Project Minima:

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

I Am Cute Dresses

~ yep, you heard that right ~

The gray cotton with silver mesh overlay dress is made from one of the first Japanese sewing books that was translated into English, I Am Cute Dresses.  And that's my peace sign necklace worn way back in the 60s.  Hey, I'm in my 60s now too.  hmmm...





Underneath is my Ode to a Grecian Slip, self-drafted from a bit of black chiffon I had on hand.   Worn cuz I'm feeling the dress is too short for me now.  Both items were made in the beginning days of Project Minima. 



~ a quick cat nap? ~

Wearing the Lotus Shirt/ Jacket/ Duster from Tina Givens Patterns over top as it was chilly here on the last day of school.





~ close up of my hand-made fasteners ~





~ and those cute shoes and sox ~


Hope I'm not too late for Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet StyleAnd I've got it nailed for Anne's 52 Pick me up: gray, yea!  Then off to Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, but of course.  And Cherie's Shoe and Tell.  Hope to see you all there.



16 comments:

  1. I love your peace sign, Pao. Glad it's stayed with you for half a century.
    You are cute dresses, they're both fabulous and those metallic beetlecrushers are so cool. xxx

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    1. 1/2 a century! No way. Really? oh my.
      Metallic beetlecrushers, such a good name for a heavy metal band.

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  2. willow kitties on your socks!!! literally!
    (the "blooms" of willow ist called *weidenkätzchen* in german)
    i´m totally in love with the graphic cuts of asian/japanese garments - ancient or modern. and i developed an aversion against the complicated construction and restricting fit of garments made after late victorian tailoring rules still used in the western world. and i found out - one does not have to look like wearing a potato sack while using japanese construction - wise fabric & color & pattern choices make for elegant fashions! like your ensemble here!!!!
    and when in doubt i use a belt :-)
    how´s your shoulder?
    xxxxxx

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    1. Yes, pussy willows + kitties on my sox. I luv that skirts are called "rocks" in German. Only problem with Japanese patterns are they are soooo smalllll. But the designs are beautiful in their construction. Nope, no belts for me though.

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    2. plural of "rock" = röcke :-)
      xxxxx

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    3. I wonder how that's pronounced? Fraus in rocke.

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  3. The name of the book - so charming. I have a few Japanese sewing books, untranslated, but I still adore the pictures. Like this cool dress you're wearing. And the peace sign (we're old together - I remember scribbling it on my notebooks in junior high). xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. You have Japanese sewing books? Wow, and you don't even sew. Maybe you'll start someday, you know, when you're old and retired.

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  4. Oh Pao, I love every piece you're wearing here, right down to the little "Pussy Willow"socks! I like the simple but strong graphic shapes of Japanese clothing, and the idea of the silver mesh overlay is marvelous. I have a sheer black tunic printed with silver dots that I will wear over a plain dress. The pattern on your lotus shirt is sooo cool. Maybe I should commission you to make me a dress?

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    1. Yeah, I think we're in the same neighborhood of aesthetics/ style/ clothes.

      Well, what do you want your new dress to be?

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  5. I love that Lotus top. All the Tina Givens you've been wearing has made me look her up - really like the styles.

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    1. I do too. But her patterns are really hit or miss as far as accuracy and/or instructions go.

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  6. What a totally amazing outfit. I love, love, love those shoes! Where did you get them? I think I need them. The colourful duster is so beautiful. Awesome ensemble from start to finish x
    Anna
    www.annasislandstyle.com

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    1. Glad you like it Anna. All my shoes are from ebay. These are Jeffrey Campbell.

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  7. Let's see if this comment makes it through. My comments seem to be disappearing into the clouds. I have that cute dress book. Is that the I am kimono cut cute dress? So terrific. You have a magical touch when it comes to transforming these patterns into art. I actually just finished my very first Japanese dress book project. I'll post about it if I can ever get my S#%T together. Anyhoo. You have totally captured that cute Japanese spirit with a nice touch of American peacenik. Love.

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    1. Of course you'd have the I Am Cute Dress book, Connie. Yes, it is the kimono cut dress. ooo, ooo, what is your very first Japanese dress book project? The ones from this book are particular difficult because they don't have patterns - it's all math and such! yuck.

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