No. 24 Lane 637, Chengle Lu, Shanghai

I have a wedding to go to over Labor Day weekend. I thought that I would wear my brown silk, as it is an afternoon wedding with an indoor evening reception. No go! The invite says 'think sundresses and khakis'. Arrg. Over the last couple of weeks I have been mulling over what to wear or really what to make to wear. Here it is...

A sleeveless dress, with a self fabric ruffle around the neck. Enough shaping under the bust that I won't look pregnant. A pleat/tucked skirt with pockets in a slight tulip shape. Exposed zipper in the back. Something that will be appropriate for a wedding but not too dressy. If I can get it done this weekend I may even have enough time to throw together a niffty new hat to wear with it.

China is known for it's silks but there is and older fabric tradition in China, Nankeen. Nankeen is woven cotton printed using a batik method and indigo dye. I LOVE IT! There must be over a hundred patterns that are at once ancient and modern. The pattern drying on the line in the photo below is the one I will be using for the dress.
Now all I need to figure out is shoes and handbag.