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23.2.11

Green Garden Dress

Youngest son:  Mum, are you going to wear high heels today?
Me:  I don't know yet.
Youngest son:  Are you going to wear a dress?
Me:  Yes, I'm going to wear my new green dress.
Youngest son:  You can wear your green high heels then.

They are all in training around here!


This is a close-up of the fabric of my new, green dress.  The fabric was a bit of a lucky dip.  I was picking up remnants from Little Workers one holiday.  None of the remnants had much "bolt" appeal.  Thery were all tightly wrapped into little rolls.  I pulled out a few green and yellow pieces for only a couple of dollars each.  When I got home and unwrapped the fabric, I was delighted to find this rose print.


I am also wearing my new necklace, bought with birthday money from my Mum.  Thanks Mum!


Here is the dress.  The top half is from the pattern I drafted when trying to sew Vogue 1174 last year.  Now that I have made it with contrast piping, I am not sure that the piping lines are all that flattering for a small bust.  The fabric is lightweight cotton, so I thought a gathered skirt would be best.  The skirt is a rectangle, gathered about 2:1, using my cheap gathering foot.  

I did build a foundation and included a waist stay; however, the dress did not go together as nicely as I would have liked.  The piping is cheap and nasty stuff from Spotlight.  It buckled and waved when I sewed it in.  I trying putting a little tension on it, but then I ended up with the fabric gathering onto the piping.  Not every day is a couture day, so I decided to go with the satisfaction of completing a project quickly rather than labour over the details. 

I also wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the earthquakes in Christchurch.  It seems a frivolity to talk about clothing when such events are occuring.  Water and power are the priorities and I wish I could send you some of ours.  Flood, cyclones, bushfires and earthquakes.  It has been a hard start to the year for many.



12 comments:

  1. Bernice23 February 2011 at 19:33

    The colour of the dress looks lovely on you and goes perfectly with your shoes. Was this photo taken this morning? It is bucketing down here. Hope it fines up in time for the weekend.

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  2. Mary Nanna23 February 2011 at 20:05

    Love this on you - gorgeous - I had to blow up the photo in search of some non-couture finishing as promised. Disappointed - it all looks top notch to me. Such a great use of that fabric, colour's good for you too - in the traditional era of colour coding I'm guessing you were a spring?

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  3. kbenco24 February 2011 at 01:48

    This is really pretty on you. I had to look for the non couture finishing too, but like Mary Nanna, I was disappointed. (Hmm, peculiar interest in other's difficulties, must improve my character) . Obviously you can master even nasty Spotlight piping. I am impressed.

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  4. liza jane24 February 2011 at 04:06

    I love the green shoes and blue necklace paired with your dress. I think green may be your color.

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  5. Gail24 February 2011 at 14:08

    Oh my that is nice and your little stylish is spot on. Is the blue necklace by Elk? I collect their pieces. You are so right about Christchurch. I spent a lot of time there when I was about 18 and was most shocked by the Cathederal. It was a meeting place. The loss of life is totally overwhelming.

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  6. Amanda S.24 February 2011 at 15:54

    It looks like a winner to me! What a beautiful green color and the white piping really pops. Love the necklace too!

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  7. Joy24 February 2011 at 18:08

    Not every day is a couture day. Love that quote. And I haven't even done piping (well, piping on sofas doesn't count...)

    But the dress is lovely. Everyday couture?

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  8. cherri25 February 2011 at 03:12

    THAT'S BEAUTIFUL! I love the colour and the style is great for you. The shoes are fantastic too.

    I wonder if your trim buckled b/c it was not cut on grain? Just a thought...not that you can see the imperfection anyway!

    Gorgeous work as per usual.

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  9. Gabrielle28 February 2011 at 04:10

    Fancy having matching shoes - what a coup! This dress looks lovely on you (what a lucky fabric score), and I have to agree with everyone else that I couldn't see the imperfections - even up close :-)

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  10. Carolyn1 March 2011 at 23:18

    This dress is gorgeous, and I can't see anything wrong with the piping either! Don't be to hard on yourself! The necklace looks fabulous, great colours together.

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  11. Carolyn1 March 2011 at 23:22

    That typo should read "too hard' sorry...

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  12. Leslie V6 March 2011 at 21:02

    I like your blue and green combination, and your son was right on it when he said wear the green shoes. It's a very pretty outfit.

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