This book is inspired by my mum’s autobiographical stories. See more here.
Chronologically this book was actually completed before even Five dresses – i was playing around at Cathie’s house and had taken very little with me – necessity being the mother of invention!
It’s very simple, and because the paper is quite thick (a Nicola offcut I suspect, probably more than 300 gsm) it doesn’t really make pockets so easily.
All of the dresses are cut with the cricut, from calendars or cards from the pattern box. Then I secured the pocket concertina with a stitch at either end.
There are some practical issues – some of the dresses have had their sleeves bent because they’re not exactly returned aligned with the pockets, but I kinda like it.
The folder is covered with a 1940s Dior image from Fashion, a book I found in the street – this is the first time I’ve actually cut into it because it’s lovely, but i’m becoming more cavalier – any book I like but never open may as well be an art work in my house!
If i were to do turn this maquette into a proper book i’d:
- a different paper for the pockets / a differnt style of pocket
- slightly smaller dresses so they can align more easily and not accidentally bend
- a more coherent outside to inside relationsihp (same paper? paper with dresses? just the same colours?)
- or go the other way, make all of the inside dresses from the Fashion book, reinforced so they are robust, but dresses of dresses
- something in here about manufactured beauty, but also my personal history with dad’s dress shop?
- maybe some of the quotes I used in six dresses? some windows like in 27 dresses?
And here are some photos of the product in progress.
