So, you might be thinking that this is not my usual style of outfit. And you would be right! I did make my dress, but it was chosen by another.
But, how is this so?
But, how is this so?
Have you heard of the Sew Bossy initiative? This is a fun game dreamt up by Heather of Closet Case Files and Oona of oonaballoona. Heather paired up Reana Louise and me as one of her fantasy picks! So after e-introducing ourselves to each other, Reana Louise and I mutually agreed to choose for each other something from the Stylish Dress Book, by Yoshiko Tsukiori; since we both had the book already. Exactly which something, and what fabric was left up to the other. I sent my package off, and then waited with bated breath.
Very soon, I received this in the mail.
Very soon, I received this in the mail.
This is dress “T”, from the Stylish Dress Book. Reana Louise chose for me a soft lightweight ivory cotton meadow sprinkled with delicate blue flowers, and with a solid blue cotton for the contrasting neckband and cuffs.
So OK. Floral, and puffy sleeves. Hmmm. I am being fair dinkum catapulted right out of my comfort zone here! But Reana Louise has exemplary taste and always looks quite lovely on her blog, in her handmade creations. I had to trust her guidance.
I did make a few teeny minor changes (forgive me, Reana Louise!) I thought a wide block of the blue for a neckband might be a bit strong against the delicacy of the sprigged floral, so I dug out some lightweight Japanese cotton in my stash, originally bought from Potters Textiles. This is pure white, with an irregular pattern of tiny white paisley motifs as well as little fluffy white spots scattered over. I used this for the neckband and for the sleeve cuffs, and just used a narrow, folded bias cut strip of the blue cotton sent by Reana Louise as a demarcation line between the floral and the white.
Similarly, I broke apart the hemline with bias cut strips of each white and blue together as well. I really like the look of these borderlines in the design, a subtle geometric statement against the pretty floral.
I also shortened my dress slightly to hit just above the knee.
Oh, and I added pockets. Well that’s a no-brainer. When it comes to pockets; if you can, then you do: no internal debate entered into!
How do you feel about letting go of control in what you wear…. would you dare to submit your style to another?
Details:
Dress; dress “T” from the Stylish Dress book, by Yoshiko Tsukiori, blue sprigged cotton, with blue and white accents
Hat; Vogue 8844, ivory corduroy refashioned from an old pair of jeans, details and my review of this pattern here
Sandals; Pedro Miralles, from Soletta shoes
Pretty dress. And no – I wouldn't give control over. Love what you have done with the bindings.
No, I don't think I would hand over control either. But that said your dress is super cute with that hat and those red shoes. Thanks for introducing me to a new blog. Reana Louise's blog looks interesting and she has a recipe for gluten free chocolate chip cookies that look delish! And I think I might have all the needed ingredients, must get back to reading…
I love how you've made this up (fantastic bindings!) and great styling. Despite this not being your usual style, it looks so nice on. Can't wait to see what you've given Reana Louise!!
I Love This Dress!! it's Actually Something I Can See Myself Wearing Too. Love What You Did WitH The Neckband, Sleeves Bands And Hem 🙂
The borderlines really complete the whole dress, you did a wonderful job!
This looks super summery 😀
The borderlines do a great job of breaking the print up and bringing it all together.
The idea of handing fabric/pattern control over could be crazy fun. God knows it would be something without a print *cringe* 😉
I think this dress *sounds* terrible, but looks perfect! You've got a wonderful 1971 vibe going on, and I love it. I couldn't imagine someone else 'bossing' me into a pattern, but this has turned out beautifully.
I love it! But I just made myself something similar in just a bit louder fabric. I love the way you trimmed it with the white and blue. What pretty fabrics. It looks very nice on you too.
I think it would be fun to do something like this but on a regular basis I wouldn't let people have a say in my style.
Sounds fun! It turned out so cute…perhaps we should all swap stylists for a day!
No, I don't think I would hand over control either. Although this is not your usual style it still looks great and I love the way you finished it with the binding.
I can see why such a departure from your usual style would take adjusting to but the results are lovely especially with the pop of red.
What a brave soul you were! Yes, braver than I would be; I really don't think I could hand over the reins like that!
The interesting thing is that if this were the first picture ever I saw of you I would think you looked lovely and beautifully put together. Having learned your style though, it was quite the head-turner seeing your pic before I knew what it was about!
Now I look forward to seeing what you sent off 🙂
Hi Carolyn, I love Jilly Be's comment, and those that would not hand over control to someone else – personal styles is so much part of our self concept. I do like the little carolynism's you have given it. I'm also curious as to the various ways you will one day wear this garment…
I agree with Jilly Be. It is beautifully made and styled,and the fabrics are really pretty, but it doesn't look like you, according to my thorough knowledge of you from merely looking at your blog ;)!. Does it feel right? Will you keep it?
What an interesting idea for a sewing challenge though. I am off to hunt for the other participants.
Personal style is so strong on you we can tell its not your pick but you made it so beautiful and I'm sure it will at some point make you more adventurous on trying different things
I love the perfection you achieved in the details! I just failed my flat piping. The outfit is overall very nice. However I must admit I prefer your usual style. Even on a tall and slender figure like you Japanese patterns seem too wide… But they look great on the book…I really don't understand because you're the one person who I would think could wear it. Maybe it's just a matter of style preferences? I am still puzzled…
I agree with Kat, there's a 70s vibe going on with this ! It's beautifully made and pretty fabric and I think you look lovely, and that you added the sun hat to me makes me think that it's beachy wear…I think it's brave to give up control of both pattern and fabric!
I was a bit surprised when I saw this picture, but all is explained…Unlike most others I would give my style up to someone else. I often experiment and use what I have to hand (with varying degrees of success!). It would be interesting to see what someone else thought I could wear and I might discover something new along the way. Having said that I am at a stage in life where I want to experiment and feel free to do so, as I currently work from home and that has freed me to wear whatever I like – I don't have to be appropriate for anything! What this dress has in common with your usual style is it's clean execution which is a pleasure to see! I would love to know how you feel about your radical departure. Any merits in florals?!
No, I wouldn't give my style over to someone else, and sorry, but I have to demur. I don't like that dress at all. It's not just that it's not you. I wouldn't like it on anyone. I don't like the current round of Japanese pattern books either. They're either too "cute-little-girl" or too tricksy ("Look at the clever mechanics of my clothing!") but not very falttering or wearable. Plus, there is a whole sewing blogger-style in which the (often flowery and/or bright) fabric choice says loud and clear, "Look I made it myself!" In one way I love that. But often while the clothes may be expertly made, and even beautiful, they just don't "do" it for me. I think they are too unsubtle for me, being over the age of twenty-five!
Ruth; thank you for your valid comment, and I hear you and appreciate the feedback 🙂 Obviously I am (way) over 25yrs old, and I agree it is a huge stretch for a woman of my age to pull off a lot of looks a younger woman can happily wear without a second thought, and I am not surprised that you think I do not. Trust me; I do have a pretty good idea of what does and what does not suit me.
But this dress was made for a challenge whereby I committed to make a dress "designed" by Reana Louise, and it would have been churlish of me to change things about too much. I just sincerely hope now that Reana Louise likes the dress design and fabric I have sent over to her!
I think I like the idea of this dress for the beach, and I might attempt to Carolyn-ify it, to use Reana Louise's phrase; at some point. I have ideas 🙂
Good call on the neckband and cuff, I think the white looks great. Such a great beachy dress.
You are brave! I don't think I could hand control over, but then sometimes my husband tells me what to buy and what pattern and it works out! Not quite the same as someone the other side of the country who only knows you from a blog! I really like what you've done with this. The binding details look great. Very brave to let go, but I reckon it works well. Would love to see what you sent the other way!
I think it is good to open to other ideas, we can become staid in our fashion choices. I dont think I have seen you in such a flowery ensemble. I love it its fresh, and fun. But, more to the point do you like it, and would you make another or something similar?
Ditto this comment! Will you wear it again? If not, I'm willing to give it a home. 😉
I think the Sew Bossy initiative is a really neat idea, and a great way to bust some stash.
It looks lovely! Definitely outside of your usual fashion zone, especially with the floral print. How do you like it? Do you think you'll get a lot of wear out of it?
And I'd be torn–the Sew Bossy thing sounds fun, but I'd be terrified that my partner would give me some boxy thing that would make me look pregnant. Or (shudder) pink.
Cute dress! Although it isn´t the style you usualy wear, it looks great on you!
I never heard about this initiative but it seem sooo funny!
Carolyn, I totally and completely adore this dress on you. The only problem is that I might reach through the computer, or fly over to WA and steal it from you. I'm so proud of you for taking on the challenge and making something so 'non-Carolyn' (apparently!), even if it has upset some of the loyal Carolyn-style-lovers (eep!). I actually think it looks gorgeous on you and I adore what you've done with the piping, pockets, and lengthening. You've actually channeled your inner 'Reana Louise' in making alterations too haha!
I am SO excited to post about the dress you made for me–I should be taking photos tomorrow afternoon as long as I can wrangle someone into being my photographer!
Thanks again Carolyn–I think you look really beautiful, and 'sew' Reana Louise, Carolyn-ified 😉 xo
Letting someone else be your stylist for a non-celebrity person, sure does need lots of guts and how I wish someone can boss around my settle files, coz my personal style is so boring and I hardly make time to sew for self, so it is an open Invitation for someone to boss around my sewing for self edition … Oh goodness me, I am just kidding, aren't I?
Btw, the dress looks nice on you, bit boxy silhouette but that's understandable with most japanese patterns.
Really gorgeous! You should think about showing your pins off in this way a bit more, they look AMAZING (and you always have great pins but this shape makes them a millions miles long and skinny!) – YAY to sewing out of your zone!
It's a pretty dress and I can see it being a staple for the beach.
It's always good to be taken out of your comfort zone but I'm not sure whether I would want someone else to choose for me. What if I didn't like it after I had made all that effort?
Very adventurous of you to take on the challenge.
Has anyone else noticed that Carolyn looks just like Holly Hobbie?
YES!! that's exactly what I thought, too cute 😛
I thought so too, I love it!
EEEEEEEEEEEE!!! This made my morning! What a wonderful way to start the week. MY EVIL PLANS ARE COMING TO FRUITION! While this may not be a typical Carolyn dress, I think it looks smashing – so easy breezy summer squeezy. I know your summer is coming to an end but this is the sort of thing you throw on when it's so hot you can't bear to have anything heavy on. Beach coverup, yes please. Your details are lovely as well. Can't wait to see what Reana makes! Thank you ladies for being so game!
The dress is beautiful and looks wonderful on you! You are a beautiful young lady and the dress suits you – well, from the outside! You should move outside your comfort zone more often!
I have been following your journey for sometime and look forward to seeing your sketches, and choices for the day!
Thanks for sharing!!
HUGS
OMG I adore your dress, it's perfect! And the pockets! I need one^^
Carolyn, you've done a fab job, joining in on Sew Bossy is all about having a bit of fun. Loved that you participated. The details are superb as usual, totes not your style but that's the point right? You go girl. LOVE! can't wait to see Reana Louise's outfit and Mokosha and I will be ready to go in a couple of weeks. FUN!!! 🙂 have a lovely week Holly 😛
Brave. Very brave. The main thing I can see is you've worked with sewers, taken on a challenge and used your skills to make this outfit work.
You've really made this work and it's great to see you're wearing this with confidence!!
how gorgeous!! the style is wonderful on you, and the style-ING is perfect! i love that you two chose from a book you already have.
I love this, I think it looks great. The binding looks fab too 🙂
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I really like this dress on you! It's so fun to see what you guys chose for each other! I did a project a while back where Oona picked out fabric for my next project, and while it was something I never would've chosen for myself, I ended up really loving it. Sometimes it's fun to try something outside your usual style. 🙂
well it's adorable on you! And I agree wtih gingermakes…it's fun to try something a little different. What a fun project!
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