Anthropologizing: Unconditional Osier Dress

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Once upon a week of blustery November days, I built a bit of pretty with a couple yards of lace.  I didn't need another LBD in my closet so I went to Joann's in search of that perfect shade between dusty pink and beige.  I don't know where the fabric store hides all the best fabric until they hit the clearance bin...it's a mystery.  I always find the best pieces tucked away like they aren't meant to be found.  This particular bit of amazingness cost a whopping $10.  I can so handle that...especially for a dress that has endless possibilities.
Editing the pieces I build from scratch starts long before the finishing touches. Choose the wrong fabrics, and the final product will be miles apart from what I imagined for a piece when I began. 

This lace is sheer, so the shade of the lining is going to have a huge effect on the finished dress.
I tried pink--it looked like a lollipop.
I tried cream--too bridal.
But this brown-toned silver?  Perfection.
The end result was a pretty dress in a versatile color shade you could dress down with a leather jacket or trick out with a fancy shrug.
Little confession.  I can never decide whether to use a circle skirt or a gathered rectangle.  It's a quirk.  For this dress, I used a gathered rectangle so I could keep the scalloped edge at the bottom, but made a flounce for the lining to imitate the fullness of a circle skirt. 
YAY! Love it.  
So what's been good with all of you?  
Much love, mah dears.



24 comments:

  1. Totally uh-mazing Kristina! Lovely! I have had the SAME experience with the Joann's clearance fabrics. Totally odd, isn't it! I looked high and low for some fabric and lining, and low and behold a week later it was in the clearance section! WEIRD! Where was it when I was looking the first time?! I still got the fabric and sewed up the summery skirt and will save it for next year! :) Your dress is stunning! So gorgeous! Happy weekend! Laurie~

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  2. The Unconditional Osier Dress is one of my favorites at Anthro now so I LOVE how you re-created the look!! Your so talented!!

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  3. Did you pleat the lining? See, that is such amazing attention to detail! WOW, the dress is amazing and just pure perfection. You rocked it!

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  4. I love your new dress!!!

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  5. I can't wait until you start selling things like this!

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  6. Wow this dress is gorgeous! It's even better than the Anthropologie inspiration piece. So perfect with the nude pumps.

    http://confessionsoftheglitterati.blogspot.com/

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  7. Beautiful! Your dress is even prettier than the Anthro one!

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  8. Oh Kristina. It is just gorgeous! I love love it. I got a beautiful green lace knock off from Forever 21 of the Anthro dress. It is more of a mod style shift, and I liked it so much better and it was $25! So fun when those things just happen.

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  9. gee-maneez...what a stunning dress! wayyy better then the Anthro version! You are a genius!

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  10. This dress is so so pretty. You did an awesome job!!

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  11. Wow.

    This is simply amazing! You truly have some great talent! It's a beautiful dress,I like it better than the Anthro one.

    PLEASE start a business,I would sooo buy! (:

    xo

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  12. WOW! I am so beyond impressed! I can barely hand stitch a button. ;) This dress is phenomenal and you look amazing in it!

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  13. oh my goodness, this dress is AMAZING! you look almost breathtaking... leave the almost. Can I hire you as my personal designer? I seriously would! x

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  14. I cannot believe you found that fabric in the clearance bin! This is a knock-out gorgeous dress!

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  15. I actually tried on that anthro dress and wasn't too impressed, but that dress YOU made for ten bucks is incredible! I'm taking sewing classes right now and the only thing that keeps me from quitting is the hope that maybe one day I'll be able to do this!

    Lauren
    awkwardgirls.blogspot.com

    ps. thanks for stopping by our blog! I've been an avid frequenter of yours for a while and I LOVE your style, so when I saw you commented, I just about died with flattery.

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  16. This is beautiful! And you are beautiful! :) I love the modest length of this dress<3

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  17. Lace is big right now, luv the dress colour.
    Would luv for my readers to discover your blog, will you please join our weekly party at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
    have a great crafting week!
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  18. This is just beautiful! I've featured it at Grits and Giggles. Stop by and grab a featured button! xoxo
    http://gritsandgiggles.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-i-love-wednesdays.html

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  19. That dress is just stunning. It looks so lovely you are very talented to be able to make that. I love it.

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  20. Your version is WAY better than the Anthro dress. I love the colors you choose and the style of the dress.

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  21. HI there!
    Just stopping by your blog. This is a little OT but how do you do your hair? I also have curly hair but sometimes I would like the curls to stand out more. Maybe you could make a little tutorial and share your beauty secrets if you haven't already :]

    Nadja

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