Wednesday, September 4, 2013

History of the Turkey Ribbon Dress

Back in 2011, my sister, Michelle, came to me with the request to make a Thanksgiving outfit for my then 11 month old niece since we were making the big trip down to Louisiana to see family that year. Of course it had to be fabulous, so we put our heads together to come up with something fit for the little papoose. Michelle had been seeing the turkey with ribbons all over the Internet, and so I took that idea and ran with it.
 
 
I wanted something that could be worn in different weather climates with different accessories, so I settled on this sweet crossback tunic A-line dress. Since it opened at the back so dramatically, I had to add bloomers to it. Once I got thinking about it, why not be a little cheeky? I decided to embroider, "Gobble til you Wobble" on the back of the bloomers so it can peek out from the back of the dress.

 
I love the way the fabrics came together. I settled on the brown vine print first because I wanted a darker backdrop for the more colorful ribbons I went with, and they really do pop against it. It also reminded me of harvest time and farming, which I thought was seasonally appropriate with all the pumpkin patches to visit. Since it is a lined dress, I chose a vibrant red cotton that is so dramatic and fun.
 

I initially went with atypical Fall colored ribbon just to spice it up a bit and add a different element. I couldn't get enough of that ribbon, I just kept adding more and more because a turkey should have a full tail feather plume! I think it looks so much better layered that way than with only four or so ribbons. And my sister LOVES a personalized monogram dress, so I indulged her and added Harper's name below the turkey.


 
Even after it was all sewn up and done, I liked it but felt like something was missing. I had some orange rickrack laying around and decided to sew that all around the dress. I was afraid it might look a little busy and overdone, but it really brought the whole outfit up a notch.

 
I've had to change out the ribbons since some get discontinued, but I still like the bohemian effect of all the different patterns and styles. It was my most popular dress the year I debuted it in the shop, I was so busy that Fall! I get tempted to take it down and discontinue it every year because it's so different from my usual style, but it's definitely a Fall favorite. And it is such a happy little dress to wear!
 
The Turkey Ribbons and Ricrac Dress and Bloomers is available at www.etsy.com/papooseclothing.
Available in infant sizes 3-18 months, and also toddler sizes 2T-6T.

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