Seems like a bit of a non-sequitur, but kinda sums up the whole process actually. Let me explain…
So I set out to make another Homer and Howells Cissy dress for myself because I was so pleased with the rust lace one that I’d made first off the block. This is back in April by the way, back when we were in a lockdown of sorts here in Perth, when we were all terrified of the virus and didn’t know as yet that there was no community transmission here. Yes, I do indeed know how very lucky we are! and it’s fantastic that everyone here is working hard to keep things that way too… but I digress!
I needed a sewing project!
I had some khaki-olive-blue-grey, slightly crinkly cotton in my stash that Mum had chucked my way, when she cleaned out her own stash, and it was just enough to cut out the Cissy pieces. Awesome! It was meant to be! However when I put it together I was just like…. blah. I think when you’re feeling anxious and depressed then your soul cries out for cheer and vibrancy, or even just strength, even in colour form; and drab colours just kinda drag you down … however at the time I determined a waist was what was needed. So I proceeded to cut a straight waistband from the scant remains of fabric, miraculously I had a strip just long enough! I took off the bodice and skinny-hemmed it, making a cute little loose crop top. I the sliced up the centre back of the skirt and inserted an invisible zip, re-folded the skirt pleats into my new waistband, and stitched on a button. Ok! I thought. This is going to be great!
ORIGINAL COLOUR… yeah it’s not awful, I guess
It lay in my wardrobe during winter and I was anticipating a lot of wear once the warm weather hit… and when I did my rainbow week mini-challenge I thought it would be my “green” ensemble… I frocked up and took a few photos, a sample of which is below, and man, at that moment the not-greenness of the whole thing just killed me, so it did not feature in that week after all. I still thought the ensemble had promise and I was on a mission to save it now! I wanted GREEN! I had to wait until Spotlight had restocked its dye supplies but finally they came in. And into the spa dye-pot it went!
looked terrible in this light!…
I used a whole pack of Rit Kelly green, and I very happy with it now, I think the strong colour is just what it, or maybe I – needed! The crop top is very cropped, and I have to be careful about lifting my arms up too high, and I’m planning next to make some pretty little lace camisoles to wear underneath.
Watch this space!
Details:
Top and skirt; from the Homer & Howells Cissy pattern, old cotton, overdyed by me
Caramel sandals; super old, originally from an op shop. I need to replace these, desperately!
Green turtleneck: modified Closet Core pattern Nettie in green merino
Black tights; my own design, black stretch poly
Black booties, from Zomp boutique
What a clever, simple transformation! (Well, maybe not so simple, but definitely clever!)
My first thought when the blog window opened was, wow, what a beautiful colour and it suits you so well. Now I will google what is Kelly green. 🙂
Julia
hmmm, odd – none of your pictures are showing up for me and all the side links are broken.
oops, spoke too soon, they just popped up
Have to say I love both colour ways. Love the original with your green merino tee underneath. And I love the drama of the new colour. It’s a great idea, making separates. It’s a very lovely outcome.
Ahhh, another example of the glorious wonders of dye. This does suit you much better than the original. And like the blue dress, this also show hints of the old pattern which is the best, really. A not solid solid. Perfect!
If you were feeling subfusc, the original colourway is quite charming, but really, why be low key when the overdyed green is so gorgeous? A beautiful outfit and I am again inspired to visit my not-quite-right fabric collection with a dye makeover.
I liked the old color just as much as the new. It’s fascinating how color affects our mood, and how the same object in two colors become two entirely different objects. A powder blue camisole isn’t remotely the same thing as a black one. Black lace vs white lace. Both can be beautiful but they’re different.
I digress. Once again, you’re ahead of the curve. A cropped matching top/jacket over a high-waisted skirt of pants was popular in the early 1960s. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/77687162298522467/ I always liked how the blocky hem creates a waist, breaks up bulk and solves fit issues around the midsection. Especially with fabrics that don’t drape. In the summer it’s nice to have a breeze up one’s shirt, and when it’s cooler a bodysuit or cami solves the gap. A dress design that covers so much of the body and arms, and has volume, needs some shaping, some edge. The crop gap is the ticket here. Brilliant.