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colorblock question
blessedtosew Intermediate AL USA Member since 4/16/08 Posts: 865	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 11:58 AM I am about to make B5677 . I am thinking of making it using red in place of the black used in the picture on the pattern. I would have a red/ecru combination. Someone did this in one of the reviews here and it is just looks stunning to me. However, the church where I go has several little old ladies (we call them the "old hens") lovingly, of course They feel the need to express verbally whatever comes in their head. They sit on the front row during choir practice and always arrive early. They always, without fail, comment on what I am wearing when I walk in on Sunday morning. It is almost always complimentary--I think as elderly women they are impressed that I sew alot of my own clothing. However, I can just hear them when I walk in wearing this red/ecru combo. "You look like a candy cane, or a barber's pole"--whatever comes to their mind first. The more I think about this the more I am considering going with the slightly more elegant (but less fun) black/ecru combo that is pictured on the pattern envelope. I hate to even let what others think keep me from making something that I initially found stunning. However, I can't get their possible comments out of my mind. What would you do? -- Edited on 9/3/12 11:59 AM --
GBK   Intermediate GERMANY Member since 12/24/07 Posts: 900	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:07 PM Have fun! Red/ecru isn't as bolt as so many fun color blocking we saw in summer season, e.g. orange /pink or purple / yellow. Honestly, I believe that life is too short to think about what others may think about color or style choices (unless clothes are worn out or dirty). -- Edited on 9/3/12 1:17 PM -- ------ Happy Sewing!
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 430	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 9/3/12 12:39 PM While I whole-heartedly agree with GBK, if you are uncomfortable with a bright red, how about using a deeper tone such as a wine or cranberry?
wendyrb   Advanced CA Member since 12/30/11 Posts: 1485	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:47 PM blessedtosew- your post struck a chord with me. First off, the dress is wonderful and will be however you decide to go. In my heart, t'ain't easy to free myself from what others think, even though I know better. Especially going to worship, that would be difficult to hold onto my equanimity hearing comments, positive or negative, running in the background or the foreground! Simply stated, I believe our mission on earth is to love. Not judge. If you love that red/ecru, you'll go to worship with joy in your heart. What better preparation is there? And also, one day we'll be little old ladies, god willing. At that stage, my lofty goal is to have earned the privilege of blessing others freely through my thoughts, feelings and actions. In other words, I encourage you to make the dress that Quote: just looks stunning I am confident whatever power is greater than us will feel enlarged by you. ------ Sometimes she didn't always follow the recipe. Pfonzie- my honey Pfaff Creative Performance, Bernina 930 and 830, Evolution serger.
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1466	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 9/3/12 1:07 PM The dress is gorgeous and would be stunning in red/ecru. I have been to church with little old ladies like you have in your church (where are you from?) If they are like the little old ladies I have dealt with, they mean well but they are stuck in the 1950's. I wouldn't let them bother me-you need to come up with a nice but pointed comeback like "Why thank you! Yes I do look like a candycane-isn't it great! that is exactly the look I was going for!" (I always have to think about comebacks beforehand because I am slow on my feet). If you don't want to deal with them, make the dress and don't wear it to church-wear it to work or on a date with hubby etc. I have read some of your reviews and your work is beautiful!
beauturbo Advanced CA USA Member since 5/2/09 Posts: 1544	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << 2 members like this. Date: 9/3/12 1:20 PM I would go with a "pre-emptive attack". Make the dress in the color combination you really want and would enjoy, because life is too short not to, and sewing a whole dress takes too long to be swayed, just because of your lady friends, and something they may or may not say. But to help insure that, just at that very first moment, wear it in to there, with a big smile on your face, a purposeful walk and immediately go up to them, greet them warmly and launch into a bunch of compliments on how nice they look today, and how much you like their outfits. No matter what they look like or if you happen to like their outfits that day or not. Now you have given them no first chance to even come up with anything you fear to hear from them. Because you are the one initiating and controlling the conversation instead. Of course they can think anything they want, and gossip or discuss among themselves your dress later if they wish, but to say anything negative to you right then, ot in the open, right after your very warm greeting and all your lovely compliments to them, really would be the height of all rudeness, and unless they really are clueless and actually mean (which they probably are not at all) my guess is manners might actually take over. You could at least try that.
Amy-may Intermediate IL USA Member since 6/7/05 Posts: 1144	Login to reply to this post 7 members like this. Date: 9/3/12 1:59 PM Sew and enjoy! I am not the most conservatively dressed woman in my church - by a long shot. I know those old ladies think my fabulous shoes are wh### heels, and I really don't care. And some days my prints are huge, colors loud and necklines just a tiny bit low - whatever! Make the dress you want, wear it with confidence. DH's opinion is the only one I care about, because, really - if he thinks I look beautiful in it, I AM! We have always considered church a "date," especially when the kids were little and the nursery was a blessing. Dressing nicely and wearing makeup, sitting close in our pew, without a little one in between, heavenly!
Erica B. Advanced AL Member since 6/6/06 Posts: 358	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 9/3/12 4:39 PM You should make your dress in whatever color combination you like and not give a second thought as to what those Old Biddies are thinking. They're at church! They should be concentrating on the "message" and not what you're wearing. ------ Erica B. Birmingham, AL http://www.ericabunker.com
KathySews   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 10/1/06 Posts: 2916	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 9/3/12 4:46 PM As you say, most of their comments are complimentary, and they are impressed that you sew -- take that at face value. They are probably just making conversation. You could walk up, twirl and say something about a friend saying that you look like a candy cane. They will get a good laugh and no doubt tell you how they love your dress
Marilly Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 7/9/06 Posts: 617	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 9/3/12 5:41 PM This is an awesome dress and you're so lucky to have a body that can handle it. I wondering how cool it'd look with textural contrasts with instead? The color blocks will scream, with high contrasts, but lean toward understated if the entire dress was ecru, but the currently non black sections were overlaid with a textural sheer or if you have time, create your own fabric with embroidery or couching with some lovely thread you've always wanted to showcase. For less effort and to showcase the seaming maybe some custom piping would be an option too. Shel

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