Fun but frustrating day sewing
I've been socializing so much lately, I decided I needed some cave time to myself to recharge the social spoons.
I had found some good pattern reviews for Butterick B4513, so I decided to try it out. Hancock's, usually not the best for selection, did carry both Butterick vintage patterns, so I ended up buying both, figuring I could make the other one up later if this one worked out.
The pattern sizing was a bit weird: since my recent weight loss, I'm generally a size 12, sometimes still a 14, depending on the clothes. According to the Butterick measurements chart on the pattern envelope, I'm a 16! Bloody tiny vintage patterns, grumble, grumble.
So, trusting to my 31" waist measurement, I made up the pattern (in black poly shantung with white trim, for those interested in such things) in size 16. Nope, I was right, too big. Turns out I'm a 14 after all--despite the size 14 measurements being several inches shorter in all dimensions. WTF??
So I cut it down and re-cut the bodice, and still had to adjust the fit across the top, and sneak an extra dart in under each arm. Good thing I always buy a little extra fabric.
That took me most of the day, so I'll be saving the crinoline for another day. The pattern doesn't include one, but it's a full 360 degree circle skirt, and that's just pointless without some kind of floofy underpinning, so a crinoline I must have. Luckily they're easy to make.
I've already got little white kid gloves...looking into making or trimming a wide-brimmed hat, maybe even w/ a little net veil (Hancock's actually carries hat netting). Not that I'd dance in a hat and gloves, but I love the little details that make an outfit really fit its period.
I had found some good pattern reviews for Butterick B4513, so I decided to try it out. Hancock's, usually not the best for selection, did carry both Butterick vintage patterns, so I ended up buying both, figuring I could make the other one up later if this one worked out.
The pattern sizing was a bit weird: since my recent weight loss, I'm generally a size 12, sometimes still a 14, depending on the clothes. According to the Butterick measurements chart on the pattern envelope, I'm a 16! Bloody tiny vintage patterns, grumble, grumble.
So, trusting to my 31" waist measurement, I made up the pattern (in black poly shantung with white trim, for those interested in such things) in size 16. Nope, I was right, too big. Turns out I'm a 14 after all--despite the size 14 measurements being several inches shorter in all dimensions. WTF??
So I cut it down and re-cut the bodice, and still had to adjust the fit across the top, and sneak an extra dart in under each arm. Good thing I always buy a little extra fabric.
That took me most of the day, so I'll be saving the crinoline for another day. The pattern doesn't include one, but it's a full 360 degree circle skirt, and that's just pointless without some kind of floofy underpinning, so a crinoline I must have. Luckily they're easy to make.
I've already got little white kid gloves...looking into making or trimming a wide-brimmed hat, maybe even w/ a little net veil (Hancock's actually carries hat netting). Not that I'd dance in a hat and gloves, but I love the little details that make an outfit really fit its period.