It was a faded, discolored, shattered, fragile, dilapidated dream dress. And I wanted one.
I think it’s my favorite project to date, partly because of the epic timescale. I fell in love with it in 1996, and made it in 2013.
Yep, seventeen years from initial inspiration to completion. That’s often how it goes.
In 1996 I was a student. I picked up Nancy Bradfield’s Costume In Detail quite by chance in my University library. I’m pretty sure that’s where it all began for me.
I had no money for silk, basic sewing skills at best, and this one dress just got me in the gut and stayed there.
I wasn’t equipped to make such a thing, but it didn’t matter. I just loved on it now and then.
I built my sewing skills with simpler projects, knowing I wasn’t ready. I knew I may never be ready.
The book didn’t even have a pattern, just a sketch – and it wasn’t a simple dress. It was all precise draping and asymmetrical design, perfectly balanced. It fastened with a flap here, that crosses there, then that part lays over it *here* and closes with a tiny snap right under *there*… you get the idea. Just pretty to admire.
But in 2013 it all came together. A librarian friend helped me track the actual dress down in a local museum. I knew how to approach a museum by then, and they pulled her out of the depths of their storeroom, wrapped lovingly in acid free tissue.
Flat in a box, too fragile to display, inch by inch she gave away her secrets. A basic boned bodice; crepe de chine layered on top, piece by piece. It was easy to retrace the order of construction looking at the real dress. And even though I suck at draping, I made it happen, after seventeen years.
So don’t bemoan the UFOs, or the ideas that sit in your mental parking lot for years. There’s a gestation period for your creative children. The ones that are yours won’t go past you, I promise.
I think that this is one of the more striking gowns that I have seen from your posts. Gorgeous, deceptively complicated and inspired.
Magnificent!
Wait, you suck at draping? I don’t believe that for one bloody minute! Ha!
So this means there is hope for me yet!! Woo hoo!! Thank you, as ever, Ms. Hay, for your inspiration and guidance. You rock. And if you ever come to the Western Isles, I’d love to have a cuppa and a blether with you!!
Absolutely stunning. Your words are inspirational. Thank you.
Would love to see those photos of the original piece in greater detail, they’re so small and I can’t seem to scroll in to see more closely like I can with the sketch and final gown.
Beautiful choice, beautiful gown you created!
This is one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen!
Needed to see this. Had to cancel going to a ball recently because life got in the way of making the beautiful clothes. Was feeling sad that I had plans and patterns and textiles, but there will be other times and events. None of the dreaming or planning is ever “lost!”
Stunning! What an accomplishment.
As someone who’s been designing for over a decade, and was only just able to order my first sowing machine, and create intolerably slowly due to amassing health concerns, the words “The ones that are yours won’t go past you, I promise.” hit like an arrow from a longbow.
I needed to hear that. Thank you.