It may seem that Laurel’s black velveteen dress is out of season. But the weather this time of year in central Florida can be freezing or almost hot.  Today, it is 80 degrees (I’m not complaining!) but a week ago it was freezing. So her church clothes wardrobe requires seasonal variety.
The black velveteen basic yoke ’10 Christmas dress still fits, though the hem had to be dropped. Hurrah for 6″ hems! With a few 6mm twin needle tucks and a border of serpentine stitching the crease was invisible and the skirt was long enough.
As I began planning a collar to go over this dress, I recalled a box of ready-made collars that was packed away.
Included in the treasure trove were commercially embroidered collars from a children’s manufacturer outlet, and tatted Chinese collars in both adult and child size, square, round and oval and this shadow embroidered beauty. These had been forgotten far too long, though most of them soon will be posted for sale and looking for a new home.
With Easter looming and no outfits yet started, I celebrated my hoarding tendencies and put the collar to work. I love to stitch shadow embroidery, but would have been reluctant to tackle the Madeira applique’ and pinstitched organdy insert.
The lace was added. I love the look of this particular English lace on velveteen.
At least one more cold Sunday is a certainty, even though in central Florida spring has sprung! For those of you in colder climates, here is a peek of what will surely come soon to you.
The azaleas are spectacular this year.
The leafless bush on the right is an oakleaf hydrangea. It will bud out in a month or so and have gorgeous white spires like lilacs, but without the glorious scent.
The dogwood doesn’t look as good. Heavy rain and winds blew most of the petals off the day they opened. But still, the lacy white branches make me smile. As I walk out the back door to the wash house(black door), this dogwood greets me. The coral rose that grows over the bench trellis has just been cut back.
I hope this glimpse of spring-to-come brightens your day.
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