I just finished the first sample dress. The pattern for the loose, more mod dress. It was a bit of a disappointment. Rather unflattering. In fact, it looked like a potato sack. An eyelet potato sack.
I'm bummed for several reasons: first, I thought (and still think) that of my two choices, this pattern is better suited to my lace. But there's no way I'm going to say my vows in front of God and Elvis wearing a lace potato sack.
Second, I was so sure this pattern would be the one that this morning I bought just enough dupoini silk to make the underdress of this pattern, but not enough for the other. Still, that may work out: with careful placement (and a short skirt on the underdress) I may be able to get the other pattern out of the silk.
Third, I made the sample dress out of an eyelet that I really liked, and don't want to go to waste. I may be able to salvage it by making a wide belt (like 3-4 inches wide) out of the leftover green linen from the underdress, and putting some darts into the eyelet. As it is, if I try to put a belt on it (as in view 5 in the picture) it gets all bunchy. But with some alterations I may end up with a usable dress out of this.
Looking on the bright side, this is why I made a sample dress. Now I know why I always avoided tent dresses before: because who wants to wear a tent?
2 Comments
Looking at the pictures there, I think the key with that short version may very well be to starch the underdress, making it stiffer and more stand-out-y. Then it would look more like the swingy, kicky picture on the pattern and less like a shapeless droop of fabric. But you may not want to wear a starchy underdress either!
I think the problem is that in the picture, the overdress lace is extremely sheer. So you can see the shape of the underdress, which is somewhat fitted (well, very fitted for the 60s) and doesn't look like a potato sack at all. My lace isn't sheer so all you can see is a big tent.