made_by_leila_

17/12/2025

18/11/2022

16/11/2022

🌸wool crepe dress for Kate
Fun fact: Kate bought this material when she was pregnant with her son who is 39(!) now😅. She had no idea what it could be and asked me if I have ideas.
I suggested making a dress in Kate Middleton style - classically elegant. 🌸

14/11/2022

19 July. Freya and her mum Annie knocked the door. Freya, future bride, had a very clear idea of what she wanted. She didn’t want dresses that are laced or beaded, but fell in love with satin. 
Freya showed me some pictures of gowns, and I made the sketches. Taking her favourite elements from the dresses she sampled, we toyed with some styles. Fairly quickly, a concept emerged.

The most important part in this process was Freya’s trip to Sydney to select the fabric. I provided some links of materials I thought would work best for the chosen style.
Soon after, the design was fixed and the muslin prototype dress (toile, a new word for Freya&Mum) was in progress. In the following weeks, fittings were made as the sketch we created materialized before our eyes. For me, this is the most defining part of the process with custom dresses.
Most wedding gowns, after purchase, require alterations. A tuck here, a seam let out there and at the very least, a hem. But a custom gown addresses these issues from the start. Every custom gown is different, but the common denominator is the fit. It is specifically tailored to each bride.

By September, the wedding satin was cut and Freya’s final dress was ready on 1 October, 5 weeks prior to the wedding. Even though she had spent some time trying on the prototype, there was still something magical about wearing the finished gown for the first time. Even for me, that moment was special.
My absolute favourite part of making a dress is the joy on the bride’s face when she tries on her finished gown. It is a culmination of her vision and reflects the authentic, unique beauty of who she is.

Congratulations to a beautiful couple!

10/11/2022

Hi my lovely subscribers!
Just wanna let you know that I won’t be taking orders for a while for personal reasons (don’t worry, I haven’t lost my sewing skills yet🤭).
For now I’m just finishing up the orders I already have and will soon share a couple of my latest creations.
Stay tuned, as I will be back! 😊

19/10/2022

Silk chiffon top

Chiffon is a term that is used to refer to a wide variety of different types of fabrics that all share similar qualities.
This type of fabric is
sheer , which means that it is light and semi-transparent with a simple weave.

16/10/2022

Vacation mood: on 👙🩴
Your smile up my day, Kate🌸

14/10/2022

Slip dress for Ms M.

It will go underneath the beaded one from Etsy.

I picture a wedding full of glitz, glam, and lots of Champagne 🥂🍾💍

07/10/2022

Did you know that there are many different types of velvet, some easier to handle than others?

Contrary to what one might think, velvet is not linked to a specific fiber. It is actually the result of a weaving process.
You can find velvet at all price-points, from the most expensive (woven from ultra-fine silk fibers) to the most affordable (cotton, rayon, polyester or acetate). You can also find them in many weights.

The most common types of velvet are the following, from the easiest to the most difficult:

◻️crushed and panne velvet (see featured dress for Kate)
◻️velveteen
◻️corduroy
◻️embossed, brocade, and burnout velvet
◻️rayon and silk velvet

06/10/2022

I’m obsessed with this beach sundress for Kate 🌞
Featuring:
◻️leafy print
◻️standing collar
◻️keyhole neckline
◻️side slits
◻️pockets
◻️straight cut for that perfect and comfy fit.
🌞Can be worn not only to cover up swimwear but also to pop into a cafe.

30/09/2022

Peplum is a short gathered or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman's jacket, dress, or to create a hanging frill or flounce.
is one of the most effective ways to accentuate your waist.
A real ode to !

15/09/2022

… and this is how a new project is born …