Saturday, September 3, 2011

Purple Passion Flower

The only problem with having a closet packed full of clothes is that you can easily forget about wonderful dresses hiding back in the far corners – sometimes for years at a time!  Today I rediscovered this dress I finished back in 2008 using Butterick 4512 (one of their vintage reproduction patterns).


This is not the first vintage reproduction from the McCall pattern company that I have made, and it will surely not be the last.  Try as I might, I cannot resist the adorable vintage pattern sketches on each envelope, no matter how simple the silhouette. 


It is actually a brilliant marketing ploy – everything looks better on an elongated fashion sketch with an impossibly small waistline!  I wish I had become aware of these sooner - through internet searches, I have come across quite a few that I wish were still in print.  Not only is the envelope artwork fun to look at, the patterns generally have wonderful details that many contemporary ones seem to lack.


The fabric print is not something I would normally wear, however, it called out to me from the bolt as I walked by the quilting section at JoAnn Fabrics one day, and I could not resist.  If only it came in a silk satin – can you imagine?! 

Because I have had issues with halter-topped reproduction patterns in the past, I was a good girl, and mocked-up a quick muslin of the bodice.  Sure enough, there was some serious gaping from the upper bust area to the neck.  I thought I had fixed my problem using the muslin, but after putting the dress together, the neckline was still not laying flat.  To fix the problem, I added another dart.  Unfortunately, the dress was already lined, so it is not the prettiest fix in the world, but it does make the dress wearable.


I knew I wanted to use a contrasting fabric to break up the busy print.  My first inclination was yellow, even though I usually avoid the color.  However, I found a fun striped quilting cotton that I liked and purchased enough to use it for the cummerbund and bodice lining.


If I ever make this up again, I would add a bit of boning at the center back bodice. 


The back has a tendency to pull downward over the day.  It is not a huge problem, just something that could be improved on.

Boy am I glad I caught site of this fun frock hiding in my closet before the weather precludes me from wearing it!  I even got quite a few compliments from strangers.


Dress:  Butterick 4512, Made by Me!
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Shoes: Franco Sarto Foe Brandy Capra Botalato

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful dress. The fabric is so pretty. I love the purple and yellow combination. I am often seduced by the retro reprint pattern envelopes too, although I have found they tend to have fitting issues on me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! Your tips will really help me when I run out to grab this pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another beautiful dress, Laura Mae!
    I would love to see your petticoat, it holds your dresses out perfectly.. did you make it yourself?

    Eily

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you all for the lovely comments!

    Eily: I did make the petticoat! I borrowed the idea and skirt pattern pieces from Butterick 4792 - another one of those vintage reproductions I have made up. The pattern uses netting sewn directly onto the lining at the hip (probably done to avoid zipper issues, but this also keeps the silhouette a bit more flattering as it does not poof at the tummy). I also love the way the skirt is gathered from side hip to hip, and leaves the center front and back flat – so much more flattering. I have actually used this technique on subsequent projects with some great results.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a wonderful idea, Laura Mae!! Thank you for sharing it, I'm going to purchase Butterick 4792 as well.
    You always look so beautiful in your creations!!

    Eily

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am totally grateful to you, you have started a blog! I have long enjoyed our amazing creations in Burdastyle, but now I can see all these wonderful garments in detail and answer in your posts! Thanks Laura!
    I am your most devoted admirer!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, I can't believe you make all of these.. a real talent! Lovely blog, now following!

    xoxo,
    Leah
    www.couturearabesque.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Rosy Rosy - thank you for your kind words! I am thrilled to have joined the online community. It is truly amazing how supportive everyone is - I don't know why I waited so long!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lovely dress! The bolero adds so much to it, and when I wore a similar bolero and dress ensemble, an older lady told me "That is exactly how we used to dress in the 50s!"

    Happy sewing!

    Katrina
    www.edelweisspatterns.com/blog

    ReplyDelete
  10. @Katrina - Edelweiss Patterns I often get the same response! Ladies and gentlemen who were wearing these same fashions in the 40s and 50s (when they were actually “in style”) always seem to appreciate vintage inspired pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  11. YOU LOOK GREAT IN YOUR VERSION OF OUR B4512 DRESS. WE WOULD LOVE TO USE YOUR PHOTO AND LINK TO YOUR BLOG ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: FB.BUTTERICK.COM.

    MAY WE HAVE YOUR PERMISSION? PLEASE EMAIL YOUR REPLY TO VALERYP@MCCALLPATTERN.COM.

    THANKS.

    VALERY PETERS

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so happy you started a blog. Your garments are absolutely gorgeous. Looking for to each blog post. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete