Summer Days is a cheerful sculptural work that captures the carefree spirit of mid-century leisure wear, when fashion embraced bright colors, playful separates, and the optimism of post-war prosperity.

Constructed from vintage sewing pattern paper, this piece features a charming two-piece ensemble. The cropped top is ingeniously crafted from the instructional text found inside sewing pattern envelopes—those detailed step-by-step guides that would normally be discarded once a garment was completed. Here, the typography and technical language become the fabric itself, with sections delicately dyed in soft coral pink to create a bandeau-style bodice with straps. This meta-approach transforms the "how-to" into the "what-is," celebrating the intelligence and resourcefulness required to follow complex dressmaking instructions.

The skirt is a stunning display of dimension and craft, constructed from raw, undyed pattern paper that has been meticulously hand-pleated into multiple gathering tiers. Each layer fans out in precise accordion folds, creating remarkable volume and a sense of movement frozen in paper. The natural variations in the pattern paper's tone—from creamy ivory to warm butter yellow where age has touched it—give the skirt depth and visual interest without any artificial colouring. The pleating technique showcases the paper's sculptural qualities, while pattern markings, including "McCalls 2358" and measurement guides, remain visible across the tiers, reminding viewers of the garment's origins as a blueprint for creation.

The high-waisted silhouette, with its cropped top and full pleated skirt, perfectly captures the playful femininity of 1950s casual wear—the kind of outfit perfect for backyard barbecues, seaside promenades, or dancing to rock and roll on a transistor radio.

Presented in a clean white shadow box frame, Summer Days celebrates an era when fashion was fun, colours were bold, and a homemade dress could be an expression of personality, creativity, and pure joy.