Bitney’s Tip:
Keep your zipper closed throughout the application and sew from the bottom of the zipper to top.

1. Sew a basting stitch the exact length of your zipper, continue down the seam with a regular stitch. (See #7)
2. Extend the right side of the seam allowance and line your regular zipper with the top of garment. Pin in place. Using a zipper foot, positioned to the right of the needle and machine baste.
3. Switch needle position on the zipper foot to the left, turn the zipper face up forming a fold in the seam allowance. Bring the fold close, but not over the zipper teeth or pull. Stitch along the edge of the fold over all the thickness.
4. Turn garment to right side and lay garment as flat as possible over the unstitched zipper tape. Hand baste across the bottom of the zipper then up along the side (about 1/2″ wide).
5. Position the foot to the right of the needle. Stitch as close as you can to the bottom of the zipper and up the side. Pivoting at the corner. Try not to stitch over the basting. Bring thread ends to the underside and tie. Remove basting stitches.
6. Finish by removing the stitches from the placket so the zipper is able to be unzipped.
7. This shows a placket that intersects a cross-seam (like in my case a waist seam). Make sure that the seams match up before basting the placket opening. Trim cross-seam allowances to get rid of excess bulk. Stitch from the bottom of seam to bottom of placket using a regular stitch, backstitch then baste to top of placket. 

One Last Tip:
Did you know zippers have stitching guidelines right on them? They do! Seen in #2 it is a differentiation in the weave of the zipper tape.

Check out my YouTube channel HERE, I love watching and listing sewing how-to’s I find useful.

• 2 wooden thread spools
• small hook & eyes box (10₵!)
• box of dressmaker steel pins
• box that says “6 cord chain spool cotton 150 yards” it is actually filled with various nick-nacks like eyelets, hooks and safety pins
• nice gold thread scissors
• pinking shears and box
• travel sewing pouch with thread, pins, scissors and paper tape measure

Some really great keepsakes!  

Here are some photos that I finally got around to uploading of the prom dress I altered. It was originally a two piece (bodice and floor length skirt). This is what I did:

1. Shortened the skirt to just below the knee
2. Attached the new skirt to bodice (removed waistband and lining to do this)
3. Created a nice new curve on the back where the zipper is
4. Added new button loops and ribbon for closure
5. Re-attached lining
6. Created a flower pin out of left over fabric! See my post on how to make one HERE!

Viola! Enjoy the pictures!

Started on my dress this past 2 weeks. Trying very hard to conceal it from Ryan. Just finished fitting the bodice, which is a lot more difficult on yourself. Good thing I have a dress form! I am documenting the process through video, I will post it up in segment once the wedding is over and with. Not a “how-to video” more like a showcase of my skill that I hope everyone will find interesting.

Unfortunately with me taking on the designing of my own dress it leaves me little time to commit to any future projects. Please still feel free to request a quote and I will get back to you. Just be aware of the circumstances I am under for the next few months!

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Already have plans for next Halloween! Other than my costume, I was busy with the costume shop and altering a Kiss costume. I am glad the month is over because it was a little stressful. Now I can focus on my wedding dress! Heading to Vancouver next weekend to get some materials and little things that will make it unique and ‘me’. Which is something I always do for my clients.

Now I have one, possibly two, more costumes to work on before Halloween. Such a busy month! Keep the costumes requests coming, I love hearing all your ideas. There is still time to have your dream costume made!

True Buffy fans, like me, would know who these two are. Spike and Dru are infamous in the Buffyverse. I have always loved the dynamic of  their relationship. So twisted, but sweet. She, a young English catholic turned by Angelus for her clairvoyance and visions in 1860. This was after he had murdered her entire family and drove her delightfully insane.

She joined Angelus and his maker/lover Darla on a bloody rampage through Europe. In 1880 she met William, a shy English poet who had just been rejected by the love of his life, taking advantage of his vulnerability she sired him and they became inseparable, he later taking on the name “Spike”. His bleached blonde hair and pronounced cheekbones made him an iconic character of the show for many seasons.

I can’t wait to finish my costume, Ryan and I are gonna look awesome. Stay tuned for pictures!

Popular movies of 2011 that are just begging for costumes:

1. Comic book movies Thor, Captain America, Green Lantern, X-Men First Class- Bring out the bright colored spandex and go crazy re-creating your favorite superhero of 2011.

2. Harry Potter- show off your love for the spectacled wizard franchise for the last time.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean- yo ho yo ho… think accessories! Gold, gems and alike atop a long skirt, loose top and corset. 

4. Cowboys & Aliens- Love the mix of old west style and futuristic weaponry. 

5. Red Riding Hood- go for a medieval/gothic look, and don’t forget the red hood and cape.

6. Conan (the Barbarian)- fur, leather, animal bones and not much else.

7. Sucker Punch- I would so be Babydoll this year if I didn’t have a costume planned. Blonde pigtails, sailor/school girl outfit, samurai sword and gun. She makes one awesome heroine.  

8. Twilight: Breaking Dawn- not particularly fond of this series but for some in might be fun to go as (or spoof if you share my thinking).

New spin on a classic:

The ol’ take an occupation and make it sexy: Sexy Nurse, Sexy Cop = BORING. Throw some Zombie in the mix and you’ve got a costume hit. Zombie school girl? Zombie maid? Zombie chef? And even better when going with a group, zombie apocalypse anyone?

All that is left is some tidying up, adding seam allowances, and a bit of color coding. Even made a handy guide sheet with some general instructions. I want it to be as easy to follow as possible!

I also got a new laptop, which I am trying to get used to typing this! I also updated the photos for my scarlet bridal gown, so check them out! Beautiful day for a photo shoot!