Anna Maria Horner Fabric and the Socialite Dress
Please don't tell Anna Maria, but I have a secret crush on her. Well, on her fabrics, really. Those fabrics transform a simple cotton sheath dress into a "Hey look at what I'm wearing" simple cotton sheath dress.
The pattern has very easy instructions, well written. I made the X-L, with no modifications. I'm thinking the next time, I may take it in a bit more through the waist and hips to give it more of a sheath shape. I always have to play around with patterns to get the right fit between top and bottom.
Interestingly enough, as I was preparing for my "photo shoot" (which, by the way, is done with a ten second timer when JR is away...I often wonder what the neighbors think) I put the dress on backwards. And you know what? It works that way, too! So, I have the option of wearing a V in the front OR in the back, and the scoop in the front OR in the back. Isn't that clever?
I made this dress in half a day. About the same time it took my peonies to go from this:
to this:
These are my favorite peonies, without a doubt. I could eat them they are so beautiful and delicious looking.
And is it any wonder I fell in love with that Anna Maria Horner fabric for my dress?
What color flower would YOU wear?
I have some magenta peonies in the back... and I actually have some fabric that matches that... but I think I'll haveto wait til next year to make some apparel... maternity sewing isn't my thing.
Love the dress! You sure rock the casbah!
Posted by: Dana | June 08, 2009 at 08:01 AM
Cornflower blue - without a doubt. I love blue, I think I look best in blue, and I love cornflowers.
Your dress looks great.
Posted by: Cybèle de Jong | June 08, 2009 at 08:22 AM
You, my dear, are ADORABLE!
Posted by: deb | June 08, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Wow! What a great dress. And it was nice in the first picture, but really AMAZING in the second when you added the jewelry, belt, sweater. I'm not so creative in the clothing dept, so it's always fun to see how you put everything together.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 08, 2009 at 09:08 AM
It turned out great! I have this pattern but I'm not sure if it would look as cute on me as it does on you. I would wear indigo colored flower. :)
Posted by: monica | June 08, 2009 at 09:12 AM
So pretty Lynne! It looks great on you
Posted by: Dani | June 08, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Gorgeous, and that belt is so fab. I totally have a crush on AMH- and maybe her husband too....:) Totally joking.
Posted by: Cathi | June 08, 2009 at 10:19 AM
The color flower I would wear is: blue iris.
Love the way you accessorize!
Posted by: kathy b | June 08, 2009 at 11:46 AM
What a quick fun dress. I love that question...I think I'd go for hydrangea, for azalea. A blue-purple or a bright pink. =0)
Posted by: km | June 08, 2009 at 12:08 PM
LOVE the dress. I would totally wear pink, too!
Posted by: amanda | June 08, 2009 at 01:45 PM
I love the dress and the flowers! I posted a month or two back about my red passion vise flower. Well, that is the one I would wear with it's crimson red petals and interesting black stamens. Half a day, huh? I need to get cracking...
Posted by: Amanda S. | June 08, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Wow, that was quick! Good job! I think I like the pink fabric you chose better than the one I made.
Posted by: Vanessa | June 08, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Very cute dress and the way you put it together in the 2nd picture is wonderful. I would be a hydrangea, too. Then I could switch from blue or pink or white
Posted by: Lori | June 08, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Very pretty dress! I love her material too.
Posted by: Karen | June 09, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Wow! What a sweet dress! I can see why you're loving that fabric. I think I would be a daisy, all white and yellow and summery.
Posted by: Paula | June 09, 2009 at 09:31 AM
I'd wear day lily orange! if I thought I could get away with it. I love the dress - you're right, fabric makes all the difference in a finished product
Posted by: Emily | June 09, 2009 at 09:43 AM
The dress really looks lovely! I have been thinking about making that dress and seeing yours has made me want to order the pattern and make one!
Posted by: Debbie | June 09, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Love your dress, love you blog even more!!! WE had magenta peon.ies in our yard growing up. I need to plant some in my yard. I love yours!!
Posted by: kathy | June 10, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Absolutely love the dress & am SO jealous! And let me just say that Bare Escentuals has a great eye color to go with called Joy. It's a glimmer & a yellow/pink. Sounds weird but it's a grapefruit color & this dress just made me think of it. It's WONDERFUL as a lip color also! Just dip your Buzz Latte in or a chapstick.:)
Posted by: Julie Swaim | June 10, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Very pretty - it looks great on you!
Posted by: Jeanne | June 10, 2009 at 06:39 PM
wow - that is pretty!!! great job! your posts as of late have really made me kick myself for not learning to sew when I lived at home. I mean really - Mom, both Grandmas, Aunt, etc -- all amazing with a sewing machine and me, not so much! Learning to sew is on my list of things to do when I finish school. :)
Posted by: e | June 11, 2009 at 04:50 PM
I love your dress paired with a belt and a sweater. The accessories really turn a simple dress into a stunning outfit!
Posted by: Wanda | June 14, 2009 at 03:53 PM