Sneek Peek: New Homepage Images

We will have new homepage images soon.  Yippee!!  We had a shoot yesterday with a model that will be used in our new homepage images.  Here's a sneek peek of how the shoot went.  

Try not to get confused.  This model's name is Noa, (pronounced the way we commonly pronounce the name of the Prophet with the Ark.) The following picture is not of me.  I repeat- it is a different person, not me.  I know, I know, it's hard to tell us apart.  Her eyes are green, mine are brown.  That may help you to tell the difference. ;)

Tutorial: Hemming a hanky hem, baby hem, or rolled hem

From time to time I get emails asking me how to do certain things, sewing-wise.  I wish I had time to write tuts on all of the questions that I receive.  The question I was emailed today is, how do you mark a floor length gown for hemming?  Well, there are lots of types of hems.  There's no way to cover all of the bases, but from her description, I'm assuming that this person is asking about a hanky or baby hem on a light chiffon or georgette gown.  The bulk of the fabric really matters when estimating how much fabric to leave for your hem allowance. The bulkier your fabric, the more length you need to leave.

While I illustrate how to mark, I'm going to go ahead and give a few cutting and hemming pointers as well.  

Lets say the client wants a 1/4 or 1/8 inch rolled hem.  This is straight-stitch, not serged.  I would take that number and multiply by 3 to get 3/4 inch.  I would have the client stand on a 1 inch magazine in the shoes that she plans to wear with the gown.  (The magazine will compress slightly when she stands on it.) I would mark to the floor all the way around.  The more marks you have the more accurate.  Have her look straight forward, she's not allowed to look down.   That picks up the back of the dress. I use a sliver of bar soap to mark.  Make sure that you do not stretch the dress as you mark.  Mark it right where it naturally hits the floor without being pulled. 

Excuse my crude, silly sketches! ;) 

Cut on the long side of the marks, (always err long on every decision, you can always shorten a bit if needed later.) When you approach a vertical seam, swoop down a little bit. The extra bulkiness will gobble a little of your length. (see my blue marks in the 3rd pic)  

As you sew around the hem, snip those seam allowances on the vertical seams.  That will make them less bulky.   

One huge tip to note when sewing the baby hem:  It's not just about the right hand holding a tight little roll. The left hand needs to pull to the left while the right index finger pushes down and pulls slightly to the right.  (see gray arrows) This pulling from both directions keeps the feed dogs from causing your roll to pull extra fabric into it. -That would cause the roll to be bigger and less tight, (yuck!)

Hope this helps! :) 

Mark and Carly

Here is the long awaited blog post!!  Let me just preface this by saying that normally, when I do a blog post, I average about 12 images.  It is my purpose with this blog to market my business with the power of social media.  

I use my blog to give credit to other vendors and to represent the resulting beauty of my work.  The most effective way for me to *show* beauty online is with photography, (Note: I'm giving the stink-eye to the rare photog that is insanely jealous and feels they should be the only ones allowed to take pics or do a blog post about a wedding. :P )  I've been a photographer for longer than I've been a seamstress, but I'm not trying to compete with wedding photogs with my images.  Everyone has a different vision that they take away from a day.  I also always make a point to not take shots of anything that the photographer has composed.  And I will never, repeat, NEVER shoot over their shoulders.  

Anyways, kudos to my many sweet, non-competitive photographer friends.  Jenny Clark is one of them.  She is a great photographer.  She works with children especially well, (the hardest part!!) and is very skilled with what she does. She and I talked about this day and she kindly permitted me to take pictures.  I am posting many more pictures than usual, because this was a family event for me and this post serves, not just as a business post, but as a personal family record.  

Jenny shooting

without further ado... 

The site was at a family farm.  Unbelievably beautiful.  Some of the pics have a foggy effect to them.  That's not a dreamy filter that I used, it was just very humid, so I kept getting fog on my lens. lol 

Here's the bustle for the reception.  It's a triple traditional.

To Mark and Carly:

May God give you abounding love, patience, and wisdom.  May you never be selfish.  May you war against anything that tries to come against your marriage.  May you always remember that you are on the same team.  May you grow closer to God and deeper in love.  And I pray that one day you look down at your aged feet and see how close you still walk together. 

With love, 

The Other Suters <3

Sneak Peek!

I'm working a double today, so no blog post yet.  But, I had a little break and just had to edit this one.

(See also, post below.)  This is a pic I took at the wedding that I worked Saturday. A very different day for me!  I was the seamstress, and attended as a guest and relative, (That guy below is my brother-in-law).  As a photography enthusiast, I also had to take a few pics of my baby brother and new sissy!  Jenny Clark from Don't Blink Photography shot this wedding beautifully and obliged me a minute to capture this.  I can't wait to tell you more about her and all of their other wonderful vendors.  Oh, and the wedding site... gasp.  This here's God's country.  Just wait til you see!!

Stolen.

Can you believe it? She took my name!  ;)

... actually, she stole my baby brudder. Stay tuned, I'll be uploading the wedding of Mark and Carly Suter in the next couple of days! 

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The Pendletons

This past Saturday, we worked a wedding in Roanoke.  It was the infamous, 7-11 day!  Free Slurpees for all!!   Betsy, my bride got ready at the beautiful Patrick Henry Hotel in downtown Roanoke.

Today was a reunion of sorts for me.  Molly, my bride from last December was a bridesmaid of Betsy's.  We were also working once again with Paula Greenway of Vinton.  She has a studio- yay! and her business is named PG Photography.  Check out some of her work at the end of my blog post.   

As usual, I delivered the dress, freshly steamed.  The bridesmaids were with-it!  They were already dressed when I arrived, and not one of them needed their gown steamed.  Mom needed a tuck and tack, but was otherwise beautiful.  Betsy slipped into her gown super fast, and it was showtime.  Her train performed beautifully due to the great stabilizing job that my assistant, Yael did. During her pre-wedding pics, Betsy's dress tore a little at the hem.  It was a quick stitch-up and she was photo ready again.  

Betsy's hands are prepared for the slipping on of her new band. 

We transported via limo to Lynn Haven Baptist in Vinton. I helped Betsy in and out of the limo to avoid her getting her gown dirty.  Her dress seriously held together amazingly.  It came from Celebration Bridal and had 3D lace flowers all over it.  (I'm goo-goo over dimensional lace.) 

I had lots of boutineers to pin and relatives to find once we got to the church.  Betsy and her groom, Trey,  are blessed to still have so many grandparents that could attend!  Another amazing thing is that both the bride and the groom come from parents with marriages that are still intact.  What a tremendous blessing!  Well done!  Marriages don't last because things are smooth, it takes a lot of commitment and team work along the way.   

Pic 1 shows train down.  Pic 2 is Betsy rockin'  her "Gilded Fit." Pic 3 shows detail of bustle attachment. 

This was my first time working with Vicki Itson of Weddings by Simplicity.  She was the planner for the day and kept everything running smoothly.  Betsy had a lovely team of courteous and capable vendors.  What a difference that makes!  Nooobody had a brain freeze today. ;) 

 

One thing I love about their photographer, Paula, is that she gets her sneak peeks up so fast.  I'm gonna let her take over from here with the pictures... 

Paula always takes beautiful and creative ring shots.

Other vendors for the day were...

Ceremony Music: Cindie Hayden

Florist and linens: Creative Occasions

Catering: Pumpernickel Pickle

Cake: Casey's Cakes

Reception entertainment and photobooth: Quest Entertainment

Limo: Prestige Limo

Congrats, Betsy and Trey!!!  



Hannah and Dillon

We just had our first May 2015 wedding at the beautiful Diamond V Farm.  Hannah's situation was a little different because she had a barn venue, yet opted for a gown with a long train.  A long train requires a little more care.  When I first arrived, I was immediately busy. Two of the bridesmaid's dresses needed adjusting.  (Thank goodness for a sewing machine!) One had lost a loop.  A groomsman's shirt that arrived in the mail at the 11th hour needed pressing.  And all of the gowns needed to be steamed, as usual.  I set to work sewing instead of first taking my leisurely stroll that I normally take upon my early arrival.  -So forgive!  I have no cake pics or vendor mentions for that. But, Hannah's photographer, Jenny Clark of Don't Blink Photography will have all of those details recorded beautifully.    

Flowers were by PJs Designs.  

All the bridesmaid's were able to walk down the aisle in perfectly fitted gowns due to our last minute tweaks.  They got ready in the newly built cabin.   Hannah entered the ceremony site through Diamond V's hallmark white doors. 

She looked so beautiful, and you can tell that she had her gown custom fit to her form...

We got off to a busy start, but the wedding party was actually pretty low key.  There were no wardrobe malfunctions once everything got moving.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  I spot cleaned Hannah's gown before she was announced at the reception.  I bustled her into her triple bustle before taking off down the rolling, country drive.  

Hannah and Dillon, may your road trip of life be long and happy together! Readers, feel free to wish them well on their journey by leaving a comment here.  (We won't take or give your info.)

Karen and Bill

We were kicking off our spring weddings at the lurvly Glencliff Manor this past Saturday.  Karen and Bill tied the knot- ...er "sawed the log" on a cool, drizzly April day. (We'll get to the log sawing later ;)  Drizzly days are wonderful.  No no, definitely not in terms of dry cleaning.  I know they can be a mess!  But, the pictures turn out so beautiful.  The colors are vibrant, and best of all, you get married surrounded by blooming flowers and warm glowing lights.  You would never see the sparkle of the string lights during the day on a sunny day.  In my opinion, the highlight of day weddings at Glencliff is the flowering beauty.  The highlight of the evening events is the fanciful lighting.  A drizzly day gives you both!

Contact info for Glencliff, Wisteria in bloom, umbrellas awaiting, and a single orange left on the tree

Another special treat for Karen is the blooming wisteria.  As us southern belles know, wisteria bloom is a short lived show.  Only one bride a year is graced with walking through the tunnel dripping with purple wisteria.  Karen was that girl!! There was also a single orange left on the charming orange tree.  

I didn't grab a picture of Jack at work, But Karen and Bill  chose Jack Radgowski of JR Photography as their photographer.  He was very kind and would work until he got the shot the way he was envisioning it.  He's definitely not a "spray and pray" kind of shooter.  Very thoughtful.

Look at Karen's beautiful dress!!  We got her laced up and enjoyed her custom, "Gilded" fit.  Her gown was a Maggie Sottero from Celebration. They have beautiful inventory and a very attentive sales team.  

As  you may already know, I'm hired for wedding day services as a form of insurance against wardrobe malfunctions.  I also spoil the efforts of the evil trolls who sneak into closets to take up the waistlines on clothes that make them ill-fitting the night before a wedding.   I'm usually very busy because of those terrible tricks those trolls play! This wedding was no exception.  The groom's coat was too small.  Military uniforms, as you know, are worn very fitted.  You have no wiggle-room to change a size or two.  Out comes my sewing machine, 20 mins before time to walk the aisle...  

Now back to the girls.  It was time to don the rhinestone-trimmed veil.  The brides and maids wore blue and gold Pashmina wraps.  ~sigh~   I love the colors!!!  Military weddings are so pretty and classy.  

See what I mean by, the best of both worlds?  The lights are mesmerizing.  Check out the pavilion.  I love the clear sides.  They keep the warmth in, but allow you to see the verdant display around you.  Both of these pictures are shot through the clear plastic.  It was so chilly outside, we could see their breath! 

Cake by Angela Hudson through Glencliff Manor

This couple made very tasteful, aesthetically pleasing choices, but their personalities were also very silly and fun-loving.  The cake table represents their dual natures perfectly.  

 

Karen and Bill pause in the glittering arbor.  What a striking couple they are!  Many blessings to you both! 

What were your favorite memories of this day?  Share your comments, thoughts, and well wishes below for Karen and Bill to treasure.  

The Columns Open House

We are at The Columns tonight for their open house. You can find my assistant in the bridal suite with lots of info about us.  Pick up a copy of our new wedding day services handout & see if you are a cash prize winner! See you there!! It's going on from now til 6:30. 

 

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We were a Clutchie Award winner!

Today is a super exciting day for us! This marks the first day of distribution for the latest Clutch Guide, wedding issue.  Inside it, you will find featured weddings, vendor advice, fresh ideas from other brides, and lots of informative well designed ads from local venues and vendors.  You will also find the results from the first ever Clutchie Awards.  They took a poll from local brides to establish who is Diamond, Platinum, and Gold in our area.  Ours truly took home a Diamond award for Alterations services!

I want to thank all of my fabulous customers for 3 things...  1)  That you trust me enough to allow me the freedom to work on the most important garment that you will ever wear! 2) That you guys have amazing vision.  My redesigns gallery would be very boring without my outta-the-box brides who want to see big changes happen! 3) That you guys voted for me!  This was an open ballot contest.  You could have filled in any name, or left it blank, but instead you thought of me.

Most of all, I want to thank God and my family.  5 years ago, there were days when I couldn't get out of bed or even walk.  I had R.A. I took a lot of medicine for it, Plaquenil, Prednisone, and a mild chemo drug named Methotrexate.  But they only allowed so much freedom.  I was bound up with Arthritis, and it was all I could do to take care of my family.  Truth be known, they took care of me.  Some people ask me, "Where did you come from?"  It's like I just burst on the wedding industry scene. Well, I came from a dark, painful, chronic disease that didn't allow me to work to the capacity that I do today. R.A. is debilitating and has no cure.  God healed me one day.  Yes.  I said, God healed me.  I'm free of that terrible auto-immune disease now and can work many hours a week, making your (and my) dreams come true.  

My family deserves lots of "hugs and kisses, loves and wishes", (as we say at the Suter house) Because they put up with my hours and do all the usual sacrificing that small business owner families have to do.  It's a big deal.  

 

 Follow this link here to read the .pdf of the new guide.  Be on the look out for your very own guide, (to have and to hold ;) at one of the many drop-off locations.  I'll have some complimentary copies in my studio some time in the next couple of weeks.   

Below is a screenshot of The Clutch Guide's new cover for their wedding issue.  Pri-tay!  

Below you will find a copy of the beautiful new ad that we ran in the Guide.  Special thanks to models Emma and Noa for lending their time and beauty to this shoot.  

Mentioned in Charlottesville Borrowed and Blue

Click here to see Ashley's beautiful wedding! 

Borrowed and Blue posted this for their Charlottesville blog.  The post below was featured in Their Asheville blog.  But guess what?  Roanoke is about to get their own Borrowed and Blue category.  That's exciting because the information you will find there will be more specific for our area.  You will see more vendors and venues featured that we all know and love.