SEAMS Couture, The Blog

2012-01-26T17:34:00.000-08:00

Simple isn't always as it appears.

Any garment that appears 'simple' on the outside may be hiding some secrets. Think of Audrey Hepburn's classic simple black

Givenchy gown in the opening scene of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.

Simple in appearance and yet not in construction.

A Couture dress has some secrets inside that cannot be rushed or taken down to the easy route in order to be perfect, take for instance a simple circle or half circle skirt. It has an outer shell layer of silk which is basted to an interlining and then covered with a lining. All three layers need to be cut then pinned on to a dress form and left to hang for several weeks, and this step cannot be rushed. They were each cut with a perfect paper pattern made with a compass, and yet since all three are different fabrics they will all stretch differently and eventually become uneven at the hem. When the stretching has stopped, the layers are pinned together and marked for their new perfect hem line, cut and only then properly hem stitched for good. Years from now this Bride can pull her dress out of a garment bag and the hem will be as perfectly straight as it was on her Wedding Day.

More of this 'simple' Couture Wedding Dress and the lovely Seams Bride Lissa who wore it on Poptastic Bride! Photos by DMPJ by Glen Cooper at the Codman Estate, one of the beautiful Historic New England Properties.

2012-01-06T17:35:00.000-08:00

What are you doing this Thursday nite?

How about joining us at the amazingly cool Ames Hotel in Boston

for a little Seams Couture Fashion Show?

We're going to be there with LolaGrace Events (our favorite Anti-Bride Boston Wedding Planner) Beantown Bride, and lots of really creative Wedding Pros on the cutting edge of the business in Boston.

January 12th from 6PM to 9PM

Space is limited!!!

Admission is FREE, but you Must RSVP in order to get on The List:

http://amesweddingevent.eventbrite.com/

2012-01-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Couture: What is it?

How to Shop for a Couture Gown 101

Just like any other service no two Couturiers (or Dressmakers) are alike and vary on level of expertise. Take the time to make an appointment and meet your Designer in person, look closely at their sample gowns to see the level of work involved both inside and out, and always ask to see photos of work they've done for other clients.

Always make sure to beyond someone's website and what it claims, ask to see references and even a resume when you visit for your Consultation Appointment! See if they will let you peek into the workroom, if not that may be a sign that the work is done elsewhere and they're not being honest with you about where their work is done. Don't forget that you're interviewing someone for a very important job, make sure you find someone for the job who has tackled bigger projects than yours before. Experience is priceless and the work should speak for itself.

Seams Couture gown inside, Photo by Authentic Eye

Charles James, American Couturier gown detail

It's not just semantics.

Not just anyone can simply call themselves a Couturier without years and hopefully decades of experience. Couturier is the same Title as 'Chef' and means the one who knows the entire craft and everyone's job under them, Couturiers can virtually do all tasks from Design to Patternmaking, Cutting, Fitting and Handwork Finishing. Just learning how to properly FIT a garment takes years of on the job observation while assisting a Fitter. Training for Couture can only be done by assisting and working for others, there is no school even in Paris that can give someone a diploma in Couture. Everyone works their way up and it takes 3 years before a new employee is even allowed to use the iron in an Atelier!

Anyone with less to show in terms of experience and training is simply a Dressmaker. Seamstresses (the lady you take your pants to for hemming) are simply a part of the Staff, and not the Chef.

The term Haute Couture is literally a designation by the French Government requiring an exam similar to the Lawyer's Bar or Architect's A.R.E., using it without certification in France is illegal. Haute Couturier Yumi Katsura showed at Bridal Market in New York, and we were blown away by her work in person. This gown in the photo is covered with thousands of hand crocheted petals, truly a Couture Work of Art:

Much as we love watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' we cant help but chuckle every time they face the camera and sternly advise the viewer against having a gown made. It's not that simple is it?

So here it is: Just like any Retail Store selling gowns off the rack you should enter into the experience feeling calm and like they not only get you, are listening, but have your back. If not, keep shopping! Ignore 'SYTTD' and have your gown made by an experienced Couture House who can properly take care of you every step of the way. They're probably warning you against the local Dressmaker lady who may be taking on more than she can, or someone right out of Fashion School who hasn't earned their chops yet.

Seams Couture is taking Consultation Appointments for 2012 and 2013 Custom Wedding Dresses, Gowns, and Women's Tailored Suits. Or anything else you can dream up!
Email WraptureDress@yahoo.com or call 978 473-3398.

2011-12-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

Tales From the Workroom

Chanel-ly Gown Upgrade/Upcycle

You know that "Walmart of Gown Stores" National Chain with the seriously inexpensive yet sometimes good basic dresses? I love the challenge of taking one of their dresses and doing a hardcore Alteration and Design Upgrade to them. Here's one example of an Oleg Cassini interesting basic dress, the fugly flower that was on it now removed. It's a good start:

The Inspiration (or mine anyway) was the Chanel Spring 2010 Ready To Wear Collection, which was set on a faux Normandy farm runway complete with hay bales. Click here for Style.com's slideshow coverage of the entire event: www.style.com/S2010RTW-CHANEL

(Yes that's Lily Allen rockin' out in the background!)

The Bride's inspiration had to do with her matte silver metal, wheat and burlap color scheme that was going to weave throughout the event from invitations to decor to her awesome rope heeled espadrille shoes.

The Result included a beautiful raw linen net over silver metal organza made into cap sleeves, a waistband with long back trailing ties down the back, and lots and lots of little hand made flowers with beads and matte silver sequin centers. Raw (yet sewn for stability) fringed edges a la Chanel around all of the new pieces finished the look.

Upgrade complete! Chanel-inspired glamour for a fraction of the cost.

Btw I used to work the inhouse fashion shows at Chanel NYC, hours of fun being able to inspect everything from The Suits, RTW, to the OOAK Couture Gowns and even the Fine Jewelry.

<3 Coco and Karl!

2011-11-27T14:16:00.000-08:00

Stock up on Holiday gifts for your favorite Fashionista or Bride to Be!

Final 50% Clearance SALE of all our Hollywood, Boobles, Miss Oops and emergency kits for Brides, Bridesmaids, and MOBs. Great for stocking stuffers, co-workers and client gifts,

OR how cute is this: give a Bridesmaid Survival Kit with a note

asking your BFF to be by your side on your big day!

We'll be open during the Wenham & Hamilton Holiday Stroll

Thursday December 8th from 11AM until 8PM

2011-10-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Weekend is a great time to start
talking Wedding Gowns!

We're taking Consultation Appointments on the 25th & 26th for upcoming 2012 and 2013 Weddings,

Bring your Mom (or other Supportive Cohort) and let's talk Gowns:

978 473-3398 or WraptureDress@yahoo.com

What is a Consultation Appointment?

Time for us to sit down together and DESIGN brainstorm! Bring all your inspiration photos (magazine cutouts or your laptop because we have Wifi in the building) I start drawing pictures until you fall in LO<3E!

Does it cost anything? Your first hour is Free, and we waive the rest if you're ready to take the plunge and make it official with Seams Couture. Sometimes it takes a while to make the decision and that's okay, but getting started on your gown is a major part of Wedding Planning and should be underway soon after you have the Venue booked. Cross it off your list and put it in the hands of an Expert with over 25 years experience in Wedding Gowns and high Fashion Couture construction.

Seams Couture has Exclusive Resources for top notch silks, eco fabrics, metallics, tulle, lace and more! You'll be inspired by the fabrics we have to show you that few others in the area have access to.
As a Seams Bride, you will have access to and may borrow from our extensive Library of Current and Vintage Wedding Magazines and Books, and Fashion and Costume History Books!

Some advice: Winter is the time of year we book ahead for the coming year and as we only accept 5 Brides per month, some months like September and October fill up early! Early birds have all the options.

2011-09-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited:

We're getting ready to show the Wrapture Collection at Bridal Fashion Week in New York City again! New Wrapture Dress Styles will debut to the Wholesale Bridal Store Buyers and Industry Press.

New Wrapture TOPS to mix and match and re-wear, and Special Order Blue Label Wrapture.

The Wrapture Collection is a 100% Silk Made in the USA Wedding Gown or 2nd Party Dress for any Bride, Retails for under $500.

You really CAN wear it again!

Where & When:

Couture New York Bridal Fashion Week

October 15-17 9AM to 6PM

InterContinental New York Barclay

Sutton Room 1, 3rd Floor

RSVP for an appointment:

WraptureDress@yahoo.com

2011-09-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day!
To all my IATSE Local 764 Union Member friends, have a great Labor Day Parade up 5th Avenue! Being able to say I was a Broadway Dresser and rocked it is one of my favorite career moments. "Divas and Deadlines" just like the Wedding Biz. It takes alot of hard work to make a show look that glamorous!

Before moving on to Television and Film Wardrobe (and opening Seams Couture), I was a member of the Broadway Wardrobe Crew for various shows like Miss Saigon, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera, and Victor/Victoria among others.

There are approximately the same number of people backstage as onstage sight unseen making it work. Dangerous and tight choreography for all concerned with massive set pieces flying at us from all directions, being early for a cue could be disaster. To this day I can't hear Phantom without my blood pressure spiking at my old cues, musical notes that instantly set my brain on RUN to get me and my basket of stuff to a specific spot backstage to be ready for my Actor/s changes in the dark. Thank You Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber for turning me into Pavlov's Dog.
I was a 'Swing' at many shows simultaneously, some days that meant working 3 separate shows in a single day. Swings step in and cover someone else's job or 'Track' if they're out for any reason. Someone's gotta do it! There are Swing Dancers in the Chorus, and Swings in other areas of the Crew as well, no track can go unmanned or the entire clockworks of the show will simply not work.
'Day Work' is the long morning work call to do all the maintenance of the Costumes and Shoes that got a beating the night before, ironing hundreds of shirts, steaming, replacing, even the Laundry is a very long work day to get everything clean and ready for the Dressers when they come in at their Call Time to set the show parts all over the building. Re-painting all the shoes at Beauty and the Beast was actually great fun, how many pairs of hot pink character shoes was that ultimately? I shoulda counted.
Being able to really sew and having worked at Parsons Meares Ltd which constructed most of the Costumes on Broadway got me lots of Day Work including a regular job at Victor Victoria remaking things that fell apart or needed more backing and re-lining to survive the punishing 8 shows a week for years on end. Broadway costumes are made like iron in order to last and constructed very differently even from the heaviest Wedding Gown.
At Parsons Meares we made all the costumes for the entire original production of Will Rogers Follies and the powder puff girls including the flower covered overskirts were our team assignment. Seeing the dresses go by on every New York City bus show billboard for a while was a thrill! Being able to sit at my table and show the amazing Milliner Woody Shelp (he made the hats for the Great Gatsby film) how I made the dress flowers so he could recreate them for the matching hats was an honor for another blog post.

Being a 'Dresser' is a very physical job, you are running nonstop in a ratmaze of crowded dark corridors and stairs carrying some very heavy loads. The Phantom of the Opera backstage has 9 flights of stairs full of dressing rooms with the Ballet Chorus on the top floor. The Carlotta "Hannibal" Gown weighs 60lbs! Fill a laundry basket full of tap shoes and pick it up sometime. At one point the entire Broadway Stagehands Unions were on the verge of a strike which didn't end up happening, scary times! The Performers were rightly afraid of going on without a skilled crew behind them and were prepared to walk out with us. There is no I in Team!
Excellent NY Times article about some of my fellow Union Members and a little bit about what the job really entails: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/theater/sutton-foster-and-patti-lupone-and-their-dressers.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=arts&adxnnlx=1308968170-2K0lXqA9NEp2lVXHn29rjA

So the next time you buy Broadway tickets, remember the hardworking and highly skilled Union Members back there putting on a show for you!

2011-08-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Elegant Venues

Years ago one of our Seams Clients had a brilliant Venue planned for her small Wedding: They rented a fabulous mansion on the ocean and everyone stayed there for the week.

It took care of the Event Location and all the Vendor set up needs, timing of various deliveries, and took Hotel costs off the top of the budget for many of the key family members of the Wedding.

However, a regular Realtor won't let you do that for various Insurance reasons!

Meet Susan Sambrano from Elegant Venues who has an amazing list of properties all over New England that are ready for your event. Beachfront, Farms, Historic settings, chances are she has something on her list that will fit the theme you're looking for.

This is our favorite Lakefront Property in Northern Vermont on the Elegant Venues list,

a beautiful Historic House, massive lawns, a beach and boat docks!

Just call Susan to see if it's booked and tell her Seams sent you :)

2011-08-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

All we can say is wow.

We can't imagine treating any Bride like this. It's shameful of NJ Bridal Shop 'Here Comes The Bride'
discrimination like this is illegal and not the Union in question.

Here's the full story from Philly.com by Ronnie Polaneczky:

http://m.philly.com/phillycom/pm_21405/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=iZEWjGYb

And more from ABC News today:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/nj-bridal-shop-refused-sell-wedding-dress-lesbian/story?id=14342333

If only the Bride Alix Genter wasn't so far away,
she is welcome at Seams Couture anytime!

Be sure to pick up a free White Knot when you come to Seams Couture for your

Consultation or Fitting, and show your support for Gay Marriage!

2011-08-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Special delivery today by a nice girl from

Northshore Magazine! Now where to put it?

2011-08-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

Style Me Pretty!

We had a blast Stylin' It Pretty in the Garden! This Bridesmaid Tea Party Inspiration Theme shoot co-ordinated by Greia Marlow Events who brought us all together for a dreamy day in a gorgeous garden on the North Shore of Massachusetts, now featured in uber Wedding Blog Style Me Pretty Massachusetts. Nicole Chan Photography did her magic, and the Blushing Brides hair and makeup team made the models even more romantic. New England Vintage Rentals provided their fabulous shabby chic china collection and our Models had beautiful bouquets by Fino Fresh Floral Design. Oh, and the 3 Little Figs cakes tasted even better than they look! <3 the chocolate zucchini bundt cakes.
The entire shoot took place in Artist Diane Carnevale's amazing private gardens. We felt like we spent the day in Europe at some amazing secret garden. All in a day's work!

We brought a whole rack of new Wrapture Dresses to show off including the featured Bride's Special Order Wrapture top. Yes Tops! Mix and Match for the Bride and Bridesmaids, more tops photos later!
Several NEW Wrapture Styles are in the works for 2012, see you in New York in October with the new pieces at Bridal Market :D

2011-08-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Check out our Elegantly Green Wedding Fashion Show on Boston's Style It Up!

2011-08-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

SEAMS PSA: Buyer beware!

Seams is on a mission to wipe out Chinese Design Piracy www.Companies as some of you know.

Contrary to what one Bride said to us once, the Bridal Industry in the US is not in a grand conspiracy to charge you an unnecessary fortune for your dream gown, believe me! Wedding gowns cost what they cost because of the enormous amount of work involved and the cost of the materials. It's not every day clothing.

Ordering a gown from the Internet has resulted in many a teary phone call to Seams Couture for 11th hour help, and we want you to be aware of the major risks involved before you hit SEND.

So does CBS Boston News: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/08/09/wedding-dress-scams-on-the-rise/

Think twice about going this route for your Bridesmaids as well! The fit is never right, and the girls will be stuck with dresses that are un-alterable and nonreturnable. Support Local Businesses and Made in America whenever you can! See the other post about 'Chinese Dress'.

2011-08-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Alexander McQueen

(click the link above for the MET website and more photos)

I finally went to see the McQueen exhibit at the MET in New York a week or so ago and I'm still processing it. My mind is still blown. Every single masterpiece right there to stare at in minutia detail, necessary places to hide and just stare out of the migration of the crowd. So many things I've only seen in photographs before mere inches away, even more gorgeous and powerful in person.
The exhibit was so moving also because we lost him to a tragic suicide so recently, and that's it!
RIP Alexander McQueen.

The show ends this Sunday August 7th!

2011-08-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

Big gowns and big glamour hit the most amazing Private Garden on the North Shore!

Sneak peek of our big fashion shoot with Nicole Chan Photography, Greia Marlow Events,

Blushing Brides Hair & Makeup, and some new Wrapture Collection by Seams Dresses.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland and a Bridesmaids High Tea.

Our Garden Hostess for the day Diane and her really inspiring blog:

Diane Carnevale: Day of Harper-Razzi!: "Beautiful brides in our garden Sunday for a professional photo shoot! all photos, Dan Ryan and Diane Carnevale We, and our gardens, wer..."

2011-07-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Thank You Northshore Magazine BONS Voters!

Seams Couture is the Best Of the North Shore's Bridal Salon:

What better way to get the exact wedding dress of your dreams than to get one custom made? SEAMS COUTURE in Wenham starts the dressmaking process from scratch, collaborating with brides on the whole design process to ensure the perfect finished product for their big day. All gowns are made-to-measure, custom fit, and handmade here in Seams’ local workroom. 152R Main St., Wenham, 978-473-3398, seamstheshop.com

2011-06-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hey SEAMS Brides,
Have you reviewed Seams Couture on The Knot and the Wedding Channel yet?
Seams Couture on The Knot & Wedding Channel
What about Wedding Wire? Seams Couture on Wedding Wire
Did you know that if you Review 5 of your Vendors and they send you Gift Certificates!
How cool is THAT?
Or how about Yelp? Seams Couture on Yelp

Website Reviews are the best way for your Wedding Vendors to get the word out about their services to future clients. If you were thrilled with us, we want to know! In fact our businesses depend on it.
So do other future Brides so if the Caterer didn't show up or the Band had a fight in front of your Guests, then everyone should know that too.
We know you savvy modern women listen to advice before taking the plunge, and all the flash banner advertising just shows that someone can afford to spend alot on advertising. But what's the real deal there?

2011-06-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

I <3 NY!

Congrats to New York State for joining the Same Sex Marriage Club!

We're pleased to say Seams will be closed for a few days in May 2012 so we can attend Oliver & Stanley's Wedding in New York.

To help Celebrate, Seams is offering a 2 Groom/2 Bride Sale

on our Custom Order Neckties, Pocket Squares, and Bowties

in our ETSY SHOP:

www.etsy.com/listing

The deal is: order 2 in any identical color and $ave!

Custom Ties are normally $59. each, Pocket Squares are $12.

Order 4 or more and they're 10% off, 6 or more and it's a 15% off savings.

Best way to dress everyone up and they're great Wedding Party Gifts too ;)

Come in to the Showroom and choose from hundreds of colors and textures of pure silk.

2011-06-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

What a thrilling Scientific development in the world of silk production!
The Fashion/Science Geek in me is a little giddy over this, silkworms are fed a dye diet weeks before beginning their spinning cycle and their cocoons end up in the colors they were fed! The industrial waste in the dyeing process is completely eliminated.

silkworms-spin-coloured-silk

Why didn't anyone think of this before? Can't wait to see the fabric it produces in person!

Coming to Seams someday:

2011-06-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

Oooooooh Barcelona Bridal Week..... now there's another excuse for a trip to Spain!

See the rest of this collection: http://us.fashionmag.com/photos/photo_list.php?id_categorie=3000000075

Stay curious about what's going on in the rest of the World of Fashion!
US Bridal Magazines are great resources for inspiration, but ultimately a little limited in imagination. They are trying to show you what just came out at Bridal Market for this current Season and aren't looking much further from that pool. Think out of that box in order to be truly Fashion Forward!

I always tell my Couture Brides to look for other inspiring outlets like High Fashion Magazines, Costume History and Movies. Picture it in white (or your dream color!) and you have a great base idea for your Custom Gown! At this stage in human history, almost everything has been done before and some ideas need to be revisited, updated with a little twist and maybe a new fabric choice.
SEAMS Couture has our entire Library of Costume History books, Fashion Design coffee table books, Couture Collection magazines thru the years and 1000s of Bridal Magazines from the US and everywhere thru the years. There's some good stuff in there, it just takes a bit of time to pour thru it all.
Call for an appointment to go thru the SEAMS Library! You don't have to be a Client already, but we do need to make sure we can make time for you.
Signed Seams Brides may borrow books and magazines at any time :)

Gown in the photo is by Victorio and Lucchino, <3 it!

2011-06-10T04:25:00.000-07:00

Now THAT's a Tiara!

Rothschild tiara sells for over £1 million in London

IMHO, Bridal Tiaras really should be a family heirloom or not done at all.

Yet so few of us non-Rothschilds have something like this laying around in our family safe deposit boxes,

or the budget to buy a real one outright for just one day.

Did you know that many fine jewelers will Rent you the real thing?

Bostonian Jewelers has a gorgeous diamond tiara for rent www.bostonianjewelers.com

Call and ask for Alexandria for an appointment to see it. Tell her Seams Couture sent you!

2011-06-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Tales from the Workroom: PLEATING

Fashion: Marilyn Monroe’s “Subway Dress” Up For Sale - The Bride's Guide : Martha Stewart Weddings

Can't wait to see what this Iconic Dress ultimately sells for at Auction,
probably way over the $2 Million estimate.
What a gorgeous detail photo, like a Grecian Goddess in pleats.

Fabric pleating like this btw is sent out literally To A Pleater! The Pleater sends the pressed fabric back all wrapped in tissue paper to the Couturier for finishing. Pleating Companies have an amazing array of antique machinery and techniques to permanently press fabric into all kinds of sizes and depths of pleats from knife pleating like the skirt of Marilyn's dress, to sunburst pleating like the top.

We have a great Pleater in the Seams Couture Rolodex if you're interested in having a version of Marilyn's dress made for under $2 Million Dollars.....

2011-05-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Seams will plant a Tree for Each Couture Gown

(or 6 or more Wrapture Dresses)

ordered from us thru the Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase!

This Sunday May 15th from 12:30 to 5PM at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel.
Two Runway shows you won't want to miss!

Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase

2011-05-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

Did you register for tickets yet for Boston's Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase?

Sunday May 15th from 12:30 to 5PM

at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

606 Congress Street (near the Convention Center and ICA)

www.elegantlygreenweddingshowcase.com

for discounted advance tickets and a speedier checkin!

Wait till you see what we have in store for the Eco-Wedding Fashion Show:

New Seams Couture and Wrapture Collection Gowns,

The unbelievable Couture of Alabama Chanin,

Conscious Clothing Gowns and Men's Suits,

Olivia Luca, and Terra Amore by Jessica Charles,

and our favorite Mohop Shoes!

Models include Miss Earth US Danielle Bounds, and many current and former Miss Earth US Queens who will be there to meet the crowd and talk about how we all love being Elegant AND Green.

2011-04-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Royal Wedding Day!

Congratulations to Prince William and Catherine Windsor, the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

Rock the Wedding of the Decade, will ya?

Only a few billion people are counting on you guys, not too much pressure!

Seams 11:30PM EST Prediction based on the photo of the cake Designer's other work and the truckload of live trees that were loaded into Westminster Abbey today is Camelot/Medieval. Dunno, but it was a lightbulb moment. Gown: Sleeves! Definitely. Slimcut skirt, something massive like the veil or a train. Something surprising like a color element, feathers? Ugh, this is hard.

Especially having expressed the Seams crystal ball predictions so many times and lately to the Salem News: http://www.salemnews.com/lifestyle/x641329901/Royal-style

and on our Twitter www.twitter.com/HarperSEAMS

Who knows, in a few hours I may be Dead Wrong!

Stay tuned all day for Seams Tweets, Facebook posts, Re-Tweets from Our-Man-On-The-Inside at the BBC/CNN following Piers Morgan all day at Buckingham Palace, and yes I brought the sketchpad home so a full working diagram sketch of The Gown will be posted!

To bed, Popovers and Mimosas to make in less than 5 hours :)

2011-04-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

Royal Wedding Fever
is winding up and some of us are getting just plain feverish with anticipation!

photo by Valdorama

Ever since that early morning in July 1981, it's been an eternity of a wait for a Royal Wedding of that magnitude again. Diana put the big wedding back on the map after decades of low-key wedding style. Overnight her gown changed what every Bride wore on the big day for years to come.

But WHAT/WHO will Kate wear???

Rumors of a McQueen by Sarah Burton by are rampant, or maybe Society favorite Bruce Oldfield?
Her Sister Pippa or maybe her Mom are definitely wearing Alice Temperley
since they've beenspotted there for fittings.
The gown in question will definitely be designed by a British Couturier
since a Royal Wedding is after all a PR opportunity to showcase all things English to the world.
(If it were me Choice #1 would be Vivienne Westwood)

My crystal ball gown prediction has to start at sleeves (definitely no strapless) and a slimline skirt with a humongous train and a really big veil. Sorry but that's all I've got for you now!

Westminster Abbey is a surprisingly long walk from the Door to the Altar, I did it once. As a Designer the object of the assignment would be to fill that space and make sure that she doesn't disappear among the 1900 seated guests or make finding her trouble for the TV Cameras! She's the Star of the Show which doesn't really start until her entrance.

Stay tuned:
for my Royal Wedding Tweets and Facebook posts as they happen,

AND some Exclusive Re-Posts from my friend Jerry of the BBC who will be stationed at the Canada Gate (just North of Red Dot 1!!!) with full Professional camera view of

the day's departures and arrivals and THE Balcony of Buckingham Palace (Yo!) for the entire day!

He'll be sending me pictures and I'll pass them on to you: www.twitter.com/HarperSEAMS

&
www.facebook.com/SEAMSCouture

Fun fact: the first Royal Wedding at Westminster was
King Henry the 1st of England

to Matilda of Scotland on November 11, 1100AD.

Prince Albert of Monaco & Charlene Wittstock are Part 2 in July 2nd and 3rd, following the European tradition of Civil Ceremony one day and Church Ceremony the next. (2 Gowns!)
Rounding out our Summer of Royal Weddings, is Princess Anne's Fashionista Daughter Zara Phillips at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on July 30th. Bound to be a very Tartan-ed Event!

What this really means aside from all the media hoopla and history, is that the style of Wedding Gowns everyone else will be wearing for years to come are about to change! Personally, I can't wait for the era of the cookie cutter white strapless ball skirt 'Princess' pouf hits the mothballs for another 100 years.
Officially 5 minutes ago as of NOW!

2011-04-10T06:09:00.000-07:00

Royal Wedding Watch is in it's last days of countdown!
Diana's gown has been a major topic of conversation in the SEAMS Showroom in recent months. The 25' (yes twenty five feet long) Train, the size of that massive ballskirt and how overnight The Diana Dress changed what Brides all over the world wore for decades to come.
Millions of people Worldwide and I woke up at 6AM EST to catch the first glimpse of the enormous gown that filled up the glass carriage with Lady Diana Spencer and her father Lord Spencer, her emerging from the carriage was an amazing piece of theatre to watch as the endless train kept coming and coming! St. Paul's Cathedral is an enormous place and that's a long walk to the altar.

In the Seams library is a copy of The Designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel's diary 'A Dress for Diana' chronicling the entire process from all the potential gown Sketches to the Muslins, Workroom stories and photos, Fittings, and the Big Day.
Silk taffeta is becoming a frequent textile order for us again, not sure if it's her doing but it really is gorgeous stuff in person. It has a luminous quality that the acetate version never has,
and then there's that lovely swishing noise.

Oh and the Bill? L1050. (1000 Guineas) in 1982? = $4220.00
or so in 2011. That was for Diana's Gown, all her Accessories,
and the 5 Bridesmaids Gowns!

A pretty major bargain considering the cost of silk these days.

Celebrity Client PR = Priceless!

Remember that your Wedding Day is a Theatrical Event! You're the Star so picture your Set and Location and if it's remotely as big and glamorous as St. Paul's Cathedral and your reception in a Museum-like place as Buckingham Palace then Go Big! You cannot possibly overdue the volume or the bling in an environment like that. Wear the longest veil or train possible.
I'm going to insist on it!

2011-03-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Save the Date Sunday May 15th,
and make plans to attend the 2nd Annual

Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase in Boston!

The only Eco-Event Vendor Expo in New England.

Fashion Shows, Raffles, Give Aways, a fabulous Chillax Lounge,

Live Music, Food and Beverage Tastings, and more.

Gift Bags for the first 50 Attendees.

photo by berta a. daniels, hair by acorn organic salon, makeup by makeovers by ligia, gown by seams couture

2011-03-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

Running of the Brides...

Even if you don't live in Boston you know what THAT means! Actually it's a really Green and sensible way to get a very inexpensive dress. Provided you are realistic about the next step!

The gowns for sale at ROTB are 'Samples' from stores that are a season or two out of date. Nothing drastic in terms of totally unfashionable, but not the brand new dresses that are in the wedding magazines and top stores now. 'Sample' gowns are what a Bridal Store buys for you to try on and then they order you a fresh gown in your size which is why it can take months for your gown to come in. Some samples have been tried on once or twice, some MANY times. When the Store Buyers go to Bridal Market and order the next Season's Collection, then they have a Sample Sale to unload the older stock or hand it off to Filene's to do it for them. Samples are sold to stores at Wholesale prices which is close to your ROTB price tag, basic Retail Math. So you're getting it for Wholesale!

You Scored an Amazing Designer Gown for far less than the Original Retail Price? Rock on!
Take the time to really look it over for damages or dirt, and be realistic about how it will fit on your wedding day. If it fits great now and you're going on a diet, then clearly it won't fit you on the big day.
Damages that the Dry Cleaner can't get out? That's something that may be fixable with re-cutting.
Fit is crucial to how a gown looks on you in person and in photos, we had a saying back in TV Wardrobe Land: If it doesn't fit, it looks like s**t.
Gowns can be cut down to fit a smaller size but not made larger unless it's possible to take extra fabric from somewhere and add panels or a corset lacing back instead of a zipper. Major Alterations require the skills of a Professional who can make patterns in the first place and can sometimes take as much labor time as making a gown from scratch so be prepared for $500-2000. in Alterations! Don't wait till last minute to get your Alterations done, they may not be as simple as you think and a good Alterations person books ahead early. It's still a good idea to have your final fitting a few weeks before the wedding just to see if the fit is still on target. Remember you still scored big considering the Original Retail Pricetag of that Gown, she's just been thru alot and needs some Professional TLC.

Book an Alterations Consultation Appointment at SEAMS between today and March 31st and receive $100. Off your Total Bill: www.seamstheshop.com/contact/ or 978 473-3398

We recommended Professional Dry Cleaning first: Dependable Cleaners or Anton's are Seams' favorites in the Boston Area.

2011-03-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom: Ironing

Things must be slow, she's blogging about the Ironing Board Cover....

no I'm bragging about it!

We used to burn thru about 3 or 4 professional ironing board covers a year, nothing to do but just toss them in the garbage when they start shredding and buy another one for about $20. to replace it.

This one is made out of Hemp Canvas from Nearsea Naturals which cost about $28. a yard and yielded 2 new covers! A lightbulb moment hit when I realized that the hottest setting on the Iron is 'Linen' and what's stronger than linen? Hemp! The one in the photo is now 1 year old and has yet to start disintegrating, here it is after a wash in cold water and Borax. Haven't used the 2nd one yet. Being Green really does save money!

2011-02-14T20:46:00.000-08:00

So far we love New England Finery Magazine!

Featuring the best in classic New England Style, and one of our favorite

Wrapture Gowns on the cover girl Taryn, an excellent choice indeed.

Here's the Premiere Issue: New England Finery-Feb2011

2011-01-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom: BEADING

Beadwork is the Original Bling! People have been sewing bits of shell, glass, and metal to their clothing for millions of years. Take something fabulous and just add MORE something to it! Take it up several notches!
I'm one of the people who do it, it's an OCD thing that started from early childhood and spun off from my embroidery that I started to perfect at the age of 2.
There are two different types of Beadwork technique: Tambour Hook work and Needle Embroidery. Although I own a Tambour Set from the Royal College of Needlework in London, I use it rarely because the fabric needs to be stretched on a big frame and worked from the back upside down. It takes practice and a devoted space to the frame.
The bodice above is an example of a gown made at SEAMS Couture a few years ago using Needle Embroidery with about 12 different types of glass beads and Swarovski pearls in gold, copper, and several shades of brown, and took approximately 60 hours to do.

Lesage in Paris did the beading on this gem of an opera cape designed by Elsa Schiaparelli:

Here's a close up of a beautiful re-embroidered lace piece by Scaasi from a recent exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston:

Work like this takes 1000s of hours and is done entirely by hand, each sequin and bead painstakingly sewn on individually. It's pure Art! And worth every penny.

2011-01-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom: Boning and Corsets

Once upon a time it was literally made of Whale Bone, hence the name. I have a real 1800s stunner corset with real whale bone inside it :) Now it's made out of a bendy nylon plastic like my favorite called 'Rigiline' and there are two metal types typically used for Theatrical Costuming, one called spiral boning is pictured above.

Strapless anything without it just will NOT stay up. (See 'Infrastructure' post)Never ceases to surprise me when some of the major label Wedding Gowns come in for some tlc and just don't have enough boning in there to do the job. I just added 7 extra pieces to a top of the line Lazaro, and almost always have to double what's in Nicole Miller and J.Crew. Seriously?

The factory saved 10 minutes of work on their overhead and gave me a few hours of work to excavate and hand sew new Rigiline in there. Justin Alexander and Vera Wang build them right in the first place, gotta say!

Lace-up back gowns REALLY just need a thin piece of boning

along the lacing holes to prevent collapsing like this:

Eventually this corset will ride up, twist,

and become uncomfortable to wear.

Not to mention that it just looks messy.

A well constructed set of lacings

should lay smooth like this instead:

See the lines inside of the rows of grommet holes? Bones.

Are corsets uncomfortable? Not if they fit. Smoothing out the corset itself will make it easier to wear and it will not have to be laced so tight.

The general backstage practice for dressing an actor or

opera singer in a corset is to get her into it early and let her go to Hair & Makeup etc., and then as her ribcage cartilege warms up and gets used to it, it can be tightened. Lacing up too fast and too tight will do a number on one's diaphragm and the wearer can actually faint. No joke!

2011-01-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

SEAMS is proud to be the Very 1st 'Pro of the Month' on Recycled Bride!

www.recycledbride.com/shop/SEAMSCouture

We'll be listing Samples on serious markdown All January long,

so check the site regularly for new entries and new savings!

2011-01-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

The tea-length circle skirt is back — are you buying?

(click the above link for full article)

The Tea-Length Skirt is officially HOT according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times!

The discussion 'What is Tea Length?' comes up on occasion in the Fitting Room at SEAMS. My response is that it's somewhere between 'Ankle Length' which hits at one's ankle bone,

and 'Midcalf' which is not necessarily the most flattering length on most legs.

Proper Tea Length is also called 'Ballet Length' and varies per person depending on height as somewhere in the range of 3" to 5" above the ankle bone, at the most flattering point possible!

Think Audrey Hepburn in 'Funny Face' (movie still photo above).

Tea Length is perfect for a Bride as it's more formal than your every day dress,

and yet not so long that you spend the day worrying about being stepped on or dirtying your hem beyond repair. Plus it's an excuse to buy even MORE rockin' shoes as you're really showing them off!

2011-01-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

We have a New Source for the coveted and fabulous

Birdcage 'Russian' Veiling!

This is the Color Chart of what's available now at SEAMS,

so now you'll be able to order

ANY SEAMS Headpiece from us in ANY of these beautiful colors!

Wanna do your own DIY instead? Sure we'll sell you the Veiling by the Yard!

2010-12-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Tales From the Workroom: LACE

It's gorgeous! Who wouldn't want it? Once upon a time lace was valued as a symbol of wealth far above jewelry because of how delicate and complicated it is to make and maintain. To this day the town of Alencon in France still makes Alencon needle lace, and it is a painstaking process using some old machinery but relies on the skill of the workers who create it and the process cannot be sped up for demand. Here's a link to a history of Venice lace, it's in Italian btw but the pictures show some amazing pieces of handmade antique lace: http://www.museocaprai.it/en/tecnica_Gros_Point_de_Venise.htm

There are a dizzying amount of kinds of lace and how it's made varies as well, there is even a Lace Museum in San Francisco called the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles.

Good lace is still very expensive, Cheap lace just looks like cheap lace and side by side there is a clear difference! Good lace averages in price from $200. to $600. for yard goods to make a solid lace Wedding Gown. Sewing with lace takes hours of extra care and hand sewing skill to work with.
General rule of thumb for trying to figure out how much a Handmade Lace Gown would cost? Simply double the price of the same gown without lace for a rough estimate. So a $2000. Custom Gown becomes a $4000. Gown easily. See?
"It is difficult to see why lace should be so expensive; it is mostly holes" -Mary Wilson Little

2010-12-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

While you were sleeping....

we had an early morning Wedding Fashion Show with

Kate Harrison of the Green Bride Guide

at Fox 25 Morning News in Boston!

Leandra is rocking the 'Joan' Wrapture by Seams

Gown with a Special Order patchwork Bolero,

and Taryn is wearing a pretty fabulous organic

cotton voile Goddess Gown by Conscious Clothing.

Watch the Video:

Green for Weddings: Eco-friendly Dresses

2010-12-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

First she said 'Yes To The Dress'
and then the dress arrived quite a bit
larger than expected,
so it became 'OMG To The Dress'
and the Beverly, MA Bride headed to SEAMS.
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1703937026/Beverly-bride-to-be-says-Yes-to-the-Dress

Lindsay was lucky, because we're cutting down on the amount of Alterations for 2011 and have to raise our Minimum Rate to $600.
Several reasons: We ran out of rack space in the workroom by Summer and due to time constraints, the Alterations were beginning to cut into our Couture Orders which take priority.
And now we're busy filling orders for The Wrapture Collection's Stores Nationwide!

2010-12-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Wrapture Collection by Seams is the ONLY Wrap & Tie Dress Collection of it's kind.

Great for Destination Brides, Casual Brides, or a Bride's 2nd Party Dress

not to mention her entire Wedding Party and Fashionista Moms!

Flowergirls too!

13 Different Top Styles to choose from, 3 Different Skirts (Long or Short) in 36 Colors of Woven Silk or Ecofriendly Hemp/Silk Charmeuse = You Design Your Dress!

Matching Bolero Jackets, Neckties, and a fabulous Flower Hairpiece or Pin Accessories too.

Mix and Match styles to create your favorite combo, Short Dresses Retail for around $325. and are all Made in the USA.

Pockets! Did we mention the Dresses have Pockets???

Now available in Stores around the US:

The Bridal Salon at Corrine Weddings

in Glastonbury, CT (All Pieces)

Wedding Creations & Anthony's Tuxedos

in Georgetown, DC

(Necktie Collection Exclusively)

and Flair Bridesmaids in Boston, MA (All pieces)

Wholesale inquiries: WraptureDress@yahoo.com

2010-11-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom: Mannequins Part 1

Meet Latifah, a Very Valuable "Employee" of the SEAMS Workroom!
MVP if you will.
Latifah joined us last year as our Resident Plus Sized Fit Model and earned her keep immediately helping us Drape Muslins for so many of our Brides. Because of her, we are now able to make any gown from scratch in a general US Size 20/22 or up, which as some of you know is a really generalized industry guesstimate anyway and why Miss SEAMS hates number sizes. Her measurements are 47-40.5-48 and she can be padded up to match a Client's individual measurements. Latifah is here to help! Just because you're a Plus Dress Size doesn't mean you don't have discerning taste and a jones for Couture, oui?

Why is her name Latifah? Because I came across an old measurement sheet of Queen Latifah's in my Movie Costume files and they're a perfect match to the New Girl :)

2010-11-17T07:42:00.000-08:00

SEAMS is Cleaning out the Closets and having a BIG Sample Sale!

Go to our Pro Page on RecycledBride.com

One Of A Kind and Never Worn Sample Dresses and Gowns are being marked down with new pieces loaded up daily, some are the very dresses in some of our pictures!

If you're in the Boston area, please make an Appointment to come and try them in person 978 473-3398.

2010-11-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Blog posting about a Blog post:
Because it's so cool!
Wrapture Dresses by SEAMS got a mention in today's One Wed.com Blog!
www.onewed.com/blog/savvyscoop

complete with a lovely picture:

2010-10-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce our first Official New Stockist for the Wrapture Collection by SEAMS!
The Bridal Salon at Corrine Weddings in Glastonbury, Connecticut will have their
Wrapture Dress Samples in time for the Holidays.
Brides in Connecticut should call Corrine's for an Appointment today 860 633-2727

2010-10-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

SO much to show and tell!
Where to begin about our BUSY week in New York launching The Wrapture Collection by SEAMS?
Let's start with the Green Bride Guide herself, Kate Harrison's video in our booth: http://videos.wittysparks.com/id/645983074

2010-10-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

Launching The Wrapture Collection
for Destination Brides and Bridesmaids at the Wedding Channel Couture Show aka 'Bridal Market' in New York City in two weeks! To The Trade, attended by Wholesale Bridal Buyers and Press from all over the world.

The 1st ever Green Pavilion at Bridal Market is being hosted by The Green Bride Guide.
Here's the Press Release: http://www.1888pressrelease.com/the-wedding-channel-couture-show-debuts-its-first-ever-green-pr-245102.html
For more info or Wholesale Inquiries: WraptureDress@yahoo.com

2010-09-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

SEAMS Rocked the Runway and the Ballpark on Sunday!

Our Models Rebecca and Taryn took off for a stroll after the Runway Show and had some fun running around the park in their new Wrapture Dresses.

Here they are at the Rafanelli Events Table.

More pictures on our Facebook pages:

WraptureCollectionbySEAMS

2010-09-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.theindiebride.com/vendor-showcase/seams/
Thank You to all the Indie Brides who have kept us open for 5 YEARS!
SEAMS loves a challenge, tell us a Wedding Theme we haven't heard of yet..... go ahead and make our day!

2010-09-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

What DO you wear to a Fancy Clambake?
A Beaded Lobster Betty Wrapture Dress!

Come to the Fenway Bridal Festival on September 12th and see the rest of this one, and several New Wrapture Dress Styles in the Fashion Show: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ticketing/bridal_festival.jsp
The Wrapture Collection is about to hit the Wholesale Bridal Market in New York this October, which means it will be available in Bridal Shops Nationwide this season.
Special One of a Kind Wraptures like The Lobstah Betty are only available at SEAMS.

2010-08-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

Tales from the Workroom:

Vintage Gowns Re-Made 101

SEAMS has a Serious Vintage Clothing Addiction.

Vintage Fabrics, Patterns, and what could be better than the get inside a Couturier's head from days of yore than to figure out how a Vintage Gown was put together in order to completely reconstruct it for another wearing?

It's kind of like the challenges that a Contractor faces when remodeling an old house.
No, it's EXACTLY what a Contractor faces! Open up a wall and what on earth are we gonna find: gold or a nightmare of rot? Will it take a day or two to take apart or weeks?

We've come up with a Grading System for Vintage Wedding Gowns to help Clients understand the amount of work involved and therefore understand The WHY of the cost.

ie: House not up to code = get ready for unforeseen construction costs, see?

A+: Vintage Couture Label. Dior, St. Laurent, Givenchy, Chanel, etc.
Bring it to Seams and the Couture Gods will reward you!

A: Vintage Wedding Label. Priscilla, Bianchi, Yolanda Couture, etc. It was made well in the first place by experts. A dream to work with, no surprises lurk under the lining.

A: Made by Gramma/Aunt who worked AT Priscilla, Bianchi, or Yolanda's, etc. She knew what she was doing in the first place and took pride in making you a Family Heirloom to be worn again!

B: Made by a Local Dressmaker who made everything. She knew her craft, but had to cut some corners in order to keep her doors open and her kids fed. Was your relative a Bridezilla? Hope she wasn't!

C- to D: Made by Gramma/Aunt the Home Sewer. Oh, dear! Was it cut on-grain or off, did she use upholstery materials, is there an interlining/lining, and was the machine set on the tiniest stitch setting?
Dont' tell me she glued on the beads! These pieces can literally take days to slowly de-construct so as not to damage the delicate materials and without destroying all the components. Let's take a piece of the lace and incorporate it into a new gown instead, ultimately less work and you can still honor her memory and her work! Ask yourself if you want to wear the Gown to honor her, are you a total Vintage fanatic and just love it regardless, and that's fabulous!

A/B/C: Filene's Running of the Brides/Vows Outlet Used Sample. Look it over VERY carefully! Rips, stains, broken zippers, missing beads? Wont add up to a bargain alteration that's for sure! And it should be Professionally Dry Cleaned before any Alteration in order to know where the permanent damage is.
If budget is what brought you to this option in the first place, stop and take a minute to really look it over before you head to the cash register and try to block out the frenzy around you.
Sometimes there isn't any damage at all, and you just lucked out with an A!

Before: 70s Daisy Lace Gown,

Grade A.

After: 2010 Daisy Lace Remake

ready for it's 2nd debut.

Sleeves off, bodice re-cut, skirt re-cut,

lace trim re-arranged, skirt bustled, new zipper.

Grade D-: Oh, and we don't take on the made by a .com 'Custom' gowns anymore. Sorry!

Are you having a Vintage Gown remade because you're thinking it's an inexpensive way to go? Or are you thinking of going this route because you're a Vintage Fanatic and really love your family gown? Remember that Alterations in general can sometimes take more work than making a new gown from scratch.
Turning a gown into a strapless when it wasn't originally is turning an Apple into an Orange.
See earlier post Tales from the Workroom: Infrastructure.

2010-08-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Wrapture Dress Collection

has it's own Facebook Page now:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/WraptureCollectionbySEAMS

Keep up to date on all the Wrapture News,

New Styles in the Look Book,

and Real Wrapture Brides and Bridesmaids!

2010-08-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

Tales from the Workroom: The Term "Couturier"

"A Couturier is a Person involved in the clothing fashion industry who makes original garments to order for private clients. A Couturier may make what is known as 'Haute Couture'. He or she usually hires Patternmakers and Machinists for garment production, and is either employed by exclusive Boutiques or is Self-employed."

-Sent to me by a 'Couture' Goldsmith Friend.

The term "Haute Couture" which means "High Sewing" in French is actually an Awarded Title that no one may use without passing an exam in Paris equivalent to the Lawyer's BAR or the Architects ARE Exams. Very few pass and it is in fact Illegal to use the "Haute" (pronounced 'ote' not 'hot') preface without the Award!

SEAMS is a Couture House because we make everything from Design to Pattern to Cut to Hand Finish all in one place. A Couturier (male) or Couturiere (female) is a person who is able to accomplish ALL the tasks normally delegated to various departments. Like a Chef. Couture Lines are made under the Designer's roof and not sent away to Sewing 'Jobbers' or Factories like their Ready to Wear or Pret a Porter lines are. Outsourcing one's work to be made elsewhere, JUICY Couture, the Local Dressmaker, etc. just aint it!
Just Sayin'

2010-08-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Tales from the Workroom: Infrastructure

Before

In order to achieve the engineering marvel that is a Strapless Gown, there has to be an elaborate Infrastructure underneath it all to make it work. Buildings have beams and a frame, Bridges have trusses and all that stuff that makes it stay up.

The outer Fabric of a Gown does not have enough support to make that happen on it's own.

This Infrastructure is Custom Made for a Client to her measurements and has been fit to her.

It's made of an outer layer of cotton, an inner stiffening layer, and a lining and is completely boned in Rigilene polyester secured by a 1" Grosgrain Ribbon Waistband inside.

The crinoline is sewn on to this inner corset as the gown covering this all up is going to be a Full Ball Skirt. The outer layer (in this case her Grandmother's 1950s Silk Satin with torn shoulder seams) is sewn to this next and then finished.

After

2010-07-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Headpieces and Veils!

The Etsy Store is finally

loaded with veils, flowers,

fascinators, and headpieces

galore.

New items added regularly:

www.etsy.com/shop/SEAMS

2010-06-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

Trying to find Neckties in JUST that certain shade of blue?

Betcha SEAMS has a swatch of it!

We have lots of fun linings to choose from as well like 'Clambake' pictured here.

15% Discount on Orders of 6 or More,

so basically that's one Tie FREE. See?
Yes, we do Bowties and Pocket Squares too!

2010-06-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

SEAMS likes to Think Green,
but this time it'll be RED:

Join Us at the 2nd Annual Fenway Park Bridal Festival on Sunday September 12th.

Seams has a table full of new goodies and will have several New Gowns in the Fashion Show.
Tickets are On Sale now thru the Boston Red Sox Website: www.boston.redsox.mlb.co m/bos/ticketing/bridal_festival.jsp

2010-04-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Knot Plaque arrived in the mail today!

Thank You Boston Knot Brides for all your votes!

The Knot emBest of Weddings 2010/em Winners

2010-04-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Tales From The Workroom: Muslin

It's YOUR Gown made up in plain unbleached Muslin Cotton

that you try on for your First Fitting!

It's the first step twards making a Custom Garment. We fit it completely to you taking in all the details of the way we want the dress to fit, making sure everything is just right.

Since it's a complete 3-D Sketch of the Final Piece you get to see yourself in it and make some final decisions about the shapes, volume, yesses and nos before your real fabric gets cut.

It becomes your Personal Pattern!

In England it's called a Calico and in France a Toile.

Because everything looks good in pictures and rarely the same when you try it on,

it's the perfect way to make sure we're all on the same page!

Designers who don't make Muslins first should not refer to their lines as "Couture" btw.....

2010-03-10T10:10:00.001-08:00

Now that the Wedding is over, you have another important task ahead of you: time to get your Gown Professionally Cleaned!
The longer that spilled champagne sits on your silk, the harder it will be to get the stain out.
SEAMS now offers Professional Museum Quality Gown Cleaning and Preservation through The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists at very reasonable rates. Your gown will be shipped back to you in a beautiful white box ready to store. For an added $9. your Cleaning and Preservation will be declared Carbon Neutral with www.CarbonFund.org, how cool is that?
Just bring your gown to SEAMS and we'll take care of it for you.
And DON'T forget to send Thank You cards!

2010-03-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom:

Brides often get Buyer's Remorse after a trip to a certain National Chain Bridal Shop (that will remain un-named) that has some pushy Salespeople and a concrete No Return Policy... and then they head to SEAMS for a little Sprucing Up, Remaking, or a Major Alteration, etc.

This short Dress with Bolero got a facelift by chopping off the botton 10" of the skirt to make it mini-length and then I added about 18 layers of gathered Tulle Illusion Net over a base of Ballet Net with a Horsehair edge. The dress is now ankle or 'Ballet Length' to show off the Brides Electric Blue Platforms.
Instantly Fabulous!

2010-02-21T18:54:00.000-08:00

What a Great Day at the Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase in Boston!

We previewed several new samples made out of Vintage Upcycled Materials and Workroom Salvage as well as some new styles of the SEAMS Wrap Dresses, and lots and lots of Accessories.

The Justin Alexander PURE.Gowns were a huge hit!

All the Models wore Mohop Shoes (and I wore mine) which are Handmade in Chicago.

Makeovers by Ligia did such beautiful makeup work, and the Team of Acorn Organic Salon did an outstanding job with the hairstyles, all with Organic Product.

Green Diva Jewelry draped the Models in their amazing jewelry made of recycled materials.

How are we going to top this next year?

Other Vendors included PureEnV Event Planning, Faxon Green Floral Design, Dependable Cleaners, Authentic Eye Photography, Kunde Family Estates Wineries, Green Spot Studios Jewelry, Elevate Destinations Travel, Elegant Venues, Shubrah Chandra, Boston Uplights, Russo Tuxedos,
Chive Sustainable Event Design and Catering, Ilene Pearlman Photography, Heather Fuller Photography, Night & Day Lingerie, Sweet Alternatives Cakes, Planet Tran Hybrid Transportation,
Season to Taste Catering, The Reverend Jerrie Hildebrand, I Do Video, American Laser Centers,
The Green Bride Guide, and live music by The Goodtime String Band, Lyric Flutes, and Boston Harp. Thank You to the Hyatt Harborside Hotel Staff for everything!

2010-01-29T05:42:00.000-08:00

Approval is such a nice thing isn't it?

SEAMS is proud to be an approved new Vendor listed on the So You're EnGAYged Website :)

2010-01-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Oops we did it again!

Thank You to Wedding Wire and to all the

fabulous SEAMS Brides who voted for us!

2010-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

On January 10th we were a part of the Willowdale Estate's Bridal Show in Topsfield, MA in Bradley Palmer State Park. What a gorgeous place! This Arts and Crafts Mansion was abandoned for years and slated for demolition a while back and has been completely restored and it's a stunner. I think its one of THE nicest Wedding Venues on the North Shore with the nicest Staff.
I can't wait to see the grounds without snow: www.willowdaleestate.com

2009-12-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

I'd like to Thank The Academy! Run out and get a copy of the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of The KNOT Boston and turn to Page 18: SEAMS has been Voted a Best of Weddings 2010 Bridal Salon by Real Boston Brides! Their new website http://www.realweddingreviews.com/ should be up soon so keep voting for SEAMS :)

2009-12-27T12:45:00.000-08:00

SEAMS is proud to be an Approved Vendor
of the Green Bride Guide!
And happy to announce that
'The Green Bride Guide' Author Kate Harrison
will be joining us for a Special Book Signing
at the Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase
at Boston's Hyatt Harborside Hotel on Sunday,
February 14th, 2010.
Planning a Green Wedding in 2010 or 2011? This show is a MUST: http://www.elegantlygreenweddingshowcase.com/ New England's finest Green Vendors all in one place!

2009-11-01T09:55:00.000-08:00

On October 19th I was lucky enough to attend
the Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine
15th Anniversary Party at The Plaza in New York City.

A Whos-Who of the Wedding Industry were there
from Colin Cowie, Preston Bailey, Sylvia Weinstock,
David Tutera, James Tramondo from 'Who's Wedding is it Anyway?', and what looked like the Entire Staff of Kleinfeld's from 'Say Yes To The Dress',
Wedding Gown Designers from Amsale all the way to Harper from SEAMS ;)
The already gorgeous Plaza Ballroom was decorated to the nines by Martha Stewart's Team, uplit in a beautiful pink light to compliment the white and gold molding and architecture.
The flowers, the FOOD (Iron Chef Morimoto himself overseeing the Sushi Station!), and every detail
were gorgeous needless to say!

It was like being at the most over the top Wedding ever without a Bride or Groom in sight. But where was Martha?

2009-07-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just a little bit of High Fashion encouragement
for any SEAMS Brides out there who are thinking
of walking down the aisle in (gasp) NOT White!
Read Amy Larocca's article "The Bride Wore Blue"
in the June Issue of HARPER'S BAZAAR (no relation)

White gowns happen to be the minority of our orders this year.
There are a few White + Color accent gowns and dresses,
but many of our customers this year are opting for Purple,
Yellow (1 Canary and 1 Lemon), Hot Pink, Sage Green,
Teal Green, Red, Electric Blue...
According to my Fashionista Mom, this happened back in the 70s as a reaction to the other Recession and inflationary times. Being able to wear a gown again is key when considering what you're going to spend.

2009-06-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

SEAMS was in Skirt! Magazine's
May Issue!
www.boston.skirt.com

The articles focused on Mother/Daughters
for Mother's Day.
We're so sad that it's the last print issue,
but not to worry as we snagged
a stack of them for the archives :)

2009-05-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

gilded bride models-1
Originally uploaded by Allegro Photography

In case you missed the Guilded Bride
Wedding Show event at the
Algonquin Club of Boston on April 26th,
Hosted by Guilded Boston:
We put on a lovely little show
(if we do say so),
Thanks to Rebecca, Chaley, Sara,
and Jennifer Horne of PureEnV Events.
Photos by David of Allegro Photo

2009-03-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom: Chinese.com Wedding Gowns......
This Post is the un-edited version of a Post on www.WeddingBee.com's Beehive where I promised to be nice there, but I'm going to do some venting here. Reading Bride posts about how fabulous those Chinese and Korean gown websites are kept turning my stomach until the day one of them actually crossed the threshold of my Shop... for major alterations of course. More on IT later.

Remember that line in Peter Pan about "Whenever a child says they don't believe in Fairies, somewhere one dies?" Well, I think that whenever a Bride buys a cheap dress online from an overseas "Custom" dressmaker, an Independent American Designer or Small Boutique goes Out of Business!
Young Independent Designers are taking the hardest hit in this economic crisis, just read some of the articles on Women's Wear Daily. Obama's 'Buy American' initiative is something I personally support and an essential part of getting this country back on it's feet. The US used to be famous for the quality of goods we produced, Made in the USA Labels are hard to find now. Then outsourcing became the norm, and now things are made overseas in factories that we financially support, and under worker conditions that are not subject to our laws. See: www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops There are illegal sweatshops in the US of course that politicians will sporadically shut down just for the duration of their 15 minutes of press (Rudi Giuliani). Entire Cities and Regions of the country are full of empty factories and warehouses which are being turned into Luxury Condos that few can afford. Is this working for you?
How we spend our hard earned money in times like these is important and supporting Local Businesses is very important for our economic recovery. Buy from an Independent Struggling Desigigner in your area and look at the Handmade Unique (and really well priced) goods on www.etsy.com before getting sucked in to the allure that $199. "Custom" Gown pricetag! Consider bartering with your Wedding Vendors if you're working on a small budget! Think about it for a minute so that we can ALL Live Happily Ever After! And take the Handmade Pledge: www.handmade.org

Okay the scary Chinese Dress scoop: 100% Raincoat Nylon gown with opalescent sequins, the cheapest lace I've ever seen machine sewn haphazardly in a patchwork style (edges burned instead of cut!), all pieces cut offgrain out of material which melted instantly upon contact with a cool iron, and the seam allowances were all over the place. Did I mention the clear plastic thread? Clearly even the supervisors of this operation have absolutely no training in basic garment construction and make it up as they go along. I could have done better than this in 4H. It was a mess to try and decifer let alone fix! I'll never accept another one.
An Analogy: You buy an house because the price is amazing, but then discover that nothing in it is up to code and have to pay extra to have all the wiring and plumbing replaced. Buyer beware!

2009-03-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

Tales from the Workroom:
Fabric Science Cleaning & Preservation #1

Once Upon a Time a friend allowed her Fiancee to pick out her gown which turned out to be the largest whitewhitewhite polyester/lined in nylon/glued on pearl monstrosity I've ever seen...oh well!
Then she allowed a Dry Cleaner to convince her that it needed to be Dry Cleaned and "Preserved" after the Wedding. I tried to explain to her that she was being ripped off, but she ignored me to the tune of around $300.00. Clearly, I'm still haunted by it and have some Dry Cleaning advice for all Brides out there:

Take a very careful look at the Fabric Content Tag inside your gown. Does it say Silk or a Natural Fiber like Cotton, Rayon, Hemp, or Bamboo anywhere? Or does it say Polyester or (shudder) Nylon???
A Polyester or Nylon gown really does NOT need the $300. Dry Cleaning and Preservation treatment. Seriously! Chemistry 101: The Chemical Half-Life of Polyester is 200 Years, which means that is the point at which the fibers will BEGIN to break down. In other words, Your Poly Gown will be in the exact same condition as you wore it for your Great Grand Daughter with minimal care! Get yourself a box of Shout Wipes, a bottle of Z'Out, and a clean white washcloth to spot clean it yourself. Make sure you wipe the inside of the bodice well, as the salts in sweat are corrosive, and let it air dry. Box it in one of those Boxing Kits you can buy on the internet and it will be fine. I promise! Hopefully you'll get to see your Great Grand Daughter wear it someday.

A Silk or Natural Fiber Gown needs the full Professional Cleaning Treatment, not something to skimp on or send off to the cheapest company you can find. I reccomend Madame Paulette or J. Scheer & Co. for Couture or Vintage Gowns, both will ship Internationally. For the Boston Area, I'm a fan of Dependable Cleaners and Anton's.

I was a Wardrobe Supervisor for Film and TV and worked on Broadway in New York in another life, so I've unwrapped truckloads of clothes from the Cleaners and from deep storage so I've seen it all. Manhattan Wardrobe Supply has ever cleaning solution and apparatus you can possibly imagine for sale including the Boxing Kits, and Madame Paulette sells To-Go Cleaning Kits on their website. Acid Free Tissue Paper is the only thing you should wrap things in directly (including your veil and accessories) never plastic! It's another Chemistry thing and it'll change the color of your pieces eventually. You know those little silica packets that come in shoes boxes? Keep them and throw a few in your storage box to keep moisture away.

If you've had your dress "Sealed" in a box that's apparently not a good thing. Read J. Scheer's advice on their site. I've unsealed many a dress only to find that the Cleaners never did the spot cleaning afterall and the stains are permanent. Check your gown when it comes back to you and say something immediately!

2009-03-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Looky what we got! Wedding Wire gave Seams and some of our friends (like Green Spot Studios) a Bride's Choice Award for 2009!
3% of the Top Rated Vendors listed on www.weddingwire.com and www.marthastewartweddings.com got one this year and we are so proud.

2009-01-15T13:31:00.001-08:00

We <3 Offbeat Brides!

New England custom design and couture gowns from Seams

www.offbeatbride.com is one of our favorite sites to check in on regualarly for inspiration!

Because 'Traditions are Optional' and there are no limits to the creative mind.

I also love that Vendors have to be approved to Advertise on Off Beat Bride,

because SEAMS was approved! Thanks Ariel!

2008-11-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

I'm still in love with this
Carolina Herrera
Spring/Summer Collection look:

Low Budget Brainstorm for the Style Maven Bride: Buy the out of style strapless gown at the Sample Sale/Running of the Brides etc. Then have a really fabulous brocade or silk tailored waistcoat made to wear over it a la Carolina Herrera! A fabulous hat and some feathers and you're stylin on a budget.

2008-10-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

SEAMS and Gallery Della-Piana hosted an event
on Thursday October 16th with
Celebrity Perfumer Sherri Sebastian.
Invited Guests had the opportunity to sample
Sebastian Signs fragrances and consult
with Sherri for her Customized Scents.

Be sure to test our Samples of Sebastian Signs
#17, #35, and #44 when you visit!

Alison O'Leary Murray from Skirt! Boston was there and posted a fabulous review of the festivities: http://boston.skirt.com/node/21579

2008-10-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

More about Tulle
and how it's taking over:
The short pink tulle crinoline in the picture was recently dubbed the "Magical Cupcake" by it's new Owner!
So the full length one the 'Magical Torte', since 'Cake' just doesn't seem fancy enough to describe the endless layers of volumizing fabulousness...the full 40 yard bolt of burgundy illusion tulle to be exact!
Both of these mountainous technicolor merangues are designed to be a solid filler upper inside the dress with just the wearer's feet visible from below, like a china-doll.

2008-09-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Can it be 2 years ago already?
This is one of my outtakes from the very first SEAMS photo shoot campaign, before we even opened the doors! Shot in my backyard with the real pictures by Claudia Friedel and Alexis as the 1st SEAMS Girl Model. We were looking for a timeless and ageless feeling since I really didn't know who the regular Customers would be. The first Fall Collection was heavily plaid-oriented with updated vintage lines. The Michael's Crafts $1. pearl letter ornaments made into a necklace and the fab Italian sunflowers from the garden made great props.

2008-09-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

TREND ALERT:
Colored Tulle
Crinoline Underskirts!!!

It all started with Elise looking for a way to incorporate veiling into her look without wearing it on her head, or apparently making her Groom ill by covering her face (his one request).
Then Anne who is in love with COLOR wanted to add as much as she could to her short silk dress, so we made her a 4 Color Rainbow tulle skirt in colors that matched her flowers.

Now, (sorry, no pictures until the events are over) SEAMS has orders for an Electric Blue
short crinoline to match a fabulous pair of Fleuvog heels,
a 3/4 length Pale Pink/Ivory crinoline to match an amazing pair of Vivienne Westwood pumps, and a Burgundy full length tulle crinoline in the works!

Here's an idea for an inexpensive gown upgrade: Get that boring dress at the $99. Sale, Running of the Brides, eBay, or borrow it.
Cut out the ugly white nylon under-pouf, and add color!
Come to think of it, I can even make one via the US Mail, no fittings required.
Waist measurement and length and we're in business :)

Photo of Anne by www.ClosedCirclePhotography.com