'AFTER MONET' POPPY ECO DRESS

(Sampling development)

From a rug to a dress via sampling! Initially this almost 98% eco dress developed from an idea for a crochet rug; the poppy which it was designed around was made from recycled red acrylic yarn, which was to be the main focal point of a Art Nouveau inspired rug. However on reflection a yarn rug in a household with cats and their cat hairs did not make the grade.

So then the poppy/rose was transfered to my sampling process in which it was used on various points of the body to see where it would gain most impact. I finally focused on the chest, thinking along the lines of bibbing on tea dresses.

(Throwster yarn details)

....the dress was intended to become one of my sample dresses available to be ordered/commissioned from at my forth coming launch at the knit and stitch shows (goggle to buy tickets), but I ended up wearing it to a friends wedding recently to test drive its wearability. It was comfortable and was not too bad on the creasing considering that the main woven part is 100% Linen. The lower edge crochet was not uncomfortable when seated and also was unaffected.

(Side view to show claw style darting)

...The main poppy bib works well on both full and althletic figures as it emphasizes the bust area without showing flesh. The arm area makes use of picot edging stitch. The chest area also has unusual claw like darting.

(Lower edge crochet) ...The lower edge was formed from again recycled yarns and throwster yarn along with Rowan Shimmer to frame some of the crochet for definition. This same contrast yarn is used on the bib and as button loops for the back fastening.

...Why is the dress 98% eco friendly? The main body is made from locally sourced, market bought Linen and therefore is supporting loacl business and limits carbon footprints. The yarns used are recycled i.e: left overs from previous projects (waste not want not!) and 'throwster yarn' This yarn is 100% silk and is basically the left over silk from the fabric spinning process, it is gathered together and spun into a fine thread. However the shimmer yarn uses some man-made fibres.

...Why 'After Monet'? This dress although a one-off falls under my 'After...' series where certain elements are key. for example, tea dress and lower edge detailing. This particular one is inspired by the Monet poppy painting. Some other examples of the After... series dresses are inspired by Dolly Parton, Kate Moss and the late Farrah Fawcett.

...The back is cut-out with a strap strategically placed to allow the wearer to hide visible underwear straps. It has a short back zip and crochet cover buttons with loops.

The dress is available to order in any choice of fabric, colour and yarns. (Although this does make the eco part not to be able to be guaranteed)