I have completed my 'Frocktober' challenge - three dresses by end of October. I have one to work in, one to lunch in and now one simply to relax. My dress was made with Sydney summer in mind, a light silk billowy sort of dress that catches the sea breeze. I used silk bought from the Remnant Warehouse for $2.50 a metre.
The old adage "you get what you pay for" is true you know. The fabric I can only describe as Lohanic. Like its namesake Lindsay it is beautiful but cheap and difficult to control. Also like its namesake my Lohanic dress has gone through several style changes. I made one bodice, beaded it with bronze pieces and shook my head. Mini-me said it looked cheap and tacky. I agreed with her. I bought deep red rickrack for a new bodice I cut, but decided to reserve it for another use. I made the ruffles and loved them. Mini me and I were in rare agreement on style issues.
Initially I made the pintucks prescribed by the pattern. They were as crooked as Lindsay on a Saturday night. I couldn't bring myself to go through all that pinning and basting again, so I shirred the front. Hence the lazy girl tag.
I intended to make a maxi dress. I've not worn a maxi since the 70s and felt silly and fat in that riot of red and orange. Mini-me said leave it long but subconsciously I didn't agree and had a cutting accident with the hem that forced me to crop it mid calf. Much more flattering for me.
Will I make this again? You bet! Next time a top in high quality indigo coloured linen bought from Tessutis. With pintucks!Next up I have promised Mini-me two new bikinis, but don't expect pictures.
Love the style and print. Okay...I am slow...just read the frockober title. Very funny. Will there be a frockember? Keep it going girl!
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks lovely and cool for our hot summer days and love the reference.
ReplyDeleteA very nice dress and I love the style. The fabric colors and print look pretty!
ReplyDeleteToo bad the fabric was so difficult, but it is very pretty. Enjoy wearing your dress!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Perfect for summer, and I bet the colors look great on you. "Lohanic" - that's too funny!
ReplyDeleteComparing this dress to Lindsey is just so funny! I bet you can think of more ways...
ReplyDeleteThe dress is gorgeous. Makes me all the more sad that we're going towards winter-weather. I'd love to be able to wear a dress like that right now!
Love the analogy! This dress is so pretty and floaty.
ReplyDeleteLohanic --- very clever and very funny! Congrats on completing the frocktober challenge with three wonderful creations. This one reminds me of summer, which makes me kind of sad right now because the weather is becoming cooler here in California. I love all three of them, but I guess my favorite is the luncheon one --- so elegant!
ReplyDeleteThis fabric is an amazingly print, and I adore the colours! This dress will be absolutely perfect for summer! You will make a beautiful counterpoint alongside the blues and azures of the ocean and/or swimming pool...
ReplyDeleteLohanic...I was just thinking that I didn't know what this word meant and was wondering if I was too lazy to go and look it up...and then I kept reading...hilarious! Everybody probably needs a Lohanic dress or two...yours is a pretty colour. I like the ruffles.
ReplyDeleteI love the vibrant fabric. I imagine those colors look very nice with your blond hair.
ReplyDeleteI love the shirring! I think that is a fantastic idea! And what a wonderful dress for summer (although it feels funny to say that, since I just turned the heat on here!)
ReplyDeleteI don't know who you are talking about, but I do like the dress. These colours are good for your colouring, I think. Impressed by your shirring.
ReplyDeleteGail- we got some trick-or-treaters here too!! We didn't even answer the door, bah humbug and all that, but I confess it creeps me out too, like Handmade commented on my post too. I would never have allowed my children to go doorknocking, begging for food, which is basically what it is... and am nervous about what the "trick" means too...
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful fabric. I loved the analogy between it and Ms. Lohan. Very funny. I think the shirring is a much easier alternative to pintucks in a difficult fabric. Great idea. I'll bet the dress looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteI think I like the shirring more than I'd like the pintucks. It's a but more casual for this easy, breezy dress. Love that fabric!!
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks lovely, the colours are stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress - I love the floaty summer vibe it is giving out! The fabric is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress, very summery and floaty, I love it! but .... I want to see pictures of the bikinis! With nothing inside, if you are uncomfortable wearing They, I want, I want ...
ReplyDeleteReally pretty. I think the shirring is more my style than the pintucks - nice call. :)
ReplyDeleteThe fabric may have been cheap, but the dress is certainly pretty. Glad you were able to save it.
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