My mother-in-law made this beautiful wool rug as a wedding gift.   She let me pick out the shape, size and colors (she even dyed a couple herself).  We didn’t really know what to expect with the grey, yellow and ivory color combination.  Though it seems trendy, I figured these colors would make the rug look more modern while still retaining the old-fashioned feel from a braided rug.  I have to say I was completely thrilled when I open the box!

The photos don’t do it justice, plus you can’t feel how soft it is.  As you can see, even the four-legged member of the household approves!  This photo was taken soon after I unrolled it (you can see the edges are still a little wavy) and Spoo has pretty much claimed it as his own.  Because of this I’ve had to move it from the living room to my office (oh geez that’s a real shame, now i have it all to myself) where I can shut the door when I’m not around.  See, Spoo Kee likes to dig his claws into the wool (as most cats would);  he knows he’s not supposed to.  In fact, while I was on the computer the other day, I heard the faintest of  sounds behind me: *pick* *pick*.  Yes, that was Spoo Kee trying to be ever so quiet while scratching the rug!

Oh, and thank you for the comments on Dress Parade (Yellow, Part 1), I’m glad you love that little yellow dress.  Part 2 is coming up very soon!

You would think 12 hours of sleep would cut it but I awoke in a deep fog, much like the grey early mornings we’ve been having these past few days.  I had a fabulous weekend - we had our “Non-reception” party!  Really, it was SO much fun; much merriment and mirth to be had.  There was a lot of decorating and preparing  (Hee hee, though not much sleep) and it was all worth it.  (Of course, there’ll be pics to share!)

Now it’s Monday and I’ve had to deal with all sorts of web/technical issues, a backed-up Inbox, etc.   Ah, yes.  Monday.  Right now I’m just trying to work and keep my eyes open!  I attempted to catch up on sleep last night.  Oh, I just can’t function unless I get enough sleep…I remember being in my 20s and studying or staying up late, getting 5 hours of sleep, no big deal.   But now, I need my 8/9 hours if I want to feel good.  It’s hard, though, to make a sleep a priority; a good night’s sleep often seems like quite the luxury in light of all the things we want or think we need to do.

So, anyway, I think a cup of chamomile tea and another long rest awaits me later tonight.

So, you all aren’t tired of hearing about my wedding, right?!  I guess since we still have 2 (or more?) little parties to go, it’s still on my mind.  Plus, I realized that I really didn’t talk about the specifics of my dress too much and thought the sewing and fashion folks, in particular, would be interested in learning more.

It was in this post where I talked about the pattern and fabric I thought I would use which, it turns out, I did.   This pretty, soft white lace with a border is something I’ve had for years.  (I didn’t know I’d end up using it for my wedding dress, really!)  Here’s the pattern again, from 1948, McCall #7302:

Because of the short time frame I gave myself, I wanted a pattern that was relatively simple.  Oh, and it had to be vintage.  And comfortable.  I also had to consider what would look best on my body type.  Now, I don’t always do that when it comes to clothes…perhaps you do the same thing?  I mean, sometimes I let fashion or just my love for a certain unforgiving silhouette dictate my choices and so I end up not wearing a once coveted garment.

But this was for my wedding - it had to fit and look right on me.  I wasn’t about to delude myself into thinking that I had a body that I didn’t and this wasn’t my opportunity to show off what a skilled sewist I was, ha ha!   I liked this pattern because it looked simple to make.  It had a cute, square neckline that wasn’t too low (I’m as little self-conscious of my “bony” chest).  It also fit at the waist and flared down towards the knee.  All these features, I think, are flattering on someone with a typical “pear-shaped” body: tiny on top, fuller at the bottom.

Anyhow, I made some modifications as you may be able to tell from the picture.  First, the neckline: mine is narrower than the pattern’s - I tried it as directed and it ended up looking too late ’80s Laura Ashley for my personal taste; plus the size of the collar overwhelmed me.  I also added a little bit of ease so it would ruffle, just the slightest bit.  By the way, the pieces are taken from the scalloped edge of the fabric.

The soft darts at the bust were too bulky (those darts are not sewn all the way to the ends/points but rather stop an 1″ or so from where normal darts stop, creating pleats) so I sewed them all the way down.  The skirt does not have a center seam nor is it cut on the bias like in the pattern.  Because of the lace, I figured a seam down the middle wouldn’t look very nice so I cut the front and back into 2 big pieces.  The closure is still on the side seam but instead of a zipper I used hooks and eyes (from my late grandma’s sewing kit) and decorated it with vintage foilback glass buttons.  The hem is edged with the lace fabric’s border.  I sewed on 3 rows of rick rack near the hem, one of which covers where I attached the border.

(Yes, my dress has rick rack - naturally!)

The ribbon at my waist is just some Petersham grosgrain in a buttery cream color.  I cannot even tell you how many ribbons I went through before I chose this one!  That might be surprising too since this is the most subdued color among the candidates.  My very clever landlord/costume designer suggested that I take photos of my choices; sometimes what looks good right in front of you doesn’t look so great in a photo.  It’s sort of like holding up a drawing you’ve been working on in the mirror and observing its reflection or looking at the same drawing upside down: it allows you to see it for what it really is, and your perception doesn’t interfere too much.  So, I tried dusty rose velvet ribbon, velvet in a mustard-gold, chocolate brown satin ribbon and many others.  I went through a few vintage flowers too.  While I loved the more intense colors and big flowers I didn’t want my dress to look like a “party dress” if that makes sense; perhaps if the gown was floor length it would have worked (because I’ve seen bold sashes and flowers on other wedding dresses and they looked beautiful), and if there were bolder colors in my husbands’ attire.   Soft and subtle turned out to suit us the best!

And luckily I found this white crinoline at a local thrift shop for cheap (because it was ripped at the waist, which I fixed).  The pink one I was going to use was a little too long so I’m glad I found this one just days before the ceremony. Oh, and the shoes are from Remix. (I’m hoping the fact that there are not white means I’m more likely to wear them again!)

And in this past post, I showed you the underdress, which I made from a very pale pink batiste (the color doesn’t come through in the photos except that it really softens or warms up the white in the lace).  The hydrangea bouquet came from my container garden.  AND, the rhinestone star bobby pin is vintage.

Ok, WOW, I feel like I’ve just talked your ear off!  I must admit I’ve been kind of a hermit lately.  Hiding out from the heat, trying to get things done.  Anyway, I hope this was fun and maybe even a little bit helpful!  *Wheeee!* And it’s Friday already.  That means sleeping in late, staying up late, maybe catching a movie and working on some patterns.

Thanks for letting me share this with you!  Have a good one!  xo

I know I’ve talked a lot about “non-planning” a “non-reception” (at least it seems like a lot!) but that’s not to say I’m not absolutely looking forward to celebrating our marriage with our dear ones.   I only want to keep stress at bay and although there is a part of me that would love to go over every detail and make things “perfect,” it probably better if I take a more casual approach to things.  I even considered not sending out paper invitations but I figured, when would I get an opportunity to do this?  And I do love paper goods so…

We are having at least two parties.  The first one will be with our friends; it might seem a little disjointed to do it this way but it seems like the most convenient thing for everyone and convenience is a good thing, in my opinion.  The festivities are to be held in October; something low key but fun…wine, cheese and plenty of finger foods, a cake (not a fancy wedding cake but perhaps it still will be tiered, just for fun), and even some Halloween-inspired goodies and decoration.

I made these silhouettes based off some wedding photos that had our profiles in them.  I like the old-fashioned look and color theme.  These scalloped cards are great, aren’t they?  I got them at Staples of all places!

I had to make matching address labels, of course.  And don’t you love these stamps?  They may be my favorite, next to the Edgar Allan Poe ones.

The invitations that I’ll make for the November’s Texas BBQ and Country Western Dancing Reception (!!!) will be similar but perhaps with a few difference like the colors, for example.  And then perhaps we’ll have a family gathering around Christmas, like a post-holiday brunch.

I’m really trying to be productive this weekend but I can’t help but feel fried by the heat.  Hmm,  it doesn’t seem like something I ever tire of complaining about! Well, I think I’m more of a cool weather person anyway.  It is supposed to be only in the 80s this weekend so hopefully we’re getting a break from the hot temps.

I hope you all have a magnificent unofficial last days of summer!  Any fun plans this weekend?