This one is actually next in the queue. I know I say that about a lot of dresses, but this time I really mean it. I swear. I have the fabric all picked out — it's this green cotton satin, very bright green, absolutely beautiful, and very modern — I think it was the bitter end of a Chaiken bolt, at least that's what the tag said at Paron's when I bought it. I've been wondering what would be worthy of the fabric since I bought it, and I think it has found a home.

You know why I love this dress, right? Do I have to enumerate it? The midriff band (of course), the interesting sleeves (be sure to look at how they join the bodice, in a kind of modified raglan), the pretty skirt. And, to be totally honest, even the IDEA of wearing it with one of those little veil-ly hats. Not that I would, I'm not really a hat person (despite many and valiant efforts to become one) but the IDEA of it is tremendously appealing.

I have just scored a pair of silver shoes on eBay and have a gorgeous lunchbox-style silver evening bag with rhinestone trim, bought years and years ago in a Hadassah thrift store on Long Island (long story, but the short version is that all the lovely ladies in the store BULLIED me into buying it with lashings of guilt: "You'll always regret not buying it, you'll never find anything like it again, it goes with everything, etc. etc.", very effectively, obviously). Anyway, if I make this dress (AS I FULLY INTEND TO) I will have a great festive holiday party ensemble that is NOT BLACK. Not that there's anything wrong with that …