How do they bead prom dresses?

It looks like a million beads are randomly scattered on a prom gown.  Did someone just sit down with the gown and randomly attach all of those beads?   No.  Not exactly.  If that was the manufacturing process, they would have no continuity of quality or design.  The beading pattern is printed on the dress.  (I'm posting a picture of a prom gown that we altered this year.)

In order to take up the bodice, I have to remove all of the beads that are in the way of my new seam.  This exposes the beading pattern. Each circle represents a bead, and has a symbol in the center of it.  The symbol is a code for which size bead should be stitched there.  Pretty nifty, huh?

After I clear the beads away, I must take up the dress and then re-bead it where it is bare along the seam.  No wonder it takes a while and costs more than casual wear alterations!   

Bridesmaids lineup

Here's 4 pretty maids all in a row.  This was in my shop last Saturday.  The girls are lined up to have their hem markings compared.  (I've pinned individual notes to their bodices.)  From time to time we schedule a fitting party for the bridesmaids and bride to all come at once to have their hems marked at the same time.  Just one more little detail that makes the Gilded difference!

No more Prom...

As of March 4th, 2014, we will no longer be accepting Prom dresses for alterations.  We also will not be able to do MOB or MOG dresses.  We may open those back up after June?  We'll see how the calendar goes. If you are already in the books, you are all set.  If you haven't sent in appointment request form yet, we're sorry, but we won't be able to get the dresses done in time for your event.   Best wishes!  Look beautiful and be safe!!   

prom close.jpg

Super Sale at CSB

Today was a whirlwind! I'm wiped out!  Amy, (one of my assistants), Thomasina of Elvisdog Productions, and I volunteered at the Prom Dress Super Sale and Church Street Bridal today. As usual, the lines were crazy this morning- many girls were eager to get in right as we opened, but CSB was armed with a large group of energetic volunteers.  Many brides said Yes! to the dress today, and many HIgh Schoolers grabbed up sparkly good deals on prom dresses.  Bridal gowns were a mind-blowing 25 bucks each on the mezanine! Bridal shoes were only 5 dollars a pair!  All of the proceeds benefit women and children, victims of domestic violence, and the SARP program in Lynchburg, VA.  

Prom

Prom.  Do we do it?  We get asked that a lot this time of year.  Yes we do alter Prom gowns!  The catch to it is... we don't block off a large amount of space in our planner for it- in fact we don't block off any space for it.  It's first-come, first-served. So that means, when we are booked beyond the Prom date with fittings, etc, then we no longer accept Prom gowns.  To give you an idea, last year we stopped accepting appointments for Prom gown alts in mid/late February.  ((Chaos ensued! High-schoolers were very sad indeed!))  Sorry 'bout that.  We love our cute little prom girls, but Brides are our priority. We just do what we can do.  :)

Big Shocker!

So was reading a bridal magazine at Barnes and Noble, (of course).  And I flipped to a page that pictured a bride and groom, (of course).   And I was like, "Oh my goodness! That's a Gilded Bride!!"  Then I read the article and there was a paragraph about The Gilded Thimble and the work that I did on her dress.  Freaky Cool Moment!!!  :@  :D

 (Photo Credit for the dipped bride, Chelsea Yoder Photography.)

Elvisdog Productions

Here's some pics from Thomasina's view at Saturday's shot.  She's so awesome, and they have great wedding packages!  Give Elvisdog Productions a call! 434.238.2176

So ya wanna be a model?

We had a promo shoot Saturday in The Jefferson National Forest and it was freezing!!!  Christy Chichester, our model, was a champ.  Her husband was the proverbial pack mule.  He toted stuff, was a gopher, and a nearby jacket holder for his wife, and also discovered his natural gift for reflector holding, (Go Stephen!!)  I was accompanied by the stupendously amazing Thomasina of Elvisdog Productions. Our goals were to shoot a dress for Church Street Bridal, and also to get some rights-free images for all of us to use.  Lurvly gown, isn't it?   

Here's some behind the scenes shots, as well as a sneak peek of an ad you may see CSB running.  Enjoy! (And keep warm!!)  

Congrats Ainsley and Andrew!

Here's a little collage from today's beautiful wedding at The Trivium, (Heidi, the owner is phenom, and their grounds are perfectly cared for while they maintain a relaxed environment).  The weather could not have been better!   Flowers (amazing as always!) by The Arrangement Company, Photogs were Kimberly Burke and her husband Connor, one of my fav teams. Gawjus gowns from Celebration Bridal, (love them!).  Decor by Studio 11 in Lynchburg.  Makeup by Ashley Ancheta- she did a great job and was very personable while she worked with each party member. And the favors (Monogrammed drinking jars) were hand painted by the M.O.B.!  This family redefined keeping calm and cool.  They were so kind to deal with and very chill about the few little hiccups that happened today.  Every wedding has them, but these guys took every bump in stride.  You could tell this family was here just to have a good time and make memories!

May I also add that we were just a stone's throw away from where my husband and I were married, 13 years ago? Here's a picture I snagged that is the view of the steeple of the church in which we were married.  We didn't know that you could see it from The Trivium, so it surprised us. The Trivium has very picturesque views around their property.

Have to Share Another...

Here are some more beautiful moments that I captured with a couple of very kind parents from this weekend's wedding.  This wedding was held at West Manor.  

Abby's dress came from the fabulous Church Street Bridal.  They have designer dresses at a 10th of original retail, and it all goes for a great cause.   

Flowers by Amy Thornburg, The Arrangement Company, (beautiful as always!).  

Abby's wedding came together perfectly.  The people at West Manor are very professional and detail-oriented.  

Her photographers were from C. Tyler Corvin Studio.  They are a husband and wife team out of Charlottesville.  I work a lot of weddings, and I see a lot of photographers work.  So, naturally, I've learned to clearly see who is winging it and who really knows their stuff.   These guys know their stuff!!  They had great equipment. They worked with the family without causing chaos to break loose.  They were humble and relaxed, but on their game.   I look forward to sharing their photographs with you on my bride's page, here. 

What else is there to say?  It was a beautiful ending to what most have dubbed the busiest wedding day of the year for this year.  (We served 10 Gilded Brides who married on this day!)  The next huge day for us will be Oct 12th.  I'll have to tally up our numbers for the year and find out exactly which was the biggest day for us.  

For now, I'm relaxing, for last week was unbelievably busy and I'm having to re-bound quickly to get all of my many October brides picture perfect for their big day. (Click on picture below to enlarge.)

Abby and her Mother after the wedding ceremony. Abby and her Father, in their final moments together alone before she became a "Mrs.".

laughing

It's after 11PM.  I'm still at work.  The bride, her sister, and her mom are heaving laughing in the fitting room.  I hear snorting, giggling, and gasping for breath.  Yup.  Just another day at The Gilded Thimble! lol

Our NEW Promo Video is LIVE!!!

Yay!!  New promo video by Elvisdog Productions is Live!  Check it! 

The Gilded Thimble, seamstress in Bedford, VA www.thegildedthimble.com (434)515-1436 Professional Seamstress, Carissa, is an outgoing, creative soul who infuses her work with passion and laughter. Expect spontaneous interaction as she crafts your gown to your form.

Vintage Redesign

Yesterday we did another vintage redesign.  We've completed 3 in the past two weeks!  They are very exciting.  Below is a picture of the dress that we worked on yesterday.  It's a Priscilla of Boston, worn by the Mother of the Bride, a number of years ago.  We removed the sleeves and gave the dress a sweetheart neckline. I wanted to include some pictures of the inside of the gown just to record how different these dresses were constructed back in the day.  The dress was high-end, yet unlined!  Check out the retro bust cups, too! ;)    

Happy Independence Day!

We are closed today, and we are enjoying the holiday!  I'm not sure why we Virginians have June bug season in July, but we do!  We woke up this morning to a swarming yard of harmless, buzzing bugs. Here's what a day off looks like for The Thimble!  

Today is a great day to be thankful for our freedoms and to enjoy time with our families.  So, however you do it, get out and do it!  We'll see ya tomorrow! :) God Bless America!