Midnight at the Ritz

The 2018 Hoffman Challenge set my mind to wandering and wondering.  The result, “Midnight at the Ritz”, or I just call her “the lady”.  It has been a creative journey that I have certainly enjoyed so have chosen to post some photos that give a brief glimpse into the process.  And I thank all who gave me feedback and positive encouragement as the project progressed. I don’t really remember how the idea began but the cover of a 1935 women’s magazine combined with the challenge fabric and the song, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” pulled the pieces together.  Since I love to dye with Hoffman fabrics I went to my stash to see what might work for a formal effect that had the potential for “glamming”.  I had a light and a dark, one more yellow in color and one more green and blue reminding me more of a night out on the town. With a formal idea in mind my favorite quilt shop, Hickory Stick, had a black to white with metallic overtones line of Hoffman fabrics called “Sparkle and Fade”–the skirt. Many ideas came and went for a formal gown and how that might be portrayed. Final decision was a rainbow organza overlay on the white to black flowing skirt with Cosmo sparkle thread used to embroider and emphasize the folds of the skirt.  The era portrayed is the end of the Art Deco period thus the style of the gown and the addition of the floral and bling decorated cloche hat.  Oh, the jewel fabric that must be used for the challenge.  Well, of course, the lady is dripping jewels from her flowered bouquet on one hand and from the flowing pearls (30th anniversary of the challenge) and metallic chain on the other.  Throw in the special jewels representing birthstones of my family, add a little more bling with Swarovski crystals, quilting with metallic thread (Glitter from Superior) and she is finished ready for her photograph and entry.  She wasn’t expecially photogenic but Hoffman wants to see more so she will travel to California for a closer look by judges.

What a fun journey this has been as well as a creative challenge that moves me to choose some simple sewing to come down from this high!  Hope you enjoy.