As a fashion designer and sometime seamstress, getting the perfect fit of my garments on my models during a photo shoot or fashion show is not always an easy thing. Many times I have to do a last minute nip-n-tuck adjustment to hem a pant leg, conceal underarm perspiration, or repair a snap closure in order to pull it off for the cameras and spectators. Time is of the essence and no matter how prepared I am, there is always something that comes up.

Over the years I have learned to control what I can, be flexible with what I cant, and have fun with it all. A few of the things that have made that a lot easier are Dritz Dungaree Buttons, Stitch Witchery Fusible Bonding, and Kleinerts Dress Shields. Because when the music begins and the cameras are ready, my models have to be too. Here are a few tips that have helped create just the right look without all the fuss.

Hemming a pant or skirt:

Stitch Witchery makes a nice fusible bonding web just for such an occasion. A narrow strip of tape and a little bit of heated pressure can create just the right length on a bottom that is too long for him or her. Use it for sleeves, dresses,or anywhere you want to hike it up. Though intended for permanent application and therefore washable, Stitch Witchery fusible bonding web is a great item for both personal and professional usage. There is also a NON-permanent hemming tape for a reversible application called Insta-Hem that works well for temporary fabric manipulation.

Nothing is more of a turnoff than a beautiful woman in an awesome red silk dress with sweat stains under her armpits. And nothing is as challenging as trying to keep models cool in their fashionable wears when they are posing under bright lights and flickering cameras during all day photo shoots. One quick and easy way I stumbled on to conceal any unwanted perspiration and add confidence in front of the camera and off is Kleinerts Dress Shields. Around since 1869 and available in an assorted pack of universally sized regular, crescent, jiffy and pin-in styles, these sanitized dress Shields offer hygienic freshness and the added reassurance I need and my models want. Whats even better is that just by washing them in a little detergent and some warm water, I can reuse them over and over. Saving time and money never felt so good.

We have all suffered the embarrassment and frustration that can come from a missing blouse button or pant snap. Aside from possibly revealing some very private parts, it can have us fishing for unsightly safety pins, prickly straight pins, or a favorite one from one of my more creative models, a clip on hair accessory. Luckily I caught wind of a simpler and more efficient application that not only works great, but does not require any sewing what so ever. Dritz Dungaree buttons look like the old school buttons on Levi brand jeans. They attach like a snap with tension, and are best suited as substitutes for snaps specifically. For buttons, Maggies No Sew Buttons is a thrifty and efficient way to handle those buttons hanging on their last thread, literally.