spring “floral-ward” & new petticoat test design

march 2019


happy march, dearies!

if punxsutawney phil's prediction is to be believed, spring 2019 is just around the corner. are you ready to "spring floral-ward"? there are so many ways to welcome the season within my shop, from vintage button wool felt earrings, floral mash-up and super mash-up dresses, even my "this and that" note card sets which utilize bits and bobs or leftover dress fabrics! 

of course, i encourage you to layer breton shirts under my mixed print or gateway dresses, as another pretty and preppy way to add some "spring" to your step and wardrobe, too!

i'm happy to report that i have been contentedly dabbling in new designs during the winter months. one project particularly close to my heart has been to design both a cotton and tulle version of a petticoat that can peek out under my frocks and layer with both my dresses and flag pants. during my research, i've noticed the words "petticoat" and "crinoline" are used interchangeably, especially when advertising ready-to-wear versions. historically, i've learned, petticoats were made to be like slips and worn under dresses. the intention of the petticoat was not necessarily to make the outer skirt stick out with fullness, as a crinoline or hoop skirt would be worn to do. while multiple petticoats have been worn at the same time to create fullness (as with poodle skirts in the 1950's), crinolines were either made of stiffer fabric (like net and nylon) or the cotton, muslin or linen fabric was heavily starched to create the same stiffened effect.

i whipped up this white tulle number a few weeks back and have been test-wearing and taking in-the-field notes. the tulle peeks out 3 inches below the hemline, which i think is a perfect length. i love how it looks layered with my steampunk sewing super mash-up dress and my coordinating accessories!

while this tulle petticoat is a good start, it's not quite up to the end result i have in mind. i found the shorter ruffle catches up on the dress hem, requiring constant fixing and fluffing while wearing. i really dislike clothing that has to be repeatedly fixed and positioned while worn, don't you? it's exhausting! fortunately, an idea for a remedy has come to me, which will get drafted for my next test. i look forward to sharing more in future missives as well as some other key pieces i'm working on to expand my collection.

wishing you warmer days ahead as we slip into spring!

until my next missive...

xoxo

darling