Comments | anomilygrace: Sewing Help!

anomilygrace

Sewing Help!

Mar 26, 2008 18:38

Or rather pattern help...

I'm kinda in love with this particular style of dress that's been all over the magazines recently and really is a classic summer dress. But I'm not entirely sure it'll be cute not off a model.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Other patterns that might work better?

*looks about hopefully*

costuming

Comments 13

kajivar March 26 2008, 23:17:53 UTC

As long as you get the fit right, it should look great. You just want to make sure you get the waist and the shoulder straps the right lengths, which may take a little experimentation. Practice with cheapo muslin first, then you can use those pieces as your pattern pieces.

anomilygrace March 26 2008, 23:31:19 UTC

I'm a bit worried that the slightly cinched waist will look less than awesome than on a non-size 2 waist. But it's a definite on making a muslin - or four. And the pattern's going to be on sale for $.99 so I suppose I won't be out too terribly much to try it, hmm?

multiplez March 27 2008, 00:14:40 UTC

No no no the slightly cinched waist will make a non-size 2 waist look TINY. Think MARILYN MONROE. WHEE.

anomilygrace March 27 2008, 03:28:12 UTC

Marilyn had perfect proportions! Me, I don't. :D

But I think I'm totally going to try it and hope that cinched waist plus the fullness on both bodice and skirt will help out.

defectivewookie March 26 2008, 23:21:59 UTC

I think this type of dress (and really all types of clothing) look best off a model. Preferably they're on the floor next to the model in a crumpled heap, but that's just my opinion and other's tastes may vary.

anomilygrace March 26 2008, 23:26:04 UTC

HAHAHAHAHAHA, thanks, that's incredibly helpful.

defectivewookie March 27 2008, 03:35:06 UTC

I do what I can.

laughingmagpie March 27 2008, 01:21:56 UTC

It is a classic '50s look, and I think if you want a cute halter dress with a full skirt the pattern you've chosen is great!

The modern/rockabilly designer Stop Staring has a really popular dress just like it (I have one too!) that I was sure I could find pictures of regular people wearing it, but no avail.

I'm only still figuring out what looks good on me, so I'm not much of a style help for other people :-) - but, I think the key with a dress like that is to have a bit of an hourglass figure, with the actual measurements being less important than having curves (so a skinny size 2 without boobs or curvy hips won't look as good in it, I think). That's why Marilyn looked so fantastic in it - she was curvy, and the design accentuates and makes the waist look narrow.

And consider support garments - I have a 27" waist but I'd probably still wear my girdle or shaper with that style, just to smooth things out.

laughingmagpie March 27 2008, 01:37:37 UTC

I just noticed the skirt is gathered... I feel that sometimes gathers at the waist are unflattering, especially if the fabric is thick, but maybe Marilyn's was (hers was a lovely fluid jersey or something), and they did do that in the '50s ( ... )

anomilygrace March 27 2008, 03:22:43 UTC

That is such a great site! I have my account all set up and been playing with it for a while now. Thank you for the link!

I definitely like the gored skirts better. Maybe I'll use the bodice of the original Simplicity pattern and throw a different skirt on there. The gored skirts tend to move better in my experience too. Though I have a gorgeous light fluid rayon for years ago that might hold up nicely to being gathered.

anomilygrace March 27 2008, 03:25:24 UTC

Heeee, I'm still in that place to of really having a hard time figuring out what dresses look right on me without actually seeing them on me. Tops and pants and skirts, I can usually do, but dresses are just beyond me for some reason.

I have curves but a thicker waist - I'm hoping that between the gathering in the bodice and the fuller skirt with that panel at the waist, it'll give a nice illusion of a better hourglass. Definitely support garments though. Definitely.

jennisis March 27 2008, 01:31:42 UTC

I think it would look cute on you!

I've been oogling this style also. I'm not sure I can pull it off, though, since I have no waist...but for $0.99 maybe I will try it, too!

anomilygrace March 27 2008, 03:27:13 UTC

Hee, thank you! I love this style! It's sooooo cute. I think you'd look cute in it too. Like I said above, I think the fullness of the skirt might offset the waist a bit (a la our favourite full 18c skirts and seamlines).

Joann's is having a $.99 Simplicity pattern sale from tomorrow through Sunday, I think. Mmm, cheap patterns.