In 1987 as a GCSE Textiles student, I took part in my school fashion show. I modelled my GCSE contribution, a wrap around red and black check ankle length skirt with a pair of DM's !!!! I remember the Textiles teacher hosting the show and when I walked out, she described my outfit as 'Very Claire'!!!!! Although it was the first skirt I had ever made, I knew I could and would one day do better. One of the A-Level students, Mel had made a beautiful wedding dress and an old friend of mine, Lynne modelled it - she looked absolutely amazing. One day, I thought, one day................
Spring 2014, I attended a Shelly Goldsmith's Transfer Printing workshop at The Beaney in Canterbury, Kent. She asked us to bring synthetic fabric to print on. I took lingerie which I printed, frazzled and burnt in places with the iron!!!I dumped the printed corset in my scrap fabric box and expected it would never see the light of day until ...........................................
I went on my annual holiday to Turkey and purchased a suitcase full of white lace fabric. You guessed it, my dreams of making a wedding dress came flooding back. But this was to be no ordinary wedding dress, oh no, this would need to be a funky Bohemian style wedding dress with splashes of colour and a burnt, transfer printed corset!!!!!
I started on the bust with some hand dyed lace, then began working on layering up lace around the corset. I left pieces hanging hoping they would tie into the design later and create some interesting shapes.I then began covering each of the corset panels with lace and stitched various patterns in contrasting threads on top.
At this point, realisation dawned that this was indeed looking very much like a funky wedding gown!! Day and night it was on my mind and I was planning the next section. I just could not wait until my days off when I could continue making the dress.
To be continued ...................................................................................................................
