Pattern: Advance 8898 from the late 1950s
Fabric: 3 yards of Jo-Ann's "Plaiditude" fabric in a green and grey plaid. It is very soft cotton.
Notions: I used the last of my dark grey thread and then switched to black, five fabric covered buttons and 2 hooks and eyes for the waist above and below the button.
Cost: About $24
Time: This was much more time-intensive than most of my projects. Matching the plaid made cutting take longer, I followed the instructions carefully, and I hand sewed the hem, the sleeves, the buttons and the hooks and eyes. I hate hooks and eyes. I think I will replace them with the ones that are meant for pants at every opportunity. So fiddly and annoying and look, they kept poking out! Now I have to move them again!! I would say this took 7-8 hours to make.
This was my first real attempt at matching plaid. I am quite pleased. It has a nice look and the stripes matched up on all sides. It has that same giant stand-up collar that my bathrobe has. I think it requires the hair to be pulled up, or it gets in the way.
The back is the part I really like. It has a slim skirt and a fitted waist, but the bodice back is very gathered and looks very full. Um, that's the wind also. It's not that grippy in the back!
You can see the volume from the side.
Plaid alignment!
Changes:
I shortened the sleeves and bodice my typical 1". I shortened the skirt to my knee, prob 4-6 ". I cut the waist pieces on the bias to show off the awesome plaid. They are heavily interfaced, so they do not stretch out.
I am really happy with this dress! Yay!
Happy dog says "Have a good weekend!"
This is such a great dress and you matched the plaids perfectly! I love the fit too!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! So lady-like too :)
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! Dare I say it... very Mad Men.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely! I adore the back. You matched up the plaid so well! Your attention to detail makes this a fabulous dress.
ReplyDeleteYou did such a wonderful job on this dress, it looks beautiful on you! Perfect for the cooler fall you will have in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous dress! I do admire all your paintstaking work matching the plaid - it has worked beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI love your dress! Rockstar plaid matching, great fit, it's perfect :)
ReplyDeleteHooks and eyes are a pain. Sewing down the "stem" of the hook can help, or placing them further from the edge. I can never get them quite right.
What a wonderful dress. Well done on taking your time with matching the plaid. It paid off!
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS! I love it so much and it looks so comfortable!
ReplyDeleteThis is sensational! You did an exellent job matching the plaids. It looks very professional and retro at the same time. :]
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute, flattering dress! You did a beautiful job matching the plaid.
ReplyDeleteYou did such a great job with this! I'm so impressed with your aligned plaid.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat job - I love the bias detail! (edited to correct my mis-typing! Forgive me - It's been a busy day!)
ReplyDeleteYou did and excellent job! Looks great, love the bias waistband touch.
ReplyDeleteit looks so good! lots of plaiditude haha! :) the plaids do match perfectly, yay! the bias waistband is my favorite part for sure :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic!! I love the blousy back too!
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed with all the plaid matching too...I haven't attempted it yet and it scares me to death!
LOVE this dress! - am going to hunt for the pattern right now!
ReplyDelete