Friday, November 30, 2012

Dress #308 Snowflake Gala

The annual UNICEF snowflake gala was this week and this would have been a good dress to wear. Sequins and rice paper.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Dress #307 Metallic Linen

This unusual fabric combines a metal thread and a linen one. I like it! It is sparkly but subtle, malleable yet soft, and altogether interesting. It worked into my classic silhouette easily. When I found the fabric, I considered it for the Opus Dei dress but it wasn't nearly as harsh as I feared. I'd use it as a trim on a jacket or sweater. Metallic linen, ribbon and a sparkly "buckle."


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Dress #306 Crème Brûlée

Walking past a cafe one evening, a couple was enjoying their dessert. In the lights, the burnt sugar looked just like beads, inspiring this dress. Beads, silk, and some glitter. 


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.


Monday, November 26, 2012

Dress #304 Classic

This is new fabric---directly from Hong Kong, and the black is the perfect drape for this scale of dress! Unfortunately, you can't really tell in this dress or photograph. Fabric, ribbon, and a sparkly bibelot from who-knows-where.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Dress #303 Gold Leaf

More of my favorite little punched leaves, and an uneven hem as in so many dresses I see recently. Polyester organza, and gold foil leaves.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Dress #302 Leftovers

What is Thanksgiving weekend without leftovers? These are all fabrics that have been used on other dresses recently. The little bead pin is new. Cotton, cord, and a bead.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Dress #301 Black Friday

Today marks the beginning of Christmas shopping season. The turtleneck is for black ink on the bottom line, and the star motif represents the stars in the eyes of the merchants. Cotton, double faced ribbon, and some tiny ball chains.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Dress #300 Dress-up Thanksgiving Dinner

A dress for going out for dinner today at a fancier restaurant. Silk from one of my favorite blouses of years ago, velvet ribbon, and a cobbled together brooch.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Dress #299 Hometown Values

A good dress for the Thanksgiving holiday! Lovely aqua and taupe, and any fabric with words pleases me immensely. Cotton fabric from the Sweetwater Hometown fabrics collection, and a snippet of ribbon.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Dress #298 Thanksgiving Day Dance

Autumm colors and ruffles for the Thanksgiving Day Dance at the country club. At the Impressionism and Fashion exhibit, there was a dress with layered ruffles of lace and satin. This is my interpretation of that---and the fact that I didn't have enough of the diamond patterned ribbon. Ribbon, paper, and yarn from Eileen!


Monday, November 19, 2012

Dress #297 Bi-Colored Jacket

Black and tan, and over a batik design sleeveless dress. Cotton fabric and paper.


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Dress #296 Vector Dots

Back to work tomorrow. I like the slight ruching on one side, but this is just a simple dress silhouette. Sometimes, just the fabric makes the dress.


Saturday, November 17, 2012

Dress #295 Cooking for Company

When you are wearing a nice dress, an apron protects it from spills and spatters. Actually, I just loved the apple fabric but didn't want to use it for a complete dress. Paper dress with stitching, apron from cotton fabric.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Dress #294 Tailored Brocade

Silver and gray brocade ribbon make this a dressy, and tailored, dress. Ribbon and cotton.


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!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Dress #292 Mille-feuille

Mille-feuille (thousand leaves) is also a pastry. I painted watercolors in autumn colors, and punched out maple and oak leaves. Paper, watercolors, ribbon. I love this dress.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Dress #291 Solar Eclipse

There was a solar eclipse today in the southern hemisphere, providing the inspiration for today's dress. Gold foil paper, cotton, and a velvet ribbon as if the sun were hugging the moon.


Monday, November 12, 2012

Dress #290 Aurora Borealis

The northern lights have been visible in many places where they are not normally seen this summer. I saw them a couple of time in Minnesota as a child, but missed them this year. I cobbled together several things to finally achieve close to the look I wanted. Blue metallic paper, black chiffon, iridescent sheer ribbon, and a brown sheer fabric with "stars."

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Dress #289 Remembrance Day

Whether you call it Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Veteran's Day, it all means the same: a grateful prayer for those who have defended liberty in the armed forces of their countries. Thank you. Dark blue cotton and khaki belt to represent as many uniforms as possible, and, of course, the symbolic poppy.


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Dress #288 Tea Dress

This is made from an Ikea paper napkin. I liked the motif of the tea and pastry. Silk ribbon belt.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Dress #287 LBD

A little black dress with a little bit of white trim. Cotton fabric and a piece of embroidered trim.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Dress #286 Sterling Silver

Eileen and I were reminiscing about Sterling Silver roses today. If weather conditions were right, they were a lovely shade of lavender gray. This fabric is nearly the right color, and I painted a little rose for the embellishment.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Dress #285 Fuzzy Sweater

Just a sweater and pencil skirt, but the belt takes it up a notch. With tall boots, or tights and flats, it looks great for business.


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Dress #284 Suede Yoke

A great work dress for when you want to look feminine yet still very business-like. Fabric, originally from France and a scrap of Ultrasuede.

Dress #283 Experimental Influence

I love the fabric and I felt like trying something new today. However, the fabric was not printed on the true grain, and it made it difficult to use. Fabric and a couple of scrapbooking brads.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Dress #282 French for Dress

This is just for fun. I named some of the dress parts in French. Patterns used to have the French and Spanish as well as English. Is that still true? French for dress is robe. This is a fiber paper from Nepal,  ribbon, and a Sharpie. When I die, please wrap me in kraft paper! I love the stuff.




Saturday, November 3, 2012

Dress #281 Navy and Camel

Another silk print from an old tie. The tie silks are so lovely, and the scale is appropriate for these dresses. This one is a favorite color combination as well.


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.


Thursday, November 1, 2012