She started off making outfits for Barbie dolls and now dressmaker Mandy Clark can turn her hand to anything from rock chick bridal gowns to Civil War military wear.

"Istarted sewing as a child. My mum was a dressmaker and I used to pinch off-cuts of material to make dolls' clothes. I remember sticking pins into Barbies!" she recalls.

"After school I worked in a Bradford bridal shop, Brides and Bells, for a while and started making costumes for the English Civil War Society. A friend became a member and dragged me along - I ended up taking part in battle reenactments, firing muskets and cannons across the country.

"I made everything from banqueting costumes to military and everyday wear, all from my own patterns because you can't buy Civil War patterns from shops!

I worked on history books from the library and went to a costume exhibition to see how they were made.

"I seem to have a flair for creating patterns and picking up different styles.

When you make clothes you develop a feel for fabrics."

After taking a BTec in dressmaking, fashion and design at Bradford College, Mandy opened a bridal shop, Big and Beautiful, with her mum Chris in Shipley. Now called Beautiful Brides at Big and Beautiful, it moved to new premises in Briggate, Shipley, in February.

"From when we first opened we specialised in sizes from 10 to 34, " says Mandy. "Nobody else was catering for larger brides back then, so many ladies must have gone away from bridal shops feeling disappointed and alienated.

"It's getting better now, with more places recognising that not all brides are stick thin. This year's T&A bridal fair was brilliant - it featured size 16 wedding dresses. But there's still a huge pressure on brides to slim for their big day and many places have surcharges for larger sizes. We make a point of not doing that.

"It's lovely working with brides because weddings are such happy occasions, but it's also a huge responsibility to get the dress just right. How a bride looks and feels is such an important part of the day, and something that stays with her forever in wedding photographs."

Mandy also makes bridesmaid gowns for larger sizes: "Bridesmaids are varying shapes and sizes. They don't always look right dressed like bookends, " she says. "We can adapt bridesmaids' gowns to suit each individual, with just slight alterations but still matching overall. If your bridesmaids are comfortable in their dresses they're more likely to look happy in the photographs."

Mandy works closely with brides who want a say in the design of their dress.

"We can order them but we also make and design them, " she says. "The most popular style is strapless with an Edwardian drape. Little touches of colour are coming in - lilacs and pinks.

Many people say they want a white dress but I try to encourage a bit of colour.

"The Victorians introduced the white wedding. It was virginal and formal, like they were in mourning. Before then wedding gowns were more colourful.

"One of the more unusual gowns I designed was a black denim corset embroidered with ivory beads for a rock chick's wedding. I've also had requests for Celtic gowns."

Mandy designed her own wedding dress. It was long and red - "very Morticia Adams" she laughs. "I also design headwear. Diamond tiaras are still popular but we're also doing lots of feathers in tiaras, combs and bouquets."

Mandy advises budding dressmakers to take a design and dressmaking BTec at Bradford College.

"You learn pattern-cutting and dressmaking skills, as well as textile studies.

You need to have an eye for colour, balance and composition."

Mandy also creates a variety of period costumes for West Riding Opera, based in Leeds.

"I met an opera singer in the shop seven years ago and through her I got involved with the company. When their wardrobe mistress pulled I had just eight weeks to dress an entire production. I've made everything from Biblical robes to saris."

For more information about Bradford College courses ring (01274) 433004.