This is a new painting by Susan Rios and can be purchased online, called "The Ocean as Lace." There are a lot of other people who think in terms of fabric, when they look at the world around them. The foam on top of blue water, does look like lace.
"A Familiar Walk" is an older painting by Susan Rios. This blue dress is a perfect compliment to the surroundings, with the lace collar looking just like the ocean's white lacy foam on the blue water. The paintings can be viewed at Susan Rios Editions.
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This is one of my winter dresses, made from a cotton that looks like linen. When a lace scarf or collar is added, it has a similar look to "The ocean as Lace". This soft cotton dress is one of the most comfortable things I have to wear when the weather is too cool for short sleeves. There are two shades of teal : one has a blue tone, and the other, a green tone. This one is blue.
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These are the five dollar flats at WalMart that I will be buying for my modest fashion show. They look a lot like the shoes in the 18th century paintings of women, including one of the paintings included in this "Painting Inspired Clothing" series: Eugene De Blass paintings show similar shoes. If you want these shoes, you need to buy a half or whole size larger than your regular size.
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Just buy 1/4 yard of lace fabric, to make a scarf. This really looks like the foam against the ocean, as in the Susan Rios painting I showed, above. Scarves provide a little more modesty, and I will try to also include a post on scarves as jewelry. I don't wear them at home, but they are a nice touch in the public, when you want a little more barrier between you and other people. Scarves are great if you do not have the time or money to invest in making new clothes, or buying new, modest clothes. Just use scarves over your other clothes, and make them more modest. That is one of the advantages of the Indian saree, which can wrap around the body and provide a little more coverage, without adding to heavy a layer of fabric. Scarves are also very, very feminine. .jpg)
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This is the little triangle scarf I made that is sheer cotton, for a removeable collar. Similar ones can be seen on some of the paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries.
14 comments:
I love that painting and many others by her. Thanks for the idea. I miss living near the ocean quiet a bit. Making an ocean waves dress is a perfect idea. Of course only I would know it was ocean waves. I like the buttons down the bottom and the bias tape design. I wonder if I could pull it off?!
We're moving into fall around here. I've tried this dresses thing only a couple times before only to cave, when the cold weather hits. Your series gives me lots of ideas to keep warm while still being feminine, too. I'm so glad you started this series.
Dearest Lady Lydia,
I'm so inspired by your example. SO many times, I've looked at a lovely painting or picture of a lady and longed for a dress similar to the one she's wearing. It never really occurred to me that I could just do what I wanted and not follow the fashion of the day. I've lost quite a bit of weight recently, and most of my clothes are getting too big for me. Money has been a big issue, but, now that I will have to get some new clothes, I can't think of a better way to celebrate my new look than sewing up some really beautiful outfits! I'm sure it will save us a quite a bit as well. Thank you for continuing on with this series and showing us such wonderful examples.
Oh, I never thought about buying a length of lace for a scarf! I'll have to do that.
Dear Lady Lydia, Thank you so much for all your wonderful posts you are such a help and encouragement. I am glad you will be having a modest fashion show. Maybe you could cover such things that I see among those I know who wear dresses only that still are not modest. I see tight skirts that show underwear color and lines. I see fabric that clings to the figure, I see attention getting details at the bosom and decorative patches on the backside! Besides shirts over a t-shirt that don't close so that they are constantly pulling and stretching them and this brings attention to themselves. Also, have slips become obsolete? Slit skirts are also a problem. There are alot of things concerning modesty that evidently their Mothers did not teach.There is more to it than just that they have on a skirt or dress. A sincere well wisher
This is one thing I will bring out during the fashion display: just because you are covered, does not mean you are modest. Clothes can be beautiful even without being elaborate, as shown in the paintings of the peasants. THough the design is womanly, and there is no doubt that the person is female and not male, they do not have to be immodest.
I agree. You can wear a dress but if the top is a bra shape or has a suggestion of the underwear (for example, sundresses that have a tee shirt under them, are not really modest if the top looks like a bra or halter), and dresses should be full enough not to show underwear lines. Patterns on fabric should not have buttons placed over the breasts exactly or a big circle or flower right on the bust line, in obvious way to draw attention Most blouses are too tight across the bodice, as well as dresses. The 1980s had a style that had a looser blouse with the dress, and I would like to know how to cut a pattern like that.
Most women do not even know what a slip is or that they are supposed to wear them under dresses. Also, it would be a good idea to wear a dress long enough that it would feel like she is wearing something. A dress can be immodest, too.
You are right about many women today not even knowing what slip is. I also agree with the commenter that even if you wear a t-shirt under a tank or top that suggests a bra-top are not really modest. I see it all the time and appreciate the girls' attempt at modesty by wearing something under these immodest tops, but they are still suggestive somehow -- like leaving one to wonder what they would look like without the t-shirt under them. The stuff in the stores today is awful.
Dear Lady Lydia,
I love blue!
Would you please consider posting the pattern you used for your dresses with any advice on 'altering' sleaves etc.
I remember earlier you did that with one dress.
Thank you and God Bless you!
I hadn't been keeping up with your blog lately and I am so happy to be able to start catching up. I have been running my mind around in circles for about the past month thinking about going back to school and trying to start some kind of big career, and stressing because I am not a youngster anymore. I feel, after reading this post and going back to read the one on discouragement, that someone has just thrown a cup of cold spring water in my face. Your words have broken through my confusion and I need to go pray now as to what the Lord really wants me to do with the rest of my time on earth. I am 55, still have a child in high school and older children in the home. Money is tight, but yet, money is not being spent in the most efficient way, either. I also have to admit that I have been wasting a lot of time lately, as well, and not keeping up on things here. I imagine I am really rambling right now, but like I said, I have been confusing and discouraging myself lately, thinking that I should take on the world, when maybe I should be doing my God-given job a little better, and allowing myself to enjoy it like I used to. Thanks, Lydia. I know I need to shut out the world's opinions and clatter for awhile.
There are several things that pressure women at that age to leave home and confine themselves to the job market.
One is that nuisiance of a notices that comes in the mail from the internal revenue, showing how much you will or will not get , based on your earnings, when you retire. Most women at home see the zeroes and feel they are lacking and should get a job so they can see a paper in the mail that shows a bigger amount.
Another thing that sends them away from home is the opinion of family members that once the children have homes of their own, there is nothing to do at home.
This has to be the furthest thing from the truth, because when you do things that are important at home, you often have to put aside a lot of other things. Children need attention, and preparations has to be made to help a husband who goes to work. When he retires or the children get homes and families of their own, that leaves a woman more time to do all those things she has been puttingh off, that make her home better or her house more organized. It is also nice to be available for children, and be flexible. If you enter the workforce, you lose that freedom.
Not everything has to be about money. That lure of money and the love of money is a great temptation. Men think if only their wives would work, they could have a more impressive car or house or go on an expensive vacation or wear status symbol clothes. They, and even children, sometimes resent the women at home for not working so they can have those things. That is the love of money, which is the root of all kinds of evil, as the Bible says.
The other problem is that women at that age are entering a very delicate time of health. They are not spring chickens anymore, and they will not have the same kind of stamina. They may be strong and they may be healthy, but have to use their energy in a different way. They will need more rest and be able to pay better attention to the way they eat and the amount of stress they allow in their lives. In my opinion, it is not a time to start working for someone else, but time to do something more creative and relaxing. I dont understand the mentality behind sending a bunch of us old ladies into the workforce, but I see it all the time. WOuldn't it be better to leave those jobs for the young women who have no breadwinner or husbands in their lives?
...and one good thing about sewing at this age, is that you can prepare for the future, when you will be getting older and have a stash of clothes to wear. SOme of you may not be prepared for the twilight zone feeling you get when you go shopping for clothes these days. That is a good reason to sew now. You could sew while you are able and have clothes for every occasion, and not have to fret over it. And when you get finished sewing for yourself you can sew for others in your family, or friends, and then get into sewing for the home.
I talked with a woman in the sewing store and she said the last time she went shopping for clothing, she ended up in tears. Her husband had wanted to buy her some clothes but they were all so awful and inappropriate and ill fitting that she went home upset. ANother woman said she was wearing the same faded outfit every day because she could find nothing to wear in the stores that was not crazy looking. Both had decided to get back into sewing, so they could have something they liked. You have a lot more choice when sewing, and also we live in a wonderful era where we have all the advantages of previous generations of clothing designs, so we can choose just about any style we like.
Thank you Lydia for posting my comment (the 55 year old) and your response so quickly. I feel as though a huge stone has been lifted off me. I pray that we all may know the joy of finding and staying in the center of God's will. You are so right about all the projects that are waiting here at home for me. I have always wanted to organize my recipes into a beautiful book and perhaps make copies for my children. And the fact that my family often needs me to accompany them to different things, or needs a listening ear, help with homework, and so much else that cannot be done if I'm not there. Wow.
Just lovely!
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