"Imitation of Life" White and Blue Gown

This gown has been on my to-do list for years. When another Gene collector asked me if I was planning on making this costume from the Lana Turner film "Imitation of Life" I decided to move it up the list and take a break from making "Rear Window" costumes. It is made of silk chiffon, which wasn't too hard to work with.





This gown was relatively easy to make compared to my latest projects. The hardest thing was finding the right shade of blue for the sash.

The sash can be worn in several different ways.

The jewelry was a gift from Jennifer and Katherine O' Hare, that I received at the "Hollywood Ahoy" convention in 2009. It is perfect.



I watched the gown scene many times in the movie. In the first shots, the sash is a dark teal color, but then later it looks blue, like in the above photo. I found this blue silk chiffon in Seattle this past Summer. Almost every time I leave Whidbey Island, I try to hit a fabric store or two. My three sons love fabric stores, and by love I mean I have to bribe them with candy, toys, and gum.

Distant Venus is my beautiful model.

Obsessing At Its Finest

Since this blog is about my many obsessions, I have a new one to share. Last night I was watching "Project Runway" and I started freaking out. One of the finalists, Andy South, was making a beautiful green outfit out of silk. The top had pleated ruffles all over it. They showed him making perfect mini pleats with a pleater board.

"Oh my Gosh! I NEEEEED one of those! I swooned. I backed up the DVR several times to see the pleater board. My boys thought I had lost another marble.

This morning I googled "pleater boards" and one is on its way, along with many other "must haves" for my sewing room that I didn't even know I needed until I was on the Clotilde website .

The reason I am so excited about this is I have been looking online and all over the countryside for pleated fabrics. I have a small collection, that I have been hoarding for years, but I want more of course.

If this works out, imagine the possibilities!

Dior's "New Look Bar" Suit

The "7 Year Itch" dress

This gorgeous cocktailer

The possibilities are endless!

What do you like the best?



P.S. I guess I should mention that after I ordered my pleater board, I may have remembered that I already own a pleater board. I bought it during my doll house obsession phase. I just found it in the shed, it will make very small pleats. Now I will have two! Awe. Some.

New Things

Even though I have only blogged about one of the many, many things I bought at the last Gene convention, I have decided to write about the last batch of goodies that have made their way up to Whidbey Island.

A couple of months ago Integrity Toys had a Gene sale, I couldn't resist indulging in some more dolls and outfits, the prices were incredible, and they were selling Tawny.



Isn't she gorgeous? I need to figure out how to photograph the darker skin better.



Like many of my Gene dolls, she wasn't on my list as a "Must Have" until I saw Jurrie's website. When I finally decided I needed her, she was sold out, and selling on eBay for a high price. I was thrilled to buy her for a great price.

I also bought "Pearls and Pink" Ivy. She is a beauty too.

I initially passed up "Pool Pose" Madra during the 2008 Gene convention. Her sale price was too good to pass up. She is beautiful, and the perfect hat doll. I don't have pictures of her in her original outfit, because when Tonner's "Captivatingly Coy" arrived, Madra demanded to be the first one to wear it. She is still wearing it.



I have succumbed to the urge to buy more of the "Anne Harper" line by Tonner. I love the vintage styles.

"Bright Days" is lovely.

Sambuca will fit in perfectly with the black cocktailers I am planning on making very soon.

I am very happy with my new loot.