Purple Tea at the Dallas Arboretum

Hello sweet friends! It’s been a minute since I have posted. I’ve been dealing with some pretty major housing renovation woes that are still ongoing. But, it’s time to bring on the pretty! The Fashionista and I recently attended the Purple Tea at the Dallas Arboretum. 

This tea was organized by the Dallas Fort Worth Costumers Guild. 

Purple Prairie Chic

This lovely tea is an annual event that I look foward to. The location and the color theme changes every year. Attendees can wear any era in fashion that they chose it just must be within the selected color palette. This years color was purple.

Both the Fashionista and myself have very little purple in our closets despite loving the color. So it was time to create some new frocks. 

Let’s start with the Fashionista who selected an early 1970s pattern, Simplicity 8875.

We opted to create the scoop neckline as shown on the blue dress. This was paired with the short sleeves and skirt seen on the autumnal colored dress. 

The pattern went together well. I would recommend it for an intermediate level sewist although a beginner could attempt it if they had help. 

The cotton calico fabric was found at Joann’s. The vintage lavender velvet and antique lace came from various estate sales. 

The Fashionista’s accessories were a pair of cowboy boots, vintage sunglasses and lucite bead bag. 

She stayed cool despite the 95+ degree temperatures. 

McCall’s M8338

For my dress I wanted a 1930s pattern as the tea was being held in the 1939 DeGolyer home. McCall’s had recently released this vintage gem. I selected option “B” as I had purchased some vintage purple gingham silk from The Mad Anachronist. 

While I am pleased with how my overall dress came out, this recommendation comes with a warning. 

This pattern features lapped gathered seams in the bust area. While the pattern drawing above looks nice the effect in person is like an arrow pointing to the wearers bosom area. 

I HATED it!

So much so I stopped sewing the dress and tried to find something else to wear. I only came back and finished the dress due to desperation. 

Luckily, I remembered that many of the 1930s styles featured bows and ruffles at the neckline and decided to try and create something that would hide the unappealing design feature. 

I created a double sided rectangle, cut on the bias and simply pinned it in place with a vintage brooch. 

Tight Squeeze Sleeve

The second thing I will say about this pattern is that the sleeves are very tight. I made the corresponding sleeve to the correct bodice size and wish I had sized up. 

Just a gentle reminder that I was involved in an accident on Mother’s Day and have a broken jaw. It is currently wired. The metal wiring does alter my facial appearence and I am still on a liquid/soft diet. As a result I have lost a great deal of weight. 

I’ve been doing exercises to relearn how to smile. It’s been a tough journey but I will get there!

I do want to proudly point out the amazing pattern matching on the skirt, bodice and sleeves. 

The back of the dress looks pretty swell too!

Vintage shoes, purse and gloves were all found at various estate sales. 

Let’s Hear It For The Hat

I adore late 1930s tilt top hats.

I ordered a purple fascinator hat on Amazon. It was more fuschia. So out came the spray paint. 

Next, I dug through my stash of vintage and antique millinery supplies and faux florals. 

I may have overdone it but we were going to a garden!

It tickles me and I want to wear it everywhere. 

Purple Tea at the Dallas Arboretum

Tea was scheduled for 11am. We arrived at 9 am to take a stroll through the gardens before the heat was to intense. Ha! It was already in the 90s. 

The lovely water features did attempt to cool things off. 

We met up with some of our fabulous friends!

  

Everyone was so beautiufully attired from many different eras. 

The tea was fabulous!

Today’s Video

This video is just four minutes long but it is CHOCK FULL of beauty. If you like gardens, afternoon tea and/or beautiful clothing you won’t want to miss it. 

If you wish to view the video in a larger format just click on the black box in the lower left hand corner that says Watch on YouTube.

Image of Finishing Touches Costuming taken by Samantha Snow. 

 

Enjoy the holiday! I will be spending the long weekend continuing to try to get this old damaged flooring removed and new flooring installed. 

I’ll be back on Tuesday.

Laura