Alis Le May - Bespoke

Inside outside #quilting #bespoke #handquilted #slowfashion

Trimming .... #cutting #scissors #tailor #tailormade #quilting #quilted #handsewing #handcraft #handquilted #slowfashion

So many stitches......#handsewing #handquilted #paisley #paisleypattern

Glasgow is full of hidden gems - yesterday I stumbled across this fantastic church - St Vincent Street Church, designed by Alexander Thomson. The curved pews were created by local boatbuilders and enable the congregation to see the pulpit from any position in the chapel. Amazing colours, patterns and shapes and such incredible natural light! I thoroughly recommend a visit! #glasgow #church #greek #hiddengem

Fitting shot from earlier today - this bias cut dress has been a real joy to make and I can't wait to show the finished piece. It does require a fair amount of patience from the client as the dress is draped on the figure and sculpted to the bust with temporary stitches. The white stitching will be removed and replaced by invisible stitches, which will hold this incredible #liberty silk in all the right places. #bespokeladieswear #bespokeveningwear #couture #bias #biascut #jacqard #starrynight #stars #stardress

Oh the joy of a fabric delivery! These gorgeous @pongeessilks are destined to become linings for two #bespoke suits and a skirt for a bespoke wedding ensemble. #bespoketailor #bespokeladieswear #bespokemenswear #bespokesuit #weddingsuit #weddingdress #silk

That's all folks! My residency at 288 Duke Street has come to a close. It's been a really interesting and useful experiment, and I look forward to the day when I'm back on a high street in a more permanent way. For now I'm in a private studio (full of boxes) and getting set for a very busy few months ahead. Thanks to everyone who helped make the shop possible, particularly @juju.books @outdooroisin @gillyjayne @lassiealicecreates and the 3 superstars (Laura, Callum and Steve) who aren't on here. Right, back to work! #allgoodthingsmustcometoanend

Spring is coming! To hurry it along I made up this yellow gown for @alislemay_bridal #bespokeladieswear #yellowweddingdress #yellowwedding #golddress #primroses #silkdress #silkweddingdress #bespokewedding #madeinglasgow #madeinscotland

Without a doubt the best part of my job is seeing the finished garment on a client - beautifully modelled here by John, nicely contrasted with that fantastic raspberry wall! #bespoketailor #bespokeshirt #libertyprint #libertyprintshirt #floralshirt #patterenedshirt #patternmatching #tailorsofinstagram #bespokemenswear #madeinglasgow #glasgowmakers

What a great feeling to finally finish this #liberty shirt! I started this shirt in 2011 - it was going to be a gift and one of my first menswear projects. Now 8 years on (after lying half-finished in storage) it's finally complete and destined for a new owner. #menswear #bespoke #shirt #print #floralshirt #summershirt #patternmatching @ Alis Le May - Bespoke

Gorgeous brass chemist's weights sitting atop of some heavenly #pongees 100% silk blue jersey. I have been putting off buying proper weights in the hope of finding something both functional and beautiful - and I think it was worth the weight (wait, geddit?!?!) Ahem. Anyway, lovely brass weights. #bespoketailor #brass #stilllife #silk #antique #blueandgold #tailorsofinstagram

I was visited today by the lovely @elainelivphoto for a quick interview, you can read it here at https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/…/glasgow -lives-alis-le-may-1…. Thanks Elaine for popping by! #madeinglasgow

My first order from @dugdalebrosandco and what a combination - it will become a wonderful cornflower blue worsted wool suit with double breasted linen waistcoat for a very special wedding in the south of France this summer. I can't wait to start working with this cloth! #bespoketailor #menswear #bespokewedding #bespokegroom #groom #groomswear #madebyhand #crafted #tailoring #wool #suiting #bespokesuit #madeinglasgow #madeinscotland @james.o.chandler

My first foray into bias-cut dressmaking, back in 2011, can it really be that long ago?! The red dress is now forming the basis for a beautiful bias-cut wedding dress I'm making this month - pictures to follow @alislemay_bridal #bespoke #silk #bias #biascut #glamour #goldenageofhollywood #dressmaker #bridal

A truly Scottish commission for a client in Elgin. Taking inspiration from traditional kilts, this pleated tartan skirt features wide knife pleats, a traditional kilt buckle and discreet wrap-around internal fastening, making it incredibly adjustable and comfortable. The pleats have been stitched by hand and finished with prick stitch to prevent them becoming un-pleated through daily wear. There's not a bit of machine top stitching on this skirt as personally I think it's best to let the tartan do the talking. #tartan #kilt #madeinglasgow #madeinscotland #bespoke #bespokeladieswear #bespokewomenswear #bespoketailor #stitch #scottish #tailorsofinstagram

Ease-y does it! Rather than using darts on the waist of this #tartan skirt I have drawn the wool with rows of long stitches and shrunk the excess fabric away with steam and moisture. This technique is pretty time consuming but so satisfying, and particularly good for patterned wools as it prevents breaking up the motif with darts.
The only trouble is, if you shrink your skirt waist, you need to shrink your waistband to match. This picture shows one section of tartan waistband pre-shrunk (top) and the shrunk section (below). I've reduced the width of the check by about 5mm. It might seem like a lot of effort for such a small adjustment, but when all the tartan lines up it will definitely be worth it - to me at least! :) #bespoketailor #tailorsofinstagram #sewingtechniques #shrink #ease #wool #scotland #madeinglasgow #madeinscotland

Hand-quilting another silk scarf sweatshirt for @hannahcapella by lamplight on the stunning Argyle coast. #handcraft #bespoke #bespoketailor #quilting #quilted #libertyprint #libertyscarf #madeinscotland #argyle