Friday, December 26, 2014

Dress, memory


In showing you this dress, I am reminded of Lorelei Vashti's coming of age memoir Dress, memory. It recounts the dresses worn for significant events over a decade, every dress with a memory stitched into it of the events and people involved.

This dress was made for a happy occasion, my niece's wedding.  However, etched into its stitches are both happiness and sadness.  Tragically, my much loved brother-in-law passed away the night before the wedding.  He had been gravely ill for three years.  In Jewish tradition, the wedding went ahead and was a beautiful celebration of his life and the positive hopes for the future for his daughter and new son-in-law.

The dress is also a reminder of the wonderful holiday I had in Italy with my daughter.  The silk panels were bought for many Euros in Rome.  

I've used Burda Style 9/2012 134 - A Matthew Williamson design.  The only change I made was to raise the v-shaped back as the original was not bra friendly.

While I've employed couture techniques, including silk organza underlining and hand stitched bemberg rayon lining, I'm not sure I can bear to wear it again. 
It will hang in the back of my closet, and every now and again I'll touch it and remember my brother-in-law and close friend.

24 comments:

  1. What a wonderful dress, you look amazing, Gail! Maybe you'll return to it in a few years. It will certainly never go out of style! I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. My heartfelt condolences.

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  2. That is very special , thank you for sharing that story. The dress is lovely and what a lovely way to remember you brother in law .

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  3. This dress has such o mobing story stitched in that I can understand it is hard yo wear. Gorgeous fabric as always with you . This pattern is on my to do list for 2015.

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  4. Very moving story. The dress is striking.

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  5. Its also a happy dress - a wedding, a trip to Europe and the celebration of a life of a friend. It is a beautiful dress and you look lovely in it.

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  6. Wonderful dress that you look wonderful in. Thanks for sharing your memories.

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  7. Before I reached the part about your BIL's death, my first thought about the dress and fabric print was of a phoenix rising from the flames. My condolences on your loss.

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  8. It's a beautiful dress - my thoughts go out to you and your family during such a difficult time.

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  9. This is a stunning dress. Hopefully, one day you will be able to wear this dress with peaceful memories of the friendship and time spent with with your brother in law.

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  10. Beautiful dress - so sorry for your loss, take care.

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  11. What a beautiful dress.... I am sorry for your loss

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  12. It's a beautiful dress and hopefully you will be able to wear the dress with the good memories it holds.

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  13. What a beautiful dress. I hope you can find it in yourself to wear it again because it is lovely and deserves to be shown off.

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  14. Beautiful dress, You found the perfect pattern to showcase the panels. Sorry for your loss. It was uplifting to read that the wedding included a celebration of your BIL's life.

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  15. Take it out in a few years and wear it as a celebration of his life. Do the mourning first. It's a stunning dress and the fabric! the fabric!

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  16. Spot on Carmen, this beautiful dress is full of precious memories and a celebration of his life and friendship. Thank you for sharing. :)

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  17. This is certainly a stunning dress and you should keep it to preserve the memories it brings you.

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  18. I'm so sorry for your loss Gail. Your dress is so beautiful, and I think it's absolutely appropriate that a garment so special triggers the memories of someone very special to you as well as bringing back that wonderful holiday with your daughter - your dress is much more than fabric and pattern.

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  19. That must have been a day of very mixed emotions. The dress and fabric are absolutely stunning and I hope that in time you will be able to wear it again.

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  20. Beautiful dress... celebrating beautiful person and joyous times. It is a testament.

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  21. Sorry for your loss and happy for the newly wedded couple. Your dress is outstanding. Perfect marrying of pattern and fabric. You are absolutely gorgeous.

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