when I least expecting it

Since lemon print fabrics graced the catwalk years ago, I searched high and low for similar prints to the point of exhaustion and simply gave up. Sometime last year, while fabric shopping for my graduation dress, when I least expected it, I stumbled upon meters of lemon print fabric!

Using my TNT bodice pattern, I made a summer dress with an A-line skirt and a ruffled hem. I gave the bodice a haute couture treatment: interlined with habotai silk, and the dress is lined with rayon which is handsewn to the shell fabric. The zipper was hand-sewn, too, as I prefer that vintage feel. 

The print is bright and has a happy feel to it, something that I was lacking at the time I bought the fabric. I was stuck in a toxic relationship with Mr. Long Legs. Although I broke up with him one fine Christmas morning, he couldn't let go. Messages kept pouring in and, from what psychologists would say, displayed some "repair attempts." I simply acknowledged these repair attempts and continued with the relationship as if we didn't break up. Early on in our dating/courtship phase, Mr. Long Legs liked the facade of the relationship: always out and about, taking pictures and sharing on social media, while I tried to hold back, trying to know and understand him better and looked for the ways on building a rapport - - it is a relationship after all. When the pandemic hit us, since there was very little to no rapport established, we both failed to help each other cope. He felt unloved, while I felt alone. 

Whilst in the repair phase of our relationship, I realized that he's an anxious type of partner; hence, the abandonment issues and demands for more time together, while I am an avoidant-dismissive type. Although there are many ways to build a healthier bond, he isn't offering a higher level of commitment. He will love me whilst keeping a foot outside the door and he needs me to do the same which I am incapable of doing. And whatever emotional trauma/s he's carrying is not my burden to bear nor my responsibility to fix or heal it for him. The pressure/expectation to conform was too overwhelming. And just like any avoidant partner, I distanced myself, set some personal goals, and chased it. I can lose him, but I cannot lose myself. 

If I break up with him again, then we would be stuck in the vicious cycle of toxicity, so I decided to stay and gave him the luxury of pulling the plug. I accepted the pain from lies, cheating, and deceit while I remained loyal and focused on achieving the goals I set for myself. (I do not recommend this to anyone, so if you are in a toxic relationship, please ask for help). 

He pulled the plug. 

Finally, freedom. 

The fabric was turned into a dress as I come full circle, with some lessons learned and a brighter outlook. 

end of a chapter

There was a fabric sale and as expected, my impulse buying was in full gear which basically means: buy-now-deal-with-it-later. Later seem to be an understatement; it took me nearly 10 years to finally make something with it.

The fabric is a light weight textured jacquard in watermelon color. It doesn't have a drape so I was looking for a dress pattern that has structure. Then this came along. Perfect!

I like the intricate design lines and to alter it to my measurement was a challenge. It was worth it: from a distance it looks like a very simple dress, but when you look close enough there's the texture and details that is not overwhelming. Although I have to admit, the pictures doesn't do justice...

Now for the construction details: because the fabric is light weight, all of the pattern pieces was block-fused with a light weight fusiknit to give it more body and a 3/8" rayon ribbon was sewn to the diagonal seam/design lines of the skirt for reinforcement:

The dress is fully lined. The lining is hand sewn to the shell fabric with tiny fell stitches. There is also pickstitch along the neckline to hold the lining in its place:

That's the last of my 2015 label. Woot! woot!

I'm off to my next ten garments...


Until then,


xx