Sunday, April 7, 2013

The Pastoral Life



Spring has finally arrived for my wardrobe!


And everywhere I look, I see toile!  


This always happens to me.  Start driving a different make and model of car and suddenly I see them everywhere.  Now that I found my new favorite show, I see vintage cars everywhere.  Buy a new pair of shoes, and they pop up in editorials and on the feet of neighbors and strangers walking down the street.  And I am suddenly noticing lovely toile fabric online, on blogs, and in magazines.  What the heck?!


I am so pleased with my new dress, and grateful that I waited for the perfect project to use my leftover upholstery fabric!


It is still a bit chilly to wear a sleeveless dress, so I added one of my favorite cardigans. 


This was one of my first experiences knitting with beads.  Yes, there are actually beads on there, although they are almost invisible until you get really close.  


So it was a learning experience – make sure to use contrasting beads to ensure they will be visible!  But I still love the sweater, so it was a very rewarding lesson, which is the best kind.


Years ago, I wore flowers in my hair all the time, and I thought this was the perfect outfit to reincorporate them into my wardrobe.


This is a really wonderful pattern, and I am sure that I will using it again.  I think that sleeves would be fun, or perhaps using the bodice design with a slim skirt.


Hope you are having a lovely weekend and enjoying some sunshine!  Happy Spring!




Dress:  Made by me, Butterick 5882
Sweater:  Made by me, “Chicago” from Rowan Magazine
Shoes:  Sacha London
Necklace:  Banana Republic

40 comments:

  1. This is lovely, both your dress and sweater. You got a perfect fit with your bodice, what a delightful outfit.

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  2. Pretty pretty! I love toile.

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  3. It's so perfect! I think a variation with sleeves AND a slim skirt would be amazing. Really beautiful.

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  4. What a gorgeous dress! The fit, the fabric, and the styling are just perfect.

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  5. Your dress is absolutely lovely! I've been eyeing this pattern but the picture on the envelope made me think it wouldn't work anything but a flat chested woman. Did you have to modify the bodice at all or is the pattern just tricking my eye?

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    1. Thank you so much!

      I did not alter the bust on this pattern at all, although I did take the waist in a bit. Because the strap cuts the bust in half, it is a bit of an illusion. This pattern is probably a bit more flattering on someone with a larger bust than not, in my opinion.

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  6. I love everything about this dress and you've styled it beautifully. Gorgeous fabric -- the color really compliments you -- and a great combination of sexy and demure. Fantastic job!

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  7. Oh, this dress is lovely! You did a wonderful job. It's interesting about you saying it may actually work better for a larger chest, I would think that it would only be suitable for small chested ladies. Great work!

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  8. Lovely toile fabric and lovely sweater. I like the dress style as well!

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  9. Cutest thing EVER! Super inspired now :)

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  10. That pattern has turned out beautifully, and the cardigan is the perfect addition.

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  11. This is so, so beautiful! I'm itching to make a summer dress using toile printed fabric now...just patiently waiting for summer to arrive ;o)

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  12. What a pretty combination! So well made - I love it. Have got too much to do already, but you do make me want to take up knitting again. :-)

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  13. This is just beautiful. And to think it could have been a chair slipcover. This is SO much better! Your mad skills are an inspiration to so many.

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  14. Lovely, as always. Your color palette is springy and sophisticated, and the dress looks fabulous!

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  15. I love your ensemble an especially your dress! I just picked up some lovely red paisley cotton fabric when I was in Berkeley the other day with plans to make this dress. It's got about 3 dresses in front of it, but I may Mic it forward in my line. :)

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  16. Love it all! The toile print works so nicely in both the intricate folds and the circle skirt. The cardigan is a work of art on its own, and you even found the perfect flowering hedge for your photos!
    Thanks for always putting links for your patterns and accessories. I would never have guessed that fantastic handbag was a seatbelt bag!

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  17. Great job! I just picked up this pattern a couple of weeks ago, and I can't wait to try it out!

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  18. How gorgeous! And so springy! I adore it!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  19. The dress... the pearls... the shoot... everything is so beautiful!

    Wonderful job

    Bundana
    @ http://www.bundana.blogspot.co.uk

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  20. gorgeous! does it have a petticoat?im loving 50's style.

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  21. I just knew this dream was going to be dreamy, but my goodness, it's nothing short of breath-takingly enchanting! You look so immensely lovely.

    ♥ Jessica

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  22. The dress is so beautiful - the perfect pairing of fabric and pattern. And those beads are - oh, my - so right!!

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  23. What a lovely outfit, Laura Mae! You always look so pretty and chic in all of your photos - just like you walked out of a vintage pattern illustration!

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  24. I think this is your best make ever! Bravo!

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  25. Beautiful! Great job on the dress and the sweater.

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  26. Just Beautiful. The whole outfit is georgeous.

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  27. I just love this! An inspiring ensemble!! You've styled it perfectly!! Just absolutely stunning

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  28. This entire outfit is absolutely gorgeous! The Gertie dress looks great with that choice of fabric, and the colour suits you.
    I also loved your last post with the detail shots from the inside - you work so diligently! I tend to be way too lazy about the finishing...

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  29. You have such good taste in fabric. There are a few patterns that I'm thinking of making -- will you please select some fabrics for me? lol ;-)

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  30. I meant to comment on this when you originally posted! When you mentioned "upholstery fabric", I mentally shook my head and thought "This will be Laura Mae's first fail EVER", and was sad. But, NO, far from being a "fail", this is beyond awesome! I think this is the most fabulous thing you've ever made, and you've made tons of fabulous! :-) Incredible color for you, and the fit plus styling (love the hair-flower!) is just total gorgeousness. You're completely lovely! :-)

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  31. This is simply gorgeous. I have a blue japanese toile awaiting this pattern. I was wondering if there is any chance you could send me the finished garment bust and waist measurements for the size 12 (which I assume is printed on the pattern). I have to order from overseas and can't decide which size to buy. Thanks a bunch,
    Juliette - julliams@yahoo.com.au

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    1. Thank you Juliette!

      FYI: The size 12 has finished measurements of B: 35.5" W: 29" Hope that helps!

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  32. Great execution of Gertie's pattern! I bought it w/o realizing it required a boned bodice + didn't have separate cup sizing, so, I've put it off until I have more projects under my belt as I'm a beginner sewer obsessed with vintage fashion. 1 question: Are you wearing a petticoat / crinoline? I'm a big fan of your blog :-D

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    1. Thanks! And yes, I am wearing a petticoat under this dress. Although, this particular skirt would definitely work without one . . . but if you want to look especially vintage, a poofy skirt is the way to go! Good luck!

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  33. Hi i know im about a year and a half late on commenting but i just found this pattern and before i begin i was wondering if i should even try it, do you have any tips on making the shelf bust for a full DD bust? i have never done a shelf bust before (or worn one) and i am unsure how that style would look on a fuller bust.

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