Well, my friends, true confession time. I sounded out a lot of people about the second skin frock, on and off line. Their, and your, ideas were full of genius. If I’d had ten of that frock I could have made ten different lovely garments from it. But I didn’t! I still could not overcome the fundamental issue—believing I’d wear it no matter how lovely it was.
I turned it into a series of what India Flint calls ‘infinity scarves’, though a little less fancy than the model we created in Melbourne. Three of them. Two have already gone to happy homes, in fact I saw one in use yesterday. It had a leaf print from a white cedar (Melia azaderach var australasica) leaf, pale green, which my friend had particularly appreciated.
One has been hand-pieced to manage the top part of the garment, and naturally it’s my favourite. I’m surprised to find that the clean, shiny white of the silk and cotton thread stitches against the dyed fabric is pleasing to the eye.
I’m now left with only a small pile of little scraps. Each time I come past them, I think ‘pincushion’. So there may still be another object to emerge from what was once a frock…
Local & Bespoke 
I think I’ve missed a good deal of the conversation …am concerned that you weren’t happy with what you made in the workshop. But I guess seeing it became several other useful things your time wasn’t completely wasted? And if you cared to email me with any constructive criticism you might have in regard to the class I shall be happy to take it aboard…clearly there is always room for improvement 🙂
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Dear India, I loved the workshop! I learned a lot (for me, the main point), I enjoyed the workshop itself, the other participants were interesting and friendly, and I appreciated your teaching style very much. I am sorry if I conveyed any other impression.
I don’t think there is very much you could do about my being a person who just doesn’t wear dresses. I went to the workshop knowing that about myself and even with a very lovely and comfy frock at the end of it… just couldn’t go there. I do own a few other frocks which I don’t wear… and the best skirt ever, which I have worn a few times. I am dedicated to dagdom (and jeans), apparently. I didn’t want the frock to sit unused in the cupboard and could readily see how it could see use instead. What’s more, several of the friends I consulted about it locally loved the fabric though the dress would have to be completely different to suit or fit them. And now they can enjoy the fabric, and so can I–and I have all that I went to learn and more, and I’m using that knowledge. I’ve come to realise that a lot of people do a workshop so that they can have a once off experience and take away a beautiful object. And that is a wonderful way to spend time. I have no criticism of it. But that’s not what I was doing at second skin. I went to learn from you and all the other good things that happened were gravy.
That workshop was the closest I have come to thinking I might be able to change my mind about frocks in quite some while. It did change my mind about hand sewing and stretch fabrics. I would do it again 🙂
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Phew! (I may be tagged mutabilia but am wearing my “india” hat)
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considering your inability to wear a dress I think that was a much better resolution than it sitting in a cupboard unused. now several people are able to feel lovely in that gorgeous fabric with the beautiful colours and shapes imprinted into it. a very generous resolution, I must say.
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Thanks, Jane!
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