Sunday, August 14, 2011

So, There Was This Dress...


So, there was this dress... 

Well, let me tell you about this creation first.  The pattern is a Gingko Shoulderette Shawl.  I learned about it at Rose Path after Diane made the smaller version( posted on Shush, I'm Counting here).

You can find the pattern at Fragrant Heart Blog, here.  It is a free download.  Gotta love that!


 I used Noro's Shirakaba in colorway #3.  It is a 42% silk, 40% cotton, and 18% wool blend.  Works up as light as air!  Great drape.


I particularly love the way this yarn and this pattern work up together -- to give a contemporary geometric design along with a touch of traditional in the lacework.


If you are ready to give lace a try, I think this would be a wonderful one to jump in on.  The body is a simple stockinette stitch and then the lace pattern is repeated in small segments; so, it is easy to see if you have made a mistake before you have invested a ton of work and THEN have to backtrack.


Unlike other lacework I have done, there is no break on the purl side.  The pattern continues, still I found it quite manageable.  Back to the story...


So, there was this dress...  All of my friends hovering around the mid-century mark know the one.  Yeah, it is the one that the mind, of the mature woman you have become, reels-in the heart, of the young woman you once were, with the "that is not age appropriate" line. 

This dress has been hanging in my closet for three years.  Yep.  It was on a sale rack.  It was NOT age appropriate.  It was full length... soft billowy gathers of finest, sweet cotton batiste.  Sleeveless.  Not appropriate.  Still my heart so loved the romance... the softness... the colors.  My older self finally gave in to my heart; it was on sale. 

So, then reality set in.  It would have to be hemmed.  I would really need some kind of cover-up.  I attempted my first lace shawl.  Didn't work.  Just didn't look like I wanted... like I dreamed.  The dress hung in the closet some more another year and a half.


Then, there was the Gingko in Noro blue... Perfection!! Ample coverage... and a romantic feel all its own.  And, there was Italy coming up. When would there ever be a more romantic place to enjoy my own romance with this dress? It took me three hours to hem it.  Five and a half days of crazy knitting to finish the shawl...  Worth every minute. 


This isn't a great photo, but it is proof that a matron can cloak her girl's heart and have a most romantic evening with her handsome beloved.  Mission accomplished!  ;)  AND, I am envisioning it with jeans and a tee shirt this fall. 


These are a couple of views we enjoyed walking home from dinner in Florence...


Or Firenze, as they say over there...

Ladies, don't give up on your heartsongs.  Young ladies, enjoy your young arms and all the appropriateness of your age!!  ;)

blessings ~ tanna

Come join us over at Kim's!

Photobucket

47 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

Tanna: As I look at my mid-century friends I realize how beautiful they are. They are where they want to be. They have good marriages. They have grown children who are now educated and successful. They love life. They celebrate their just-starting-to-be-saggy arms. One of them can even knit!! I like the photo of you and your beloved. I bet you'd look just as lovely without the shawl (so, send it to me posthaste)! Just kidding! Love the dress. I would have snatched it right up myself.

Best,
Bonnie

Leontien said...

I think the dress and the shawl!!!

And i sure looked like you had a great time in it!

Leontien

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Amen to those with firm arms. Those were the day. How romantic to walk in Firenze at night. We did not get to experience that. The shawl looks great.

TexWisGirl said...

oh, bless you!!! i'm so glad you were able to wear your dress - AND your lovely shawl!

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Well done my friend. So glad you went for it. I never thought of myself as mid-century but sure enough I am!

Janie said...

I love the cover up and the dress, and that you are out having fun feeling great. Now you have tempted me to get those needles out. Fall is coming, and gee I like to knit. Thanks for sharing this with your blogger friends.

Betsy Brock said...

Wonderful! Problem solved in such a beautiful way! You look gorgeous!

Deb said...

arms...not that is a story in it self....love the shawl...love the dresss....love the photos...love your blog Tanna....

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Bellisimo!! You look marvelous, darling!! Nice, nice combination..

Shug said...

You looked great in this lovely. I can tell you for sure that those firm arms are kicking me right now. My two daughters try to dress their mom and sometimes the arms are a definite give away when it comes to age. Your pics were just as lovely as your attire.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

OH! OH! OH! You look WONDERFUL in your dress and shawl! What a wonderful photo and trip! Too old for it....NEVER! PISHAW!!!!!!

Christine said...

You two, gave those Italians, a run for their money in the Romance Dept.
Great pictures!

Wanda said...

Oh Tanna ~ I'm so glad you are a romantic....and so talented you can take a "moment" and turn it into a delightful romantic outfit.

The picture are darling!! What a great place to wear it, Italy!!

My Creative Tuesday, is about my romantic side...but without an adorable shawl.

Love and Hugs

Chatty Crone said...

Whew - so many lovely things here - mostly the two of you and then your dress and beautiful shawl. Looks like you two had a great time.

Donna said...

What a great story! And you look stunning. So happy that you used your wisdom, gained from aging, to let your heart have its dear desire one more time!

Amanda said...

I still don't think the dress is "inappropriate" but whatever... =) I love "the white winged-dove," especially with that dress. The perfect ensemble for dinner out in Firenze. You look beautiful. BEAUTIFUL!! XOXOXOXO

Amanda said...

Oh, and Pop Pop looks quite handsome, too. ;-)

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, I never understood why my mother always wanted to cover up her shoulders,I do understand now though! The shawl is quite beautiful and very sheik!
I think that you looked happy and quite romantic in your photo. Blessings, Catherine xo

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Ah, firm arms...I miss them! Your dress and shawl are lovely, Tanna. And your photos from Italy are just stunning. You and hubby are a great looking couple!

tracie c. said...

Beautiful! JUST BEAUTIFUL all of it!
We have plans to visit Tuscany this Fall.... cross your knitting needles that it works out :)

Debbie said...

I think your photos are just wonderful! I would love to visit there. I also agree with you 100% about the chick who willfully ignores the rules.

Makes my blood boil, too. Why, I might just post about it too some day.

I'm glad that you didn't let it ruin your whole day.

podso said...

What a beautiful post! It's full of so much--the heart of a woman growing in grace (or age), and the beauty of that dress and your shawl ... I love what you did in order to wear it. I'm guessing you shortened it? When I see the young girls in "maxi" dresses I wonder if they realize they are not new? We wore them!

What a romantic walk home you had! And it seems many of our bloggy husbands have beards! Such a nice picture of you and your husband!

Debbie said...

What a wonderful place to visit! I bet you heart is still full. I get happy just visiting the River Walk in San Antone! :D Your handwork is lovely. It makes me want to try and learn to knit again! Almost...
Hey, really handsome guy!I think he likes you!
Hugs, Deb

Sandi said...

Because of you I stopped again yesterday and looked at a Klutz version of How to Knit. I carried it around the store with me, and then laid it down. Again this morning, your pictures send teasing messages to my fingers! But more than that, you offer me a reminder of the joy of embracing my aging self.

Buttercup said...

The shawl is lovely -- and what a great solution to making the dress work well -- and so are you! Enjoying the photos of Italy!

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a fabulous color. I think it is perfect with your dress and I love the photo of you wearing it. I hope you have enjoyed your holiday. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

A beautiful couple in a beautiful city. The music of Italy in the background...
Bellisimo~~

no spring chicken said...

YES! You will now be the inspiration behind many of us 'getting up theres'! The story, well, we can relate. The punchline... we can do it! You look gorgeous. Knowing that you are in Italy makes you even more so. :) Your handsome husband looks pretty smug with his arm around his beauty!

Blessings, Debbie

nanny said...

Oh you look beautiful......such a romantic setting. The views, well, how do you describe them...words aren't enough!! I am so happy that you and Evan took this trip of a lifetime! Life changing, uh?

Now tell me about the food!!!

Lauri said...

Gorgeous! You, your dress, and the views...simply gorgeous!

Tricia @ Saving room for dessert said...

Since I'm about to turn 52, I applaud you! You look fantastic and you're owning those colors! Age appropriate - yuck. On holiday with your favorite person in a romantic restaurant, perfect! Great job and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your photos!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

The shawl looks perfect draping around your pretty face and that sweet dress, Tanna!

I am glad you visited one of my favorite cities in Italy! Wasn't all the food there amazing? Did you buy any jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio?

PS: Yes, I defonitely moss my young, thin and firm arms..lol!

Dana said...

What a beautiful story. And I think the shawl looked just perfect with the dress. Though, you could have gotten away with it even without the shawl. :-)

I do understand wanting your arms covered. I've never liked my arms and have always felt they are fat so I really love wearing little sweaters or cardigans.

Scott Law said...

I've been away for a couple weeks, but I'm glad for the chance to get back and try to catch up. I see you're keeping busy on your blog.

Looked back over several of your recent posts and enjoyed them. I have to admit that I'm not too much into the dress, but I really enjoyed the Italy posts. I lived in Italy for about 1 year and a half a long time ago and still consider it one of my favorite places in the world.

Julie Harward said...

It's really gorgeous and you two are a beautiful couple! :D

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Aww... how sweet! You two are just adorable. The shawl is beautiful on you! Love the gorgeous photos of Florence. :)

Debbie said...

It. Is. Just. Gorgeous!

I love it all by itself, but you are right that it is perfect with that dress (I totally get that part) and against the arm of your man in that beautifully romantic city.

A+ all the way around for this post. It made me ooh, then ahhh, and then just smile.

Dar said...

Hi from one of the mid-century readers. I'm new here, but will be back to see what else you are up to.
Your shawl is gorgeous and looks like I must give it a go~ now to find a dress as lovely as yours~one not age appropriate to go with a dreamy shawl such as yours...you've inspired me.
Italy~~~awwww, to dream!
BlessYourSweetHearts

LauraLillyLaura said...

I love the shawl and I love your story and I'm right with you!! You look fab in your dress and shawl!!! A good shawl makes a lot of things possible!!!

Ana said...

Oh Tanna,
Dress and shawl are perfect together...I'm so happy you were finally able to wear and enjoy your beautiful, romantic dress and what better place than in Rome...Awesome pictures...You two make a handsome couple. Have a wonderful day my sweet friend.

Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana

sandy said...

what a great photo of you two, and I enjoyed the others. Have a great time.

Deborah Hamilton said...

You look beautiful in the shawl and the dress.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Tanna, how nice to see a picture of you and hubby together in beautiful Italy. Lovely views indeed! Who wouldn't want to take a walk like that every evening !!! ??? Your shawl is absolutely gorgeous! And goes perfectly with that pretty dress. I always seem to be able to wear different things on vacation than I would here -- especially big scarves (of course it is hot as hell here :) I can't remember the last time I wore a dress -- years and years ago. Hope your day is great. Tammy

Solar Powered said...

A lady of such grace and beauty. An inspiration to us all :)

Vickie said...

Tanna, when you go out of town, you really go out of town! What a wonderful romantic trip! I long to travel to Italy and paint! That is my dream vacation...

I have a couple of things hanging in my closet that take me back to my youth, too. It's fun to sit and dream about those days again. I'm glad you found a solution (and a beautiful one at that!) to wear your romantic dress and be a girl on her honeymoon again. What a special time...

Your last photo from Italy should be a painting - the street scene looking up at the golden wall... just sayin'...

My Dream Canvas said...

This looks great. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas. Take care Anu

Karolee said...

Beautiful shawl! My friend, Kat, sent me over to check out your knitting. Love it.

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