From Deseret News archives:
Bridal business is a perfect fit
Springville mother sews custom gowns, costumes
"Return of the Jedi" costume? "I can do that," Mulligan says.
Elaborate Italian Renaissance gown? No problem.
A replica of the dress supermodel Heidi Klum wore to the 2008 Oscars? Just give her four hours, some silk and a pair of scissors.
Between her custom wedding dress business, Eve's Bridal, and selling personalized costumes on eBay, the Springville mother of four gets lots of practice designing and sewing made-to-order clothing.
One day last week Mulligan fit four brides and put together two wedding dresses. She started at 7 a.m. and finished at 9:30 p.m., only taking a break to drop off her two sons at Cub Scouts and cook dinner for a sick friend.
"It was a marathon day," she said Thursday, busily snipping away at a piece of lace for use on the replica of Klum's dress, which she plans to display at the Utah Wedding Show Saturday.
Days like this aren't uncommon for the seamstress, though. Mulligan and her husband work full time on the sewing business, which is based in their home. He handles Internet sales, shipping and keeps an eye on the children.
"It just sort of happened," Mulligan said.
But neither is complaining.
"I love sewing," Mulligan said. "There is just something gratifying in taking a flat piece of fabric and, in a matter of hours, having something to wear."
Mulligan started sewing fantasy costumes to earn cash to put her children in swimming lessons in 2004. Within two days, she had too many orders to handle by herself, so she recruited women from her LDS ward in Kanosh to help cut things out.
Those women, who are mostly stay-at-home mothers looking for spending money, kept the costumes coming while Mulligan put her focus on starting her bridal business in Springville.
The goal for Eve's Bridal, Mulligan said, is to make it possible for brides to design their own "perfect dress." In addition to copying designer gowns for a fraction of the cost, she can also mix and match necklines with sleeve and skirt styles.
Mulligan hasn't encountered a dress she couldn't tackle.
It only takes her a minute to analyze a photo of a dress, figuring out where the seams need to go. After all, she's been altering patterns since she was 10 years old. Her mother taught her to alter patterns from the '60s and '70s to fit the current fashions.
She gets excited when someone brings her an idea that looks complicated.
"I love a challenge," Mulligan said. "It's more fun that way."
For more information, visit evesbridalboutique.com.
E-mail: estuart@desnews.com
Comments
- T-giving weekend, minus Skins Game 2:33 p.m.
- Antarctic icebergs head for N.Zealand 2:30 p.m.
- Rates could feed speculative bubble 2:25 p.m.
- Teams still alive for BCS at-large bids 2:21 p.m.
- Woman describes stabbing, killing 2:05 p.m.
- Stocks retreat on reports 1:45 p.m.
- Bills consider Shanahan for coach 1:42 p.m.
- Mitchell's attorneys file to withdraw 1:29 p.m.
- King Kong figurine sold in UK 1:01 p.m.
- Turkey tips from experts 12:59 p.m.
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- Boys basketball rankings
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
220 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU would like friendlier rivalry
162 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
157 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
136 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
134 - BYU records with win
132 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103
How many times have we heard this? True it is your time to shine, but will...
Our politicians want power and to stay in power and all the perks that come...
Watch those computer rankings next Sunday, I think you'll have a problem...
use something like a football rivalry to excuse behavioral deficiencies like...
In this article it is implied that BYU is going to win. You read it. I just...
How could any lawyer live with him/herself after defending such a jack!!!!...
who writes "If you are TRULY faithful, then there is no question to where ANY...
In Switzerland, healthcare is still less expensive at 11.6% of GDP vs. 15.3%...
Lets hope that these three players are used frequently during the rivalry...
BYU- 37 Utah- 17




You can be the first to comment on this story.