Showing posts with label lace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lace. Show all posts

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Dress #366 Finale

Well, here it is. My last dress. And yes, it is, in the tradition of the old couture shows, a wedding dress. Fabric, lace, ruffles and pearls in a sophisticated silhouette for my finale. I am both happy and sad that my year is complete. I've enjoyed nearly every moment---admittedly, there were times I didn't want to make a dress. In general, though, once I started, I enjoyed the creative process. What have I learned from this endeavor? 1.) I like fabric, but using paper as fabric was a new pleasure for me. 2.) I found it very difficult to not accept suggestions from others. I like to please, but I wanted this to be entirely my own creativity. 3.) The more you do, the more ideas you have. 4.) Recognition and praise is addicting and terrifying. 5.) It is impossible to me to work neatly. 6.) Waists really make dresses look good! 7.) A little glitz makes me very happy. 8.) Every dress idea produced ideas for other projects. I intend to document those project on this blog as this next year unfolds. 9.) 366 is a lot of little dresses! and 10.) Blogging about a commitment is an excellent motivator.

For all of you who have followed along for the year, thank you. I appreciate all those page views, and if you've made comments, please know that they meant the world to me. Eileen, thank you for sending me the care package of ribbons when I realized I'd left my collection at home. Sandy, thank you for your dialog with  me about how I would display and share them when I finished, and for inviting me to come and speak at your group. Anticipating that presentation will keep me from feeling bereft at the loss of the daily "happy hour." And mostly important, thank you, Jeff, for putting up with the mess, and supporting me 100% all year long. Never did you groan or complain about the money or the effort. Thank you everyone!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Dress #362 I Love Paris

Vichy fabric---what in the States is gingham---a tiny Eiffel Tower and crocheted white lace trim. All this makes a very Paris looking dress. I will tell you, however, that I have never seen anything made of gingham here in France. But as the song goes, "Why, oh why do I love Paris? Because my love is here."

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dress #361 Red and Black Lace

Red top with black lace overlay, and a sheer black skirt. I'll take this over a little black dress any day. Fabric, lace, and ribbon.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Dress #347 Lace and Ruffles

Just a simple blouse and skirt for today. OK, I guess if the skirt is completely covered with lace ruffles, and the blouse is satin, lace and ruffles, it isn't in the simple category. I love this one!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Dress #338 More of the Same

Not wanting to give up completely, I tried yesterday's lace as the skirt for this dress. The solid gray bodice gives a younger look, and I think I like this one. I'm glad all of that lace is gone! Lace, fabric, and scrapbooking sparkles.


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Dress #337 White with Silver Lace

I just don't know about this one---it isn't quite what I had in mind. Should it be for a very formal New Year's Eve, or should we save it for the Inaugural?

Friday, December 28, 2012

Dress #336 Camel and Gray

Camel and gray is just a softened version of black and tan, putting it on my list of favorites. This dress is inspired by fabrics I bought to make a dress for myself. Usually the inspiration is the other way around! Lace and a wool blend fabric.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Dress #315 Pink and Black

This dress has been in my mind for several months, but I didn't have any pink fabric at hand. I bought the fabric for another dress, and made this one as well. Fabric and lace---my favorite combination.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Dress #305 Monet Inspiration

This dress is rather loosely inspired by at least one of the Monet works in the Impressionism and Fashion exhibit. I guess when you are inspired by dresses from that era, it should be no surprise that the dress itself looks a bit old-fashioned. Wool gauze (that raveled like crazy!), lace and ribbon.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Dress #293 Beaujolais Nouveau

On the third Thursday in November, the Beaujolais Nouveau arrives! I dyed the lace to match the silk dupioni in the Baltimore atelier earlier in the year, not knowing when it would be used. I saw the posters for tonight's celebration, and knew the right fabric for the dress!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Dress #280 Lace Bib

I'm surprised at how different a lace motif looks when it is isolated and turned upside down. Almost like an Aztec sun god. Cotton, lace and ribbon.


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Dress #277 Candy Corn

Obviously inspired by candy corn, this dress is just white lace painted with acrylics for the orange and yellow. A fun and cute party dress!


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Dress #179 Black Lace and Linen

I like the combination of the black lace with the linen, but is it too somber? Or is it elegant?


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dress #174 Greenery

I like the idea of lace overlay on a plain dress. This is an Urban Threads design, embroidered on tulle, and cut to fit. The fabric is more of the vintage hanky from Eileen.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Dress #130 Diamond Jubilee

Today's dress is inspired by the celebrations in London for Queen Elizabeth II. This dress is embroidered on netting which yields a lovely soft and drape-y fabric. The belt is a tennis bracelet that I don't wear anymore. Yes, real diamonds.


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

Dress #101 Gala at the Met

Tonight is the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One could wear this dress, although most are more glitzy. Technically, this dress is made of a new novelty yarn designed for knitting a ruffly scarf. I'll use it for trim on a sweater rather than a scarf.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Dress #83 Linen and Lace

I love the juxtaposition of the rough linen with the smooth, feminine lace. In this scale, the linen almost looks like burlap---another favorite fabric.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Dress #67 Lacey Sandpaper

The other day I was sharpening a paper punch by punching ultra-fine sandpaper, and the result pleased me. Obviously, it wouldn't be comfortable to wear, but just think: you'd never need look for an emery board.