Thursday, April 03, 2008

Ladies Vintage House Dress: Advance 8666


Here a heart-breaker: a dress that came out beautifully but is just enough too big that I can't enjoy it. I think I've figured it out--it was meant for a housecoat, and so it's got extra ease designed into the pattern.


But isn't it so great, the way it ZIPS all the way down the front? It called for something like a five-foot-long zipper. Too bad the one I found was only about three feet long. That's long enough! And it went in without a fuss or a peep, and it doesn't peek out!


And that spreading collar! It lies so flat, with such quality. Quietly waiting for pearls.


And (yet another) pink rhinestone buckle on the matching belt. Maybe there's something wrong with me, thinking that every dress I sew requires a sparkly buckle. Or maybe you think so too.

I must find this dress a home where she can be appreciated. Bust 36, waist 28, hips 40. If you're interested, let me know; my e-mail is in my profile.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am wondering about the sizing of your vintage patterns...For example, if one is a current size 10, would a vintage pattern of size 10 work? Thanks!

Rebecca said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! You're *tiny*!

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

Regarding the belt... "I think so too." Very nice touch!

Anonymous said...

very interested in the beautiful dress----will email you

Ynaffit said...

Oh, those polka dots make me smile! Your handiwork is beautiful!

~~Deby said...

oh I just love this...
what a wonderful seamstress
you are
Deby

Julie Clark said...

Oh dear me, how I would love this dress. I am having a baby any day now will be in need badly for a house dress!!! I would gladly buy it from you!

Amy said...

What a lovely dress! The rhinestone buckle adds a perfect thing to it. I just purchased a big box of vintage patterns from my friend's mother. Heaven on earth!

Mrs. MK said...

gorgeous dress!

Sweet Woodruff said...

The buckle is gorgeous. I'm jealous of the person who ends up with this. I think my shoulders and chest are a few inches "wider" than this size. *sigh*

Thank you for sharing your lovliness with others.

Anonymous said...

Dear Anna, I just have to ask..why don't you alter the dress you love so much to fit you better? You are such an accomplished seamstress. Surely you could rescue this dress that you are so fond of.

A quick answer to the question about pattern sizing..a lady wearing a size 10 today would need perhaps a vintage size 18. Maybe larger. Anna knows best on this , I'm sure.

Candace said...

Lovely, absolutely lovely. I need to get my sewing room organized by golly. It has been six months and there is no excuse...

Anna said...

I don't want to mess with altering the dress because 1. altering isn't fun, and I like to keep my sewing fun, and 2., the fitting issues are in the shoulders and bust. To cut down the width in the shoulders is a major, major hassle, involving taking out sleeves, removing zipper, recreating collar, etc. Yuck! It's not like taking a a little at the waist or shortening sleeves. I'd rather just make it again in a size that will work.

For vintage sizing questions, it is imperative to know your measurements and check them against the pattern's measurement chart. Vintage sizing changed from the 30s to the 50s and after. I ALWAYS go by bust, waist, and hips. That being said, a modern size 10 might be a size 14 in 50s fashions. Maybe :)

Anna said...

Thanks to everyone who expressed interest. I've contacted the first in line--if that doesn't work out I'll move down the line to the next person. Glad you like it!

Anonymous said...

This dress brought back great memories! My mom and grama always made matching Sunday dresses for all of us for Easter and summertime. The adult ladies dresses looked like this one quite often! Beautiful!

God bless,
Sallie

lera said...

I love this dress!

SewPriddy said...

I would love to get a copy of that pattern (advance 8666), where did you purchase it?

Related Posts with Thumbnails