Sew Susan

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

I want to share a project that I am so proud of. This is a ballgown that I made for myself. Squee!

Miss Willa's Bookshop (who specializes in romantasy) held an Enchanted Ball last weekend. My costuming friend Nicole and I got tickets to attend and decided to make our own gowns. It took me a while to figure out my design and even longer to make it come to life.

I wanted a romantic blue gown that felt like the night sky. I was inspired by Feyre’s Starfall gown in Sarah J. Mass’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series - the romantasy series that got me into reading again. I used Charm Patterns by Gertie Etoile bodice which has a romantic sweetheart neckline and gorgeous lines…that I covered up with an organza layer I pleated over it. The base layer is a royal blue bridal satin. The organza is a sheer blue that is somewhere between navy and royal with tiny gold sparkles that magically do not shed glitter all over the place. I hand stitched more tiny gold beads all over the bodice to keep the pleats in place.

The skirt is a floor length full circle in satin with 8 yards of organza gathered at the waist. You guys, the way it sparkles when it moves is unreal! Underneath is a ginormous tulle petticoat I made that helped keep the skirt fluffy and swooshy (technical terms). It look about 20 yards of tulle. I felt like a princess in this gown and want to wear it every day. Oh! And it has pockets.

The ball was so fun. Nicole made herself an Italian Renaissance gown that gives Ever After vibes in her signature rust color palate. She looked gorgeous. We had the time of our lives twirling in our full shirts. There were so many incredible costumes and the atmosphere was so perfect. Everyone was genuine and lovely and I love how we were all hyping each other up.

Oh my gods, you look amazing! No way, YOU look amazing! Did we just become best friends?

Book people are the best.

01/13/2026

After a most successful run of Into the Woods (congratulations again, Imagination Theater - New), I turned my efforts to creating a gown for their next show The Quest for Don Quixote. This is a 17th century gown for Dulcinea, who, fun fact, is played by the same actress as Tree Mom in the last show. I based this gown off of paintings and historical reproduction gowns and I think I nailed it. Might not be perfectly historically accurate, but I just love her.

The bodice fabric and the pom pom trim was found at NOVA Creative Reuse Center in Leesburg, VA. The fabric for the skirts came from IT!’s fabric stash. The chemise is a cotton handkerchief-weight fabric from my stash. I’m popping her in the mail today, California-bound!

11/11/2025

“Shiver and quiver, little tree
Silver and gold throw down on me
I'm off to get my wish!”

Oh my gosh, you guys. This dress. I’ve been dreaming of this gown since the moment Kate and Marc drafted me. Sheis for Imagination Theater - New’s Cinderella, for the upcomig production of “Into the Woods.” While we were in Paris, Kate and I found this amazing silver fabric and this buttery ch*****ne gold satin. I had a lot of ideas, but there is a limit to my skill right now and it took me all this time to figure out what I could do and make it amazing. And in the end, I am so thrilled with this gown.

She has a full-length circle skirt in gold (so twirly) with a sweetheart neckline bodice that was lovely on its own, but not Enough(tm). I draped the silver around the skirt to give it the split front, still draped and lovely (art nouveau, remember?).

That bodice, though. I tried so many things to make it worthy of this role, and eventually, I got that Eureka Moment(tm).

Did you know Cinderella’s mom spirit is a willow tree? Well, we decided she’s a willow. I pass a beautiful willow tree every day while walking my dog and every day I asked her for inspiration. Finally I made willow tree leaves out of silver fabric. They are three times the size of real willow tree leaves, but still proportionate. After lots of playing around and some philosophical discussions with Kate about how we like symmetry, I give you this gorgeous bodice!

As I placed these leaves on my dress form, I used dozens of pins to make the leaves do what I wanted. Then I stitched each point where the pins penetrated the bodice with a single sequin. There are more than 100 sequins hand-stitched to the bodice, keeping those leaves in place. And oh my gosh I love her so much! I can’t wait to see her on our actress.

11/09/2025

Presenting: the Witch’s Fabulous Gown (post-curse), created for Imagination Theater - New’s upcoming production of Into the Woods!

A lot of the fabulousness comes from this incredible crinkled taffeta that looks mostly purple from this side, but as the light catches it, it shifts to green. After the chaos of the ruffled cloak, I wanted something more streamlined. I love this gown pattern because it doesn’t have a bodice and a skirt joined at the waist. It is a long column that is shaped with fisheye darts. The original pattern has the column end at the knees and extends into a pleated flounce. But I wanted more drama, so I extended the column to the floor and added in fabulous godets at the seams. To make them floof out like I want, I stuffed them with tulle and strapped them in with a zigzag of elastic. I think that’ll keep them in line. Add in some accessories and some attitude, and it’s going to be epic!