Saturday, August 25, 2012

A Jazzy Flapper's Golden Dream

Last weekend I went Governor's Island in Manhattan to attend the Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party hosted by the Michael Arnella & His Dreamland Orchestra.  I went with my sister and a few of her friends.  We learned how to dance the Peabody and had a picnic on the lawn.  It was such a blast!  I have never been before, but we will definitely be bringing more friends to enjoy with us next year!


So, of course, with a change in decade, comes an alteration in my wardrobe.  I had been eyeing a gown at Re-Threads Boutique for a while; a gorgeous gold beaded gown.  It was loosing some of it's beads, so it was only $20, and then further reduced to $5 on the boutique's Third Thursday Sale!  I realized that it was quite big for me, and would need some work to become a flapper dress.  However, I was quite up for the challenge the afternoon before the big day!


I removed the sleeves right at the edge, so that I did not have to sew the arm holes.  I only had to tack down the lining to keep it from popping out.  I then cut the bottom half of the dress.        For the seam, I folded over the fabric three times to ensure that the beads would not start falling out the bottom.  It was quite precarious, but was not too hard once I pinned the folds.  For the back of the dress I used an eye-hook to pull the sides closer, and my sister pinned it together for extra security throughout the dancing activities!
I absolutely adore how the dress turned out!  I paired it with gold and brown accessories found at Re-Threads.  The bag, vintage, is one of the cutest little purses I've ever bought, and surprisingly held a lot of the essentials.  I propped up the vintage hat so it would not blind me, but it was the perfect fit, and quite appropriate for the time period.  My sister had the gold shoes, and my mom helped me out with the necklace.


 

I cannot wait for my 21st birthday because I decided long ago that I would have a 1920s themed party. I have so many ideas because of this festival for my soiree!  Hope everyone had a great summer as well!

~M. Margaret