Creative: Brittany Schnell

I’m working on growing my client closet- particularly my maternity client closet.

Why?

Because even if you are pregnant more than once, you are going to want different looks for each photoshoot. Maternity dresses, at least the extravagant ones, are pretty spendy. I can’t imagine asking my clients to drop hundreds on wardrobe, but I can imagine making & growing my own client closet.

I’ve already begun growing a client closet subconsciously. This red dress has been used three times in photoshoots- I’ve never even worn it myself!

I tried piecing together enough yellow lace scraps from the yellow lace dress to make a yellow version of the red dress. I was about 15 square inches short. Not too much, but enough to stop the project.

This is actually the third maternity gown I’ve made this month. I hope to show you photos of the other two soon!

The Yellow Lace Gown

This gown is inspired by Teal Garcia aka Teal Like The Color. She’s a Hawaiian Portrait and Boudoir Photographer. She creates YouTube content and one of her latest series has been making her own maternity gowns for her client closet. Garcia’s videos have inspired me to create my own version.

Materials:

• 5 yards lace fabric (I wish I had 6 yards)

• something to tie the waist & shoulder

• (optional) 10 yards fringe or trim decoration

• thread

• fabric sheers

• needles

• water soluble pen

• straight edge

• flexible ruler

I enjoyed working with this fabric. I learned that I could iron it, but I had to be careful to not remove the gems that have been glued onto the fabric- unless I wanted to remove them. It’s not the softest fabric under the sun, but it is pretty.

The fringe is a brighter shade of yellow. I was initially not happy with the difference and considered sending the fringe back. However, after pinning it to the dress, I changed my mind. I like the contrast of colors. I think the bright yellow fringe highlights the dress. Many people have mentioned this dress is giving them Beauty and the Beast vibes. I agree!!

I’ve already drawn up designs for more dresses. I can’t wait to show you what I have up my sleeve!