"Atonement dress" (Part II)

Strangely enough, my "Atonement dress" post continues to attract quite a few visitors to the blog. I really don't know why. I can only assume that people are drawn to this dress, and want to capture a bit of that magic in their own lives. They want to know who made it, if anyone has knocked it off, where can they buy it, perhaps?

I wrote the earlier post because of a lovely article in The New York Post (which I don't normally read) about this dress (above), made for Keira Knightley's character in "Atonement". Make sure you read on to page two of the article, where the costume designer's (Jacqueline Durran) inspiration is explained.

I adored this article, because, unlike so many others, they don't make it seem that anyone just "whipped up" a little number for her. The article really lets you know that specificity, specialness and art take a considerable amount of time, expense, and experimentation.

But what really puzzles me, is the incredible interest in this dress, considering how obviously specific it is to Keira Knightley's body, lighting and set design of the film. Most women of any age are... well, three dimensional, and wouldn't carry off such a design too well. I mean, imagine trying to disguise a tummy bulge, rounded shoulders, a droopy bosom, hips, anything at all, in that gown.

What I see in this dress, is a Vionnet inspiration (the book I'm referring to is on my Amazon slideshow at the right). This lovely work contains patterns for a variety of Vionnet's designs, and one is evocative of the Atonement gown. The main difference, though, is that this dress would work on a more ample and/or rounded figure. Basically, this dress is more doable. And it can always be made in green...





What do you think?

For all the single ladies... a "glove" story

My blog mission hasn't changed much in the years since its inception, but my readership is growing rapidly, so I am re-dedicating myself to its purpose. I want to make sure that what I write is useful, entertaining, thought-provoking and/or inspiring. Since my schedule doesn't allow me to work as much as I'd like, I need this outlet, and, thank Goodness, people are responding. Since what I sew or create usually has some bigger idea behind it, which I may or may not be able to convey clearly in a blog post... I'll continue to share what I feel I can share in a useful way.

Some projects just take years.

I am proud to say that my glove project (see previous posts: 1, 2, 3, and 4) 5 years in the making, is finally near completion. Now, the pattern seems "easy", the pattern has been tweaked and cutsomized for my hands, and the fabric choice and color has been made. Three tries since my last post, I decided that sewing them completely by hand, (no machine intervention) using a microfiber fabric with the right amount of "cushiness" (one sueded side), with some surface embellishment, yet to be determined, is the right way to go. What you see above is try #2 on the thumb, which is the hardest part to get right, in my opinion. Outside, vs. inside stitching? Both, actually. Inside stitching for construction, and satin stitches on the outside, over the seams, for beauty. That's what got me the best results.

When finished, they will be worn everywhere.

Before our daughter was born, I commuted on the subway from Forest Hills, Queens into lower Manhattan for work at Vogue Patterns, and I played games with myself to pass the time. One of the games was the "eavesdropping" game. I closed my eyes and listened to conversations, taking mental notes, and then I compared the common threads between the different topics.

I usually found that at the end of the workday, most of the conversations were the "Why everyone else at work is an idiot", "What no one understands (but me, of course)", "I know my boss hates me" or the "When will I get my due" rants. It seems that a good night's sleep would inspire optimism, and the people who were talking would start the day, cheerfully chattering about their lives outside of work. But among them, was also a good share of somber faces, hunched shoulders, and closed eyes.

Now a new year has just begun, and more than a week has passed since I started writing this blog post. I wonder why all of a sudden it seems that it seems everyone is having the same conversations all around me... over and over and over again. I felt I needed to finish this post, if only to get my thoughts out there while the conversations are still happening.

At the beginning of each year, it seems that women move into a self-examining, excessively critical mode. It can be unhealthy. Sometimes, it hurts to listen.

And I'm not just hearing it on the streets... I'm hearing it from peaple I know and love. I am noticing this trend among my single friends. Intelligent, beautiful, accomplished women, who lack partners, and are feeling lonely, sad, and confused about it. I notice that they seem to be blaming themselves for their singlehood.

Some people I know, have even taken to the airways to broadcast their singlehood. A cousin of mine, was on a makeover show, throwing a "divorce party" on the Style network's Big Party Plan-off. My friend (of about a quarter-century, now...whew!) Kysha, has appeared on a talk show to talk about her dating life.

This is not meant to be advice... I am not presenting myself as a dating guru here... I am sure there are plenty of quality men and women in the world, and there are nice, upstanding, lovely people at every turn. Yes, being older means some extra baggage, divorces, children might also be in that package, but, really, doesn't everyone want to find someone who was already alive, vibrant, and hopeful before you met? You're not "settling", you're just acknowledging that you are both grown-ups, who have been living grown-up lives for a while.

To quote the God character in Bruce Almighty, "If you want to see a miracle, be the miracle..." To paraphrase... Since like attracts like... ifyou want a quality partner, just continue to be a quality candidate.

A mate, like the perfect pair of gloves, serves to shield and help you through storms, add beauty and comfort to your everyday activities, and fit you perfectly. As part of that pair, you would do the same for your mate. It doesn't matter how many you try on... when you find that right one... you'll know it.

P.S.

Oh, and when you do, the aphrodisiac cookbook by Isable Allende (see Amazon slideshow at right) wouldn't hurt, either.


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Words...(Gesundheit)

Setting: Paris, 6th arrondissement (Rue des Rennes), McDonald's Restaurant, circa 1990

After a hard day of lecture classes in Paris, my American schoolmate (from Kansas) and I ducked into "MacDo" for a taste of the familiar.

Me: How do you say "Big Mac" again?

My friend: I can't rememb... (sneezes)

Stranger behind us: Gesundheit.

My friend: (To the stranger) Oh, finally, someone who speaks English!

I wanted to crawl under a table...

It has simply become a habit that you say "God Bless You", when someone sneezes. Gesundheit had just become such a knee-jerk reaction, that she didn't even notice that it was of foreign origin.

Now, looking back on it, I realize her point was "A familiar word! I am so happy to hear something I recognize!" If that were to happen today, I would just laugh, knowing what she meant vs. what she said...

Don't we all seek the familiar?

I had a deep pressure massage today. I was wearing a hand-knit sweater when I entered the massage room, which opened up a whole conversation with the masseuse about knitting, sewing, art and life. Talking to her was fascinating, and relaxing. During our hour-long conversation, I found that we do indeed "speak the same language"! (although I was still too chicken to try acupuncture)


My masseuse, a Chinese woman who has been in this country for 9 years, was telling me how difficult it was for her to learn to speak English when she first came to New York. A well-educated woman, she had learned English in China, but found herself completely unable to get the words out when she needed to say something. She took classes here, and couldn't bring herself to participate. She was computer-phobic, because she found the keyboard daunting. She, like many Chinese immigrants, was more comfortable getting her news and information from Chinese sources, in her native language. Much of that has changed for her in recent years, and the internet has opened her mind to many other interests and pursuits. Now, she uses the computer to learn about things, make friends, and chat in online communities.

Our son Aaron (2 1/2, Autistic, if you are new to the blog) is trying to speak. More words come every day. Putting those words into sentences still hasn't come together yet, so what we hear now, is a cross between the Governator



and "Pootie Tang".


I can tell that his frustration over not being able to make his words understood is really causing him great distress. We have hesitated about teaching him too much sign language before now, but I am changing my mind. The desire to communicate, and to be understood is fundamental.

When will it end?

Be what you is...
not what you ain't...
Cos if you ain't what you is,
You is what you ain't.

-Luther D. Price

I chose these words because sometimes something so true is best expressed simply, plainly, even if grammatically incorrect.

I recently had a conversation with a really talented dressmaker who started honing her sewing skills during a long childhood illness. There was a time (Great Depression-era) when it was not uncommon for family doctors to "prescribe" knitting, sewing and embroidery-type activities for anxiety and depression in their patients. Gratitude journals and other new-age pursuits get a lot of press, but nowadays, the medical landscape is so much more dangerous.

What is a dimming pop star? I am just so sad for Britney. I hope she can find who she is, and not dwell on who she isn't. My heart aches for her. Doesn't this facial expression say it all?



We really have to stop beating people up in the media. It is clear that she has problems that need to be handled away from the glare of the spotlight. There outta be a law preventing this kind of voyeuristic, predatory pursuit of people on the brink of disaster.

Laughter

There has been a lot of laughter in our house in the past week. Falling down, weak-kneed, teary-eyed kind of laughter. Why, I dunno. But let's spread the fun, shall we? Far out fashion ideas are always funny to me, but the site shown below, combines humor and an interactive experience that is so well done and unique, I had to share! Enjoy.

Above, is the "Great Pockets" hilariously funny website, originally recommended by the Fashion Incubator. There were a lot of gems in that post, but this one is particularly funny...

Laughter II

My DVD drive is broken. It won't open, no matter what I do. I've already taken the computer apart and put it back together, but no luck.

Problematic.

Today, I've been doing sewing work, juggling Aaron's therapies, chores, and my daughter's activities... I'm in a manic, workaholic mood... so, I'm taking full advantage of it.

If I'm still upright tonight, maybe I'll take some pictures to show you all. Let's hope.

On Why I DO sew for other people...

And a brief story of a gift that just keeps on giving...

Inspired by today's "Why I don't sew for other people..." posts by Erica B. and Cidell, I have to write a quick post to respectfully disagree...

Sewing for other people is an expression of love, gratitude for your own talent, appreciation for what makes your loved one unique, and a task that can make your heart sing. As a religious person, I feel that a creative pursuit like sewing can be such a wonderfully meditative process, if you just open up, allowing yourself to be a vessel, and letting that creative energy just move through you and out of your fingertips...

Whether for pleasure...














or profit, we cannot close the door on sewing for others because we FEAR they will not value the amount of effort that went into it.

For example, I love handmade items, but certainly not ALL handmade items. If I could trust this blog post would never be read by my friends and family members, I could give you a list, and some pretty hilarious pictures of things I wouldn't be CAUGHT DEAD in. My sister and I still laugh hysterically over one well-intentioned handmade Christmas gift from the 70's.

Well, I'll tell you about this one...

Okay, it was a belt.

But the material chosen was just the oddest choice one could make. The originator of that gift probably won't remember now, as it has been a good 25 years since then. And, if you do remember, we love you to death, I promise!!!! (Pretty sure she knows that already) It was bright green, with a crazy heavy buckle. And...it was made of FELT... And... my sister was a TEENAGER! It was faaaaaar too wide for any belt loops I've ever encountered... must've been 3-4"?

(Groaning, eyes watering, shoulders shaking...)

ROFL can be used literally here....

And... I think she might have even had help to create it, like in a CLASS or something!

Okay, let me catch my breath...

And it wasn't a joke!

You probably had to be there to really get the full impact, but whew!

So, you see my point. Not that these are the kinds of things you would make for friends... but.

Maybe I know a person who is a very talented knitter, but honestly, there is no one on this earth who can convince me to don any pair of mittens, EVER. And, also, no offense, folks, I'm not so sure I have ever worn an apron even once in my life. I do know how to show appreciation, though, and would never make rude comments. Really, why should everyone else suffer because one person didn't show proper appreciation for your handmade gift(s)?

So, that's my 2 cents. Just had to share. Hopefully this post either changed your mind, or gave you a good giggle!

Oh... and we still have the belt. It gets a good laugh at least once a year... still.