KarenSampsonSewing.com - Projects , IntroductionKarenSampsonSewing.com - Projects , Introductionhttps://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/IntroductionMon, 16 Feb 2026 10:40:36 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Lace Wedding Dress Alterations]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/lace-wedding-dress-alterationsA gorgeous lace wedding dress that I had the privilege to alter!]]>

This dress needed the netting tightened at the neckline, cups sewn in, the lace taken in along the side backs to eliminate gaping, a belt sewn on, skirt shortened, and a bustle.  There are a lot of pictures in this post, so keep scrolling for all the alterations details.

At the first fitting we, pinned the belt in place, pinned the cups into the dress, and pinned the sheer netting, so it was tight.

Other than being too long, the skirt of the dress fit well. 

Here I have the lace from the hem pinned on at the right length and ready to be sewn.

We needed to make a small dart in the lace on both sides of the back.


When I removed the safety pins from the back, I marked the edges and tip of the dart with straight pins. 

I carefully cut along the edge of the motifs in the lace, so that I could allow them to overlap when I was done. I then pinned the lace back, so I could make a dart in the mesh that was behind the lace.

I then carefully overlapped the two layers of lace and trimming the excess to avoid bulk.

Lots of pins to hold everything exactly where I wanted it while sewing.

All stitched down. 

Here you can see that the lace is now nice and smooth on her back.

The bustle as we tentatively pinned it at her first fitting.  A bustle allows you to move freely without worrying about stepping on your train after the ceremony. 

The final rendition of her bustle! This particular bride didn't want the bustle to affect the hang of the front of the dress. To achieve this we did the bustle at about knee level. I was able to hide the buttons in the lace.

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]]>Mon, 28 Jul 2025 19:46:44 +0000<![CDATA[A Hat Restored]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/A-hat-restoredDon't trash it; fix it!]]>

One day my youngest came to me with his favorite hat and trustingly said, "Mom, will you fix my hat?" He had managed to pull the button off of the top of it. That day I realized that my kids believe that I can fix anything! It sparked a conversation with them about how they are actually quite privileged to have a mom who can fix their rips and tears and make them things when they ask.

For me, it is heartwarming to know that they believe I can fix anything but also intimidating knowing that I do have limitations. I'm thankful that I was able to fix his problems that day!

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]]>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:19:34 +0000<![CDATA[Morgan Western Jacket]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/morgan-western-jacketI had the opportunity to work on this beautiful western jacket]]>

In August of 2024 I had the opportunity to go to the Jubilee Morgan horse show in Springfield, IL. I had the opportunity to work on the beautiful western jacket ensuring that none of the beautiful sparkly snowflakes would fall off in the show ring!

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]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:16:28 +0000<![CDATA[My Wedding Dress]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/My-Wedding-DressA glimpse at my first formal dress project: my wedding dress!]]>

When I became engaged, I made a bold move and chose to make my wedding dress!

    I started by trying on dresses at various wedding dress shops to find out what I liked and didn't like. I then took my ideas to the fabric store and found dress patterns with details similar to what I wanted. I still wasn't sure how to get the sleeves how I wanted them. Thankfully, a kind seamstress helped me alter my pattern to achieve my goal!

 Before taking the plunge of cutting expensive fabric, I did a trial run on cheap fabric. Once I felt good about the fit, I dove into the white fabric.

Finishing Details

Once the dress was fully constructed it was time for finishing details. I wanted to keep things simple, so I opted for silk ribbon embroidery along the hem of the dress, sleeves, and veil, and to leave the rest of the dress plain.

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]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:43:45 +0000<![CDATA[The Beginning]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/how-i-learned-to-sewI'm often asked how I got started with sewing. The short answer is my mom!]]>

How I got started with Sewing

    As a child, I was surrounded by various types of needlecraft. My first memory of sewing was my mom sewing felt holly leaves on her sewing machine to make a Christmas wreath. I remember her letting me try to sew the curved seam on one of them and how hard it was!

    As I learned how to sew, I remember my brothers teasing me because of my lack of speed control. They would tell me that I was going to be a horrible driver and have a lead foot.

    My mom had a box of patterns and a book about pattern making. I used to sit there as a child and pour over them for hours. There was also a plethora of other craft magazines that I had access to. I learned cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, knitting, tatting (lace making), quilting, and clothing construction. 

    By the time I graduated high school, I had made 5 or 6 dresses, shorts, and a swim suit. Unfortunately, I don't have too many pictures of my early work as a seamstress. 

    My crowning sewing achievement in high school was a 1950's style shirt dress. It had a pleated skirt, bound buttonholes, and a fitted top with a side zipper on the skirt. It won first place at the local fair!

    From my mom I learned to be a brave seamstress and that patterns are more of a guide to be changed and adjusted than a dictator to be blindly followed!


On the right, one of the dresses I made in high school.

On the right, the crowning glory of my sewing in high school

My mom with my oldest. He had just finished sewing his own apron-complete with his name on it with Grandma's help!

My mom and I. This post made me realize that I don't have too many Great pictures with my mom.

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]]>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 23:46:32 +0000<![CDATA[Sewing in High School]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/Sewing-in-high-schoolIn high school I learned about pattern manipulation.]]>

My junior year of high school, my brother gave me a stack of old sewing and pattern making textbooks for Christmas. I was ecstatic! I poured over them for hours and hours. I used barbie patterns and the miniature patterns that were in the books to practice the pattern manipulation techniques that the books taught. 

During college, I didn't have a lot of time for fun sewing, but my sewing machine went with me and I used it for mending and alterations for myself.

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]]>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 23:46:32 +0000<![CDATA[Website Project]]>https://www.karensampsonsewing.com/projects/post/website-project

My New Year's project - Revamping my Website 

    As we enter a new year, I have begun something that I've been needing to do for a while, revamp my website. My skills lie in fabric manipulation not in computers, so this is a learning experience for me. Thankfully my husband is skilled with computers and has been and will continue to be a great help in this process.     


     While I work on adding content to my website, my facebook page, Karen Sampson Sewing, is the best place to see examples of my work. My goal is that soon there will be a photo album on my website where you can see examples of my work, or you can come here to my projects section to get a behind the scenes glimpse of how the magic happens.

   

 I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming year!

Karen Sampson

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