
Hello, stripes!
Somewhere in my 50s I started wearing stripes and haven’t looked back. When I opened the latest Artful Home collection, you can imagine what jumped out at me: the multi-colored Alembika Quinn Dress in multi-stripes, of course. I also love the clever design. It’s got a tailored vibe on the top half, but the bottom half wants to be on a dance floor. When the wind blows, the lightweight fabric of the pieced panels billows wide. Picture a kid flying a colorful kite up and over rolling hills in the back pastures of a farm. That’s how it feels to be inside this dress; it’s springtime fun.

The wind beneath my dress makes me feel childlike.
Taking a closer look at the design elements
See the top part of the Quinn Dress? The stripes, shirt collar, and buttons down the front remind me of a man’s shirt. But when the four different striped patterns are pieced together the way they are, the dress gets flouncy and bouncy.

Men’s styling on top

A flouncy, playful bottom half
Stylewise, it resonates with me. “Girly tailored” is a look I love.
Fan of a brand
I’ve already been a fan of Alembika, a small-batch designer from Israel that’s carried by Artful Home. The design team is known for creating movement with fun piecing in its line. You saw that all winter long in pictures of me wearing the Harper Jacket by Alembika. In fact, I wore it at our Association of Image Consultants International global conference last week in Chicago. Here I am at conference with a new friend, Marilyn.
Can you see the movement and the interesting piecing in the Alembika black and white jacket? It too is more business on top but flirty on the bottom. That’s another reason the striped dress caught my eye—I’ve already had a great experience with that brand.

The design team of Alembika has been good to me
Stripes in the Quinn Dress take me down memory lane

Love the tailored collar

Could I be more comfortable in this dress? No!
Long before I wore stripes, I delighted in sewing clothes for my kids, specializing in stripes. As you see this parade of kids clothes, you’ll realize even quicker than I did why this Quinn Dress satisfies me beyond its cool design, colors, and fabric.
This was a vest I constructed for my son Trevor to wear at Easter when he was around four-years-old.
I had that bunny panel in my stash and decided to put it to use in this little piece. I wanted to tie the yellow into the center of the panel so I made that white and yellow checkerboard design. Yes, those are all teeny, tiny handsewn squares.
See these cute little girls? Erin (on the left) wore this turquoise and purple striped dress first and then Caitlin (on the right) wore it. It went through many washings and is practically in pieces now but I keep it in a memory box.
I liked playing with the two striped fabrics and piecing them into a checkerboard design. The hem needed some interest too. Aren’t stripes fun?
And here’s the last one I’ll share with you. This tunic top in striped denim has a little matching skirt that goes with it. See the face on the front? It has a tribal feel. I used both the right side and the wrong side of the fabric. With stripes, the skies the limit when it comes to creation.
Back to the variety of stripes in the Quinn Dress
So let’s take a closer look at the patterns used in this dress. I figured it was easiest for you to see if I made a collage of the four different stripes in the Quinn Dress.

A variety of stripes are pieced into the Quinn Dress
Adults can have fun wearing pieced stripes, too!

Front is fun

Loving the tailored shirt style on the back
Takeaway Shopping Notes
My experience with this dress brings up a few shopping style notes that you could use when making your next purchase.
- Visit a designer’s new line when it comes out. If you’ve had fun wearing a piece from a previous season, it’s worth checking them out again.
- When you have a sensory attraction to a piece, don’t ignore it! This dress put a smile on my face before I even tried it on. That’s a sound shopping technique—move toward what you love. I knew I loved the stripes and the colors and the flow of the dress, but that it brings with it such warm feelings makes it even that more special.
- When your heart’s engaged in a piece, don’t let that emotion block out your reasoning powers. You love it, but does it fit? You love it, but will you wear it? I was googly-eyed after opening the box the dress came in. I was ready to wear it in the next 24-hours. When I looked in my full-length mirror I had teeny, tiny doubts about the fit. My desire for instant gratification nearly took over. “Well, it’s not that small in the shoulders,” I said to myself. Luckily, I had the sense to get a second opinion. I showed it to Russ. He said, “It looks tight in your shoulders.” The size one was a little narrow in the shoulders and pulled some across the front. I boxed it up and sent it back, exchanging it for a size two. Curbing my “but I want it NOW” impulse paid off. The size two was so much better!

Enjoying a picture book in the backyard
Thanks to Artful Home for offering me the Quinn Dress to style. This experience went well beyond styling; it’s brought me such personal joy. It’s nice when a garment can do that. I guess I’m thinking a lot these days about early parenting because Caitlin is having her baby in a few weeks. Such special times!
My nose is out of my book right now and I’m ready to hear from you! You’ve been shopping for clothes for a few decades, do you come across clothing pieces or accessories that bring up memories? Do you sometimes resonate with items without really understanding why? I find it fascinating how fashion can be so much more than what we see at first glance. Will you share an experience with us?
XO
34 Comments
Kate
April 11, 2019 at 4:38 amYour designs are not only clever and beautiful but obviously created with love. Do you still sew and create?
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:08 pmMy passion for sewing went into making eleborate button bracelets with vintage buttons. There is so much beauty in buttons! We’ll see–maybe there’s more in my future!
Susan B
April 11, 2019 at 5:51 amThat dress is fabulous, Brenda. It has one of my favorite elements…movement! But what I’m most impressed with is your sewing skills! Wow, that’s some amazing work you did on the kids’ clothes!!
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:07 pmI love how a dress with movement just makes you want to move! Thanks, Susan. I sure enjoyed working with my hands and touching those fabrics, ripping seams out and sewing them up. It was all grand!
Nelda Pattillo
April 11, 2019 at 6:57 amI love the dress! Very bright and breezy! I’m really impressed with your sewing abilities! I grew up in a home with a Mother who was a fantastic seamstress!! It seems to be a dying art!! Sewing was a passion for my Mom!!
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:06 pmNelda, I still remember with such fondness the dresses my mother made for me. I wish I had them! They got handed down to a younger cousin and I never saw them again. Mom loved sewing dresses for her only girl. I was so lucky! Like you!
Cara in S.FL
April 11, 2019 at 7:40 amBrenda,
Your creations for your children are truly wonderful! I wish I had that brown striped top myself. So much more wonderful than the dress, in my opinion!
I think you’d enjoy wearing a similar intricate garment made for yourself, and hope you’ll consider making one and then showing it to us. I’d love to see it
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:05 pmWhen I stopped making clothing I started using my button collection and making button bracelets. I shared some pics on the blog some time back. Who knows? There may be more sewing in my future!
Carol
April 11, 2019 at 7:56 amThis dress is perfect for your “grandma” wardrobe.
Colorful and fun
And definitely washable – those grandkids will make a mess
Love the memories and make new ones
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:04 pmThanks, Carol. That little girl will be here soon and I’ll probably need to buy a few gramma proof outfits!!
Gail Guinn
April 11, 2019 at 8:17 amThat dress is just…you! It’s different and arty and definitely will be noticed and commented on for its originality. What I am drawn to most in the dress is it’s comfort. It looks fun to wear!! It has POCKETS (or at least a pocket, not sure if there are two). Who in the world doesn’t LOVE a dress with pockets?? It’s fitted on the top enough to give it some structure, but if you have a poochy tummy day it wouldn’t be noticed. Darling!
You have amazing sewing skills and vision when it comes to putting patterns and textures together. It’s hard not to be jealous!! God gives us all different gifts and that certainly is yours!! (Mine happens to be accessorizing-Ha!). Loved this post!
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:03 pmThat’s so true about the dress being fitted at the top. I love that about it. My poochy tummy days are most days so this dress is perfect for me! Who knew that playing around with textures and patterns would bring me to my career in style and wardrobe consulting. I feel blessed! I often lament that I don’t know where I’m going but somehow I get there anyway.
LA CONTESSA
April 11, 2019 at 10:36 amFUNNY!
I SAW That yesterday and thought of SANDRA!
IT SUITS YOU!
XX
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:01 pmThat’s amazing! As soon as she said something I could see it on her too!!
Kathy
April 11, 2019 at 3:15 pmOh your granddaughter will be blessed with your wonderful skills! Truly the clothing you made for your children are works of art. What a nice project for framing for the little ones walls. I love the dress especially the back. Such a risk taker in this dress. Best…Kathy
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 1:00 pmThanks, Kathy! I’m afraid I’m most skilled at this time with buying cute clothes for our baby Kinsel! But who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired to bring out the sewing machine again. I could at least make her her first little handbag! I’ll focus on accessories!
Katherine Cramer
April 11, 2019 at 4:08 pmMy Maternal Grandmother was a seamstress and I remember quite a few pieces she made for me beginning with a tiny infant, pink ballerina costume lined with flannel so the pois de soie and netting wouldn’t scratch. A gold (amber) velvet Christmas dress with round creamy satin collar edged in lace. Beulah loved prints so I always gravitate to colorful blouses in the Spring. When I was age 6-7, she made me a white sleeveless pique dress with a large watermelon pocket on the front ( a knock-off for sure), followed by another white dress with sheer puffed sleeves with daisy appliques on the inside of the sleeves. Every Spring when I see strawberry, cherry, lemon or watermelon prints–I try to resist adding a blouse or scarf. Don’t get me started on Asian motif silks which she also adored. I was very blessed to have her show me beauty in fashions and the artistry of a well-made button hole, collar or pocket. Thank you for sharing your art and memories.
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:58 pmKatherine, thank you for sharing YOUR memories. How incredible to have that “teacher” in your life to show you such beauty and emulate joy in fashion. Wow. Amazing. Thanks for sharing. I’m savoring every detail!
Sandi
April 11, 2019 at 4:24 pmMy Paternal Grandmother could sew anything. From the time we were born, my sisters and I had our clothing made by our grandmother. We’d find prom dresses in Seventeen magazine, send the page to her & magically we’d have the same dress we requested. She made our wedding dresses, tap dancing costumes (I have mine framed in my home) and I remember how she smocked all of our dresses when we were little girls. Because of her, I can still buy fabric & a pattern and make myself a dress. Thanks for sharing your amazing work Brenda. They all are works of art.
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:56 pmWow, Sandi, this is so cool! How incredible! I’d never been that kind of sewer. It must have seemed like magic or maybe it was just a common occurrence. What a rich background! I’d love to see dresses you’ve made as well. Gosh, this is all making me want to get the sewing machine out!
Jane M
April 11, 2019 at 4:53 pmAs a sewist I’m so impressed with your sewing skills, so much creativity and detail in your children’s clothes! I enjoy reading about your love for clothing. I bet if you sewed your clothing it would be equally amazing!
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:55 pmJane, I did sew some for myself. I’m just not talented or skilled enough to do the tailoring kinds of things that I admire so much. I had great mentors when my kids were young–older women who were involved in the wearable art movement. They encouraged me to do all sorts of little projects so I’d have the satisfaction of actually finishing something. These kid pieces were just that. They didn’t take a long time although I gave myself the time to get them just right. Every seam on the inside is covered by fabric from the garment. I was pretty obsessed!
Kim
April 12, 2019 at 4:52 amI sewed from my children a LOT when they were younger, but I never went through all of the intricate details and designs that you did. I’m amazed. Also, what a delight that your dress brings you so much joy, it’s a rarity.
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:52 pmThanks, Kim. Designing those clothes for the kids was also a creative outlet that fed my soul as I was feeding the mouths and minds of young ones! It was a win-win. It doesn’t happen often that a dress can bring such a powerhouse of good memories. I love that this one does!
Sandra Sallin - Apart Frpom My Art
April 15, 2019 at 10:15 amLove it!!!! That is so me. I’d wear it everyday! You look adorable in it. Is that OK to say? Now let’s look at your sewing abilities. My goodness you’re a marvelous designer, writer, model and all around talented woman. Why are you not designing clothes. I love the clothes you designed for your children. Artful Home does a great job in curating the best.
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:47 pmSandra, I could so see you wearing that dress everywhere!!! We could be sisters! I did do some designing (wearable art) for adults. I would get commissioned to make things. It was a very joyous part of my life. Geoffrey Beene was my absolute favorite designer. I had scrapbooks of his styles. He did a lot of piecing in his work. But alas, image consulting came knocking on my door and I felt it was easier to create art on bodies without having to sew it all. It’s been a good creative life!
cindy hattersley
April 17, 2019 at 10:14 amI adore that dress. I don’t know if I am tall enough to wear it but I would if I could! Those darling creations you made for your children are adorable. I have some similar dresses made (not by me I can’t sew a stitch) by the uber talented Marsha at Tancredi & Morgen locally. This was a wonderful post that also stirred memories for me.
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:27 pmCindy, so pleased to hear about the memories stirred! It really took me down memory lane. It was fun to realize that my love for the stripes in the Quinn dress has had a long, colorful past. I’d love to see the dresses Marsha made!
Kim
April 17, 2019 at 10:44 pmBrenda, That is a terrific dress on you and love it with the sandals- super cute. This style of shirtdress was all over the place last summer when I was in the south of France. Many chic women wearing these dresses with lovely sandals. I wanted to copy them! I haven’t seen anything similar here until your post. You’ll wear that so much. I agree about your tip about going with the garment that attracts you right away- those will be the loves of your closet! By the way, your sewing is amazing. I bet you had the best dressed kids. I am so glad you saved the clothes. They will treasure them someday as I do the special things my grandmother made for me as a girl!
Brenda
April 19, 2019 at 12:23 pmI’m really impressed that this was what you were seeing in France. Isn’t it funny how if it was in France, it has to be the best thing! I woke up this morning thinking I want to wear that dress this weekend. I feel so free in it! I have to say, my kids do appreciate seeing those little pieces now that they are grownups. You are right!
Elizabeth Gosse
April 20, 2019 at 12:55 pmAhhh! That explains a lot of your style sense: Geoffrey Beene!! Unstructured structure! His couture was so beautiful and yet so free! That’s where your love of movement comes from in a garment. I remember browsing fashion magazines as a youth and loving the swing of his jackets on women. They fit but didn’t smother.
I think all that you have done in your life has brought you to this moment, in your career and in your life. What a gramma you will make! And what you’ll be able to share with that lucky little girl! A rich history of a life well lived. Happy spring!
Liz from CT
Brenda
April 26, 2019 at 5:45 pmLiz, how wonderful that you just pointed out to me something I hadn’t realized. What you’re saying about Geoffrey Beene’s designs and things I love is so true. I wish I still had the scrapbooks I made of his designs. I’d look at the pics with your insight in mind. Thanks for your kind words!
Debbie
January 23, 2020 at 5:09 amJust think of all the wonderful purses you could design with that pieced flair! How fun would it be to hunt and gather interesting fabrics and trims and bring them to life in a purse! You could “upcycle” like my grandmother did with her braided and hooked rugs and tuffets. Those antique buttons would be useful too.
Enjoy that grandbaby!
Brenda
January 23, 2020 at 5:18 pmDebbie, when I was a young mother I actually did turn piecework into small crossbody fabric bags and sold them in Santa Fe with a girlfriend. I’d almost forgotten about that chapter until she reminded me of it! Love hearing what your grandmother did!