Petal & Pins

Category: Lace

Lavandula

© Sandra Alcorn 2014

© Sandra Alcorn 2014

I’ve been bolder this year in pruning the lavender bushes back in the half circle garden bed that follows the path to my front door.

Over summer they were taller than me and a buzz with bees. The ants seemed to like them too which made me less inclined to pick it for vases.

But as the days grew cooler, the ants moved on and I harvested the flower spikes to dry.

My mother took some back to Sydney along with some pretty lace scraps to make lavender bags.

There are now new shoots appearing  on the bushes and I await with interest how tall they will be come Spring.

Shadow Play

© Sandra Alcorn 2013

© Sandra Alcorn 2013

I love playing with shadows and I love working with lace, so yesterday when I finished a guipure lace dress I decided to try something different when photographing it.

The client and I decided on a classic 50’s silhouette – pencil skirt and a defined waistline which is emphasised with grosgrain ribbon. It’s left sheer so the colour of the slip can be changed and the back does up with 23 small silk covered buttons.

There was extra joy in making this dress as the client has become a close friend after first designing her wedding outfit 13 years ago. Coincidentally I commenced cutting the lace on her wedding anniversary so I decided to name the dress ‘anniversaire de mariage’.

This dress fits her like a glove – it’s classic, feminine and sexy. Tonight she steps out in it for the first time worn with a black slip.

I’d like to play some more with lace shadows and I think I’ll suggest to my friend she keeps a diary for this dress – to tell the story of where it takes her and whether it was a champagne or martini occasion!

© Sandra Alcorn 2013

© Sandra Alcorn 2013

 

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