(First published in May’s issue of LoveSewing magazine.)
Wedding season is one of my favourite times as a seamstress. Ribbons, chiffon, silks, and tulle. I could bathe in that stuff! Throw in a little Swarovski bedazzling and pleat and gather everything to bits, and I’m in heaven.
This time of year, The Sewing Studio is bustling with brides either coming in for dress fittings and consultations or learning to sew in order to create their own dresses, bombonieres, you-name-it. And on any given night at our Toronto studio, you’re bound to see one of our instructors working late sewing a dress for a friend or a client.
Like weddings, sewing is a great way to express your creativity and your style to those around you. On your wedding day, you can make your mom happy by choosing the quaint, rustic venue she’s dreamed of for you, but you can turn it ultra urban and modern by having your ceremony at night and flooding the place in white votive candles. Similarly, when you know how to sew, you can take a staple blazer (you know it well, that work blazer everyone owns and no one loves) and turn it into something unique. Pretty-it-up with lace detail, go punk and add studs, or deconstruct it and fray some edges.
There are so many options for you and your wedding once you’ve mastered a few basic sewing skills. You can alter or tweak your dress (hello, savings!), make a ring pillow, or sew inexpensive table runners to match your reception’s decor. And if you’ve developed your skills even more, you can sew your bridesmaids’ dresses or even your own wedding dress. Whatever you do, enjoy your day, and enjoy all the prep—and sewing!—leading up to it.
Denise
— Founder
Interesting in learning to sew? The Sewing Studio now has free sessions running from April to June! For 2 hours, teens and preteens get to meet new people, learn to sew, and have a ton of fun. These classes give attendees a taste of sewing; perfect for those who want to try it out. 8 to 12+ year olds get to use a variety of fabrics, colours and features to create their own unique stuffed animal in My Perfect Pet. This session runs on Thursdays from 4 to 6 pm. Fashion Maven has 12 to 16+ year olds designing their own versions of the season’s hottest accessories on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Where can you find trendy club-wear, vintage-inspired classic dresses, chunky jewellery, and bohemian bags made of recycled fabric? The One of a Kind Show, of course! Focusing on all things unique and many North American, this show took up residence at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto last week. Its five days of operation saw plenty of return shoppers, loving the selection and huge assortment of vendors. Designers flocked from all over to make a name for themselves, selling only their best creations to the public. As large as the building was, I made sure to walk through each and every aisle at least once. It’s a good thing I didn’t bring a whole lot of money; I could have spent it in minutes. I admired the sparkly wrap dresses, fell for the free-trade, screen-printed tees, and went nuts for the flowing, rayon dresses. One of a kind jewellery and clothing were prevalent, providing tons inspiration and some great, down-to-earth designers to converse with. The free samples from the food booths weren’t too bad, either (I made a few rounds, but don’t tell anyone). Other highlights included a booth solely focused on amazing children’s costumes (totally bought a Batman mask), a booth with stuffed animal monsters, and a booth filled with cat goodies (pretty sure the lady thought I was crazy when I blabbered on about “my boys”). Needless to say, the entry fee was well worth it to get in and support some great local designers, chefs and artists. I’ll see you at the winter show!
Looking forward to LG Fashion Week? We are!
