Thursday, January 6, 2011

'Wisteria and Sunshine' dress

It was this time of year, in 2007, when I first read Elizabeth Von Arnim's book, "The Enchanted April." January is a good time of year to read books set in idyllic climes.

'Wisteria and Sunshine' dress

My grandmother's friend purchased this vintage 1920s dress to use as a prop in a flower arranging vignette. Knowing my love of vintage fashions, she generously passed it on to me when she no longer needed it.

'Wisteria and Sunshine' dress

The dress reminds me of the beautiful costumes in the film version of Enchanted April, thus putting me even more in the mood for "wisteria and sunshine."

'Wisteria and Sunshine' dress

This dress is the simplest thing, but so pretty and dainty. Even a beginner seamstress could copy this without a pattern. The beauty and femininity of vintage dresses like this one is what got me addicted to sewing in the first place.

'Wisteria and Sunshine' dress

Now excuse me while I go find something warm and beautiful to read... (it's snowing outside my window as I type this.)

8 comments:

  1. Excellent post, dear wife! The dress is a great example of simple elegance. =) Funny that I have had the movie "Enchanted April" on the brain today - unfortunately, we've got a few months to wait, and even then, we won't exactly be in Italy. ;-)

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  2. Oh my this dress is purely a breath of fresh air! It's so beautiful and elegant but in such a state of simplicity! I'm still oooh'ing and awww'ing over it! ;o)

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  3. That's beautiful! And you don't see many modern clothes in that shade of peachy pink. Gorgeous.

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  4. Hi Laura
    I put my comment regarding Enchanted April on a previous post in error. I am a 50 something lady that enjoys your blog, but my computer skills are lacking. You are an amazing seamstress and I love seeing what you have created. Christine

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  5. That's lovely, Laura! It's been chilly and snowy here, but it's funny how the sight of a pink lacy dress can bring a little sunshine to the day. :)

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  6. What a pretty dress. Why not enter it in my 1920s Fashion photo competition? Its at:

    http://www.decolish.com/1920sFashionCompetition.html

    Good luck!
    Lesley

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  7. Hi. This really does capture the wisteria and sunshine of San Salvatore in a way that would make Lotty see all sorts of things.

    (I notice on your profile that you like Rebecca; this--combined with this post about the spunky, spritely Elizabeth von Arnim--means that I must recommend Vera to you. It's the novel von Arnim wrote just before The Enchanted April, and it's a wonderfully plotted tragicomedy that is often compared to Rebecca. You might also enjoy Elizabeth and her German Garden--von Arnim's first publication, which drips with a certain wisteria and sunshine all its own. If I'm intruding or condescendng in anyway, feel free to ignore these recommendations from a random stranger. I adore von Arnim to the extent that I'm writing a thesis on her, and I think, based on your wonderful blog, that you may enjoy her as well. She should be read more often, and I hope you will consider her.)

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  8. KTE, thank you for the recommendations! I am always glad to hear of books I might enjoy from those with similar tastes. I will check our library!

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