...MADE FROM VINTAGE BED LINEN
@vincentnijman and I) are settled temporarily in the Arthouse again, this time with car, new tent, and all our possession with us – and we feel fabulous and ready for the next phase, despite the phenomenal heat that is roasting south Italy right now!I have been focussed on The Perfect Summer Dress for a while now, and the excessive heat spurs me on with it – finding more and more combinations of cool cotton, linen and broderie anglaise that make up a beautiful shape and function.
This week actually had me complete two dresses in two days, with an additional major alteration to a favourite-but-tiny-wee short summer dress, which I extended the side-seams on, by adding two pieces of silk from a contrasting fabric blouse.
We also had a F A V O L O S O trip to the market on Saturday morning: first time in a few months with the car, so we didn’t have to even contemplate the impossibility of waiting under the scorching midday sun for the return bus! It was beautiful to step in and step out of the already-uncomforably-hot exposure to the sun’s rays around 9.30 am, and to make sure we got home before we were super-overwhelmed.
I had a gorgeous session cleaning my new finds: bright yellow and deep red silks, a couple of pairs of nice shorts for us both to go swimming in, and some unusual synthetic retro nightwear. I love returning with the treasures from the 50c stall, and taking care of them with baking soda, vinegar and a gentle washing soap – then pinning them out to dry (in just a few minutes!) in the bright natural light.
We had multiple tech issues this week: Italy as a whole – or at least the Campania region - was also at least one full day without internet/ phone/ messaging this past week. And we had additional weird nonsense with my phone’s /e/OS update, and a long-standing problem of not being able to receive text messages – meaning no access to certain banking and money-related websites. Hmmf. Still not resolved. Which makes us get back to pencil and paper, face-to-face communications, that sort of thing.
And natural energy, our powerbank, and sewing.
This recent dress came together quickly (unusual for me!), and had me feeling more fulfilled than I normally am by the final effect; it opens up new ideas about a simple, large square shape, held by a large belt or a wider strip of decorative fabric at the waist/ high waist.
Again, I adore working with these cool materials: they literally help relieve some of the discomfort of the hot midday. The fabrics communicate such a different feeling than synthetic ones do in this climate; they refresh and protect.
Working with vintage cotton in this way can be particular: I can’t simply cut out the shape that I want, but have to allow the material to guide me. I have to move around old rust marks or kitchen stains, and frayed needlework that either has to be repaired or replaced. I love this! I love that my attention is required to be fully engaged for every stage of the spontaneous unfolding. I love that I am needed Here and Now for such a garment.
The shape of this dress is simple but the sewing was quite laborious; I double-sewed many seams, and overly reinforced it in places: this is important with vintage material, even if it is just me who will be wearing it! And sometimes the seams will hold better than the main body of fabric; I can never tell so accurately how delicate a fabric is, until it rips! But old cotton and silk can be notoriously frail…
This makes a garment all the more precious, to me. A really old piece of natural stoffe, probably constructed back when all the more consciously than anything which is available these days… This demands my respect - and my honouring, through the work of recreating a new special garment. The love starts circulating again!
With this, I wish you the most blessed of work and life this week, and I hope that all merit gained is being radiated to you all, returning right alignment to all things and all beings!
