This project has been sitting on the backburner, but an upcoming trip to the faire has jump-started my motivation. Funny how with a self-imposed deadline looming, I got way more happy brain chemicals out of pulling thread than without a firm timetable.
For a week leading up to the faire I absolutely could not get enough of this project. It was so much quiet, peaceful fun to put together this ornately decorated costume collar to go with my new-this-season cinnamon gown. You’ll notice that the collar matches the sleeve linings of the gown; the two were made for one another which is why I chose to photograph them together for this post.
I started with the basic form of the collar and its lining and joined the two around a core of spun tulle to create the standing edge. Then the project sat open on a chair for months…. next I added some fancy braided trim and a quick smattering of machine-basted background thread for texture. Let project rest another few months…
When I picked the project up again in earnest I was finally decided on the imagery. I think I needed to wait for the right season. This is a fall project and I needed inspiration from the fall flowers! I looked to my own abundant garden that is currently overflowing with deep red marigolds, huge disks of calendula, cosmos, amaranth, and heirloom sunflowers. I decided that would be my color pallet, and marigolds, amaranth and calendula would be my subject flowers.
I wanted so much texture so I worked in some twisted lace and several layers of thread to build dimension. Tiny colored plastic and wooden beads bring even more light and shadow into the piece. Difficult to make out in the photo above, but I also added tiny copper beadwork to the ends of the tails where I joined the gold tassels. I really wanted this garment to say, “come closer” and enjoy these details. It is icing on an outfit and these moments of incredible texture are so, so sweet.
