting thread instead of regular thread, which caused quite a bit of puckering and running off track. I changed the thread, pulled out some new ribbon and voila!

I got this one in one try. I then folded a length of ribbon as you would to make a paper fan or cockade, stitched together the bottom, folded it back on itself and ran a running stitch to the top to make the flower. I completed this garter with a rhinestone and pearl button. A girl's gotta have a little sparkle!

Working Tuesday: Weddings on the brain

While traveling recently I came across a cache of antique lace, which started the creative juices flowing. I've spent much of the last week tending the lace in a Biz bath to get it as close to white as it's going to get. Then comes the process of carefully ironing the lace from the back to ensure the intricate designs don't get crushed by the iron. Finally comes the fun part: designing just the right garter that showcases the design of the vintage lace, eyelet or ribbon I'm working with.

Some days my dining room table is covered with spools of ribbon, random bits of lace and all the little bits and pieces that go into making the final garter. Should I add a ribbon rose? Does this one beg for a vintage button? What about a bit of bling? Is there enough lace to make a garter? If not, what do I do with it?

Luckily, I have a patient husband.

Working Tuesday: Garters. The reveal!

A couple weeks ago I showed you some of the garters in process and I wanted to follow up with the big reveal! Here's my current crop of garters for the bride looking to fulfill the "Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" tradition.

I use vintage and antique ribbons, trims and buttons and combine them with new lace, beads and some newer buttons to create these beauties.

I've tried to be conscious of a range of sizes - because not all of us are a size zero!! Sometimes the size is also determined by the amount of lace I have to play with - like the third from the bottom in the picture to the left. That's a gorgeous old collar that has raised roses on it.

Anyway, it's off to add these to the ones currently in the shop (a couple of which are included in this picture). Do you know a bride who needs a garter? Remember I do custom orders!

Etsy Treasury: Country Wedding

This treasury was inspired by my friend E who gave me the inspiration.

Working Tuesday: Wedding Bells Are Ringing!

Well, June is a comin' fast and furious. And you know what June means... June brides! I've been working up a batch of new garters in several different sizes - petite to plus. Usually the size depends on the amount of antique lace I have on hand. I'm busy dreaming up flowers made with rhinestone buttons and something blue beads. I've even managed to go a little non-traditional. I know, those of you who know me are gasping in shock... but I am!

So stay tuned to see the finished products. For now, you'll have to make due with bits and pieces!