Every girl deserves her dream dress, and so I have decided to expand my business to include a number of options so that each and every girl can walk Down that isle in her dream dress, whether it be a couture gown dripping in beads and lace or a simple elegant gown. Either way you can now come to us to get it, we will not only continue to make custom made gowns, but we will also have a selection of couture gowns and simpler gorgeous pieces to hire, previously loved dresses and a range of petticoats, veils and jewelry to accessorize the dress of your dreams.....please feel free to make your appointment with me to ensure that your dress dreams can come true....

Please check out our new website...we now have an online range as well as made to measure couture items. 
www.leahfranciscabridal.co.za

So excited, my first roll of 'handcrafted' fabric ready for my range....I am so excited to start putting everything together and to launch it in February at the canal walk bridal show this is going to be a busy two months getting the studio and the entire range launched and ready to go..bring it on, I love a challenge, 2014 will be my year.

And so the big sort begins...sorting through fabric and trims and all the other things that have ended up in my sewing room, all in anticipation for the big move to the most awesome new space next door to the awesome body sculpting studio....while i have big plans for my business and exciting things happening between now and an awesome launch in February, Vivienne (the owner of the body sculpting studio) has her own plans to get me on to that bodytec machine while it does fabulous things for the body im not sure what have I let myself in for...hope she knows its business first and exercise second....don't forget I am still offering a discount on all dresses ordered before 15 December 2013 and please be careful out there silly season has arrived....till next time.

I'm running a silly season special, book you wedding gown for 2014 and not only do you get a 10 percent discount, but ill throw in a free veil and garter.....special valid until 15 December 2013. Book now to avoid disappointment...only the first 5 bookings will be eligible.....

Wedding season is fast approaching

Well ladies wedding season is fast approaching and I have a fantastic project that I'm working on to launch in January....I am so excited to tell all, but will hold it in for now. If you would like to make bookings for the upcoming season then best you make them soon. I am already booked for fully booked for December and have only a few gaps in November and January....

Dont forget.....

Right Ladies, Tell all your friends that there are just over two weeks to take advantage of the fantastic special I am having for all brides who book before the end of May. I have also decided to extend my matric dance madness to the end of may too.....so be sure to contact me as soon as possible so that you are not disappointed.....
 

MATRIC DANCE SPECIAL..

Hey there Ladies, I am running a fantastic Matric Dance special..and am charging 2011 rates if you book before Mid May....Please feel free to contact me as soon as possible so that you are not disappointed as I will only take limited bookings....

What a wonderful few months this has been, there have been some amazing dresses and special moments. On the 2nd of March 2013 my sister and her wonderful fiance tied the not at the beautiful De Malle Meul, what a wonderful venue, not only are they on the ball, organized and friendly their food is awesome..It was the best wedding food I've had in a while, well maybe ever....My sisters dress was beautifully elegant with a twist and I enjoyed making it so much. I have a few dresses left for this season and cant wait to get started on some beautiful samples and a whole new wardrobe for myself (I have completely neglected myself in the last few months.....I will of course be running my annual autumn special which entails a nice discount  if you book your wedding gown for wedding season 2013/14 before the beginning of June 2013.....so if you have friends who are tying the knot feel free to share my page with them so that they can benefit from the fantastic offer...Till next time....xxxx

I have gotten off to a busy start this year, with orders coming in fairly fast. This week however was made extremely difficult when i had the task of fixing someone else's mess. I was brought a bridesmaids dress which had been made by one of the bridesmaid's friends sister, who was apparently a 'professional dressmaker'. it was an utter disaster and i ended up using bits and pieces from the 3 dresses i had made to recreate a dress for bridesmaid number 4....In the end it worked out well and the wedding went off yesterday as planned, but to remake a dress from scraps in a day is really no joke....so here is the moral of my story...if you cant sew, then don't, all you do is take away the joy and fun of having a dress made and turn girls off for life..I try to make the time with my brides and maids and their moms special and to give them the dress they envisioned wearing on the special day.  Please don't let anyone frighten you off when it comes to having your dress made, their are wonderful people out there who know what they are doing.....

Pattern making course and sewing lessons

I am now running a patternmaking course as well as sewing lessons, please feel free to contact me should you be interested.

How to make sure you dont end up with a disaster when having a dress made.....

1. The lady down the road who can sew, might be great at making simple dresses from a store bought pattern, HOWEVER, she most likely does not have the experience to make your wedding gown and although she may not charge alot she most often will not have the knowledge to do fittings and alterations, which is where the problems usually arrive.

2.Someone who has experience will be able to show you previous work. Although not all our clients give us photos, if the person has been doing it for years they should have a fair amount of examples.

3.Go by word of mouth, If someone recomends someone that they have used (and remember here that they should have used the person for the same type of Item you want made) then Most of the time your friend or the person recomending was happy with the Item they had made.

4.Someone who has experience will be able to advice you on your body shape in detail, as well as help you choose the right fabrics etc.

I am not saying you need to go and spend R15000 on a wedding dress (because I think that is ridiculous) but dont underestimate the cost of quality work. Making a dress is hard work and is extremly time consuming so be realistic when people give you quotes. Discuss your budget with your designer/dressmaker if you have one and often they can accomadate you if its realistic.