Timely Memory

I’m going to an anniversary party where we have been asked to dress to the theme of “weddings”. After much thought and rejecting a few tempting ideas, I settled on making a new dress to go with my “wedding hat”. I didn’t get married in it, but I have worn it to a lot of weddings. It’s such a happy little confection of a hat.

After the first wedding or two (but many years ago), I made a bag to go with it. The hat is straw with straw and cotton embroidery. The bag is coarse raw silk, embroidered in cotton and lined with coral pink dupion silk. I was pretty pleased with the approximate match. My embroidery is really a bit too neat to match the hat properly!

Packing for the trip, I suddenly remembered the bag. It had fallen out of my head. Very glad I remembered it’s existence in time to use it.

Pictures of the new dress are being withheld until after it’s debut.

Overall Dress

New dress just finished, and accidentally being written up on my second blogiversary. Doesn’t look much on the hanger but I think it might get a lot of wear. I was after a cross between a pinafore dress and a pair of overalls. I reckon it worked. The pattern is a cross between several I’ve used lately. The fabric is a charcoal almost denim. It has some synthetic component, which I wasn’t seeking. I’ve heard this sort of thing called “travel denim”. So I’ll enjoy the good  it offers (less creasing, faster drying) and try not to buy any more.

The front bodice has a big pocket, with a narrow section for pens and things even. It also serves to make the darts less noticeable. The back is narrowed to make the straps sit more securely, and to reduce heat capture. I want to be able to wear this in warm weather as well as cool.

 

I’m pleased with how the bodice fits. The skirt is just a little fuller than it needs to be. I didn’t crop this picture because I quite liked the accidental composition. Stripes, colours, placement. That’s Rufus the draft excluding fox on the chair. I’m not into stuffed animals but he was a gift from my brother and earns his place by being all of: sentimental, appealing and useful.

See, pockets!