Sunday 1 September 2013

Black, white, beads, stripes


 

 The pattern: McCalls 6646 (bodice only. The skirt was improvised by me)
 The fabric: Striped polished cotton - 40's? 50's? Who can tell me?
The location - My new kitchen!


 I op-shopped this polished cotton years ago and have been holding on to it wondering what to do with it. I wanted to use it for something special because it is just so wonderful. Finally I got sick of it wasting away in my fabric stash and decided to just use it. Surely anything I made with it would end up looking fabulous?


 It has a lovely little floral print which I wanted to bring out with perhaps some red shoulder straps or blue bows at the front. I couldn't decide so I went with the red ribbon sash.



It's removable and and it works. I'm pretty sure some red, or blue, shoes would look nice too.

Here it is without the ribbon.




Hey look! Matching nails. That works, too.


I feel like I look uncomfortable in these pictures (I was actually having fun!). 
Or maybe I look heavier. Do I have more of a chin?
I don't know. Maybe it's just these photos. *bangs head on desk*

The backdrop here is a bead curtain hanging in my new kitchen, in the doorway which leads to the laundry. I have always wanted a bead curtain.


Oh, oh! And I FIXED MY HAIR. Ding dong, the green hair is GONE. I really didn't want to try purple again and have the green come back to haunt me, so I just went with good old black.


The shaved side is still pink. It's a bit brighter now. I'm going to grow it out, but I'll keep dyeing it pink as it grows.


But back to my dress. I should mention how I made the skirt.
I cut the cotton into several 22" lengths, which I then stitched together to make one long piece. I gathered one long edge and stitched this to the waist of the bodice. This makes a skirt which is quite full but not floaty like a circle skirt (ie more wind-resistant). I'm starting to really love skirts like this because they can be made as gathered (or not) as one prefers.


Twirl, twirl.


The end.

24 comments:

  1. I cannot think of a more perfect fabric and shape. I love the nail polish matching.
    genius.
    Have a lovely Sunday, dear friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I thought the nails matched quite well too :)

      Delete
  2. Oh my, it's beautiful, absolutely beautiful and you look gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This style suits you to a T Miss C. Very vintage with a modern twist, which is my favourite way to dress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I like mixing modern with vintage too. I'm not hardcore enough for total vintage!

      Delete
  4. Oooo, I really do love this fabric. I'm glad you made it into something so we could see it! Also, love what you did with your hair. Very pretty! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sean! I'm glad I've made it too. And yes, finally my hair dramas are over :)

      Delete
  5. eeeeeeeeek! this is my favourite dress out of your collection. the fabric is to die for, the bodice looks awesome. it's perfection!!! well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe! Thank you. I never thought of my dresses as a collection before :)

      Delete
  6. AAAHHH!! I love it! That dress would make me feel like Snow White! That fabric is dreamy and I love the way the stripes work so well against the soft sweetheart neckline. Love.
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jamie! I wanted to think of a fantasy element to put in this dress but couldn't decide on one.

      Delete
  7. This dress is awesome! I love that fabric and the shape of the dress. I'm glad you sorted out your hair situation! I think the pink and black look cool. My hair is still a mess...

    You look great in these photos! No extra chin at all lol

    Mabel
    Life of Mabel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, thank you! I think I was having a bad face day or something. My skin is all breaking out in these photos too. And YES, my hair is finally sorted!

      Delete
  8. That fabric, my word, it's so fabulously bold, feminine and beautiful - redolent a bit of some of Betsey Johnson's delightful garments, too. Excellent job, dear gal - you look amazing!

    Happiest start of spring!
    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jessica! It's lovely fabric isn't it? I'm so glad I've finally used it. It's been perfectly warm here, Spring has well and truly sprung!

      Delete
  9. This is a wonderful fabric and a sweet dress
    It's gorgeous on you!
    Ah! hair! i'm growing mine too - It's bleachy beige blond now - Love it !
    I liked it when you had the very short bangs - very cute on you

    Arianex0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much - I had considered cutting my old fringe again but I still like the side fringe. Happy hair growing!

      Delete
  10. This is THE most beautiful dress!!!!!!!! The fabric is such a gorgeous combination of prints, and just the cut ahhh :3 I love the bodice especially!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The bodice took forever to get right but I think it was worth the effort :)

      Delete
  11. Thank you so much for your comment, it was so nice to know that you'd still be following/reading :3.

    You look so freaking amazing....this dress is something I would see in my dreams. You do not have more of a chin missy!!! Stop that!

    It's so good to go back and read your posts =] I've missed you soooo much

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I will stop fretting over my chin now :)

      Delete
  12. O, this frock is to DIE for gorgeous, and your boobage looks amazing!!! XXX

    ReplyDelete
  13. Favouritest frock EVEEER!!! If you ever go into business, this would be my first order!

    Sarah xxx

    ReplyDelete