Did you ever feel like making an Art Gown about the Tango?

If so, you may be thinking passion, desire and poetry in motion.

Those words also perfectly describe the prose of Holly – House of Heart. Art Gown Velvet Tango is dedicated to her.  Holly, I hope you just love this!

Gigi (Georgiann from Rethinking Life) wrote some Tango poetry. With Gigi’s permission to use these pieces with an Art Gown dedicated to Holly, I began an epic 5 month building of  Velvet Tango.

Holly thought a Tango gown could be black, red and silver. So, I immediately began deconstructing a red, 25 year old  synthetic velvet coat that I never wear.

In the rear of a fabric jobbers, I found an old rayon bengaline lining for $4.00/yard. It was a splurge, but I bought 4 yards.

Tango dresses can feature lots of asymmetry and legs for days. Unfortunately, Judy has a metal pole and 4 wheels. I didn’t cut into the fabric. Instead, I began at one side of the Judy, and draped the fabric right around. This created a massive tail off to one side, the feel of asymmetry, and the need for 20 release darts.

The unorthodox drape I had done left a huge gap in the centre back. Fortunately, an old friend found my blog, and sent me 14 pounds of old, musty and Art Gowns worthy fabrics. I found a toned down red that fit into the back space.

There was enough leftover to interline some red lace to fill a quarter front panel slit. Some of the lace was made into flowers. Using a silvery sage scarf from my stash, and an old silver grey dupioni silk dress, leaves were formed.

Easy as pie!? Here’s the classic front, back and side shots.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO: Frank from A Frank Angle

He was kind enough to submit this Tango video for the post!

OUTTAKES

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Historically the Tango is a dance of slaves and poor, and was fueled by the emotions of young men who immigrated to Argentina to find a better life. Click on the pic below to read a page on the history.

Art Gowns © Resa McConaghy – since 2012

Tango prose © Georgiann Carlson.