Did you ever design a gown about falling in love, and dreams of romance?
Well I did, because “love rules”!
So it makes total sense that my “Art Gown” #5 has been inspired by Imelda Evans of Wine, Women and Wordplay. Imelda is an author, and her first novel out is an EBook romance, “Rules Are For Breaking”on the “destiny Romance” label.
Having read the book, the first thing I was inspired to do was make 4 dozen silk organza flowers in shades of Mango.
To prevent fraying, I cut strips of true bias in five widths (2-6 inches) then made squares.
I fan layered 4 squares of the same size, ran a large hand stitch through the center to give me a point from which to pince, twist and secure with a few hand stitches.
Each flower came out different. I used a wired organza ribbon in green to mock leaves.
I saw the flowers on a black velvet gown with a cut silk velvet asymmetrically draped, creating subtle lines.
When the gown was finished, I had to ask it a question about Imelda.
“How did Imelda feel when she found out she was a 2012 finalist in Australian Romance Reader Awards”?
Of course Dream Of Love had a direct quote.
“In answer to your question, my initial reaction to being a finalist was shock. I truly got chills. It honestly had never occurred to me that I would be on the list. So when I came across my name and my book, at first, I hardly believed it.
I closed my eyes and opened them again. Then I scrolled up to the top of the page to make sure that I was really reading the list of finalists. Then I went back and looked again.
Then I went back onto facebook and found someone I knew who was online (it was quite late) and got them to confirm that I wasn’t hallucinating. And through it all, my skin was clammy with the shock.
Since then, whenever I think about it, it has made me so happy.
I know my book isn’t the best book of 2012, but to be someone’s – anyone’s – favourite anything is so humbling and delightful. It is so encouraging! I can’t please all of the people all of the time, but if I have pleased even one person that much, I’m very, very happy.”
Well, I’ve read Rules Are For Breaking and if you love love the way I love love, you might want to read it, too.
Love,
Resa
♥♥♥
“Art Gown” Dream of Love designed by Resa McConaghy – March, 2013
All photos taken by Resa McConaghy – March 2013
AS “LIKES” DID NOT TRANSFER TO MY NEW BLOG, I TOOK A PIC OF THEM.
Art Gowns 
This is such a stunning gown. Roses are quite dear to my heart.
Thank you! (I love roses, too!)
Wow. Just wow 🙂😆
TY! I just adore “Dream Of Love”! She was my 4th Art Gown. I loved the idea of promoting a Book with an Art Gown then, and still do! Imelda Evans is a great Romance Novelist!
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland and commented:
Too many lovely dresses!!!
You are very sweet! Thank you for the reblog, and for liking my Art Gowns. They like you, too!
:0) You’re welcome Resa
This gown is totally stunning. Sounds like a smashing book too.
Thank you, and the book was pretty great!
I love this gown. It’s incredible and so beautiful.
It’s hard to believe I started the Art Gowns 6 years ago. It moves slow here, as I can only make about 2.5 gowns a year. I’m happy now to have the sketches and Chicklets for in between Art Gown posts!
So glad you are seeing them all!