Summer Requiem, in a Dress

Remember Requiem?  Song of The Dead?  Or For The Dead…or was it…. By The Dead?

goodbye summer (summer requiem)

Well, anyway.  Summer’s over.  I mean really, really over.  Perhaps an autumn day (or several) will emerge from its frosty morning almost balmy, almost summery, but it will be esteemed by its more frigid sisters as a freak.  And will be forced to stand alone.  A lone, lonely loner.

The backyard zinnias are brown.  Dead.  The pumpkin vines are withered black/brown, dead.  Even the pumpkins are frostbitten.    Summer is gone.  And because I loved it, I (even though I’m not dead) will sing a wistful farewell to it.  In a dress.  Gray (not grey)… perfect for a summer requiem.

I’m singing.  Ok, typing.  And not actually literally  in a dress; I sit at my laptop in grubby clothes so besmeared with paint, they’ve become crusty.  I do have pictures of the dress though.  Which helps with the whole illusion of my having sung summer’s dirge in a dress.

gray summer dress princess lines and pleats gray princess pleated dress

It was lovely and warm when we took these pictures.  Summer was in full stride.  I wasn’t though…my thrifted orange pumps are a half size too big.   I step lightly in them, lest I lose them Cinderella style..

They’re just so cute (my Pumpkin Pumps).  Even if they don’t fit, quite.pumpkin pumps

And the dress… I made it.  Five, six years ago.  Out of clearance fabric.  I wear it maybe twice a year, probably because it’s a little too snug in the bust.  And yet, I love how it looks once I’ve got it on (which is kind of hard, in all honesty…I used a zipper that was just a little too short; the only way into this dress is over my head, wriggling the narrow opening over my shoulders and bust)..   Princess line patterns are a dime a dozen, but ones with pleats in the front…not as easy to find.  The pattern I used to make this dress disappeared mysteriously, the victim of a disintegrated pattern envelope and my further mismanagement.  I cannot find it…. which is kind of a bummer because I’d love to repeat the pleats.  I’ve found a vintage Vogue pattern (V2093) that sports a  much fuller skirt, with pleats both in the front and the back.  Maybe I’ll try that sometime, when I’m not so paint splattered.  Or busy pretending to sing requiems.  Farewell, summer.  Goodbye zinnias and tomatos and light gray summer dresses.  For now.

goodbye in a gray dress (summer requiem)

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  • Nancy Wilson November 5, 2013, 2:47 pm

    I love the pattern and color also. I might have a pattern like that in all my old patterns. Maybe similar. I too am sad at the passing of summer, in a way. I am ready to be done with berry picking and selling. I just want to feel the warm sun on my back, feel a gentle breeze, soak in the peace and quiet, just for a few days. Yes I did get to do that at the coast with all of you lovely people.Like a hot chocolate cookie right out of the oven kind of “morish”,( it keeps saying wouldn’t you like some more,so warm , so nice!)
    My friends enjoyed the swiss porridge, your lovely house, and paintings hanging on the wall. LuDean wants to hire you to do her landscaping. I did not think you would be available for a while. Hope all is well. Love Mother.

    • Lynaea November 15, 2013, 7:44 am

      Probably the pattern you are remembering is the pattern that I had and lost. Because I do end up with patterns that are yours. (= And I’m not always a great steward. I would love to help LuDean with her landscaping. No one will be available for a while though, with frost and snow beginning their long occupation.

      Love you Mom.

  • Christa October 23, 2013, 11:34 pm

    I LOVE that dress!
    And I especially love that you made it yourself. 🙂
    I’ve been wanting to try my hand at a dress like that, but the pattern I chose required way too much fabric. Holding out for a good clearance sale.
    Love the color you chose. 🙂
    Christa recently posted…slipping in unnoticed…My Profile

    • Lynaea October 30, 2013, 9:50 pm

      Thank you Christa. Yes, the princess cut is a little greedy by way of yardage…but worth it. Hope you find that dream fabric on clearance soon…

  • Cortne October 18, 2013, 1:49 pm

    You look fabulous! Love the color and cut of the dress and you are rockin those poses.
    Cortne

    • Lynaea October 30, 2013, 9:47 pm

      Thanks Corine! I guess if you take 100 pictures, at least three or four should turn out ok…(=

  • Ginger October 14, 2013, 12:12 pm

    Gorgeous dress. It may be difficult to put on, but you do look stunning in it. Thanks for linking up to Gingerly Made’s Show & Tell.
    Ginger recently posted…Spiced Pumpkin SeedsMy Profile

    • Lynaea October 30, 2013, 9:45 pm

      Thank you Ginger!

  • Tabetha October 8, 2013, 4:33 pm

    Such a gorgeous dress & a talented seamstress in it! We do get peaks of the painting, right? And maybe an ode to autumn?

    • Lynaea October 8, 2013, 7:42 pm

      Yes yes! Hi there Taby! Yes, peeks at the painting (once I’ve reassembled the house…everything comes to pieces when you’re painting a room, not to mention the whole house). And yes, an ode to autumn, soon. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Shari Woodbury October 8, 2013, 5:03 am

    I’m bummed you can’t find the pattern either. I was thinking as I was reading that I’d love to make one like it. Shucks. Hope the painting is going well and there’s a happy song in store for that chapter.

    • Lynaea October 8, 2013, 7:40 pm

      Actually, Shari, the Vintage Vogue pattern I mentioned really does have the same princess lines and even cooler (is that a word?) pleats. You could mess with the neckline and sleeves; I know you could. DIY virtuoso that you are…(= I’m actually beginning to see an end to the painting. Until I remember that my studio is in dire need, and the garage doors…

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