Monday, October 25, 2021

Embroidered Moto and Green Pleats; Plus Gold Wings Dress, Part I

Hello, my friends! Today, I have my outfit, which is not black and white at all, despite the picture. 
And I also started a new Art Project: the Gold Wings Dress, and I'll be sharing my materials and my initial set up on that. 

  • Jacket - Frank Lyman; last worn here in February with bad stripes
  • Blouse - Talbots, thrifted; last seen here in August with green lace and tweed
  • Skirt - DaRue Petite for Draper's & Damon's, vintage 80s, thrifted; purchased here for $9.95
  • Shoes - 5YMedia; last worn here in July with red leopard

This outfit started out as being based around my new YSL scarf but in the end, the scarf didn't work so I just rolled with what did. 
I based it around this new-to-me green pleated skirt. Oh, excuse me: it's pine. Such a Sears catalogue name for a colour. 

The faux leather moto jacket is embroidered and studded - you see how I love my embellishments! 
Oops, my slip is showing! I am wearing an orange vintage slip under all of this. 

Without the jacket - I was sweaty off and on as I lugged boxes around. Our office is going to a desk-booking system as we prepare to bring back some of our staff (gawd knows when), so guess who gets to clean out what's left? 
I have my new-to-me black and red bracelet on in these pictures, but I took it off before I left home in the morning, as it got in the way of the jacket sleeves. 

Masked up and zipped up. 
After work, I picked up a couple of items from Tammy that she wants me to customize for her, then swung by the grocery store after work. My mask was so wet from the rain that I could hardly breathe through it. 

Outerwear - despite the rain, it's still not that cold out. 
October is a changeable month. 

Accoutrements: 
The wool hat kept my hair completely dry. 

  • Hat - Catawumpus, gift from Tammy
  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Silk scarf - Elaine Gold, vintage, Lazy Susan's
  • Mask - Lazy Susan's

The stuff: 
These just seemed like the right shoes for the outfit. 

Minimal bling: 
The embroidered jacket does most of the heavy lifting. 

  • Belt - Emmanuel, vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Earrings - Tania Gleave, Granville Island
  • Snake ring - BC Museum Gift Shop, c. 1986
  • Spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1986

Art Project: Gold Wings Dress

I picked this faux leather dress on sale at Dots (here) for $14.99, and I'm going to do some artsy stuff on it. 
It's a straight up-and-down piece, with fleece backing (cozy!) and ginormous sleeves. And pockets! 

I decided to do wings on the back, so I looked at a lot of pictures of tattooed angel wings to figure out what I wanted, and what I didn't. 
I like the feathers on the top image (lots of detail), the overall shape of the lower left ones, and the layers of feathers of the ones on the right. 

Then I looked at feathers, how to tattoo feathers, and some Zentangle designs. 
Good to have handy while I'm working. 

These are the pens I am using. 
I bought the bottom pen as it has a nice brush tip (like a paintbrush); the uncapped pen above that is an alcohol-based metallic gold ink, and the uncapped one above that is a calligraphy tip pen, for a wider line. I picked up extras of both of the Pilot pens. 

I tested them on the inside seam. 
It's all fine until you add moisture! 
The painty pen wiped right off. 

Then I took a picture of my back in the dress to see where wings would hit. No point in doing all that work if it won't sit right on my actual shape. 
"What are we looking at?"

Bonus: you get to see my striped socks, slippers and leggings (my football-watching outfit). 

Since the painty pen "erases" with water, I figured I'd be relatively safe in using it as my sketcher. 
Deep breath, here we go! 

Once I'd sketched out the basic lines, I went over it all with the Pilot calligraphy pen. 
A damp paper towel took off most of the sketch parts. 

I used a bunch of Q-Tips and a bit of soapy water to clean up the feathers. 
Even the permanent ink rubs off if you scrub at it. 

One side tidied up. 
Don't worry, I'm just removing the sketch lines. 

It always looks iffy at this point! 
Even these lines will be completely gone by the time I'm done. 

I filled in a little bit along the top, just to see how it looks like against the black, and gave all of the feathers an extra outline, cleaning up the shapes. 
I will likely darken up some of the black with a permanent fine-nib marker at the end. We shall see. 

And here are all of the feathers outlined, plus one that will be falling off at the bottom. 
That took about 2 hours and by that time, I was ready to crash on the couch. I'm working on top of a bookcase so that I can stand, instead of having this lumped in my lap, and so that I can ensure that the wings are nearly the same length, width and look. They don't match, but that's okay. 

32 comments:

  1. What an amazing project! Fascinating to see your method and progress. Thanks for sharing, Sheila.

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  2. That dress is going to look amazing! What a wonderfully relaxing project it will be, too. I love something to get my teeth into on these long dark evenings.
    The pleared skirt was the perfect choice with the jacket, I love the contrast between the ladylike plears and the bass ass fake leather. xxx

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    1. I like actually DOING something instead of just sitting like a lump, Vix.

      Thank you! I like that contrast too.

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  3. Well I like monochrome pictures!
    They can have a certain timeless quality about them.
    I hasten to add that I'm not suggesting for one moment that your other pictures are lacking in any way, far from it, I just didn't want to get into trouble;)

    Paul

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    1. I do too, Paul, but part of the whole outfit thing are the colours!

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  4. Your gold wings dress is going to be amazing, as was your jacket! I admire and am inspired by your creativity. Thanks Sheila

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  5. How gorgeous is that "pine" pleated skirt - I've got a slightly darker one, which you've just reminded me of - and the sugar pink pussy bow blouse is just perfect with it. The faux leather moto jacket is a stunner too. I didn't mind the little peek at your orange vintage slip. I definitely need some more vintage slips in exciting colours, but they're rare as hen's teeth here lately.
    Your Gold Wings dress is going to be amazing, can't wait to see the finished project! xxx

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    1. Isn't it lovely? It's my 3rd or 4th dark green skirt over the years - I keep looking for the Perfect Pine Skirt! I buy vintage slips whenever I see them, but yes, they are getting rarer and rarer every year.

      Thank you! I'm excited too!

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  6. May I suggest you take another photo of yourself wearing the angel wing dress now that you have the outline sketched?

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    1. You certainly may suggest it, but I won't be revealing it on me until I'm done, Chalotalo! :)

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  7. "Pine" indeed! Love the look though. I'm very excited about your new project; I think it's going to be fantastic.

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    1. Thank you, Nana! I am too - can't wait to see this one as it progresses.

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  8. Those wings are going to be spectacular on your dress…really looking forward to seeing it completed.
    It will be transformed with that detail.

    Your faux leather jacket is to die for.. I love it!
    I recently purchased a similar one from eBay, just not quite as striking as yours though.x

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    1. I hope so, Phyl - I always struggle with the fear of failure when I do these, which is part of what makes these projects so satisfying - I overcame it!

      Thank you! I don't buy retail, but had a mall gift card years ago and treated myself.

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  9. Am laughing at the opposite poles of your opening outfit and the angel wings dress. The skirt and top, minus the jacket, make me think of jitterbugging the night away, which the angel wings dress is the polar opposite. ;-)

    I have an Andrew Marc leather jacket that zips up the front and has a front zipper and pockets. It is a S and was my Aunt's, but the jacket is too big for me. If you are looking for another project after the wings, I'll happily send it to you to decorate and keep or do with as you like. It will have a more active life with you than hanging in my hall closet!

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    1. They really are very different styles, aren't they, Laurie? That's me to a tee though!

      Oh, that sounds lovely! It would depend on the colour (I prefer working on light vs. dark). I'll drop you a line if I'm in need of a new project, but I do have a couple more things lined up now. Thank you, Laurie!

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  10. I really like the green and pink combo - it's one I see a lot of people wearing but I rarely try myself, I need to do it more often!

    and the wings on the dress look so good !I'm really looking forward to following along with this creation too, you always come up with the best way to style pieces and to customise them to make them work for you! :)

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    1. Just give it a try, Mica - you never know until you try!

      I am happy with the dress so far. I hope it turns out.

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  11. woww, what a lovely project, I think it's going to look really Fabulous, I can imagine it and looking forward to see your design developing and growing!, the creative process always amazes me!
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I'm scared to death of f**king it up!

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  12. Wet masks must be an utter nuisance. They're bad enough without being soggy.

    That dress is going to look amazing - you'll be one badass Christmas angel.

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    1. I could barely breathe in it - it was seriously soaked!

      Thank you! Lol, love that.

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  13. What a terrific rain coat-brighten up those clouds. I once had a purple rain coat-it would not fit even if I still had it, but that and wellies would make me smile in the rain. I hope your mom got the rest she needed after her decorating.

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    1. Hm, I'm not wearing a raincoat here, Sam, nor wellies - I think you meant to comment on yesterday's post? Thanks!

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  14. Your artistry is incredible. You are so very talented, my dear friend. And, I must add, I adore that the wings are not identical twins. It gives them all the more personality and a sense even that perhaps they're starting to take flight into the air.

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you, Autumn! I tell myself that part of the charm is that they are obviously NOT manufactured designs and are not perfect.

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  15. Great to see the start of your wings project.
    Greetje

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    1. I like sharing the process with people. Glad you enjoyed it.

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