Fabricista Guest Post: "Julie's Picks" Goes to the Opera

Hello, fellow fabric enthusiasts and sewers alike ! My name is Mary Martha and I am thrilled to be presenting a guest post for Fabric Mart's Fabricista blog. As a bit of background, I fell madly in love with opera in 2015 when I attended my first performance in a movie theater as part of the Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" simulcasts, which projects live staged operas in New York City into cinemas worldwide via satellite. (They're fantastic !) Since the start, I have dressed the part of the characters when attending these performances, beginning with outfits fashioned from scarves and skirts in my mother's closet to more ornate costumes. It was during this time that I taught myself to sew using a sewing machine and I haven't looked back ─ my life was changed forever !

In December 2018, I subscribed to Julie's Picks swatch club as an educational experience: I wanted to expand my knowledge of different fabrics besides the typical polyester satins I had been using and thought it would be fun to feel each swatch as if dreaming of what it could become. Rapidly thereafter, my favorite day of the month became the one in which I found the latest edition of the swatch club tucked away in my mailbox. There are so many unique fabrics of all textures, patterns, and colors and it's with sheer curiosity and delight that I open the pages of the mailer each month.

In early February 2020, I attended Porgy and Bess and made a 1930's inspired picnic dress using the Floral "Liberty Look" Stretch Cotton Sateen that was featured in the November issue of Julie's Picks. Hitherto, I had scoured the web in search of the perfect material that would match my intended shoes for the opera: strappy sandals with a block heel and front buckle accent. The fabric HAD to match the shoes ! I also wanted the fabric to mimic the cheery feedsack prints so ubiquitous of the Depression-era clothing as well as the dress worn by the character of Bess in the opera.

(Angel Blue as Bess in Porgy and Bess)

When I saw the coral and buttercup colored dainty floral fabric, I knew I had found my match ! The shoes and corresponding pocket lining material are pictured below. 

See ? It's perfect !

 

The dress was received to rave reviews and I marveled at my luck in finding such an apropos fabric.

Later in the month, I attended my next performance: Handel's Agrippina ─ a modern dress production of a Baroque opera where the titular character was styled as a cutthroat businesswoman willing to work her malicious machinations on any man or woman in order to further her political means. I knew I would need to make a blazer and knockout Little Black Dress to portray the woman standing on the stairs below:

(Photo from Liceu Opera in Barcelona)

The May 2019 issue of Julie's Picks was one of my favorites and the red pepper Damask Weave Crepe Challis wool imported from Italy was tempting me greatly, but I was a little apprehensive... I had never worked with wool before and living in Florida is not the greatest environment for it (i.e. hot, humid weather and ever-present moths waiting to devour its meticulously woven fibers). However, the pattern, color, and texture was so sumptuous and ideal for the blazer that I decided to give it a try, even at almost $20/yard (I make most of my outfits on a budget since I don't get paid to dress up for operas ─ yet !). Goodness, the sweet smell of the wool was divine ! Its Italian heritage beckoned to me like a hypnotic siren luring a storm-wracked sailor to his death. My fate was sealed.

From there, I waited for the perfect black material to come along for my LBD. My mother has a favorite black ribbed tank top that consists mainly of rayon and spandex and that was my standard for choosing fabric: luxurious, durable, and simple ─ I wanted my Chanel length cocktail dress to be made of something just like that tank top ! Fortunately, November's issue not only gave me my Porgy and Bess material, but also the hot seller Black Ponte Knit from Italy... I bought almost 3 yards before it sold out for a second time. It was exactly what I was looking for, just like the wool for the blazer.

 

The outfit was a smash hit and gave me just the right mix of "business meets pleasure". And even better, I was able to wear both of these garments to other functions as well. 

With each month of Julie's Picks, I never know what's in store, but it's always exciting and offers a terrific value at only $50 for an entire year. If you're interested in finding inspiration for your next sewing project, I highly recommend signing up for Julie's Picks when membership becomes available in December. Who knows ─ maybe I'll see you at the opera wearing a fabulous creation !

Mary Martha