So that's why I've begun to work on ideas for my collection. Of course, this isn't just ideas, no, this is a full blown campaign to dominate the senior show. Which of course is why I had to go ahead and draw up some design ideas for the garments. 

The theme as it stands right now is a Dark Circus, loosely set from 1840-1880. That's a long time, but for now that's what I'm working with. More details about my plans will come out as time allows but for now I'm just going to upload some pictures for you to look at and possibly enjoy. 

These are of course some of the roughest sketches I have done in a while, and obviously they are not in color...but here's a short example of what they might look like if I actually drew them properly. 

THAT drawing, ladies and gentlemen, was done by our moderator and my boyfriend, Hayden. 


You get the general idea we're getting at here, of course no one is saying this is set in store or that these are the idea's I'm absolutely sticking too, I'm just planning.

and waiting...
and plotting...

A while back I mused on about how I always wondered what happened to the bygone clothing I've made through the years. The irony of this is, today while I was looking through my computer, I ACTUALLY found photographic evidence to show my growth as a seamstress, and I think it's really important that I share it with all of you.

 Little known fact, I didn't REALLY start sewing independently until about 2007/08 and didn't actually produce things until about '09.
 With that said, I give you a brief timeline of significant creations from Dear Dahlia. 

Also, some of you may have seen the abridged version of this on Tumblr. 

This was when I got my first sewing machine and I decided "HEY HOW HARD CAN THIS POSSIBLY BE RIGHT." Looking back, it's not as bad as it could have been...

All of this was fine and good, it was the summer between 11th and 12th grade, and as I always do, I got bored and made this. 

This may seem VERY insignificant but this entire garment was a serious turning point for me. It was light when Madame Gres began to play with Jersey, I learned (incorrectly mind you) how to garther a skirt. And let's not ignore that those are 3 parts sleeves with layered peplums and a leg-o-mutten puff. Good stuff. After this, things got a bit...better. 

Both of these dresses (not to toot my own horn or anything, were REALLY REALLY more advanced that I guess I realized at the time. It's really weird to me that I did these and in 2009!? really?!

I also did that. I was and will always be an AP english student. 

2010 was significant for two reasons, it was a. my first anime boston, and b. the year I graduated high school. So in sporting style what did I do in early february? I made a waist coat and lined it. That's right, lined it. Of course, when I say LINED it, it was the most unsophistacated form of lining as I sewed it together in the waist seam, BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GOOD THING. This lead to some other significant things...

2010 WAS ALSO AMAZING, because I made my first Miwako dress!

Oh yeah, and I went to prom. If you see blue anywhere in the picture, it's because I made that. That's right, my purse, dress, his tie and vest. WHAT WAS I DOING WITH MY LIFE I USED TO BE SO TALENTED!

OF course there were like 3 cosplays, and like 15 dresses leading up to this magical moment in time, but of course, they are sadly lost to the world and will never been seen from again. 

of course I graduated, GOT pictures in the news...and began to work on, DUN DUN DUN!

of course there were many MANY dresses, none of which i feel like showing anyone mainly because they riddle this site.

This year LITERALLY changed everything.

that's like, my entire site, do you realize that? 2011 was crazy. Just crazy. 
Oh yes! in 2011, I welcomed Bambi into my life. 

2012 was quite possibly the most significant time in my entire life. 

Need I say more? Some other pretty cool stuff happened too! Like all of this: (please note that there's apparently a TON missing)

in comparison I have gone from this

To this...

This concludes my entire life story, thanks for sticking around and reading it!

Ah yes, that is much better. This lolita dress is a recolor of a lolita dress featured on Milanoo. The sleeves are slightly different but everything is as close to the original gar

VLAD'S DONE IT! HE'S SAVED THE DAY!

Today I sewed a 1928 wedding dress in pretty much 5 hours, made the patterns and I did it all with a toy sewing machine. This is getting to the point that I should just stop chronicling my achievements because they're too great. 

As many of you know, our designer Martha is abroad in London for a semester, and as many of you DONT know, she broke her Elna.

Most of you are both horrified and saddened by this event, but in typical Dahlia fashion, Martha bought a child's sewing machine and is making 2 wedding dresses on it using bed sheets and scraps from cosplays for the Design Museum's Ball this friday.

Make do and mend in deed.

First thing! Today is my birthday!
Second thing! My sewing machine and parts came in about two days ago!
Third thing: I'm getting myself a desk today so I can actually set up a proper studio while I'm in London.
Fourth! If you are interested in getting a commission done while I'm in London, please note that all currency has switched from USD to GBP

THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY~

I mean it's exciting that it's almost my birthday right! 

But seriously. My sewing machine is AWOL.