A new dress named Monet. Pattern a, 'Stylish Dress Book' by Yoshiko Tsukiori

I adore my new dress!

My new dress is so very loved that I felt it deserved a special location to be photographed.  Welcome to the Central History Museum!   Located in the heart of the charming small-town of Central, South Carolina this museum is housed in a delightful old home that was built in 1893 by Jeptha and Minnie Morgan.

I love old homes, don't you?!

Could there be anything more charming than an old-time Southern quintessential rocking chair front porch. 

The museum is only open on Sundays, but their grounds have been turned into lovely botanical gardens.....

.....with delightful statues.....

'Having Fun'

.....and barn quilts.  It was a delight to be here this (very hot) July morning!

This dress is another Pattern A, from 'Stylish Dress Book' by Yoshiko Tsukiori.  This pattern fits me well. 

The lovely Silky Print, 100% polyester fabric was purchased at Joann's.   This is where I realized my iPhone camera would be handy to take a photo of the fabric bolt information to be able to refer back to in the future.  Brilliant idea, if I do say so myself.  I'm trying to remember to do that with all new fabric purchases.  Anyway, I only paid $6.50 per yard for this luscious fabric because Joann's was having a 50% off sale this day.  This pretty dress only needs 2 yards.  $13.00 was the cost of my new dress.

A few construction details that I changed from the Pointillism Dress, my dress from the same pattern/book..... was to change the back pleat to a box pleat.  Took in the same width in the back, just flipped the pleat.  The front is gathered as per the pattern instructions, instead of pleated like the modification in the pointillism dress.  I gathered this neckline differently than what I've done in the past by loosening my tension dial.  Kept the same stitch length, but with a loose tension it was easy to gather and the smaller stitches gave it a prettier gathered look than how I'd been doing in the past by lengthening by stitch length or zigzagging over a thread.  Pretty proud of the neckline binding as this fabric is lovely to look at and lovely to touch and has a lovely drape..... but is one big p-a-i-n to sew with!  The edges frayed/shredded like crazy so my great idea to use french seams AND add in-seam pockets changed to add in-seam pockets and serge all the seams.  

Thanks to the lovely Carolyn of Handmade by Carolyn's well-written and photographed tutorial of how to add In-Seam Pockets.... these were a cinch!  Why, oh why did I think adding in-seam pockets would be so difficult!  Now I shall be adding them to EVERYTHING!  :)

A back view.....   oh, I also added a self-fabric tie belt just like the pointillism dress, with the exception that I squared the tie-ends off here.  This dress was lengthened about 3/8" too.

Love it!

And don't you think the name Monet is appropriate?  Reminded me of some of his paintings.

Now I shall tell you the rest of the story.  Today began with the idea that I needed a contrast background for my pretty dress.  I was afraid I would blend in with the landscape otherwise.  So I chose a white historic little church..... looks more like a little chapel.... that I thought would be appropriate because this dress was made to add to my church-going clothing needs.  When I got to the little church, there were a few cars in the parking lot.  Decided it would be a good idea to get permission before beginning any photography, so I sought out the church secretary and told her my little story.  Now keep in mind I absolutely do not feel comfortable taking my pictures in public..... and here I am explaining to this woman how I make my clothes to be photographed for an internationally read blog, and could I please take a few pictures at the front of her very pretty church.  She said 'no'.  She'd have to have the pastor's permission and the pastor was out-of-town and unavailable.  Soooooooo..... awkward!!  When I am embarrassed I either become very quiet, or chatter away.  Evidently today was a chatter day and I found myself telling her that I used to be the pianist for over 8 years at one of this church's sister church.  She begins to sit up a little straighter and says "you play the piano?"  And with that, she tells me the church she attends is looking for a pianist and would I please apply for the position!!!  She then apologizes for not feeling like she can allow me to take photographs at this church..... but by the way she's a member of the Central Museum board and she gives me full approval to take all the photographs I want there.  She was to even call ahead, just in case someone was there doing paperwork, to let them know I was allowed full access to the grounds.   Turned out oh-so-nice, but I will probably never consider taking photographs on private property ever, ever, (ever!) again. 

And after having lunch with my sweet husband, I found this tucked away in my car.  :)

So all's good!