B+A #001: from pants to dress

Goodbye electric-blue pleated pants.

The idea for this dress was inspired completely by these startlingly awesome blue pants I found at the Salvation Army. Because the pants themselves were a little too big for me, I had enough material to play around with and make the dress. I was able to loosely use a pattern for the bodice, and pretty much free-formed the bottom; readjusting the placement of the pleats. Mostly, the process involved winging it with large basting stitches that could easily be removed. Which I did. Many times. Kind of a try, try again kind of deal. Odd, I don’t generally feel like I have the patience for that.

The belt is made from a thrifted bed sheet, the remains of which I plan to turn into a vintage-50’s-style apron. And the buckle I’ve had for years, not sure where it came from.

I was thrilled with the outcome, and thought I’d give it a little wash, operating under the assumption that most clothes found in a thrift shop—even those that are dry-clean-only—have been washed in the machine at least a few times. Sadly, no. Rayon in the washer? Bad idea. Classic Amberlea mistake. It went from nicely fitted, to skin-tight. NOT the kind of look I want to or can pull off. But I was able to stretch it out enough to wear it. Once.

Hereness and Thereness. Or: grass is greener.

Basically, Hereness is the quality of being present and living in the moment, and Thereness is when your mind wanders and explores the distant or recent past; the immediate or far future. Daydreams, memories, plans. Anywhere but here. And anytime but now.

Hereness is simple. It is only this moment, nothing else. It is awareness and appreciation of your immediate surroundings; often through the senses. It is real.



Thereness is more complex; it can be many things. It can be idealistic, used as a distraction to avoid thinking or doing something perceived as unpleasant. It can be dwelling on a positive (or negative) memory. It can be running through all the to-do items on your list. For me, most of the time, Thereness tends to the Daydream end of the spectrum, and is a yearning, a wanting to be There: Away. Where things are different, better somehow. Warmer. Brighter. Rose-coloured.