Somebody call Guinness (or better yet, pour me one) because I'M ALL WORDED OUT. I don't even have a catchy title in me.
I mean, I've been making this dress since last July. First it was my birthday dress, then anniversary dress, now it's a candidate for New Year's Eve...
(I say "candidate" because I haz made a secret pajamas maxi dress. YOU GUYS ARE SO TOTALLY BANG ON RIGHT ABOUT THIS SECRET PAJAMAS THING. It is currently the front runner.)
Don't be sad, dress. You will be worn.
Honestly, I'm glad it took me this long-- firstly, because a big beautiful box of Ruggy's Grandmother's hats were waiting for me on our holiday trip. Secondly, on Christmas Day, it was a balmy 65 degrees, and when I decided to gussy up on the spur of the moment, Ruggy took one look at me, took the tripod out of my hands, and happily tromped around the yard with me.
We ended up out by the shed for a shoot. SO GLAMOROUS! This Italian silk is actually crying at its lot in life. Seriously, dress, I promise you'll be worn in a real life situation, not involving wet gravel or peacock poop. (Yes, that bird is still hanging around.)
Shall I talk about the actual dress for a minute? Yes, let's do. It's the Burdastyle bustier dress, included in the no-longer-available Craftsy bombshell course. This time I refitted the bodice and did most of the steps on my own, referencing the course to be sure I was on the right track. Although it's nice to have all the info you need in one series of videos, if you're itching to make a dress like this, you can certainly get by piecing together info from the world web webby web. And Susan Khalje's courses on Craftsy & on her site are, no surprise, brilliant.
Having very little speech left about this dress, I have no way to smoothly segue into the painted aspect. Ahem. Using jacquard paints, fabric markers, and healthy helping of cocktails, I painted onto this digitally printed silk, when the white flowers proved too prominent for the shape of the dress. You can play where's waldo if you like-- they're all pink hued!
(answer: one in the right upper bust cup, and two on the skirt (right waistline, and almost smack bang center.)
THAT'S IT! I HAVE NO END!
It's beautiful! And your hair and hat - love. I hope it gets a nice night out soon! :)
ReplyDeleteI DO TOO. thank you gillian!
DeleteLove it! Worth the perseverance! It fits like a glove and the large print really shows off the design lines without looking too cut up.
ReplyDeleteamanda, when you comment i KNOW i've done well, so thank you! i ought to post a pic of the layout, i went to a lot of trouble to avoid it looking cut up.
DeleteI'm speechless. You look like everything 2016 is hoping to be.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful compliment, thank you tasha!
DeleteI dream of hats. Like, actually dream of them. You look stunning. And, this dress looks like it could stand up on it's on. Awesome.
ReplyDeletei swear, these are the best compliments ever. HOW IS RUGGY GOING TO STAND ME. thank you! i ought to bring you one of these gems, you'd have an excellent night's sleep.
DeleteYou rocked that background to perfection - peacock poop be dayumed! It's a lovely dress, styled perfectly and so you! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletethank you carolyn!!! of course, ruggy was on the ground to get that perfect shot ;)))
DeleteOHHHH!!!!! That is so YOU!!! And the fascinator...what a wonderful find from Grandma. No doubt Ruggy happily tromped around the yard with you. I remember this fabric - excellent job/choice/execution.
ReplyDeleteAnd one must tolerate the peacock because we all are part peacock aren't we? We do what we want - when we want and we always look glorious doing it...no matter what!
thank you! and that is some peacock TRUTH. maybe that's why that damned bird follows me around the house, he knows we're two of a kind!
DeleteThe dress and the lady beautiful, I love the hat set the whole ensemble prefect fully.
ReplyDeletethank you sharon! i was so happy to unwrap that fascinator, they were made for each other.
DeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous...The dress too!
ReplyDeleteIt's really gorgeous Marcy! I love the print and the little netted fascinator is the perfect accessory.
ReplyDeleteStunner. I love this bustier pattern so much. I used it on my Brazilian birthday dress which totally feels like we got sister dresses from another mother!
ReplyDeletewe do! i feel like we should make one of these every year.
DeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteLove this dress -- such a gorgeous print!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're a stunner! Love the dress. Love the fabric. Love the hair. Love it all!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my god, gorgeous! No wonder Ruggy didn't mind taking pics, he no doubt wanted a good look!
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!!! Holy.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have enough superlatives for this dress but I'll give a shot: gregariously glamorous, smashingly stylish and pin point perfection.
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! Hope your pretty dress gets the chance to shine in public sometime soon!
ReplyDeleteOona, I recommend you take your Italian Silk's tears with a pinch of salt. Italians are such Prima Donnas (and the Primi Uomini are even worse!!!)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, you artista you!
Happy Hols,
Baci Sxx
sarsaparillasal.blogspot.com
HAHA! they truly are!! thankya, lovely lady :)
DeleteHa ha. The dress is gorgeous. Your photoshoot makes me think you should be on the set of Green Acres. :)
ReplyDeleteyou've pretty much nailed it!
DeleteSo worth all the effort!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad I spotted your hidden answer to which flowers you'd painted - I remembered you posting about a boob flower that was white, but thought it might be a bit inappropriate to stare at your boobs to try and work out which flower was coloured in!
oh, i think boobs and crotches are fair game in our world ;)
DeleteBeautiful dress! Secret pajamas?
ReplyDeletecoming soon!
DeleteGreat dress and fabric! I love that you painted it. And the peacock of whom you speak is a real bird? I wish he had posed with you.
ReplyDeletehe is! he lurks around whenever we're in town, staring at me through windows. it's weird.
DeleteWowza this looks amazing! forget a special occasion. You should be rocking that look down 5th ave any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteIt such a great dress and fabric, and you look amazing in it!
ReplyDeleteThis came out absolutely amazing & you look great in it!!
ReplyDeleteNikki
AFashionAddict.com
This is PERFECT. So you and the fit is spot on.
ReplyDeleteI love readying your posts. That's all I got. Bye.
ReplyDelete:D
LOL
XOXO
Or reading.
ReplyDeletei'll take both.
DeleteI saw you in a Brooke Shields commercial!
ReplyDeleteKelley~
yep! that's me fluffin pillows!
DeleteI LOVE this!!!! the bustier is so amazing....very 50s inspired!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is fabulous! If I were you I'd be so proud I'd burst!
ReplyDeleteYou are the definition of glam! I cannot get over how beautiful the painted flowers are. And you are. Much love and HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
ReplyDeletePuts the peacock to shame!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty of a dress!! May wearing this dress - whether for the first time or for many many future times - always bring you heartfelt memories! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe background actually makes the dress really shine - it looks like a professional photoshoot!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's nice to see it finally finished in all its glory. :-)
Happy new year!
Late to the party, but this dress is fantastic! I love the juxtaposition of the dress and the shed. Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteKnock out!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Colorfully charming.
ReplyDeleteThis dress is beautiful! I love the choice of fabric. I actually have access to the craftsy class for this dress, but I have yet to make one for myself. I have so many projects that I want to start, but this one has made it back onto the list after seeing your dress. Oh so much to do, so little time. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete