MORE FALL

Let's mix up the pallette a bit.  Here's a touch of fall for all you fans of purple and aubergine.  Yes, a touch of orange and berry red to brighten things up.  A big thank you to Solera over at SMP STyle Circle for sharing . . . .

FALL IN LOVE

This board reminds me of the wealth of lovely scenes out there this time of year.  With visual treats abundant, we have so much to be thankful for this week.  We have Misselle over at SMP Style Circle to congratulate for this medely of inspirations . . ..

Strike a Pose

Per your requests, I finally got some shots of Miss Scarlett in the dress.




It's slightly fuller that I'd like but this way she can wear it next year as well, right?

FRIDAY INSPIRATION

O, never say that I was false of heart,

Though absence seemed my flame to qualify.

As easy might I from my self depart

As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie.

That is my home of love; if I have ranged,

Like him that travels I return again,

Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,

So that myself bring water for my stain.

Never believe though in my nature reigned

All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,

That it could so preposterously be stained

To leave for nothing all thy sum of good;

For nothing this wide universe I call

Save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all .

 --William Shakespeare-- Sonnet #109

THE WINTER WEDDING GOWN

Envie Couture

Try to find a bridal salon that stocks winter wedding gowns. Even on the East Coast and cold belt states you'll be hard pressed to find even a sample to try on . . . Ideally come July, you'd think salons would have at least a few samples in in anticipation of winter  Since most brides marry through the spring and summer months, long-sleeved gowns in fabrics like heavy satin and brocade are hard to browse in the salon.. European designers and browsing online offer the best inspiration points . I found the Dutch and British designers best for offering the ultimate in winter chic via fur, hats, wool scarfs. Stars like Angelina Colorusso have not only long sleeved gowns but offer a whole winter look. 

Angelina Colorusso

Pronovias

Valentino

Jasper Conran

Ruffles & Plaid

In January, I stumbled upon a sewing blogger (Leslie from Creative Chicks) who claimed to have found the perfect pattern and I even dedicated an entire blog post to all the amazing versions she created (see them HERE). Well, I finally tried the pattern (Simplicity 4927) with a plaid polyester suiting and cotton ruffle. I'm hooked on this pattern! Super easy. The only complaint I have is that I would prefer a zipper in back so it could be more tailored. With such a small back opening, the dress needs to be baggier than I'd prefer to be able to get it on the child.

Here is my version:

I am trying this again with a emerald green wool with gems around the neckline. I'll also add a zipper to the next version.

Here is the pattern:

I don't think it is in print any longer but you can by the downloadable pattern HERE.

SILK WHITES

Oscar de la Renta
Karl Lagerfeld for Rosa Clara

Dead white, silk white, off white, cream, ivory. There are so many shades of white but the most basic white is that chalky, natural kind of white only pure silk produces. Made from the cocoons of silkworms, around 2500 B.C. the Chinese discovered and developed the process of weaving it into fabric. China is still the largest producer and exporter of 80% of the world’s silks. Most silk weaves are luxe, opulent and suggest a certain formality ideal for the bridal gown. Tightly woven silks like duchesse satin have a luster and are ideal for structured silhouettes, whereas loosely woven silks like charmeuse and crepe lend themselves to drapery. Choosing the right silk depends on the style of your gown in addition to time of day of day and year your wedding takes place.

Carolina Herrera

Angel Sanchez

How a cloth reflects or absorbs light has a lot to do with the particular weave of a fabric. So what’s a weave you ask? And how is a weave different than the fiber of which it is a part? Every fabric has a certain weave whether it’s a natural fiber, blend or synthetic. Think of the weave as a threading process—warp threads going vertically, weft horizontally. Woven together they can be loose, tight or somewhere in between to produce a certain finish. For example, you hear the word twill all the time. Twill is a type of weave. It’s diagonal actually and can be either silk, cotton or wool. While silk twill generally produces a garment with an entirely different function than that of cotton twill, the weave is similar. The weaves in these two dresses would be looser than the more structured one above which requires a more lush and tight weave.

Left: Ashley Isham at Aquaint Right:Amanda Wakeley Sposa