who's a pretty cotton candy princess?

[jennylafleur]

Second time is always the charm with me. I had great fun wearing my chemise á la Reine to Costume College last year but I simply adore the re-vamp version!

Below are some favorite photos, the rest can be found on my website here:
http://www.jennylafleur.com/dressup/2008.0504/album


Today was lovely. Seurat Sunday is one of my most favorite events of the year and I was delighted we were invited back! Seurat Sunday is put on by a local creative arts center and Belmont, home of the artist Gary Melcher. The grounds are open for artists to paint, sketch, photograph etc then gather for a reception at the end of the day. My friends and I were there as a models, or from our point of view to dress-up for the fun of it, hang out with friends, play music, picnic on the lawn and generally enjoy the day.

Despite gloomy forecasts of rain all week today turned out to be *perfect*. One of those rare Virginia days where the humidity is low and the temperature moderate. There was a lovely breeze off the river all day and the gardens were blooming. It couldn't have been nicer. I'm so glad I went, it was a delightful way to spend a Sunday.


My revamped chemise á la Reine came out better than I could have imagined. The accessories really made it, that and some Big Hair (TM). I adore the green silk taffeta check I used on the sash and hat. I bought in the autumn (possibly to cover a hat with) but couldn't quite decide what I wanted to do with it. I'm so glad I waited as it really is perfect as a sash and hat pouf.


I have to admit it took me a while to get to back to the sewing machine after the marathon sewing leading up to Coaching Day. Even though it was little fiddly stuff I put it off all week, until yesterday in fact. Even then I put it off until after dinner. Once I got started I had fun, especially when it came to the hat and sash, but golly it was hard to get the ball rolling!


My new striped petticoat was already done thank goodness. Can you believe I've had this fabric in the stash for over 10 years and it matches the dyed chemise á la Reine almost perfectly? Yes and can you also believe I didn't realize my outfit matched my stays until I put everything on this morning? Sometimes I scare myself.


The hat. I love how something so thrown together can look so cute! The pouf I totally made up as I went along. It's a circle (17"x17" - well more or less) flat lined with 4 layers of nylon net. I pleated the bottom until it was the size I wanted then added a self binding to finish the edge.

I eyeballed everything, snipping here, pleating by "oh this looks about right". It was fun! The yellow vintage flowers were from the lovely bauhausfrau (thanks so much Loren!), the feathers & ribbon from the stash. Everything is pinned in place and the binding hasn’t been finished either. I still stayed up way too late working on it. I just couldn't stop once I'd started!


Once I got home B was kind enough to come out in the back yard and take some photos on my camera. I am going to miss our imaginative and creative collaboration in picture taking when she is gone SO MUCH!