It is the end of the day and I am sitting quietly by the fire after a day of hard work. It is such a relief to enjoy this moment of solitude with you.
I don't know if you know this about me, but I don't entertain very often and when I do, it tends to wear me out. You see, I am a bit of an introvert and my home is my sanctuary. It is here in my home that I am free and safe to be who I am. I don't have to be gregarious or guarded or goofy...or anything else I feel compelled to be in social settings. In addition to that, I am not a very tidy person. I tend to function best in a whirlwind. I am sure you know people like that. I have at least five projects going at once and each one circulates in its own mess, and my house just is not very big. The mess tends to consume...ask either of my children. As a result, I tend to keep my home life pretty private.
Today was a big day for me. I have never had this many people in this little house and I am exhausted.
However, I WAS able to put together a small fashion show of dresses for you. These dresses are numbered 64, 71, 72 and 74. Isn't that amazing? I have made it 3/4ths of the way to my goal of 100 dresses! I am very excited and if I didn't have about 10 things pulling me in different directions, I would tie myself to my sewing machine and plug on through to 100. It is not that I haven't enjoyed this project, because indeed I have, but I tire of having it hanging over my head like the sword of Damocles. I'd like to be able to make dresses without having to plan and chart the numbers.
So please forgive me if this fashion show is not my most creative, I was racing against time and light just to bring it to you!
Without further ado...
Dress No. 64
This first ensemble is made from 100% cotton flannel. It features set-in sleeves (something that does not come easily to me) and a cotton lace collar. It is just the loveliest shade of dusty pink, warm and cozy but cheerful and romantic. Just the thing to sweep away bleakness of winter.
Dress No. 64 is currently available in my Etsy shop.
Dress No. 71...
The pattern on the fabric used on Dress No. 71 is exquisite. Green, red and gold swirls dance across it in the most elegant, yet delicate way.I have plotted and planned to get as many garments as I could out of this piece of fabric and I believe the dresses in this collection exhausted my supply. The dress is made with a square neckline, into which I have inserted white, frothy criss-crossed lace that matches the lace inserted at both the hem of the sleeve and the skirt. It is reminiscent of a delicate chemise peeking out from under the dress.
Dress No. 71 is also still available in my Etsy Shop.
Dress No. 72
The next two dresses were made from the same material but in slightly different styles. Vibrant green holly leaves and red berries accented with gold highlights are scattered over a cream background on this fabric. This dress was given a square neckline with inserted lace.
Dress No. 72 is no longer available.
Dress No. 74
Dress No. 74 is my favorite of this grouping. I love the combination of colors. It is made from the same holly fabric as the dress above but instead of accenting the dress with white lace, I used a coordinating green fabric. The square neckline on this dress has an inserted cross-over, kimono-style panel in green that matches the ruffles on the sleeves and the band at the hem of the skirt. The whole ensemble is quite elegant.
Dress No. 74 is also no longer available.
I hope you enjoyed our wee holiday fashion parade. For my next set of dresses, I plan to work in flannel. I have obtained the yummiest colors to share with you. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I really enjoyed making the last set of flannel dresses represented by No. 64 above.
Until then, I wish for you much love and lightness of heart as we approach the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year!
