Remember my hand-painted silk dress I posted a few weeks ago? Well, there is more to the story.
Not only did Sallie send me 5 yards of hand-painted gorgeousness, but ANOTHER, extra BONUS 5 yards of a neon-y green silk crepe. It was her first pass at dying the body of the silk and it came out too bright so she started over again. So honey pie sent me the too-bright silk along with the the handpainted stuff.
An embarrassment of riches.
I had bought the Cascade skirt pattern from Megan Nielson early in the summer with the intention of making it out of something airy-fairy-beautiful, so the Sallie neon silk was delivered at precisely the right time. I actually made the skirt a while before I started on the dress as I wanted to practise working with the fabric when the stakes weren't as high.
I love, love, LOVE this pattern - very few pattern pieces and it's super fast to assemble. The effect is so ethereal and delicate. The way the edges seem to scallop gives it a sculptural element and when made from a lightweight material it floats like gossamer when you walk the street. The summer of 2013 was all about floaty, airy things apparently.
The only issue I have with this make is the translucency of the silk. This material really needs to be lined but this pattern is not a good candidate for it due to the high-low hem and the wrap front. I've been wearing it with an old slip, one that I plan on replacing with a new one made from stretch silk charmeuse to be purchased in NY this weekend.
Oh yes. Speaking of Sallie, and New York.... using all my powers of persuasion, I somehow convinced her to meet me in NYC this weekend! We are finally going to meet in person after years of pen-palling and I couldn't be more excited. I love platonic romance. Can't wait for Mood, Marcy, Sonja, Wanette, Milk Bar cookies, the High Line, and those amazing $6 plates of Halal chicken on every corner. I heart NY.
