Alabama Chanin Couching: Chlorophyll Splendor
This is the simple six-gore tank dress from Alabama Studio Style. Made up in Alabama Chanin cotton jersey in a single layer.
The neckline is finished with green glass bugle beads in a parallel whipstitch pattern, and the armholes are simple thread whipstitching.
The entire skirt, front and back, is the "Bloomers" stencil pattern in a very intense green. Each leaf shape is outlined in couching. I cut a bunch of half-inch wide strips of leftover jersey and pulled them into thin "ropes". It's such a great way to use up scraps. I couched the ropes around the leaf shapes, and the little accent shapes in between I outlined in bugle and seed beads.
If you don't like green things, you won't like this dress. But I do!
10 comments:
That is truly amazing!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! My favorite color! One layer only? Two layers, I've been told, is too heavy. Is it a nice thick jersey so as not to see through?
Your lurking friend in Los Angeles,
Maria Ricci
That is my favorite color. Stunning!
Lisateresa
I love green things! This dress is no exception-- it's a masterpiece! Beautiful work :)
It is utterly gorgeous! Did you cut out the leaves and then couch it? Or did you couch it first and then cut it out? Also, how long did it take you to make this dress? Do you keep track in general how long it takes you to finish a project?
I am sorry for all those questions :-)
Karin
Gorgeous!
~Have a lovely day!
I should have noted that the leaves are stenciled on--that bright green is paint. Then each one is couched around.
I started the dress about six weeks ago. It took about four weeks to do all the couching and sew the panels together, then another two weeks to do all the beading. But keep in mind my sewing time has been very limited--maybe twenty minutes a day! Couching actually goes really quickly. Beading, not so much!
Maria, my main objection to two layers is that it's twice as expensive. The regular AC jersey is definitely enough in one layer.
Anna, it's absolutely gorgeous! I'm so impressed by this project -- I recently watched a few of Natalie Chanin's video workshops, so I'm well aware of how much work goes into a project like that! And that dress is so stunning in green.
Blessings,
Shannon
My hubby and I were looking through a book of centuries old Asian clothing and enjoying all the craftsmanship and details. I told him about you and all the details you put into your clothing. Honestly, seeing your artistry make me cringe at off the rack clothing now. LOL!
I do love the green. I also love just about every item of clothing that you and your girls create :-)
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