On a recent vacation in Colorado, I got the opportunity to tour the incredible Glen Eyrie castle. I wore one of my new dresses, so of course I had to get photos there - it provided the most amazing backdrop instead of my usual back yard photo shoots!
This dress was a happy combination of pattern, fit, and print. I've gotten so many compliments on it already. My mom said it was the most beautiful dress I've made yet - and it's just a simple princess dress with a little pretty detailing in the back! Yet the striking floral print (JoAnn's stretch twill) really does make it special.
The back is gathered into a flattering V. I wasn't sure how the twill would behave when gathered, or if I should have used a more limp fabric, but it turned out perfectly and lays just fine.
The collar is cut in one with the front piece. I outlined it with some white lace so it wouldn't be lost in the print.
Large prints are hard to find. This one did make cutting out the dress a bit more difficult than normal, since I had to be careful with the rose placement, and it was a one way print. Thankfully it was a wide fabric, but even still I had barely enough to cut out the pieces. I was glad I had gotten an extra half yard!
I had intended it for an everyday dress, but it turned out so beautiful that I tend to wear it more for dress-up. The stretch twill is sturdy and comfortable to wear, and though it is still cotton like most of my other summer sewing, is a diversion from my favorite quilting cotton prints.
Instead of a side zipper I inserted an invisible zipper in the front. My sewing machine has somehow gotten the needle off center over time, so it is very difficult to use my zipper foot. As a result, this zipper is not perfectly inserted and I may need to touch it up a bit.
It's ideal for summer since it's dark yet floral, doesn't need a belt or layers, doesn't usually need pressing before I wear it, so I can just zip it up and go.
The simple lines of the princess dress are ideal for such a busy floral, so the fabric and pattern compliment each other perfectly.
Now a little bit about the castle...It's the most beautiful mansion built by a very interesting and remarkable man, General Palmer (raised a Quaker but he ended up fighting in the Civil War and became the 2nd youngest Brigadier General in the US military), who also owned the local D & R G Railroad. It's nestled deep in a Colorado canyon close to Pike's Peak, surrounded by towering red rock spires and named because of an enormous eagle's nest, perched high on the rock wall - still there after 150 years. First he and his wife lived in one room over the stable while they built a 20 room wooden house, then eventually he built this castle. Sadly he only got to live in it for a few years before he died, and his wife never got to live in it since she had to move to England for her health by this time in her life.
After his death and his daughters' death, the castle changed hands a few times and at one point fell into disrepair and was vacant for 20 years before being rescued by a family from Texas who lived there and restored it, including all the beautiful red stonework and bridges and landscaping. Now it belongs to the Navigators, a Christian worldwide organization, who use it for their headquarters. It can be used for weddings, retreats, and is a working hotel with a tea room. You can actually stay in the original castle bedrooms if you want!
The general was a noble Christian man and philanthropist. He had originally bought 10,000 acres, so much of Colorado Springs is now situated on land that was originally his. He freely gave a whole city block to anyone who wanted to build a church in town, and was the local benefactor of many, including providing employment for 200 people (his household employees were "staff" not servants!) and Christmas entertainment for every child in town. He was also extremely innovative, bringing electricity and other modern conveniences like a weather prediction system, fire protection systems for the castle, 360 degree shower, heated bathroom floors, and even a central vacuum, to Glen Eyrie - often the same time as New York City was discovering those conveniences.
It warms my heart to see the beauty and power of wealth used for good by a wise and kind person.
Red rocks and canyon scenery, which was the view from his windows.
The interior was interesting (the family brought back antique fireplaces, church tiles, and windows from Europe) but since it is used now as a hotel and conference center, it felt a little more like a unique historical hotel inside rather than stepping back in time. But the exterior, along with the carriage house/stable, gate house, and other outbuildings (there's also a tunnel that runs from the carriage house to the castle!) are all in pristine condition and mostly untouched by modernity.
I highly recommend anyone who vacations nearby to stop in and take a look. It's well worth the visit!
Plus I could pretend I was princess for a day...:-)
