Not the kind of problem that requires the use of rash ointment or special shoes, but a problem none-the-less.
Many moons ago, when I was a little younger and a lot dumber, I purchased a lot of striped silk taffeta from an online retailer. I had intended to use the material for Harriet Aiken's dress for the Jehossee project. However, when the fabric came, it was obvious that the repeat was too damned big for a classy gown of 1850.
Or so I thought at the time.
Since then, I've harbored notions of using it for 18th, 19th and even modern fashions, though I have no real direction for modern use other than a flirty 50's dress or something.
Anyway, here are the top contenders for striped silk use:
A perennial favorite, from the New Brunswick Museum site. I have loved this dress for years. The salmon stripes in this are much thinner than the larger green stripes in my fabric, but the overall scale of the stripe is comparable. Enough to justify making an 1840's dress out of my fabric, though not necessarily a ballgown.
Again, the size of the stripe is a bit narrower here, but the vibrant red and unapologetic duo-chromatic scheme make a bolder statement.
Despite the early fears of her parents, Prudence Cavendish was able to overcome her apparent handicap, and, along with the albino rump roast which had claimed her hand, lived a long and full life.
This feels pretty "right" to me too. So many choices... Anyone care to weigh in? I promise to mock you for your opinions.
I'm in love with the last picture.... but I am predisposed to liking big *ahem* bustles. Then again the second is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could claim a predisposition. The big bustle has come upon me rather unexpectedly... like a walrus in the desert. But with less teeth.
DeleteI'm not really into costuming in any area other than the 18th century, so naturally I favor #1....but I can't help but sigh wistfully over #2. That is an absolutely gorgeous and flattering silhouette.
ReplyDeletePrudence Cavendish, on the other hand, looks very fetching but I fear that if surgery is not done soon, the rump roast will gnaw its way up to her elbow. I'm too distracted by that, the neck brace, and the pile of soggy towels on top of her head to pay much attention to the dress...
Oh, don't mind old Prue. She just dresses like that in case the court officer for her personal injury lawsuit stops by unexpectedly. At least she always knows what's for dinner.
DeleteLike Annabelle I am more enamoured of the 18th century than the 19th but I have to say that #2 is the one! Unless of course the rump roast is calling.
ReplyDeleteThe rump roast is ALWAYS calling. And it usually breathes heavily into the phone.
DeleteAlright. After commenting way too much and stewing the matter in some liquor fumes for a while, I've made a decision.
ReplyDeleteNobody likes #3. THAT'S THE ONE!
Kidding. However, I've come to the conclusion that I like #2 too much to use the bloody fabric that I actually own. So I think that I will apply myself to turning up a likely silk specifically for that gown. If something is worth doing, why not do it at an enormous personal expense and at a protracted rate of production?
Which means that it's solidly down to #1 and the Rump Roast dress, as it shall forever be known. I think I'm leaning towards the first at the moment.