Figure Envy.

Yes, i'm sure we all have it, but at Dresses at No. 9. it's banned!

With many ladies an average dress size 14 or above I don't like the phrase, 'Plus Size.' I prefer voluptious and I've seen and worked with figures of all shapes and sizes. But, the most important part of my work is to make sure each and every client looks a million and feels it too.

I cater for the whole bridal party from the bride herself through to bridesmaids, mother of the bride and groom, the little people and even uncle Ted from...well, whever uncle Ted is from and

my job is to make sure each and every client feels comfortable and confident in their chosen attaire.

Understandably, everyone will be looking at the bride on her very special day, but the bridesmaids will want to look equally as stunning as all eyes will be on them too.

As the word 'wedding' is muttered this could be the time to get fit, tone up and shed a little weight, but take heed.

Never walk into a bridal salon and chose a gown which "will fit me by the time I get married. I plan to diet."

I've seen this happen so many times, the weight isn't lost and the client is left with a gown which won't fit right or look right.

When I am comissioned by a client, I take the measurments at her current size. We talk about weight loss plans, but I will measure at a brides current weight/size. Weight can fluctuate, sometimes from a curvy size 14 to a wobbly size 16 depending on the time of the month or the number of take-aways consumed that week.

The important thing is not to crucify yourself over your weight or the fact you haven't lost any. There really isn't any point in shoe-horning yourself into a gown that is really too small resulting in double boob syndrome or the dreaded back bulge.

Together we will navigate our way through different dress styles and choose what works for you. If a diet plan is in place you will have several fittings to enable the most perfect fit on your wedding day.

Big and beautiful has never been more vogue, so love the skin you're in!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

I believe everyone should have at least 1 very posh frock in their wardrobe (ok, my very lucky daughter has 3) and

it's not just daughters who request posh frocks, sons request them for their girlfriends too and this is what my son asked me to make for his girlfriend, Jessica's 20th birthday.

Jess had an idea of what she liked so construction was a half kept secret. However, I needed to measure her for the internal corset and like most of the dresses I make, the dress would be built around it.

Jess chose her preferred colour, a gorgeous nude pink silk with a black lace overlay.

The design of the under dress was fully lined and strapless. The inner corselette was attached at the bodice top. The lace dress was joined to the dress at the zip with a few stitches to secure at the under arm.

Jess was fitted again for the corselette and strapless dress, but she wouldn't know how her dress was going to look until her birthday morning.


The lace dress was cut avoiding seams running through the front.


And again at the back.

With killer heels to add to the ensemble, she looked a million!

Pushing the Sewing Ability.

I don't think I've ever been so brave to push my sewing abilities as I have over this past year.

In many industries, folk are offered refresher courses, training days etc, but what happens with the likes of me who never went to college to train as a dressmaker/designer, but luckily has an eye for detail and a passion for the craft and who literally has to learn by 'doing'.

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Sewing is indeed a craft and I wouldn't insult by saying anyone can do it. I am an apprentice, learning a new technique almost every day. Sewing is a constant learning curve, a craft which is filled with emotion whether that emotion is frustration and disappointment or satisfaction and elation. I experience them all.

So, when Jodie comissioned me to make her wedding gown, I jumped at the chance.

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Jodie had seen a film and had fallen in love with the character's style of wedding gown a few years ago. "Nothing else will do," she said. But, the only dilema was she lived in Milton Keynes and I in West Yorkshire. However, she sent me her measurment form and travelled the distance for 1 fitting near to completion which would enable me to make any minor adjustments should they be required.

So, I began to draft her wedding gown to her requirements. I opted for a 2-piece gown, wanting to make sure that the bodice needed to be as dramatic as the skirt. The bodice was made using a beautiful gold bridal brocade, while the skirt was a mixture of an ivory duchess satin for the main part and an ivory 100% silk georgette for the train.

I looked at different feathers and their movement from swan and ostrich to maribu and then looked at various fabrics to use for the feather effect in the train from synthetic chiffon to the final choice of the silk georgette.

The bodice had a corset closure allowing for the snug fit.


Each strip of georgette was cut and torn to achieve the overall effect.

Jodie finished her dramatic gown with a cream top hat fascinator. I simply cannot wait for the official piccys.

Congratulations, Amy.

These past few weeks have had me working into the wee small hours, all in preperation for Amy's wedding today. I was comissioned to make 5 adult bridesmaid gowns complete with jackets, 2 pre-teen bridesmaids dresses, 2 cravats, change sashes and make a mother of the bride outfit within less than a fortnight as Amy's mum was struggling with finding something suitable.

Amy also comissioned me for my personal dressing service so armed with my emergency bag, I arrived at Amy's 9.30 promt this morning.

I pressed the gowns before I arrived which enabled me to hang them straight away until required.

Liz, Amy's mum looked stunning in her gold 100% silk duchess satin dress with matching jacket. I thought the shape of the collar would frame her face superbly.
Liz teamed her outfit with fushia pink assessories and a fabulous ivory fascinator.

The bridesmaids were made from a sumptious purple taffeta
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Waiting for Amy to arrive in her horse and cart.

Even though there was a little rain, the girls all looked radient. May I take this opportunity to say thank you Amy for allowing me to be part of your very special day. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Oh, and my flowers are fabulous, no need, but very much appreciated.

Have a fantastic rest of your wedding day. xx

Where to Buy Your Wedding Gown.

Picked up my July/August copy of Brides recently. Am lurrving the new stuff featured, especially 'How to find The One'. Wedding gown shopping should be fun and exciting, but you do need to consider the boring but most necessary part of the experience, your budget.

If you're lucky you have 4 options when seeking out your dream dress.

High Street is going to be the most popular for many brides. Afterall, there will be quite a few fab frocks to try before you buy while lapping up the ambience of the said high street bridal salon.

Option 2 is Vintage and with many brides opting for the current vogue, vintage inspired retro look there are a few places to go. Just one thing to be aware of when purchasing your authentic vintage number, size matters. The older the dress, the smaller the sizing.

If you're lucky, you can visit a wedding designers salon and buy off-the -peg. Designers such as Vera Wang offer this service.

Last but by no means least is bespoke and reading the article in the boutique special suppliment of Brides it says that bespoke is "the dream option" which requires a BIG BUDGET.

Now, when I mentioned this to my good friend Jane of HF Couture she said (well I think it was a said, or was it more of a scream?)

"god!!!! arrrgghhhh the notion is that bespoke = v expensive is soooooooo bloody annoying! Maybe in London where all the mags except 2 are based but hey guess what? There are fabulous designs outside of the south east!!! For Heavens sake!! Linda methinks an e-mail campaign to challenge this daft notion is due!"

I have to agree, afterall my client's bespoke wedding gown has been featured in Perfect Wedding and on the forum of You and Your Wedding real-life brides and I'm sure my client would agree, the budget was far from big!

And more recently, came across this in a bridal forum from a current client in response to a brides dilema.

"Are you anywhere near West Yorkshire? I'm having mine made by Linda at Dresses at No9. I couldn't find anything I liked in the bridal shops or high street so looked into getting them made. She's done a fantastic job on them so far, they are exactly what I wanted - turquoise, knee length with loads of netting and corsetry to give a fantastic shape. I'm actually really jealous of my girls getting to wear them! She has a website, I really can't recommend her enough and the dresses are reasonably priced given all the work that goes into them."

By kind permission of Rob Booker

By kind permission of Emma Case Photography

As Jane quite rightly suggested and I have to agree wethinks a cunning plan to pomote the humble designer is on the cards.

"So, Jane." I said. "Shall we plot something together??"
"YES!!!!" I hear that scream again. "We need to. This sort of thing drives me daft! when I get 5 mins need to draft an e-mail to the editors of these magazines."

Awesome!!! We love contacting editors.

Watch this space!

From a Very Happy Client.

I love e mails, especially those with wedding pictures attached. You know me, I LOVE WEDDING PICCYS.

So, last night I received a late-in-the-evening mail from a recent client with a rather nice piccy attached.

I was commissioned to make a silk jacket and matching scrunch-knot ties for a client's wedding in April.

He's the e mail message.

Hi Linda,

Remember me - you made me a lovely purple silk jacket earlier this year to keep me warm and provide a little modesty for me in church.
Well we got married on 24th April, and there was a heat wave so I didn't need the jacket - I even got a bit of sun burn on my shoulders.

So sorry, I don't have a picture of me wearing it - I'll just have to get my new husband to take me somewhere posh!

The boys looked fabulous in their cravats and the colour was great
Thanks for all your help

Sue

It doesn't matter how large or how small the request for my services are, I'm just more than happy to make a day perfect.

I hope you get to wear your jacket soon, Sue. You did, however, look totally radiant without it.

All my love and very best to you and thank you so much for the photo. Very much appreciated. x

Pretty Maids All in a Row.

I am frequently asked to make gowns for bridesmaids due to different sizes, different body shapes or unavaliblity of a desired style or colour.

I should be a great honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid afterall, you'll get your hair done, make-up applied and the opportunity to wear an amazing dress...you hope!

If any bride thought choosing her wedding gown was a task in itself, wait until she has to choose the bridesmaids dresses.

Today I had a fitting which was no exception to the rule. Different sizes, hair colourings and age range. But the moment each stepped into their gowns, their smiles filled the room. At that moment, I was a very proud and happy lady.

My client in question had considered every detail when choosing her bridesmaids gowns. Colour was a factor as one has the most beautiful red hair and if you are a red-head, not all colours are kind! With age range another factor, it was important to have something elegant while sassy without making the older ladies feel over exposed or the younger feeling like Auntie Mable!

Compromise is the key to make sure everyone has radient smiles on your wedding day. Get together for a girls night in with a few bottles of bubbly, some bridal mags and if you can, send out for some colour samples, a Dulux shade card can work just as well!

As you walk up the aisle let your wedding guests say. "There goes the bride, now here come the bridesmaids!!