1970s Shawl Collars

Well, the sewing motivation has returned, and my intention to get back to blogging finished projects has disappeared.  No matter what I try, I never can seem to do both things on a consistent basis.  And honestly, the actual creating is usually what wins out in the end . . . which is probably how it should be.

But I do want to catch up with some of my projects here on the blog, and seeing as the temperatures are rather high these days, I thought this particular dress would be appropriate to post.  

I am going to have to pull this out of the closet now that I have reminded myself that it is a perfect warm weather garment.

My original intention with this pattern was to make the blouse, however, I had enough fabric to make the dress, so I went for it!

And I am very pleased that I have a dress and not a top with nothing in the closet that matches.  Don't you hate when that happens?!

If I make this pattern again, I will have to remember to take a wedge out of the upper back length.  I always forget to do that with designs that don't have a waist seam and are simply belted to achieve shaping of any kind.  And even though the intent of the dress is to have a bit of drape through the back bodice area, I tend to have too much length which pools oddly if I'm not careful.  It's an odd thing because I alway have to add length to the bodice pieces to have a waist seam sit at my actual waist, but then remove a wedge from the upper back because it's so flat.  Figuring that out took me a few years of sewing my own clothing, but it was a game changer for fit.

It certainly doesn't make the dress unwearable, but I think I would enjoy wearing it more if I had remembered to do that adjustment.  That, and I should also remember that I definitely prefer to have an actual waist seam.  So why do I keep making designs without?  I really haven't got a clue.  In this case, I blame the collar.  I do love a good shawl collar!

The question is, will I make a blouse version - and I haven't decided one way or the other quite yet.  If the right fabric came along, or I happen to find it stashed away, I may have to revisit this pattern (and remember to make that simple adjustment!).

And yes, no need to adjust your monitors, I am wearing flats.  It has been happening a bit more than normal since things shut down for the plague, but never fear, I am still a huge fan of my heels.  They really are a long-waisted girl's best friend!

Dress:  Made by me, Butterick 6463

The 1970s Pattern I Had to Try

You know you have too many patterns in your possession when you can't remember where some of them came from.  I know that I did not purchase this particular pattern, so I believe it came from a local pattern swap (remember when we could actually do those?!).

I was intrigued by the shawl collar, and something about the style appealed to me (it may have had more to do with the fact that I wish I had the illustration's hair more than anything else).  

And it just so happened that this fabric had been sitting in a drawer for years.  I pulled it out on a couple of occasions thinking it would make a great blouse, but then the issue of what to pair it with would always stop me.

I had just enough to make the dress view of this pattern, which solved the what to wear on the bottom issue.

And that is the story of how this dress came about.  I actually had more interest in the blouse version, but figured a wearable muslin made of the Swiss Dot that lingered a little too long in a fabric drawer was an excellent idea.  Turns out, I do love that collar!  And having an easy to wear dress in the wardrobe during lockdown was a great idea.  Add to that the fact that this was made entirely of stashed bits and bobs, and I am rather pleased with the outcome.