Pulitzer Prize

Do you know about Lilly Pulitzer? She was born Lilian McKee, and went to school with Jacqueline Bouvier [then Kennedy, then Onassis] but married Peter Pulitzer [grandson of the journalist who established the P. Prize in 1917] Peter was also the owner of a number of citrus groves in Florida. Lilly started a juice stand in Palm Beach using the family’s oranges.

She kept getting juice stains on her clothes, so started making herself shift dresses in splashy prints. The dresses were so popular that in the end she sold more frocks than fruit juice and started a fashion company. The rich and famous women of Palm Beach – Roosevelts, Vanderbilts, and of course, Jackie started wearing them. Here are a crowd of them photographed together in 1964. Pulitzer Prints made big bucks!

When my neighbour gave me the yellow fabric, she also gave me a lovely splashy pink/purple/blue/green print. It reminded me immediately of Lilly Pulitzer prints. So I used the Lisette pattern again and made a tunic. I made the sleeves without a ruffle [too fussy]

I found some turquoise blue vintage buttons in the stash for trimming.

Also I used some Guterman multi-colour thread to do the decorative top stitching round the neckline, sleeves and hem.

I’m really pleased with this little top which I shall wear over leggings.  Lilly died last year, but her designs remain popular.

Another project to cross off!