Silverlode Needlecraft

Striking black and silver, shot through with electric blue; a 10-petal, soft-skirted design influenced by the floral patterns of William Morris. Such is the latest ready-made dress in the works. As usual, there has been less time than expected over the past few months to work on these labors of love, but Rachel hopes to have the dress ready in February or March (latest) of 2010.

The dress is made to fit a dancer (teen/young-adult) with approximately the following measurements:  1.) bust 36″; 2.) waist 29″; 3.) back of the neck to the waist 18″; 4.) sleeve 24″; and 5.) skirt length approximately 16″ to the bottom of the ruffle.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Spring is here, and along with Nature’s surrounding growth and change and blossoming, there have been little changes coming to the little seamstress’ workshop. Just having transitioned into other work, I will gradually be making Silverlode more and more a passion project, and I look forward to having the opportunity to experiment in fabric art ~ therefore, since March 2009, and from here on out, I will no longer be accepting custom dress orders (though of course I will continue to fulfill those which were previously scheduled for this year), and I am no longer taking on alteration work for the dresses. As always, however, if you have another seamstress working on alterations of a Silverlode dress, I am always happy to answer questions if I am able, or to send fabric remnants as needed, if I have them available.

Beginning in 2010, as time and inspiration allow, I will continue to make ready-made dance dresses, as well as more in the realm of liturgical vestments and fabric wall art ~ and I hope the increased time will allow me to post more pictures for your enjoyment!

Have a beautiful Spring.

~Rachel

Revolution, Silverlode’s newest ready-made dress, is dramatic and bold in its shades of red, black, and silver. The base fabric is the rich black dupioni silk of Silverlode’s earlier work The Once and Future King. The applique consists of various metallic fabrics in red, silver, and silver/black ~ with red glitter-spattered sleeves, and a holographic red skirt lining and bloomers.

A 3-panel skirt is the “canvas” for this striking geometric design. The pleats, front and back, are made of a dark crimson-red glitterdot. The dress includes: a simple soft shawl, bloomers, and a headband-tiara.

The dress and tiara are accented with Swarovski crystals, in the shades of plain “Crystal” and “Crystal Shadow” ~ with the addition of tiny “Siam” (red) crystals on the bodice and tiara.

Rachel has been busy, busy since November, between dressmaking and class work…and she needs to update her dress photo gallery! All in good time…

Rachel’s most recent custom dress is “The Wood Beyond the World”, whose central image is a tree. The skirt is composed of 10 attached, flexible panels on a pleated underskirt of shimmering copper. A base of “frosted pine” dupioni silk, accented with gleaming metallic coppers ~ and hundreds of Swarovski crystals in “hyacinth aurora borealis”. Thank you, Jenn, for your beautiful photo!

Jenn in "Wood"

Rose Fan is a one-off original design by Rachel, and another of the “fan series” following the Dragon Fan dress of 2007.  The base is a pale icy pink metallic silk, and the appliqué consists of various metallic fabrics—especially brocades—in shades of pink, red, and pale gold.  All embroidery is freehand machine work in metallic and rayon threads.  The pleats—front and back—are made of a dark pink glitterdot, and the sleeves, with a slight bell-shape, are accented with a feathery trim at the cuffs, which is repeated on the soft shawl.  The dress has many Swarovski crystals in colors of “fuchsia” and “rose”.

Knotwork Fan #1 was designed and made by Rachel as part of the “fan series” following the Dragon Fan dress of 2007.  The primary base fabric is a rich fuchsia-gold metallic silk, and the appliqué consists of various metallic fabrics in sunset colors, with a “fan” of wheat-gold glitterdots and brocades. More symmetrical than it’s sister-dress Rose Fan, it is a design that may be repeated by Silverlode Needlecraft in another color scheme.  All embroidery is freehand machine work in metallic and rayon threads.  The pleats—front and back—are made of a dark lilac holographic lycra, and the sleeves, with a slight bell-shape, are accented with a feathery trim at the cuffs, which is repeated on the soft shawl.  The dress has many Swarovski crystals in colors of “light rose” and “jonquil”.

Knotwork Fan #1 is suitable for a young dancer with approximately the following measurements:

Chest: 26”
Waist: 24”
Back of the neck, to waist: 13.5”
Skirt length: 13.5”
Sleeve length: 19”

Cherry Blossom is a one-off original design by Rachel. The bodice base is a shimmery fuchsia-pink liquid lamé. The eight skirt petals (four front, four back) are individually lined with the same lamé, as well as the skirt lining and bloomers. Each petal is attached only at the waist.

The embroidery is all freehand machine work using a satin stitch in metallic and rayon threads, and its design is composed of metallic fabrics in a pink and copper color scheme. The soft underskirt is a brown-gold eyelet overlaid with pale pink lace netting, and trimmed with a 3-layer pink-and-white lace trim. The sleeves are a multicolor glitterdot overlaid with the same pale pink lace. Finishing the sleeves’ lace, and around the appliqué piece on the bodice, is a beautiful square sequin trim in coppers and pinks.

The simple soft shawl is a sheer fabric whose design includes the pinks and coppers of the dress, with flower designs in coppery sequins. The dress also includes a headband-tiara. The dress and tiara are accented with Swarovski crystals in the colors of rose, sun (coppery-gold), and topaz.

“Lotus” Click on thumbnails below for a full-size image.

If you are interested in any of the ready-made dresses, or have questions, feel free to contact Rachel at silverlodelady@gmail.com.