Okay, so my last post was a pop art inspired project. This next skirt project was also inspired by pop art. In fact, I took my inspiration from an actual paper dress that was produced in the 60's. And what's more pop art than the whole paper dress phenomenon? While I doubt most producers of paper dresses were trying to make a statement, they did. And that statement was about the throwaway nature of our disposable consumer culture.
One of the most collectible paper dresses from the era is the yellow pages paper dress. Manufactured in 1966 by "Waste Basket Boutique" (Mars of Asheville, NC), the yellow pages paper dress was valued by Antiques Roadshow at a whopping $1800. Since my husband and I are passionate antique collectors, we actually purchased the yellow pages paper dress for our collection. We bought it on eBay so we didn't pay anywhere near the $1800 roadshow price (whew!). I'll actually post a picture soon of myself wearing the paper dress (carefully of course).
Front of "yellow pages" paper dress--be sure to click the pictures for closeups
(ABOVE)
Back(ABOVE)
So, back to the skirt project. This skirt was made with 100% cotton quilter's fabric just like the last one. Again, I couldn't resist, because the fabric has personal ads printed upon it. When I saw the fabric, I was immediately reminded of the yellow pages paper dress. Personal ads on a skirt seemed like a proper homage to the yellow pages themed dress. Pop art often incorporated everyday things and objects, so I thought it was appropriate.
Enough with the rambling. I hope you all enjoy the project!
Happy sewing,
Astrid
No real relevance here, just a fun vintage ad!
(ABOVE)
No real relevance here, just a fun vintage ad!(ABOVE)
ooo that's adorable and it reminds me of in the movie Desperately Seeking Susan, Madonna was circling want adds with a red pen!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool! I like to link up my projects to pop cultural references : - )
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful skirt. I have not heard of paper dresses of the 60's, till now, thanks for the informative blog post!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Erica. Glad I could get some information about paper dresses into the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteI know you've mentioned a few places before, but where do you get most of your fabric? It's amazing and you have such an eye. I too am a mod fan.
ReplyDeleteHey Carly! Thanks : - ) I get most of my fabric on eBay and Etsy. It can take some searching and patience, but if you're persistence, you'll find some cool stuff.
ReplyDeleteI actually had one of those dresses. If I remember correctly, you could order two of them and only pay S&H, which was probably a dollar. I gave one to my cousin.
ReplyDeleteI scalloped the hemline (it was WAY too long for a 16-year-old in the 60s) and wore a wide black belt with it.
I wore it once, for Halloween, and it started tearing, so that was it. If I'd known how much it would be worth today, I'd have left it in the package.
astrid callate
ReplyDelete