Vintage dresses, with their timeless design and classic charm, are always on my radar for potential projects. In recent years, there have been numerous independent sewing pattern companies that have sprouted forth with vintage-inspired designs. One of the earliest pioneers of this specialized category is Sew Over It Patterns, based in the UK. While I have been an admirer of the pattern company for years, I had never bought one of their patterns. However, this changed when I took the plunge and purchased their iconic Betty dress (and additional Add-On Pack) while it was on sale.
Sew Over It Betty Dress
Inspired by the early 1960’s and the TV series, “Mad Men”, the Betty dress was right up my alley: the stately bateau neckline, fitted bodice, and a full circle skirt made for twirling on the dance floor. I was ready to sew ! Coinciding with my new project was a series of videos produced by the team at Sew Over It, showcasing the fitting steps and how versatile the simple dress could be.
Watching the videos, along with reading several blog posts and sewing a plethora of mock-ups, helped me achieve a near perfect fit on a bodice block that was far from my measurements and bone structure. My first dress was made out of a stretch cotton sateen bottomweight in a vibrant floral print. Its first public appearance was at the Florida State P.E.O. Convention during the Friday night social and helped me to feel like a butterfly, flitting around the dance floor in that voluminous skirt.
Cheers !
With the success of my first Betty dress, I wanted to make another one, but this time, modify the neckline using the Add-On Pack. I opted for the V-neck version.
A wild foliage print on a cotton/polyester stretch shirting made for a delightful summer dress, especially when paired with a linen button down shirt as a cool topper.
Sew Over It Betty Dress (V-neck, sleeveless) styled with Pattern Emporium’s All In Shirt
There were now two Betty dresses in my closet, but I still craved more. It was time for a solid frock (and a fancy one, too), I thought. A fall wedding on my calendar was just the excuse I needed to make my desired design.
With the wedding being a semi-formal affair, I extended the skirt to a midi length and used the scoop neck template from the Add-On Pack. Can you guess where I spent most of the evening ?!
As you can tell, the Betty dress easily transitions from a casual daytime look to chic evening attire. And, if you sew like I do, it could become a versatile closet staple and your next sewing addiction.
Although it may seem unfathomable, in all my years of costuming I have never dressed in the fashion of the poodle skirt from the 1950’s. The iconic getup has never been one of my Halloween costumes, nor worn as an outfit to an opera. Frankly, no opportunities had ever presented themselves ! Last year when my friend, Jacob, raved about his time at a fundraiser for Silly Sock Saturdays, I knew I wanted to go the following year. Since the theme for the charity event was a 1950’s sock hop, my opportunity for soda shop bop had undoubtedly arrived.
Without hesitation, I turned to Folkwear for my pattern. I already owned the 256 At The Hop pattern, which I purchased during an e-mail flash sale to add to my burgeoning pattern collection. It seemed frivolous at the time, but I knew I would have a use for it… someday.
256 At The Hop / Folkwear Patterns
Keeping with tradition, I used a charcoal wool blend felt for the skirt, which I ordered from Fabric Wholesale Direct. Recently, FWD began a matching thread and zipper service, which made choosing complementary notions much less of a chore. The full circle skirt was sewn in a professional manner with its lapped zipper application.
Matching thread and zipper for the charcoal wool blend felt
What’s a poodle skirt without its playful canine ? I used pink and white felt for the main construction of the appliqué and then hand embroidered its outline with a stem stitch.
Fitting the blouse was more of a challenge. Previously, I had sewn a wearable muslin of the Peter Pan collared blouse included in the pattern envelope. While it seemed to fit from the front, a test of simple arm movements proved the blouse to be very constricting and an impossibility for dancing. In need of assistance, I reached out to Katrina Walker, one of my fit teachers. A broad back adjustment was applied to the paper pattern as was a full bust adjustment. After raising the armhole slightly, my new blouse was much improved. Thank you, Katrina !
Tight across the back and biceps and the entire blouse lifting while raising my arms ─ both signs of an ill-fitting garment.
A consignment cardigan, saddle shoes, pink poodle bobby sox, and a polka dot chiffon hair tie made my outfit complete. Don’t forget about the cat eye glasses ! They were given to me as a birthday gift years ago. Thank you, Aunt Countess !
Miss Poodle was ready for the hop. But what about my friend ? Still thinking of the variety and versatility of Folkwear’s vintage patterns, I recalled their 251 Varsity Jacket pattern and realized it would be perfect for Jacob.
251 Varsity Jacket / Folkwear Patterns
After taking his initial measurements, I embarked through my usual fitting processes and altered the pattern to suit his needs. Particularly, it was imperative to widen the neck and shorten the sleeves of the pattern. For ease of wear and care, I chose a soft and spongy Ponte knit for the body and sleeves of the jacket. Stay tapes and PerfectFuse interfacing added stability to the welt pockets and facings. A tip for sewists: don’t skip this step ! It will elevate your garments from amateur to professional in a jiffy.
Sewkeys-E Knit Stay Tape fused to the pocket openings and welts
My model was a perfect participant. Jacob would curiously ask me questions as to my experience with working with models whereupon I had to gently let him down that he was not my first model to fit. However, his face beamed like the sun reemerging from the cover of the clouds when I told him a secret: he was my first male model to fit. With supportive topstitching, striped ribbing, a fully lined interior, a machine appliquéd J, and silver snaps, the jacket was ready…
…and so were we !
My mother gave Jacob a ballpoint pen “tattoo” on his arm, just like all the greasers of the 50’s. He said it kind of tickled and was “a little relaxing.”
The fundraiser was a tremendous success ! Donations for socks and goodies were abundant and the music that played was hopping.
Rock around the clock !
In between root beer floats, a generous candy bar, photo booth, cotton candy station, and a barbeque buffet dinner, Jacob and I danced the time away while wearing his mother’s high school and college class rings. How neat is that ?!
Excitedly, we cheered at the end of the evening when we won two of the raffle prizes: trips to Top Golf and the Titanic Exhibit. Whoo hoo !
A thank you goes to the sponsors who made the event possible and for the benefactress who graciously invited me to sit at her table. Thank you, Mrs. Baker !
Whether attending a sock hop or just for confectionary fun, I highly recommend Folkwear’s vintage patterns for their authentic appeal and cultural connection. See you at the Hop !
Sometimes, the best things in life come when you least expect them. My life took a drastic detour in late 2022 when I made the decision to apply for a part-time job at Publix, a premier supermarket chain in the southeastern United States. I was scared to death. Having never worked outside the home, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but in early 2023, I was hired and soon garnered fame among my customers and co-workers as the perpetually upbeat cashier.
At my register with all my quirky necessities: medical gloves, blue light blocking glasses, and an endless supply of water (Photo courtesy of Merissa Green)
Trademark to Publix is their carryout service, a job performed by our front service clerks, better known as baggers. And this is where my tale begins ! It was at Publix that I became acquainted with Jacob, the bagger with special needs who had a penchant for people’s clothing, tattoos, and painted nails. He would make me laugh to the point that my face felt like it had been permanently stretched as he effusively complimented the throngs of customers on their ordinary outfits and unabashedly inquired if their sprawling tattoos had given them any pain. For every Publix customer story that I would bring home from work, there would be just as many “Jacob” stories to tell my family.
Six weeks into my job, I discovered that I knew Jacob’s mother from P.E.O., which left me stunned. But that wasn’t all─ a week later I received an even bigger bombshell: Jacob was from Russia. Ever since I began teaching myself Russian in late 2015, I had prayed for God to send me a friend from Russia in His perfect timing. Apparently, my prayer had been answered.
The revelation rocked my world. Jacob was adopted from Russia at 18 months old with the given name of Ilja, which was retained as his middle name. Instantaneously, we became the best of friends, spending time together whenever possible. It is with utmost endearment that I call him my Ilja and in turn, he calls me his Masha.
Masha and the Bear: Jacob and Mary Martha
When I heard about Night to Shine, the special needs prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, I begged Jacob to take me. Because I was homeschooled in high school, I never had the opportunity to attend prom. And so, at 30 years old, I attended my first prom as a Buddy.
Imagine my surprise when Jacob presented me with a live flower corsage. It was beautiful ! And for those wondering, I still have that corsage.
Wearing the dress I had sewn for Lohengrin, I further accentuated the sparkling shoulders by adding a thin rhinestone belt.
After my King was crowned (I was not permitted to wear a crown as a Buddy), we walked the red carpet in a wave of celebration put on by the paparazzi.
The atmosphere was incredible ! I was so impressed by the efforts of the volunteers to make the event special for everyone. We ate a boxed meal, cheered as the rest of the guests paraded in, and then made our way to the next destination: the photo booths.
Decorating the draped tables nearby were a menagerie of props and accessories to liven up the photo strips that were printed on the spot. Jacob and I had lots of fun choosing our props and poses.
Of course, we had to take a picture with cardboard Tim Tebow. Like every other mom in America, my mother always wanted me to marry the star athlete.
Night to Shine was one of the most magical experiences of my life. Not only did it exceed my expectations of what prom would be like, but the impact that it had on the kings and queens was truly awesome. A big ‘thank you’ goes to the countless volunteers who made the evening such a success.
As thus, my tale has come to its dreamy end. The moral of the story is, be careful what you pray for; you might find yourself wrapped in a joy beyond compare.
Typically, I don’t dress up for movies. However, after accepting the invitation to go see the newest “Barbie” movie with a friend, I found myself creatively stimulated by an inundating wave of online images, ranging from 1950’s style dresses to more ostentatious disco getups in the prettiest shades of pink, my favorite color. Awash with the idea of participating in a cultural phenomenon, I gave into temptation.
Margot Robbie in “Barbie” ─ Warner Brothers
It would be hypocrisy to say that I liked the movie. I absolutely loathed it ! On several occasions, I felt like walking out, but since I had paid to see the entire film, I stayed. Even the costumes were a bit of a letdown, not providing enough of a counterbalance to the cognizance that my mind was being both assaulted and liquified. But enough of that ─ let’s move on to the clothes !
Part of what rendered my decision to dress up for the movie so effortless was the fact that I already had the fabric I needed on hand. Using an adorable pink and white stripe seersucker that had been given to me by a friend, I was in good shape to create something special ─ thank you, Miss Cindy ! One of my go-to pattern sites, Sewist.com, helped me design a 50’s inspired dress with a scoop neckline and six gore circle skirt.
After three separate muslin mock-ups, I felt the pattern had been suitably adjusted for style and comfort. Notably, I lowered the waistline seam over an inch, moved the straps inward so they wouldn’t fall off my shoulders, created a scoop neckline for the back, and adjusted the bust darts for a more pleasing angle. A fluffy petticoat and a nude pair of pumps bought off eBay completed my impromptu Barbie look.
Jewelry played a starring role in shadowing the iconic persona; I employed a mix of both real and costume pieces.
Have you ever had the back armholes gape on your sleeveless tops ? It could be that your shoulder blades are prominent, like mine. Adding a small dart at the back shoulder straps magically removed those pesky openings.
Despite the glitters and charms of my attire, Opie was not impressed.
While it was fun to dress up for a movie, I don’t think it will become a habit of mine. Opera is my passion and its intellect, complexity, and sophistication suit my norms and standards far more than the inane cinematographic “Barbie”. But at least I got a pretty dress out of it !
You read that right: my largest sewing project to date was recently featured in P.E.O.’s magazine, The Record ! Take a look at the published article below…
In a “behind the scenes” peek, I thought it would be interesting to share some parts of the process of how this gigantic endeavour came to life.
How It All Began
I conceived the idea whenthe timing was right. With the Met still closed in early 2021 and no operas for which to design costumes, I needed something to occupy my time and alsowanted a new challenge of working with different body shapes and sizes.Could I accomplish this mammoth project ? I pondered. After searching for patterns and fabrics while tallying prices, I felt the goal was doable. My mind was made up, so I called my chapter’s president and treasurer to run my grand scheme by them. At the March business meeting, I pitched the idea to the entire chapter, complete with cost analysis sheets, lists of materials needed, and samples of prospective fabrics to be used. The response was a tsunami of yeses. My sisters were “game” for anything !
Pattern Selection
Researching the styles from 1869 was the first step in formulating my plan. From my experience with opera and historical costuming, I had plenty of resources for specialized pattern companies. Ultimately, I chose to use Black Snail Patterns for the bodice, Truly Victorian Patterns for the skirt, and Laughing Moon Patterns for the hoopskirts, bustle pads, and the chemisettes. Each pattern was selected based on its finished garment style and how well they could be adapted to suit the Founders’ official portraits.
The Undergarments
It was absolutely crucial to construct the supportive undergarments of the outfits first ! Without a well fitting hoopskirt and bustle pad, the skirts could not be measured correctly. In the spirit of thriftiness and the need to maintain a strict budget, I thought it would be ingenious to use polyethene plumber’s tubing for the hoops instead of real steel hooping. After all, I had seen blogs of people making hoopskirts out of hula hoops and similar items. But as you can tell, that didn’t work out.
Maybe for a topsy-turvy, whimsical costume, this curlicue tubing would have been a winner. But for my historical ensembles, I had to break with the budget and buy steel hooping… much better !
With everyone fitted to a comfortable size, we moved onto the skirts, which were much less tedious than threading steel boning through ribbon channels. In May, I gave a demonstration of the progress that had been made to my chapter sisters at one of our regular meetings.
The hoopskirts had not yet been outfitted with crinoline mesh so the tunnels of steel were visibly apparent.
The skirt even had a pocket on the right side !
The Bodices
The Black Snail bodice pattern was historically accurate. Too accurate. Designed with the corseted body in mind, I knew I would have to make alterations since I had promised my models that they would NOT have to wear a corset, but also for the sake of convenience. Who would want to fasten all those itty bitty buttons down the front when the need for speed in dressing (and undressing) was of utmost importance ?One of the first changes made was to close the bodices with Velcro at the front. But that was just the tip of the iceberg !
Lynne’s Alterations
Out of all my models, I had the most challenging time fitting Lynne, who played Ella Stewart. While the pattern fit perfectly at the waist and bust, I could not manage to close the bodice at the neck, no matter how I finagled with the seams. Anne, who portrayed Mary Allen and was my invaluable “sous sewer,” thought inserting a small gore at the center back seam would add enough length for the neckline to meet at the front.
Nope !
Together, we toyed with ideas of substitutions, but nothing seemed to work. Then I had a “lightbulb” moment: just recently, I had taken a virtual fit and sew blouse class with Katrina Walker and recalled how she demonstrated a sleeve alteration using the “slash and spread” method. Taking what I learned in class, I applied it to the upper front of Lynne’s bodice.
A preliminary fitting showed promise. I then carried over the same adjustments to the paper pattern…
…and almost cried from ecstatics when Lynne tried on the new bodice. It was a perfect fit.Thank you, Katrina !
Other embellishments were needed in order for Lynne’s outfit to look spiffy. Since Ella Stewart’s portrait showed contrasting green appliques at the clavicles, Anne and I decided to continue with the color blocking theme and added dark green bands at the skirt and sleeve hems and a decorative yoke piece at the back waist. Lynne’s costume was easily classified as “Most Unique.”
Covid Scare
There was a near catastrophe when my original Suela Pearson came down with Covid just one day before our rehearsal and three days before the actual Founders’ Day event! With hurried hands, Anne and I went to work to completely alter the costume in order to fit the new model. Miraculously, our skills paid off and the new amended ensemble was completed in time. And the best part ? No one knew a thing !
Showtime !
In an ordeal that spanned 10 months and required over 120 yards of fabric, I was able to accomplish the magnanimous feat with the ready help of my chapter sisters. When all the hard work was achieved, our chapter performed its P.E.O. themed fashion show to the local reciprocity group, showcasing each of the seven Founders’ style based on their original portraits. Written into the narrated script was an “underwear demo,” which was designed to allow the audience a glimpse into how a lady would have started her dressing routine during the time period. That task fell to me.Remember what I had promised my models ? NO CORSETS !!
After strolling around the room in my “underwear,” it was now time for the models to make their appearance… Without further explanation, here are our seven Founders !
Hattie Briggs
Alice Coffin
Ella Stewart
Suela Pearson
Franc Roads
Alice Bird
Mary Allen
Each costume was as unique as the model wearing it and we were all so proud to honor our Founders in such a special way.
Thank Yous
“Style From the Stile: A Tribute to 1869 Fashion and the Founding of the P.E.O. Sisterhood” was a monster success, both with the local chapters and beyond. Through social media postings and publications, the show found its way to international acclaim. But the project would never have been possible without the enthusiastic and steadfast support of my chapter sisters. Nearly every member had a part ─ from covering and hand sewing buttons, to help with backstage dressing and stage directing. And a special thanks goes to Anne, who cut out every single piece of fabric !
As sisters, we bonded through the trials and triumphs of the project and left an indelible mark on Founders’ Day history.
The P.E.O. Founders were remarkable women. The ladies of Chapter CD are quite the same.
From the time I was a little girl, I have always loved “The Sound of Music.” Remembering my original encounter with the classic film in the first grade classroom conjures up the rapt attention I experienced as a wide-eyed seven-year-old. Understandably, there was a lot to adore─ the infectious sing-a-long tunes, the thrilling ending, those clever nuns… Every year, I would catch the movie on TV during Easter. Once, while watching the movie on the aforementioned holiday, I had decided that I would eat my entire chocolate and jelly bean-filled Easter basket since I was aiming to start a healthy diet the next day and didn’t want the temptation of sugary confections. (Never again !!) While the overdose of Almond Joys may have given me a stupendous stomachache, I can’t recall a single time where “The Sound of Music” didn’t sit well with my appetite.
“The Sound of Music” movie poster (1965)
Maria’s ability to make clothes out of curtains impressed and inspired me, long before I could sew myself. And so it should come as no surprise that the costumes in the movie were a highlight for me. From Liesl’s floaty chiffon frock to Baroness Schraeder’s luxe gold evening gown, the clothes only added to the film’s accolades.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who harbors an affinity for the movie’s costumes. For years, I have been an admirer of Katrina Holte’s Edelweiss Patterns. And yet, I had never sewn one of her “Sound of Music” replica patterns… until now ! While I was greatly torn between several options, I choose Maria’s Gazebo Dress as my first attempt at classic cinema fashion.
Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music”
With its delicate chiffon overlay and pastel color, I imagined it as an ideal Easter dress. But out of which color to make it…? I always viewed the film dress as an aqua baby blue, but discovered upon research that it’s not blue; it’s green !According to the auction site that sold the frock in 2012, the listing is described in part as a “Green dress with floral pattern, with butterfly sleeves and full skirt. Smocked at neck and waist, lined in light green silk, hook and eye and snap closure at back.” Who would have thought ?! Green it is !
I ignored the tone-on-tone floral pattern on the dress since I was not equipped (neither with time nor mental stamina) to begin another fabric painting project so soon after Zerbinetta’s harlequin. The monochromatic seafoam was enough for a pretty pastel Easter dress.
Details matter on solid dresses. The pattern called for honeycomb smocking, a stitch which I had never heard of nor attempted, but found it to be a fun and easy design addition. So much so, that my mind is now whirring over the decorative possibilities for using the stitch in the future.
Honeycomb smocking at the neckline
“The Sound of Music,” sewing, and Easter… “These are a few of my favorite things.”
Happy Easter !
Toi, Toi, Toi,
Mary Martha
This post is dedicated to Ian, whose role model for being a doting uncle to his nieces and nephews is Uncle Max from “The Sound of Music.”
Long before I ever started dressing up in costume for the operas, I spent much of my Septembers and Octobers surreptitiously slaving away in my small bedroom on my Halloween costume for the year. Unsurprisingly, Halloween is my favorite holiday ─ not because of witches and ghouls and black and orange décor, but simply because I have always loved dressing up.
In the spirit of the season, I thought I would share some of my past outfits.
Before learning to sew on a machine, I had to rely on tape, garbage bags, and old sheets to create costumes. In 2013, newspaper was my material of choice…
I went as “Old News” ─ quite literally since all the newspaper used was out of date before the 31st dawned. This costume was well worn: in all, I slipped on the tiered skirt and laced up the “corset” bodice 7-8 times during the season. Thankfully, it never rained.
I love history. It’s an engaging escape for my antiquarian imagination. I also love to learn about the famous (and infamous) characters in history. Not knowing exactly what inspired it, I chose to be Marie Antoinette in 2014. The peruke and panniers were a crafting feat; both were constructed from plastic grocery bags and toilet paper rolls, but that’s where the similarities ended. Long stretches of white cotton were carefully hot glued to the cardboard “curlers” of the wig and then given a misting of watered gray paint. I crocheted the hairy tendrils. For years I kept the safety pinned skirt of tulle and sheets in a desolate drawer… until I realized that I was never going to wear flimsy cardboard panniers again and my mother wanted her sheets back. “Let them eat cake !”
In the same month that I was introduced to my first opera, my family went on a cruise ! Who would have thought that that cruise would wipe out 2½ months of social activities ? Yes, I came down with a horrible illness during the tail end of the trip that caused me to miss Tannhäuser in HD and Halloween 2015…
A Gold Rush Girl by day, Cleopatra’s doppelgänger by night… it was a whirlwind Halloween.
Brünnhilde the Valkyrie… Is there anything spookier than a mythical being whose primary purpose is to decide who lives and dies in battle and gathers up the fallen heroes to haul them to Valhalla ???
And just in case you’re wondering, I left my axe at home for the evening…
In all my years of dressing up, I don’t think I ever disguised myself as a princess; maybe a witch in a long, black gown or Miss America, but never a princess. The plush pink 1890’s ball gown from Manonwas my outlet for elegance and grace, living out every little girl’s fantasy.
Clearly my long-time love of dressing up has played a starring role in my life. The only question left is… what will I wear this Halloween ?
I have a friend. She is very dear to me… Her name is Faith ! In 2010, we met on Twitter and hit it off almost instantly, whereupon we soon became pen pals. In a way, I have lived life’s major milestones through Faith: I’ve watched her marry the love of her life and then have a daughter of her own. When Faith announced she was pregnant, I knew I wanted to make some very special things for her precious daughter, Hope.
Hope’s birth announcement photo
Her name is very sentimental. Faith and her husband Tyler had hoped for a baby for a long while. And they also hoped for a girl. See the connection ? No name could be better suited to someone who had so much hope behind her !
One of the patterns that my friend, Gisele, had offered me from her yard sale stash was a children’s pattern from the early 90’s. I thought it was darling and knew it would be adorable for Hope.
Simplicity 9685
As I browsed the scant fabric aisles at Walmart, I fingered over the perfect fabric for the dress: peacock print ! Faith and her family have had peacocks as pets and have an affinity for them. What could be better ? In addition to Hope’s tie back dress, I decided to make a matching one for her cousin, Grace, born two months earlier.
And here are the two baby cousins wearing their matching dresses on Mother’s Day:
Faith, her sister, Angel, with their mother, Angela, and Hope and Grace
Didn’t I tell you they love peacocks ? Look at all the feathers !
But I wasn’t done ! In addition to the matching dresses, I also sewed the romper from the same pattern envelope in pink gingham with a scalloped border of lace… sweet, very sweet !
Rompers (and onesies) are the hallmark of comfort. Hope modeled the style when she visited Grandpa Joe over the summer…
I also wanted Hope to have a fancy outfit so I sewed her a pink dress in crepe back satin and organza leftover from my Manon ballgown. In a craft bin at Walmart, I found a matching flower clip, which could be removed to wash the dress. Baby clothes, regardless of how fancy or frivolous, need to be washable. Very washable.
I couldn’t resist the urge to sew some girly-girl ruffles so I made a diaper cover with layers of pink patterned flounces on the back. Using my Baby Lock serger to both finish and gather the ruffles made the process a bundle of fun. Out of everything I sewed for Hope, this one was my favorite !
And off she goes !
The last item I created for Hope was a pair of knitted booties. As a mainstay of baby showers, I felt this was a genuine way to celebrate Hope’s arrival. And while I was not able to attend the actual baby shower in Idaho, my handmade clothes and booties were unwrapped with greatest appreciation and delight. From Florida, with love…
Having a niece has been a delight ! Faith and I have already been discussing different dress ideas for when Hope grows up. Of these, the most anticipated design is a Cinderella gown─ a character and story that is as cherished to Faith as our friendship is to the both of us.
I was touched ─ I really was ─ when I was invited with a handful of others to a private concert being given at the clubhouse of a quaint little neighborhood community nearby. While different from my usual opera outings, I figured it would be a welcome change to expand my musical horizons. And for $15, it was a fair deal. Consisting of a husband and wife duo, Acoustic Eidolon blends classicism with the folkloric adding a healthy smattering of rousing blues and lyric verses. Hannah, with her “chocolate” cello, played with both tenderness and gusto while at times accompanying the pieces with her angelic voice ─ sometimes in French. Hypnotic and melodic, she could justly be described as a siren without the impending danger. Joe, simultaneously picking and strumming his inventive “guitjo” (a double-necked guitar with banjo capabilities), was the pragmatist ─ the frank one ─ of the two. Often times he would provide the punch line at the culmination of one of Hannah’s soulful stories such as the time when her cello was severely damaged during airport baggage handling. “United [Airlines],” Joe sneered with mock surprise. “But you probably knew that before I said it.” Snickers bubbled from the audience. Their set list was unique. Joining covers of Simon and Garfunkel’s eerie “The Sound of Silence” and Queen’s stupendous “Bohemian Rhapsody” (their “opera piece”, Joe claimed) were original compositions from the couple’s various albums over the years including some with global flavors. In particular, my favorite of these was “One Ol’ Wreck”, a bustling bluesy tribute to Joe’s love of cars complete with Hannah’s uncannily realistic “honks” manufactured by the skill of her bow. It had my skinny stiletto tapping in time on the floor. Vroom, vroom !
Any event, no matter how small or informal, is an excuse to dress up for me. And that’s just what I did. During my opera off-season the previous year, I had made a handkerchief hem skirt using Vogue 7766.
Vogue 7766
Initially, I intended to use this pattern for my Valkyrie skirt, but aborted the idea in favor of an alternative approach. While the plan was jettisoned, the pattern was not and I was elated to have a chance to put it to good use, proudly outfitted in a bold striped sateen from Fabric Mart Fabrics. It mingled well as a dressier look: sheer gloves, glitter stilettos, and my mother’s classic Robert Scott sweater from the 70’s/80’s all coordinated in a chic statement.
Meeting Hannah and Joe after the concert was a treat ! They were personable and Hannah especially remarked on how much she appreciated my effort and style in fashion: “When I saw you walk into the room, I said to myself, ‘Now there’s a woman after my own heart ─ the shoes, the skirt, the gloves, the matching purse… !'” How could I not blush ? I was flattered.
Costume Closet Couture 