Monday, March 26, 2012

Finale: Peacock Dress

This week's theme was a challenge for me from the beginning: 
PEACOCK
I couldn't think of anything with the actual bird I loved and would actually use.
So I ended up deciding not to use a a literal interpretation of an actual peacock bird, but instead designed a dress that's thoughtfully been inspired by peacocks in color palate, form, and texture.
The dress is comfortable, perfect for Spring and Summer, and ended up having a 1920's vibe I really love.

The color palate for the dress focuses on the sapphire body feathers of male peacocks, and the chartreuse detailing in the underskirt and metallic belt  pull the green from the peacock tail.
I chose to style my look with gold shoes and jewelry, pulling in a touch of the warmer golds in the tail feathers.

The silhouette of the dress was inspired by the peacock's actual form.
The skirt has a subtle high to low hem, which was a nod at the dragging tail of the birds.  I added the chartreuse underskirt to not only add to the color palate, but it reminded me of the hidden aspect of a peacock tail, where the green flashy feathers are only seen with the tail is raised.  The green underskirt is just a little flash of color at the hem. The underskirt is removable too!
The longer flutter sleeves were a soft feminine shape and design that seemed to move and flow like bird's wings.  
There's a lot of texture in this dress.
The bodice has a cross front design with the gathered, folded details over a simple fitted bodice base.
I added pin-tucks everywhere. Each pin-tuck is a small pleat you sew to add the slight raised texture around the skirt that slightly radiates from the center front and back.
The back of the bodice has a radiating pin-tuck design to mimic the shape of the raised, full peacock tail, but in a subtle way.

The fabric was only $1.00 per yard from a thrift store and $1.50 for the invisible zipper in the side seam, making the whole dress only $5.50!!

It's comfortable, easy to wear, and something you can dress up with heels, or go casual with flats and a cardigan.

It's been fun to participate with all the other talented ladies this season!
With Project Run and Play from December to SYTYC just finishing, I'm glad the crafting competitions have ended and it's been a blast. 
 I have been working on another PDF pattern for summer I'm just inches from releasing and I'm totally excited about.

28 comments:

  1. Amazing dress! Every detail is so spot on. I love your interpretation of the peacock and I love that it only cost you $5.50. You are an incredible designer, Jessica!!

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  2. I have voted for you every week, and you totally deserve to win. I hope you do!

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  3. You look amazing and the dress is fantastic - well done! Love the pin-tucks at the back...
    Feet up - have a well deserved rest!

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  4. Seriously, my eyes are bugging out looking at this gorgeous dress! You are so incredibly talented! And crazy-creative, I never would have thought of all the subtle nods to peacocks for a dress. My favorite is the green underskirt...so pretty!

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  5. This dress is fabulous! I love the detailing on the bodice and hints of green in the underskirt and belt. Even more amazing that this gorgeous color came from a thrift store! You look great in it, and so fancy! I voted for you before, and I just voted for you again.

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  6. Wow, the detailing in this dress is fantastic! Well done!
    ps. I like seeing pictures of your projects because I keep seeing glimpses of what I think is my hometown--if this is the case, I grew up on Pleasant View Drive just off Chubbuck Road!

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  7. holy moly I love it! It is something I would love love love in my wardrobe!

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  8. Very nice dress! I love how flattering it is!

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  9. Wow, that is an amazing dress and I love your interpretation of peacock! Way to go!

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  10. LOVE it! It looks so good. And I love the sleeves. It is so cute!
    You should do a pattern, if you get around to it.

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  11. You look stunning! And I love love love the pintucks.

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  12. Ahem, stunning with 2 n's. obviously.

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  13. Love it girl, hope you win!! You're stunning in this dress. It's great.

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  14. That dress is so incredible!I love the color on you. Fabulous, once again.
    ~Michelle

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  15. Wow, that is so creative and so pretty! Lovely!

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  16. Congratulations! Very inspiring. I love pintucks and drapes and pleats. Beautiful photos, too.

    enim Sou

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  17. you've really impressed me this season - totally got my vote

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  18. this dress is stunning! the details are amazing. and you look HOT!

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  19. Wow what a gorgeous and interesting dress! I love the texture and particularly love that lining poking it, it def says peacock to me, in a more subtle but beautiful way.

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  20. That dress is GORGEOUS!!!!! It looks amazing on you and I love your peacock interpretation! Good luck, you deserve this one!

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  21. Jessica! I love this dress! So beautiful! :)

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  22. Nice dress! I love how you say it is great with heels and there's a picture of you on a dirt track LOL

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  23. This is beautiful! I can't believe you made this for what, 5 dollars? It's looks like a million. Just beautiful!

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  24. What a beautiful dress! I would totally wear this. :)

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