Saturday 16 May 2009

Pink Saturday - A Dream of a Dress

Browsing around in a charity shop recently, not really expecting to find much, I spied it out of the corner of my eye. It was the pink that caught my attention first, then the lace. When I pulled it out of the rack I had one of those moments - one of those " I can't believe I found this" moments.

Stunning pink lace - the colour of strawberry milkshake and just as delicious. Yards and yards of it - the skirt is two full circles.

It might have been a prom dress or a bridesmaid dress, its wearer must have felt like a princess. I would love to have worn a dress like that for my prom - except I didn't have one. We had an end-of-term school disco. I can't remember what I wore but it was the 70s so I can imagine!


Whoever wore this dress had the tiniest of waists, I couldn't do it up at the back on Delphine (the mannequin). No zip, just dozens of hook-and-eyes sewn on by hand.


The pink lace is exquisite, a pink tulle underskirt and organza under that. It needs a wash and an iron but I daren't in case it disintegrates or becomes scorched.

This dress deserves to be worn - alas it won't ever be by me. Even if I could squeeze myself into it (I'd have to reduce in size by at least half), I'm past the age for such dresses.

It deserves to go to another prom, or sweet sixteen, or wedding, to receive admiring glances, to be the belle of the ball. Maybe one day it will, but for now, it's mine to enjoy - and dream...


Visit Beverly's blog for more Saturday Pinkness.

42 comments:

  1. Oh, it's stunning! Congrats on your wonderful find!

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  2. Wow! I wonder who it will go too! I don't think I could have squeezed into that sucker either! What a small waist:)

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  3. What a fabulous dress! Feminine, floaty and frothy most suitable for a pink Princess; I think it might be the type of gown my daughter dreams of when she plays ‘princesses’. Have a lovely Pink Saturday.

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  4. What pretty lace, someone must have absolutely loved that :)

    Mel xxx

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  5. Lovely!!! Happy Pink Saturday!!
    ♥ Teresa

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  6. Beautiful!!!! What a lucky find for you.

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  7. aaahhhhhh Lucy, what a great find! love the dress.. hope we could see you in it one day.. have a good weekend! take care

    xo
    fitty

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  8. That pink lace dress is to die for (well not literally) it is gorgeous. I wish we all dressed in such finery nowadays.

    I love all your goodies what a great idea to have a mock stall to see how it will all look before the fair ~

    Hopefully I will find you at the vintage fair as I will be visiting it. A shame I missed out on the Newbury one, hope you have somethings left :0))

    best wishes Ginny

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  9. Simply stunning. It does deserve new life and someone that admires it's beauty.

    Happy PS

    Kris

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  10. beautiful dress!Happy Pink Saturday ~ I hope you have a great weekend ~ Susan

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  11. Oh, my that dress is stunning. It looks like a princess prom dress. Beautiful find even if you don't where it. Thank you for sharing it. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Mermaid Debbie

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  12. How l♥vely! What a wonderful offering for Pink Saturday. It's raining cats and dogs today in Upper Michigan. A good time for me to stay inside and indulge myself in my passion for pink☺

    I hope this weekend brings you joy and comfort surrounded by those you l♥ve.

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  13. Hi Lucy, it is a very pretty dress. So what are you going to do with it? will you be tempted to make something from the lace?
    Cx

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  14. I can only just imagine the pure delight that you felt when you found what was about to become yours, Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  15. How very pretty! I must take a photo one day of the peach lace dress I made & wore to my sister's 21st birthday - of course at that time I was a size 10 with a 22" waist!

    Hope you had a good day at the fair today.

    Jayne

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  16. Stunning dress. I so loved hearing how it was contructed. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  17. OOO, Mrs. Lucy Bloom...I am just swooning over this lacy, pink creation. It is like something out of a movie...and, I am so thrilled that YOU found it because...you, of all people, appreciate it's beauty. Let your dreams wonder all over the place with that beautiful dress on your manniquin....(is that spelled right...probably not)
    Happy Pink Sat.

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  18. Oh, it's beautiful!I’m curious what are you going to do with it? will you be making something with it or keep it as it is.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

    Happy Pink Saturday!!!

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  19. Such a beautiful find!
    rachel x

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  20. A beautiful bit of pink heaven!
    Have a great week, in the pink!
    Blessings~LillySue

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  21. Ohooo it is lovely, I have been wondering has it a modern makers mark, or would it spoil the charm for me somewhat if I was to find it was from the high street ;) Is such a pretty colour, enjoy it, I know I would, and I'd be wearing it too ;)

    X

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  22. I wonder what kind of party they went to! It is beautiful.

    Happy PS!

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  23. Hello Lucy; What a lovely dress. Such a beautiful Pink,,,, I wonder how old it is, with so my hook and eye on the back... It sure looks nice where you have her... Happy Pink Saturday.

    Hugs;
    Alaura

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  24. What a great find! The dress is so beautiful! Have a wonderful PINK day!

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  25. How fabulous! I love it when those special finds come along, good for you. I hope you enjoy it to the nth degree! Happy Pink day and have a terrific weekend!

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  26. Such wonderful pictures of such a beautiful dress! Have you considered a corset? Is it possible that your days for wearing such a dress could ever be gone? It is so very very delicious! t.x

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  27. It is like a pink dream. Just absolutely exquisite.

    Happy Pink Saturday, Lucy. I hope your sale is going well.

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  28. That is just totally delicious....I'll bet you were doing the happy dance right there in the store. I sure would have!!

    Blessings,
    Spencer

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  29. this dress is beautiful.....i would so wear this.......happy pink day!!!!!!! God bless you.....
    Kandy

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  30. Wow, what a stunning dress!! a fantastic find.Sue X

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  31. It's absolutely stunning - you could probably wash by hand with Lux flakes or Dreft, then drip dry (just hand hot water and rinse in cold) and it should be OK. I have handwashed 40s crepe dresses without shrinkage. Re ironing it, use a pressing cloth then you won't scorch it.

    Re wearing it - why not? There's enough yardage in the skirt - you'd need a new lining so you could enlarge the waist to something realistic. I would be inclined to make the lining up into a skirt to fit (or straight up if you want an elastic waist, and pull the skirt on) then sew the skirt layers to this foundation - you've got plenty to let out so you will still have the fullness where you want it. Sort out the waistband (use the sleeves to cover) and maybe keep that rose corsage separate and layer up with more of the lace, to make a brooch.

    You could even save the collar - apply it to a plain camisole (or even a Tshirt) and even edge the sleeves with any leftover lace.

    Just a suggestion, but it's the sort of thing I do when customising clothes. Your alternative is just to look, admire, GLOAT and drool, lol. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  32. What a gorgeous girly dress you are the envy of many a charity shop searcher. How did Produce in the Park go on Saturday? I don't know how you find these things in the charity shops they must be wonderful in your area.

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  33. That is absolutely gorgeous - so feminine and lacy! What a find. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  34. Hi Lucy! What a beautiful dress, and I can imagine how exciting it was to find something like that! Happy Pink Saturday, and have a wonderful week!

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  35. Love your Blog Im married to a Bloom. Jean

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  36. Wow, what a find! You must have some incredible charity shops. Was it the same shop that had the amazing changing room? (think that was you).
    Ruh xx

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  37. Oh Lucy! What a dream of a dress! You must display it for sure. How lucky that you found it. It was waiting for you!

    ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
    (¸.·´ (¸.·´ Happy Pink Saturday
    Deanna :D

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  38. Amazing! That is a truly beautiful dress, what a wonderful find. Just Gorgeous!
    Happy weekend
    Denise x

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Thank you for your comments - I am not always able to reply but they are always appreciated.
Lucy x