Sunday, February 28, 2010

March Dress for Project 2010 Dress Up

I know I'm a bit late celebrating Mardi Gras, but I had green on the brain last month, so thought I would once again make two dresses that would celebrate holidays.


This dress was difficult to scan because the skirt was so wide and kept shifting on the scanner. The undergarment is more centered than it appears.



For both the front and back undergarment I colored book pages with color washes. I used a recycled potato bag for the skirt. I added a feather and mask charm to the front as an accent and Mardi Gras beads at the waist. The top is meant to end partway down the back. After all, Mardi Gras outfits should be a bit risque.


I designed this dress by modifying Margaret's original dress design. I wanted it to be plain and mostly unadorned to represent the struggles the Irish have endured over the centuries. It is ankle length. I thought it might be a "Sunday" dress worn by a laborer or peasant.


I couldn't help adding a bit of decoration to the back to represent the Irish shamrock. This dress was made from hand dyed material fused to card stock. I cut both the front and back at the same time, something I learned while making my January dress. It barely fit on the scanner, so that's why you can't see all of the hanger.

To see my January and February contributions, the links are on my sidebar. Don't forget to check out Margaret's blog and follow the links to other great March dresses.

Finally, I can't say it enough! Thanks you Margaret for coming up with this super collaboration that spans the globe.

29 thoughtful remarks:

Cindy McMath said...

These are both great Elizabeth - what a fun project!

Have to run but wanted to say - i love the new look for your blog!!

Cindy :)

BadPenny said...

ooh the green & purple are fab together & I love the little bead waistband and that you have recycled a potato bag !

The dye of the second dress is lovely & delicate

Lynn Cohen said...

What a lot of work and such fun. Love the top one best, but both are great!!!

Margaret said...

Beautiful green Elizabeth! and you did purple too!! must be the month for it! I love your second dress and the sentiment behind it.
I pre-prepared my March post but forgot to reschedule the date so not only is it a day early but actually reads 26 Feb! ho hum, I'll get it sorted by Dec! Margaret

Gini said...

Love your latest dresses!
Thank you so much for explaining how you do your back and front designs for the dress. I really do appreciate your advice :-)
I must think about both sides for my March dress.
Mardi Gras is a great idea for March. I was thinking if I did Easter in March what would go in April!
Happy creating!
Gini
xx

Marlynn said...

I LOVE your new look, took me a minute to realize it was you and Bleubeard! He looks so kingly in his gold. Love your green dresses both of them. I am telling you there is a designer hiding out in you. You are so ready for Project Runway! You go girl!

Terri Kahrs said...

Well look at these wonderful creations, Elizabeth! Both are awesome, but I LOVE the swirly purple skirt on the mardi gras party dress. It's just fabulous!!!! I went away for a little while and have come back to just in time to see your new blog "look"! WOW! Well done! Bluebeard looks as though he's guarding the kingdom! lOL!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE the creative re-use of the produce bag!!! I stopped collecting them because I could never find a use, althought the hard plastic netted ones make great pot scrubbers when you bunch and knot them up...

Halle said...

Love the recycled potato bag skirt!! You're a girl after my own heart. I have both a garlic and a shallot mesh bag set aside for something interesting...now if I could just figure out what that interesting thing is!

Halle said...

Hey I just noticed that your comment numbers are still italic but no longer cut off...Good job Scott!

Janee said...

What beautiful dresses! I love the green colors and the feather too! How creative...
So glad to have found your blog, thank you for visiting mine too.
:0)
Janee
(Blinkles Boulevard)

Diane said...

I didn't see this until this morning-I love this!! And I love your new blog look!

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Elizabeth! not one, but two lovely dresses!
Your Mardi Gras dress is fab, that purple bag netting is the bees knees!
Also special that you tend to both sides of the dress!
Your second dress is so thoughtful and moving!
It's clear you are having a wonderful time in Margaret's Dress Up. SO glad you are playing too!
oxo

Unknown said...

I love the green dresses!!!! the overskirt on the first one is soooo pretty!
You are quite the organizer, you.....like I said before, next time I am calling you!

Electra said...

These are so fun! The Mardi Gras dress just says "Party!" and I think any labourer who wears your second creation will be the most fashionable peasant in the field!

My Creative House said...

Wow beautiful dresses, especially I like the purple one, wonderful skirt.

romantic said...

beautiful color.very like first dress.
Lena

Jen xo said...

i just love the first on with its wonderful skirt, we dont get potato bags those colors :( jenxo

Sherry said...

Both dresses are great! I love the Mardi Gras one, the skirt looks as though it has so much movement in it!

Lyneen said...

Beautiful Mardi Gras dress... I love seeing all the dresses.

LynnF said...

Your dresses are spectacular! I love the purple, swirly dress. I really appreciate your Irish dress. Both are so lovely! LynnF

Unknown said...

Fantastic creations.

Guriana said...

I love colours, skirt and feather:))

Lesley said...

This is stunning, love the potato bag dresses. Wow never knew they could be so useful. These dresses are so fun to look at.
Lesley xo

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

Wow 2 dresses!!
They are both brilliant! Love the Mardi Gras dress, wonderful piece of recycling!!
Such a fun challenge, I'm enjoying seeing everyones dress creations!!
Jan x

Unknown said...

they both are great...my favorite is the first one....I love th potato sack idea...I had no idea that that is what it was!!! I love everything about it! I just finished my March dress last night...better late than never....

Anonymous said...

Oh what fun you are having Elizabeth, beautious gowns they both are! Christen

Marfi-topia said...

youre so talented!

SandeeNC said...

This had to be a fun craft, I have never heard of making altered dresses, but then there is so much for me to learn! I love the upcycled potato sack, you never would know to see it! And the thought behind the Irish garment amazes me, you show such depth as a person!...on to the next...