I love my neutral linens, greys, whites, and black. But I also love reds, particularly spots and dots - any combination:: white with red dots, red with white dots. Little dots preferably, but I take inspiration from them all. There is something beautiful and serene about a crisp white fabric with red dots on it. In recent years I have loved a Nani Iro white muslin with red bold dot splodges - pieces of which make there way into various quilts in tiny portions so I can get maximum value out of this precious material. I am down to my last thin 10cm x 15cm strip, and I wish I could get more. When I came across Yoshiko Jinzenji's White Design fabrics, I knew the dots piece, amongst others, would have to come live with me. A vast white background with little teeny dots on it, almost like pin pricks. And then Pia came along, and the vintage inspired smock top I made here, is the perfect pattern for using this material.
Red bias binding accentuates the red dots, and little bits of charcoal grey allow it to be worn with her grey bloomers, red stripey pants, red bloomers and every conceivable permeation in between.
This is the sort of simple crispness I like:: Bold in it's subtlety, detailed, expressive, flowing, and very handmade. It will grow as Pia grows and I relocate a small button at the back. It is both dresslike, and like a top. It is strong, feminine, and girly in a designed manner.
And the little red dots, they just need to be poked by an older brother, they glisten in their sparseness which is totally in scale with a little being. And they call out for more dots please. Perhaps the dots are an antithesis to the straight lines of architectural design I tend to favour - my way of gaining softness against harsh lineated projects.
I keep collecting images of dots around the place: Bikes :: Foliage :: Wallpaper :: Bridges :: Ladybugs :: Assortments :: Lizards and Buttons :: The Flower Sermon.
"I love my neutral linens, greys, whites, and black."
LOL. See. I knew that. How else would I know you'd like my socks so much? ;)
Posted by: Sarah | January 29, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I just love Pia's smock, and the sparsely scattered red dots. I haven't seen any fabric like it. All the clothes you make for her are so elegant but also look comfortable and well suited to a baby.
Pia is such a gorgeous bub, and her big cheeks remind me of my little one - they are a similar age I think.
Posted by: Gabrielle | January 29, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Gorgeous dots, or are they spots? So delicate. I've never been a dotty girl before, and just recently, I have started to fall in love. And I feel an addiction growing.
Posted by: Jo | January 29, 2007 at 09:00 PM
im with you all the way on the dots, i love dot patterns. this smock is so great. it looks so comfy yet still special.
Posted by: ginny | January 30, 2007 at 02:02 AM
the top is perfect-- simple, beautiful, functional, delightful. it's very cute with the stripes! i just want to reach out and rub pia's sweet head :)
Posted by: amisha | January 30, 2007 at 05:50 AM
I love dotty fabric too, just so gorgeous. Pia looks wonderful in her little top too, so pretty. She has a serious look on her face too, is she learning to crawl off somewhere.
Posted by: Sue | January 30, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Cute top and a gorgeous babe. Inspirational as always!
(infact I have recently linked to more of your wonderful creations - hope you dont mind)
Posted by: rebecca | January 30, 2007 at 08:32 AM
i adore this fabric and i love that this beautiful garment will grow with the gorgeous girl...
Posted by: sarah | January 30, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Love it. I love your blog and drop in quite often to have a read. I love your clean lines and simplicity. Like a breath of fresh air.
Posted by: Rennae | January 30, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Beautiful. And perfect.
Posted by: manda | January 31, 2007 at 09:28 PM
I absolutely adore your blog and visit quite a bit after reading about you and others in the Crafters Companion. I really love your baby clothtes. So sweet and inspiring.
Posted by: Jen | January 31, 2007 at 09:42 PM