Think Pink!

Readers, Dame Fortune smiled on us again today!

How often does one stumble upon like-new, vintage, opera-length, pink nylon gloves in a healthy Size 7?   Well, I did, this morning at the flea market. 

Yes, friends, pink.  I realized yesterday, after reflecting carefully on your many heartfelt comments, that I had been working against the obvious girly-girl-ness of this rose-print cotton dress.  Black gloves are simply not what this fabric calls for -- not ideally.  Plus there are rules about these things, I've discovered. Who knew?

Now, generally, I associate pink with fairy princesses, Barbie, and all things My-Little-Pony.  It's not a favorite color and certainly not one I would choose for my sophisticated cousin.  But as soon as I saw these gloves I knew this was the way to go and I hope you will agree.  I remembered, moreover, that at the bottom of Cathy's towering shoe pile was a pair of pale pink satin pumps she wore with the Elaine dress, now more than one year ago.  Remember them?



The result is just this side of Cinderella, but you have to work with what you've got, not against it.  Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!



Meanwhile, I rinsed out the orphaned petticoat I found in the street yesterday.   Can you say, ewww?  It's looking much better today.

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I finished hemming the skirt, turning the hem up two inches, pressing a crease, attaching polyester lace I bought a long time ago to the bottom, and hand stitching.





Remember the cheap plastic boning I'd bought last week?



I stitched that to the top of the bodice to reinforce the front edge, and it looks great.  No risk of gaping.



I also added the waist stay, which I anchored to the boning casings and seams.



The stay closes with two hook and eyes.  It was easy to attach and actually makes a big difference. 



So the dress is basically finished and, frankly, I'm ready to move on.  I still am undecided about the bolero, but I'm hoping to make a crinoline this week.  If the weather cools a bit perhaps we can put this baby to bed.

Oh, and I just got this for Cathy -- I hope she's not offended!



Friends, I hope you've had a pleasant and productive weekend, even if you didn't spend it shopping for opera length gloves and vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry.



Oh, I almost forgot: it's just two weeks to MPB Day on August 13th!

If you have steamer trunks to ship, beauty parlor appointments to schedule, or reservations at the Waldorf to make, prithee don't tarry.  Hope you can make it, but we'll take lots of pictures, promise.

Happy Sunday, everybody!