REAL BRIDE : Candice Gessner

Hi Everyone!

So sorry that we have been absent the past few months. Selective Fine Fabrics has had a world-wind year with so many weddings and formals! We have also updated our website so make sure you check that out www.selectivefinefabrics.com.au

We are excited to introduce something new and exciting to our blog! We will be featuring an interview with one of our past real brides every month including pictures of the dress and their big day. We will be asking all sorts of questions in regards to the dress, the venue and even honeymoon ideas. So if there is anything in particular you would like for us to ask feel free to comment below!

Our first real bride is the gorgeous Candice. As you will read below, we were fortunate enough to have met Candice when she came in for her formal fabric. More than 10 years on, we were absolutely delighted to see her back, but now for her wedding dress! It was also an absolute pleasure to help Candice with her beautiful bridesmaids and her mother Pam's outfit. Here is the interview we had with Candice and some beautiful pictures of her big day taken by Van Middleton photography.

REAL BRIDE: Candice Gessner 

1. How did you hear about Selective Fine Fabrics? 

I first heard about Selective Fine Fabrics 11 years ago when I purchases my year 12 formal material. Walking into SFF Anna greeted us with the biggest smile and 11 years on walking into the store ,Anna still remembered my mum and I and still had that infectious smile.  

2. Did you start your design process with a sketch/picture or were you inspired by fabrics? 

I only had an idea in my head of what I thought I wanted. I knew I wanted “bling” and I had a fair idea of what style/fabric/colour. After 5 minutes of being in store at SFF and seeing their amazing bridal range, I knew I was in the right place. After playing with fabrics and beading with Melissa, I was lucky enough to be introduced by Anna to a dress maker who was in store at the time. After meeting with Svetlana and having Melissa’s great design/colour knowledge my dream dress was coming to life on paper. I left that day with my bridal & bridesmaids material and it only took 2 hours!

3. Why did you decide to get your wedding dress made? Would you recommend it for any future brides? 

I knew I was never going to be a typical bride who would find her dress off the rack BUT I also wanted to do the “bridey” thing and try on wedding dresses. Trying on dresses was a great way for me to see what style suited my body shape and what didn't so I knew exactly what I wanted to get made. Choosing your wedding dress is such a personal thing. If you are a bride who loves something different I would 100% recommend having your dress made.

4. How would you describe your experience at SFF?

The most satisfying experience a bride could have in the preparation for her wedding. The team at SFF helped me create a dress that I would not of found anywhere in the world. I still pull my dress out of the cupboard and hold it up to the light just to see it glisten in the sun.

5. What did you think of the range at SFF?

If you’re looking for something different there is no other fabric store in Australia that holds the key to an amazing outfit. SFF's extensive range of fabric & colours makes for your perfect outfit.  The team at SFF take time to drape different colours and fabrics on you to give you an idea of what you can create with different style and colour. 

6. Did you always want to get your bridesmaid dresses made to measure as well? 

Again, I knew I wanted something different and amazing for my bridesmaids. I was sick of seeing the same style bridesmaid’s dresses. After searching the internet I found a picture of something I liked. I showed Melissa & Svetlana the style of the dress and straight away they chose an amazing  colour & fabric which was just gorgeous and complimented my wedding dress and theme beautifully.

7. Where did you have your wedding reception? 

We had our wedding reception at Victoria Park Golf Complex. We had a large guest list and I wanted a venue where we could have our ceremony and reception all in the one place.  Victoria Park offered the perfect setting.  We had a gorgeous ceremony planned outside on the deck next to the garden marque but due to wet weather at the last minute, the ceremony was moved into the bar area of the reception.  It was still gorgeous and at the end of the day I still got to marry my husband

8. Did you have a wedding theme? 

I had a modern vintage theme. I wanted the elegance of white wedding with a touch of vintage. I brought the vintage theme in with tin pails with baby’s breath and a chalk board guest seating chart.  .

9. Where did you choose to go for your honeymoon?
My husband and I chose to go to Fiji for our honeymoon. My husband travels long hours for his work so didn’t want to travel for hours but still wanted and island holiday.  We spent 7 nights at the Sheraton Resort on Denarau Island. It was fantastic. On our last day Ben surprised me with a private boat charter to a private island in the middle of the ocean. It was a Perfect way to end our honeymoon. 

10. What would be the best advice you would give to any future brides?
Planning our wedding was so stress free. I had the most amazing people working with me to create our day. My advice is to find a team of people who you connect with. Give yourself time to plan and once you have made a decision don’t go back on it. It’s such a fun time in your life so don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Candice and her bridesmaids all in 100% silk gowns

Pam's Mother of Bride outfit- Silk, tulle and exclusive crystal motif.

Formal Inspirations- The Oscars 2013

We can't believe it's February already! Life at Selective Fine Fabrics has been non stop. We are getting deliveries of amazing fabrics almost weekly. Our latest shipment is a collection of Guipure Laces in a range of gorgeous colours from perfect mother of the bride pinks to the brights we are seeing in the latest collections overseas. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the latest updates on our new arrivals.

February is the time of year when shopping for fabric for formal dresses really starts. School formals now start in March and go through to November, so we are getting lots of lovely students into the store.

You would have to be living under a rock not to know the Oscars were on Monday and this is where we find a lot of girls get their inspiration from. We were overwhelmed to see quite a few dresses that were right on trend with our new fabric collections. One that stood out to us was the beautiful partner of George Clooney, Stacy Keibler in a Naeem Khan beaded gown.

Left photo- Image source Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
Right photo- Our ''The Manhattan' beaded tulle

Our sequenced tulle in Limited Edition colour 'Storm' exclusive to Selective Fine Fabrics

The biggest trend alert from the 2013 Oscars was most definitely sparkling gowns! Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Jessica Chastain all shined bright in sequin and beaded numbers.

Naomi Watts wearing Armani Prive 
Image source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images 

Right photo: Our sequenced tulle in Limited Edition colour 'Storm'

Our sequenced tulle in Limited Edition colour 'Storm' exclusive to Selective Fine Fabrics

Our range is extensive and we are sure you can find the most dazzling on trend fabric for the most discerning formal girl. So bring in your inspiration whether it's from the Oscars or the latest S/S 13/14 runway collections- we are sure to have the perfect designer fabric.

Selective Fine Fabrics

Perfect French Seams

Hello fabric followers!

As I mentioned in our rolled hem tutorial, the same principle can be applied to a French seam. This gives a perfect fine french seam. I find this type of seam works best on fine fabrics like organza and chiffon, and from my misfortunate experience it doesn't work well on bias seams. The rolling tends to stretch the seam; thus, making it wavy and almost rope looking.

Lets get started.

Start with RIGHT sides together (not wrong sides as you would in a conventional french seam) and stitch your seam as you normally would using the seam allowance you have allowed, whether it be 1 or 1.5 cm.

Then stitch another row of stitching 5mm from the first row in the seam allowance.

Trim the seam to about 2.5mm from the second row of stitching.

This is where we pick up the rolled hem principle, using the second row of stitching as a guide press the trimmed edge in towards the first row of stitching. The second row of stitching gives a perfect edge when pressed.

Now change to your rolled hem foot. Fold your two rows of stitching together and pin, this makes it easier to start  your seam.

 Roll the seam as you would a rolled hem making sure the two rows of stitching are on top of each other.

And voila ! Here is the  finished result! This is the top side...

and this is the opposite side...

As you can see, the stitching is pretty much on top of one another. Give the seam a press, you will find it will want to naturally press one way, so it is good to make sure you have rolled the seam the correct way for it to be pressed.The seam will always fall to the right of the top or rolled side. I used black thread on the pale pink for the tutorial, to help you see the stitching more clearly. I have also included a picture of what it should look like with the correct colour thread. 

This method undoubtedly will assist you in creating the finest of french seams. However, as I mentioned in the beginning of this post it won't work for all fabrics. This method is ideal when sewing with fabrics where the seam will be visible i.e sheer fabrics. 

We hope this assists you in perfecting your next french seam. Happy sewing!

Until next time,

Sff. x

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Special Offer!

We have hit 1000 likes on Facebook and to celebrate we are offering 20% off our beaded French lace range, 20% off our printed silk satins and 20% off trimmings ! To view some of our trimmings check out our previous blog post.

To take advantage of this offer like us on Facebook and simply click 'redeem offer' and present it in store next week. 

Here are some photos of our beautiful beaded French laces to inspire you !

Get excited and redeem this offer now !

Sff. x

How to Add Some Christmas Bling

Hello our fabulous fabric followers!

I've noticed a lot of blogs use the word 'refashion',  where you take a garment whether it be one of your own or from a vintage shop and alter it to bring it back to life. This got us thinking here at SFF, what better way to 'refashion' a garment than by using one of our gorgeous trims to add some bling to a Christmas party outfit.

There are so many different ways to use our trims. They could be used as a belt for around your waist or just under your bust, or even as straps. You can cover existing ones or add them to a strapless dress for a completely different look. I have even used a small amount of trim and twisted it around to make an abstract flower to wear almost like a broach. The only thing limiting you is your imagination.

Comment below to let us know your thoughts! How have you changed the look of an old garment?

  

P.s don't forget to like us on Facebook as we will be posting photos of our new collection within days!

Until next time,

Sff. x

The Perfect Dress for a Wedding Guest

Hello our fabulous fabric followers!

As I mentioned in the rolled hem post, I have been working on a dress for a guest for a wedding. She found her inspiration online and together we fine tuned her design.

It was so hard choosing a colour from the 150 shades of silks we have but we decided to go for a pastel shade. The fabric we used for the dress was a dupion silk in the colour 'mint' which I interlined with our shapewell to give it a lovely structure and lined it with our silk lining. The drape is made with our fine silk chiffon in the colour 'duck egg'.

The fabrics we selected

The dress is a basic one shoulder shape with panel lines over the bust extending into the waist darts. We put an invisible zip in the centre back. The main feature of the dress is the drape which starts as a ruched strap at the back neckline and extends over the shoulder and curves over the bust. This is then caught at the waist and falls into a beautiful drape that sits just below the hem.

The start of the draping process

Detailed pictures of the ruching 

                                                      

Detailed pictures of the ruching 

The finished product

the finished product

Until next time,
Sff .x