Spring in Bloom (Simplicity 4468)

More pretty in pink florals…

If you\’re ever in Durham, a spot I really insist you visit is Duke Gardens. I\’m not one to recommend a Duke basketball game or a trip to campus as a half-hearted tar heel personally, but the 55 acres of gorgeously landscaped lawns, arboretums, and flower beds are a can\’t miss spot. There\’s lots to see year-round but it\’s especially lovely in the spring, when all the trees are in bloom and the daffodils are popping up everywhere. Pack a picnic (I won\’t tell if you sneak some wine) and lunch on the lawn–ladylike dresses required!

The dress pattern is an early 60s one, to which I\’ve made just one slight alteration, raising the back neckline from a V. I used the back neckline from Simplicity 4475 since I assumed they were using the same block to make the two patterns, since the numbers are so close! It\’s made in this Gertie fabric, a verrrry lightweight cotton sateen–perfect for this pattern since it requires some drape in the cowl neck and some body in the skirt.

I also wore a new malco modes petticoat, their Zooey–I love the extra poof it gives to a full skirt! You may remember I have another, even fluffier one (the Jennifer) that I wore with my blue seersucker dress; that one is gorgeously full but it\’s not particularly practical for every day. Gretchen (aka Gertie, the designer of the fabric!) has this one that is less full, and I ordered this more modest one in hopes of wearing it beyond photoshoots! I really love the slight effect it has–you can see a difference but it\’s not immediately obvious that I\’m wearing it.

My bag is from ThredUp. I think many of us sewing bloggers sew at least in some part due to concerns about ethical clothing production, so I love that there are more companies creatively tackling secondhand shopping. I\’ve consigned clothing with ThredUp before, as part of my effort to move towards a handmade wardrobe, and I\’ve also purchased accessories there. (It\’s also a great place to look for trendier pieces that you might not want to invest a lot in, but wouldn\’t feel good about buying from a cheap fast-fashion store.) This bag is from Marshall Fields (remember Marshall Fields?) and praaaactically brand new and it was nine dollars. If you\’ve never shopped ThredUp before they have a promo for 50% off handbags (up to $50) using the code HANDBAGS50. Also, if you don\’t see anything you like, check back in a day, as they add new stuff constantly, and on the other hand, don\’t procrastinate if you do see something you like, as it will get snapped up! I had some fabric left over from my seersucker nightgown and I made this little scarf to tie on my purse or my ponytail. At this point I have so many pink scraps I could make a few to mix and match with my other pink dresses (I mean, I have a few, so…).

How do you feel about such aggressively girly, pink dresses? I love them, but I know they aren\’t to everyone\’s taste. Today is the Equinox, so happy Spring! How are you celebrating?

xoxo,