I need to learn to be more careful about vintage patterns where the cover art represents an artist's interpretation rather actual finished product. For example, the above pattern looks pretty cute. It has a big, flowing skirt and nips in a bit at the waist. Lovely.

Well, the real thing is a tad poofier than the drawing above, like, 80's prom dress levels of poof. I should have taken heed when the seller labeled it as a 'square dance' dress.

The top part does not conform to the front cover. Instead of a nice, trim waistline, the upper section gives one the appearance of a pigeon chest. I fashioned a sash to give me some curves in the right places, but the rest of the chest and shoulders are so poofy that I had to shelve the dress from its intended purpose. I was planning on wearing it to the Metafilter 10th anniversary party, but it is not the right dress for meeting strangers in a casual bar setting. However, if there is a 80's or 90's party in the near future I'm set.

* * *

I've been neglecting my fabric countdown, but I've been making lots of progress.

Yardage Countdown to buying more fabric:

1 yard - Yellow T-shirt
2 yards - Hiking Skirt
1.5 yards - Office Shirt
3.5 yards - Parasol Dress
2.5 yards - Interplanetary Space Travel Dress
.75 yards - Vintage 1950s Top
4 yards - 1950s Vintage Dress with Tie Back Neck
1.5 yards - Half Circle Skirt
1.25 yards - Cutsey Knit Dress
1 yard - T-Shirt Muslin
2.5 yards - Fourth of July Dress
5 yards - Metafilter Dress

Total: 26.5 yards
Remaining: 3.5 yards

Rats!! I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more fabric until I finished off thirty yards and I'm just three and a half lousy yards from being able to buy all the silk that I can fit into my budget. I thought it would take less than six weeks to blow through the full 30 yards, but it's going to take at least twice that. ちくしょう!

Labels: dress, projects, sewing

posted by Alison 7/17/2009 01:20:00 PM : (0) comments : splink