Route 66 Graduation Party Frock -- Part One

Yes, I am in the midst of making a graduation present for my dear friend, Katie of Beautifully Pure. She loves the whole idea of route 66 and old cool cars. So when I found this fabric I knew what she'd be getting as her graduation present from me.

Stay tuned to see pictures of the finished dress in part two!

Adieu,
Molly

Road to Romance Dress

The Royal Road to Romance is a book by Richard Halliburton, a young man in the 1920's who gave up a career in order to travel the world. He wanted to climb treacherous mountains, swim oceans, and see distant lands. This dress, therefore, in the spirit of his amazing travel book, is dubbed the Road to Romance Dress. Who knows on what journeys this dress could take you? Anywhere from America, to Europe, to Asia, or on a ship sailing round the world. A train speeding across the country, or a automobile driving fast on the highway.

This dress I made in November and December as a Christmas gift for my sister, who so beautifully poses for these photos. As soon as I saw the fabric at Hobby Lobby, I snatched it up with great plans for it. Now, months later, we finally took some proper pictures of the dress.

Adieu,
Molly

A Peek into My Hope Chest

Hope chests are so old fashioned and romantic. Don't you think? I simply adore them in all their quaintness.

I have always liked the idea of a hope chest -- a place to store things for my future home. Things that I have no use for yet. A sort of reminder of the responsibilities that lie a head of me and the excitement of the blossoming of womanhood. Dishtowels that are pretty, cookware that I take a fancy too, and kitchen utensils; pictures that I wish to hang in my home someday, treasures, and prized possessions that have no place for me yet -- all are treasured within my hope chest, carefully packed away till their proper time.

Only once in a while, when I am daydreaming, I will open the trunk and hold the things in my hands, thinking -- sometimes playfully and sometimes soberly -- about my life to come. Then I will just as carefully pack the things away again, wrapped in their newspaper print, like a little girl putting away her dolls once she is too old for them. Only it is not time yet for these things and am waiting, though not idly, for the day I will use them.     

Adieu,
Molly

Polka Dot 40's Frock

I did wear my new dress Sunday morning. I am pleased with the over all silhouette of the dress. It looks rather 1940's to me. 

My sister helped pick out the fabric. I was going for a simple print so I could experiment with the pin tucks and puffed sleeves without it being overkill. The zipper went in all right, however I still need to improve in that aspect of my sewing skills. 

 Picture credit: Anna 
 Picture credit: Anna 
 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

I drafted the skirt pattern and used the sleeves from a 1970's vintage pattern I got at a thrift store for 99 cents. The bodice is from Simplicity 2444 with a few minor changes made in the fitting. The best thing about this dress is that it has got side pockets! Now there is a place to stick my things when I'm out and about and don't wish to carry a purse -- or in my case, when my purse is just too annoying to get in and out of all the time even if I am carrying it.  

Till next time,
Molly