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My Latest Custom Creation: A Unique, Upcycled Shoulder Cover for a Mother of the Bride 🌸

Melissa DeLorenzo

I'm beyond excited to share the story behind my latest custom creation—a delicate, elegant shoulder cover designed to be worn over a Mother of the Bride gown. Every piece I create carries its own story, but this one feels extra special because it marks my very first upcycled project!

The Journey Begins: A Thrift Store Find

This custom project started with a unique twist. My customer, who was looking for something special to complement her gown, found a fabric piece from a completely different dress at a thrift shop that matched her gown perfectly! When she shared this discovery with me, I knew we were about to create something truly one-of-a-kind. Working with this thrifted fabric added a layer of creativity to the design process and was a wonderful way to incorporate sustainable fashion into my work.

Perfect Fit: Tailoring for Elegance

One of the most rewarding aspects of creating custom pieces is ensuring a perfect fit. This shoulder cover was designed with my customer’s exact measurements in mind, making it a personalized addition to her gown. From the start, it was essential that the piece not only look beautiful but also be comfortable and practical for her special day.

Design Details: A Closer Look at the Craftsmanship

I wanted to ensure that every detail of this shoulder cover reflected the quality and craftsmanship that go into all of my designs at oodelooo Ballet Wear. Some of the design highlights include:

  • Bias-bound inner hem: This technique was used to beautifully finish the raw edges, giving the piece a clean, polished look.
  • Lined neckband: Adding a lined neckband not only enhanced the comfort of the cover but also ensured that it sits smoothly on her shoulders.
  • Hook and eye closures: The back features four perfectly aligned hook and eye closures for easy fastening. These closures match up flawlessly, making the piece both functional and elegant.
  • Hand-sewn mesh sleeves: To create the airy, light look my client envisioned, I used hand-sewn mesh for the sleeves. These are finished with a delicate three-thread serge rolled hem, adding a subtle, graceful touch to the overall design.

The attention to detail in this piece was crucial, as it needed to seamlessly blend with her gown while standing out as a custom-made accessory.

A Personal Touch: I'll Be at the Wedding!

One of the most exciting parts of this story is that I’ll be attending the wedding in November! I can’t wait to see my custom piece paired with her gorgeous gown, and of course, I’ll be documenting the full look. Be sure to check out previous posts for a sneak peek of the dress I’ll be wearing myself!

There’s something incredibly special about seeing my creations come to life at such important events. Weddings are such a magical time, and knowing that one of my designs will be part of that moment is truly heartwarming.

Upcycling & Sustainable Fashion

This project marks my first foray into upcycling, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. The idea of taking a thrifted piece of fabric and transforming it into a custom, luxury accessory aligns with my belief in creating thoughtfully designed pieces with purpose. Upcycling not only gives a second life to fabric but also promotes sustainability in fashion, which is something I value deeply in my design process.

Stay Tuned!

As the wedding approaches, I’ll be sure to share photos of the full ensemble once it’s all put together! I’m beyond excited to see how the shoulder cover enhances the overall look and adds a touch of elegance to my customer’s Mother of the Bride gown.

Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for following along on this special design journey!

With love,
Melissa
oodelooo Ballet Wear 🌸

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