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• Sea Dream

• Project Dress

  Notes The occasion: the wedding of a special sewing friend. Sydney had once been my student and employee and someone I had mentored. Many years ago while in my employ, she helped me prepare for a destination wedding in Brazil. One of the projects was an ensemble known as "Meet the Parents." Neither of us ever imagined that the skirt from this two piece would become the basis for the dress I would wear to her wedding twelve years later! Inspired by Rodarte Spring Collection 2015, "A Mermaid's Tale," I created a unique dress by combining the halter bodice from Butterick 5886 (I added the midriff piece) with the asymmetrical skirt of Vogue 7856. It began with an unlikely combination of fabrics: fishnet, cross-dyed silk chiffon, and china silk. I first made a fishnet skirt to layer over the existing twelve year old skirt. I then constructed the bodice, adding a layer of my favorite Angel Face interfacing to the china silk underlining to all bodice pieces. (AngelFace interfacing is available from AAF in white or black.) Luckily, I save sizable scraps for moments like this so I had enough of the original cross-dyed silk chiffon and china silk! The bolero is made from netting with intricate felted embroideries and sparkles that I am still mopping up! The sea-glass-like necklace from France is vintage, the shoes have a cork wedge. The outfit made a huge hit with the bride who named it Sea Dream.