Spring in Bloom (Simplicity 4468)

More pretty in pink florals...

Thank you to ThredUp for partnering on this post.

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,

allie

ps: i'm a bit early to participate but if you have a spring dress in your sewing queue why not submit it for Judith and Akram's Spring Dress Sewalong?

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