A Scrumptious Project for Spring 2022

Every once in awhile, I get asked to design something 

that really is special. 

Recently, I was asked to take a basic little dress 

and re-design it for a special event -
a wedding vow reaffirming ceremony.  

The dress as it looked.

Pinterest Inspiration 

* So, this dress is leather and very different fabrics

than I would be working with. However, the concept 

of the shirt's layers and asymmetry was the 

beginning of some inspiration. 

I had one piece of this lovely beaded detail which 
would perfectly pair with the beaded crown.

And, I was all set to start the re-designing!

Re-aligned the under-slip and added the 
♡ Lovely Detailing. ♡ 

Then I cut off the bottom tier of the skirt.
And, added length to the under-skirt. 

I realized that the middle tier seam was never going to look 

right. It was going to have to go! 

This meant removing the entire skirt to remake it. 

Much better!
Next step was adding the (curtain) sheer skirt fabric.
This was very assymetrical and would become
 a train at the back of the dress.

Now, for the fun part! 

The tiny hand-cut fabric flower buds - each one 
with bits of multi-color yarn strands. 

Some of the detail work could be sewn 
on by machine . . . 

 
. . . but much of it would be hand-sewn.

A few views of the skirt and train:

Introducing, my favorite Spring 2022 Project: 

This was a fantastic and fun project. 

From concept to finish, it was totally enjoyable. 

I describe this dress as "ethereal" - 

Delicately lovely with a fairy-land mystique. 

          Congratulations!

Roaring 20's Trivia: KNEES

Remember the movie, Chicago? 

It may not be historically accurate to a fault. 
But, it is a Hollywood depiction of the Flappers and the time of the Roaring 20's.  So, let's dive right in by listening to the first few lines of the song, "All that Jazz": 

"Come on babe, why don't we paint the town?

And all that jazz.

I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down

And all that jazz."

Ok. What's the deal about "rouged knees"?

 . . . Well, I had to find out!

Here are a few quotes from what I found:

"That’s not just a weird lyric — it was a major fad during the Roaring Twenties to rouge one’s knees. While dress hems would hit flappers below the knees, that part of the leg would usually expose itself while they Charlestoned inside dance halls. So by rouging them and rolling their stockings down, it only brought more attention to that illicit flash of skin."

"The 'flappers' were wearing skirts shorter than ever before (hemlines just under the knee were the ’20s version of a miniskirt), they were rolling down their stocking below the knee or giving up on them altogether, and knee rouging became just another way to attract attention to an area of the female body that had never been as visible before."

Then, apparently, it went even one step farther. 

The girls even painted pictures on their knees.

"Rebellious girls in the 1920s wanted to anger and shock their Victorian-era parents, so not only would they bare their knees with short dresses, but they would also paint pictures to make sure an onlooker didn't miss their risque hem length. Rolled stockings became a fad with the shorter hemlines, and girls would go get roses, butterflies, ocean scenes, or their dogs' faces painted on their knees to further push their boundaries."

So, to sum this all up (in 1920's slang)  

Having rouged or painted knees. . .  

Seems to have been the "bee's knees" 

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Research:

https://www.livingly.com/Flappers+Loved+This+Surprising+Act+of+Fashion+Rebellion

https://www.simplemost.com/1920s-beauty-trends

https://www.odditycentral.com/news/hand-painted-knees-a-forgotten-beauty-trend-of-the-1920s.html

This is Me

This is a story about what goes on in my head. It may be interesting to somebody and probably really, really boring to the masses. Yesterday, Russ and I took a long walk and I voiced what was on my mind. Finally, making - what was for me - a tough decision. 

He told me that I should write it down as a "catharsis".  

Here goes: It all started in March when we went into "stay at home" mode. My regular visits to the beach were suddenly literally "illegal"! Traveling was impossible, or at best extremely restricted. So we hunkered down. That time was really weird for most everyone! I got busy sewing - some for charitable efforts, but also planning a collection for a Fall Fashion Show. 

The first Fall Fashion Fiesta was back in November, 2012.

(https://mexiconaomi.blogspot.com/p/fashion-shows.html). 

I sorted through my stash in what I call my "hoarder closet". This is basically an entire room filled with shelves and hanging racks of reclaimed pieces of clothing and fabric. I decided on a theme for a 2020 Fashion Show. It would be the Roaring 20's with bits of Art Nouveau and Art Deco design. I went online, purchasing a few specific pieces to supplement my stash.

Over the course of the hot summer months, I studied the styles, trends and patterns of the 1920's. The Gatsby era and the time of the "flappers" - described best as "young fashionable women known for their wild style, drinking and denial of social norms of the era."

In researching this fashion history, I learned some fun facts and trivia. Using a vintage pattern, I designed the typical 1920's style "one hour dress" (yes, it took me several hours!) 

I found directions for the iconic cloche hat and the quintessential 1920's Cocoon Coat designed by the French designer, Paul Poiret.

By early October, I had a collection that overwhelmed our spare bedroom (which has not had any occupants since January). I have made almost 30 outfits, at least a dozen hats, a load of small purses and bags and a selection of feathery headbands.

Now it was time to invite the support crew and models that I need. 

This is where my brain gets all bungled up. 

Two major character flaws I have are  1) I am stubborn and,  2) I am a "people-pleaser" in the sense that I am (probably, perhaps, just maybe) overly concerned with external input. My decisions often ebb and flow like the tide of the Sea! 

My brain debates with itself, reading and listening to every opinion and trying to see a way to please everyone while not going completely bonkers myself. Such an irksome way to operate.

In sending out requests, I received a dozen positives. "Yes, it sounds fun!" Yay! "Yes let's do this." I am getting totally excited at this point. I will have the best show yet! And, everywhere I am reading opinions that we MUST get back to real life. This living with a "virus-dread" hanging over our head is simply NOT right!

Then, I receive a few other responses.

"Not doing groups right now. I'm a little worried about flu season. 

I have to pass. Sorry."

"I'm not going out in public right now. 

This weekend I lost two people I knew."

"I’m sorry Naomi, I’ll have to pass on this one. 

We’re trying not to work if it’s going to be 

a big crowd, at least until things get a little better."

"This has been a rise and fall of emotions.

I don't want to just give up and just say 

'OK We can't do this' - but I think it's for the best for now. 

No social gatherings."

I complain about my uncertainties to my daughter who lives in California. She laughingly tells me, "Mom, you do realize we are still in the middle of this pandemic, right?"

Back to that other character flaw.... I am stubborn! 

I tell one of my close friends and collaborator that I want to show people my collection! I want people to SEE what I have been working on for the last 7 months. But, we agree that perhaps this may not be the right time. And, I knew it was time to cancel for 2020. 

I am already planning for 2021. 

Trying to embrace the idea of 'flexible'. 

Besides, the 1920's style was an entire DECADE of Fashion! 

I am sure that my brain will not let me believe I made the right decision. I will definitely find myself in that spare room browsing through the outfits, gazing at purses, hats and headbands. I will second-guess myself a hundred times. Because . . . This is me.

I know that almost everything is more important than this decision! However, Thank You to everyone who supports my crazy Fashion-Show Addiction. 

See you soon.

Maybe I will just replay the YouTube video of 2020 Virtual Fashion Show*  

*my summer project a collaboration featuring 38 models from near and far.  

  

Fall Fashion Show Date Announced

After a "Hiatus" in 2015, the Fall Fashion Fiesta is back! 

Don't miss the fun... (we won't do anything too serious.)

This year make it an Outing with your Girls!

We will be at Southside Jillz.

Come early for Lunch. Noon to 2:00 

Featuring Lunch specials 

and an all new Fashion Video Presentation. 

  

 Wear your favorite SweetNaomi ReCreation 

or SeaDebris clothing item and 

strut the runway and have a photo shoot! 

Plus, receive a discount on 

any purchase made that day from my studio!  

Bring your friends! 

Spread the word and 

Remember how much fun we always have. . . 

 

NOVEMBER  2012

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SPRING 2013

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NOVEMBER 2013

  _____________________________________

NOVEMBER 2014

"Life's too short 

to wear boring clothes!"

...and now, BACK TO THE SEWING MACHINE

Fashion Frenzy

So, I was checking out some of the 

Fashions going down the Runways for 2017.

Wanted to get some inspiration....

Hmmm. Who is going to be wearing these?

My Opinions:

First off the shoes are all BEYOND BAD.

The mis-matched socks, hilarious. 

The girl in pink looks extremely ill.

Somewhat "home-made" quality to a couple of these, huh?

However, I do Love that the stripes are not horizontal.

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My Opinions:

Again. . . The shoes. Ugh.

Somebody forgot their slip...

Somebody is wearing their pillowcase.

The stripes, hat and tennis shoes is just a Mess (and, not hot).

And, the blue and green looks like a craft project gone awry. 

However, I do kinda like the big bow in front of that pink dress.

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My Opinions:

The girl in blue is definitely in some witness protection program.

Another forgotten slip...

Angry girl with a bad hair day and doo-dads gone berserk.

And, another girl with the flu, perhaps? 

However, I do Love the blue shoes. Super-cute.

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Now, for a few that I found that I like... 

My Opinions:
What's not to Love. . . black and white polka dots!
And, a funky cool big necklace.

The bohemian dress has fun colors....

The navy with stripes - Simple and elegant...and thinning, too.

And the sunny yellow one, just the bodice is spectacular.
Plus, the shoes are classics!



Ok!  I have some inspiration.
Thanks for joining me.
Now, I gotta get busy. . .