Pages

▼

Monday, January 31, 2011

Lace Tops and Other Wardrobe Ideas

Lace Box

This box came back with me from Boston 3 weeks ago. "Just some lace for you", I heard and  "Know you like that sort of thing." She's right, I do like that sort of thing..... kind of. Lace can by tricky. I took a glance inside the box, saw what you're seeing above, closed it and placed it in my sewing room. And until yesterday it resided in the chaos, unopened.

Lace making is one of those highly impressive skills, where women patiently juggle their bobbins and needles and create beautiful works of art. Lace often looks complex and a bit fussy, just the opposite of simple and humble. There's no lace in wabi-sabi and decoration without function is sometimes hard for me to appreciate.

While trying to get a grip on my chaotic sewing room yesterday I stumbled upon the box, unpacked it (might as well I thought) and found some real treasures:

Lace Box
Beautiful pieces in different sizes and shapes and all of them crocheted and tatted lace. These I do like as the the cotton has a sweet country feel and the faded color adds to their charm. Here's a close up of the tatted piece:

Tattered Lace

The real unexpected treasure however, was a crocheted top, a little stained, but, of course, I don't care.

Lace Shirt

Actually, it was love at first sight, although white or cream or any light color for that matter don't work with my pale skin. I'm thinking of integrating some of the other lace into my wardrobe, but everything in my closet is dark. Do you think the top would take to dyeing? Or would it die and destroy the essence of this vintage piece.

Every year in February I'm thinking clothes. Hand-sewing (and shopping for vintage) is slow, hence there's no "whipping it up in an afternoon" sewing for me and planning ahead makes sense. This weekend I've started cloning one of my favorite t-shirts. Sewing in front of the fire place is wonderful.

Blue T-Shirt

It'll be ready later this week. And while sorting through my closet over the next few days, I'll show you some of my eclectic vintage pieces found over the years.

Be prepared for some wardrobe reflections....

15 comments:

  1. deanna7treesJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    such lovely lace. you could tea dye the crocheted top or do an onion skin dye. can you tell if the top is cotton? if it is, it should take the dye well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. artfoodsoulJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    can't wait for more posts -- alabama's book sits on a trunk in my studio -- i deconstructed a bunch of tees a couple of weeks ago and am gearing up for some sewing too...

    ReplyDelete
  3. MonicaJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Dye it or dye paint it. if it's cotton you're OK

    ReplyDelete
  4. ConstanzeJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Färben oder nicht ist eine sehr schwierige Frage finde ich - das Häkeloberteil hat so eine Aura von 20er-Jahre-Strandvergnügen, und die wäre in einer anderen Farbe komplett weg. Aber vielleicht entsteht etwas neues, anderes? Ich bin gespannt, ob du die Spitzen irgendwie integrieren kannst - ich mag nämlich Spitze, aber nicht an mir.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Very nice clothes!
    It should be such a peaceful time to sew near the fire place!

    ReplyDelete
  6. TerriJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Great can't wait for the wardrobe posts!!! : )
    I have been making my little guy undies from t shirts. He loves them. I have also resized a t shirt to his size and made him an impromtu hat from a sleeve. I am happy he loves it. : )

    ReplyDelete
  7. CharissaJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    I can't believe that top! At first I thought it was ripped, but an asymmetrical neckline?? Get out of town! I think it would look just fine dyed. Maybe an indigo color?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sharon StanleyJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    i can't wait for the wardrobe posts! i am already planning to be inspired. when i start looking at my closet my hands begin to sweat...i never have the look i want so i am ready to take inspiration from you and run with it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    have you ever tried plant dyes? tea leaves might look good on this vintage piece...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maite - vitomaFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    ¡Qué maravilla!
    Bss.

    ReplyDelete
  11. CatherineFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    I woke this morning thinking of this lace top of yours. It is an inspiration....thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MichelleFebruary 1, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    What a gorgeous lace top, I think the colour is part of its charm however if dyeing it ensures that it would be worn, I think you should go for it:-) It's always nice to restore an old piece and give it new life..

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    dark grey, (antrazit), then maybe a black silk satin skirt, doubled silk, with a satin layer against your legs and another facing to the top. mat cotton crochet and the shine of silk satin, trow on one of your fab circle scarves, a hat you make and bingo.. a wonderful outfit... since it's cotton, use fibre reactive dyes or even washing machine dye....

    ReplyDelete
  14. kiki bFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    I would say go ahead and dye it! If it's cotton than just about anything would work - Kool-Aid, washing machine dye (Dylon or similar), natural dyes (walnut shells, onion skins), and acid dyes. Go with something fabulous. I can see it in a beautiful deep turquoise. And now you've inspired me to crochet or tat some dainty lace trim for a skirt I'm making, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    I would opt for indigo as well, and then wear something cream colored underneath. The tatting looks so great. Since I am trying tatting at the moment I appreciate the sight very much. With lace it is all a matter of combination and balance, I think. (Just like the pleated skirt with the patches in your next post, thank you for showing!).

    ReplyDelete