Thursday, March 24, 2011

The dress that decided itself.



I bought this fabric at the Zambesi sale last year - I had 5 minutes to grab some stuff as I was parked on restricted parking and I had no way of paying for the ticket. There were some beautiful fabrics there, and I wish I'd had a chance to fully acquaint myself with them. I would have come back with many new friends.

As it was I had time for this this fabric, a wool remnant, and some beautiful lining fabric. The fabric was sold to me by the designer for Zambesi herself so I had a chance to ask her what they used it for - a pencil skirt, apparently, but she also suggested it would look good as a simple sheath or shift dress.

Front:



Back:



I immediately thought of this pattern (Burda 05-2010-108) and it was like it just wanted to be made this way. I found myself going down to the Bernina shop to buy the zip, and hunting down the pattern before I'd even consciously decided to make it. I read in the New Scientist recently that before we consciously tell our bodies to do something, a brain signal has already been sent to the appropriate limb. In other words, we decide something and then we have the conscious thought, and this dress was an embodiment of that principle.

This dress was made to wear out to dinner this week. Our Thursday night supper club is going posh this week to celebrate a birthday, and I thought it would be good to wear something simple, but with pedigree.

Now if I could get a bag and shoes with some pedigree we'd be sorted - I once dated a guy who sold very expensive jewellery to the Parnell set. He told me never judge a woman's financial status by her clothes - the money was always in her accessories.

23 comments:

  1. The fabric is just lovely and the style suits you well.

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  2. Lovely dress - don't ya love it when it all comes together smoothly?!

    I'm still very proud of my $1 handbag find!

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  3. Well I have to say I love the fabric and the fit is perfect! When you get your accessories you'll be all set.

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  4. Pretty! It's flattering on you too. Sometimes simple shapes are the best with really special fabric. Do tell us about the accessories you finally choose!

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  5. Great fabric and a lovely dress to showcase the fabric.

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  6. The colour and pattern of this fabric is really lovely. This style really works on you. Accessories are always my favourite bit. I find myself dreaming about them and imagining them even before I've started making the garment.

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  7. I don't think the jewelry guy is entirely right. Simple pattern and good fabric always make an impression :-).

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  8. This looks wonderful on you! (Your friend's advice made me laugh-- I've always been of that opinion myself, but I think maybe he has more credentials to back himself up)

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  9. Very pretty dress. It skims your body perfectly. Nice job!

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  10. That is a wonderful interpretation of elegance personified. Fantastico!

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  11. Gorgeous, both you and the dress. The simple style of the dress looks great paired with the lovely fabric and the dress fits you perfectly. I hope you find some great accessories.

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  12. This one I really want to see close up because the pattern looks really cool but I can't quite make it out in the photo! Looks lovely and it's a great colour.

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  13. That is magnificent fabric. You did well to grab that in 5 minutes. Whenever I have to choose something in a hurry, I invariably make the wrong choice. How fun to talk to the designer. I wonder if she will see you in the street and recognise the fabric?

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  14. Ooh - lovely! Gotta love it when the decisions are pretty much made for you by the fabric and pattern. They clearly knew what they were about!

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  15. Wow you got to talk to Zambesi?? You are pretty much famous! Love the dress

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  16. The dress looks awesome.

    I am now feeling fully justified in buying some killer accessories.

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  17. well what can I add! Love the dress on you. Hope the birthday was good too.

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  18. I love sheath dresses. Great fit!

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  19. This looks fabulous on you, very expensive - regardless of accessories.

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