The Red Dress - Part One

A True Frankenpattern

Inspired by the cute versions of Burda 8/08, #128 from Cidell and others, I wanted to make a similar dress.  I liked the front pleats and boat neck, but wanted a dress I knew I wouldn't have to do a lot of fitting with.  That's when I decided to use parts and pieces from several vintage patterns and the skirt front from the Burda.

I've chosen the bodice from Advance 9758, I've used this one before and I know it fits.  Since it is a junior petite, I don't have to make any bodice length adjustments, and that's a bonus!

The skirt back is from Advance 9652, which I compared to the skirt back from the Wedding Suit skirt, which has been quite a few times, and I know that it fits. It's got almost the same shape as the Wedding Suit skirt, and the double darts in the back, which work for me.  I probably should have just use the Wedding Suit skirt pattern, but I wanted to check out some other features of this pattern while I was in the envelope anyway.

The wild card of course, is that Burda skirt front.  If I don't like the pleats, I can always recut the skirt front into the Advance 9652 skirt front and use that.  No problem.

Now, I know you're thinking, is all this going to fit together?!?  Yes, it will.  I've done a little measuring of the patterns and I know the skirt back and bodice backs will work together.  The skirt front and bodice front I'm not too worried about because the skirt pleats (or maybe gathers depending on if I don't like the Burda skirt) can be adjusted to fit the bodice. 

As far as fabrication, it will be red, and I've got lining and red silk dupionni, plus some batiste for underlining.  I had almost all of this in my collection.  I was short about a yard or so of the batiste and needed a zipper, but that's a small expense since I had everything else.

My original goal was to get this dress done for a Valentine's Banquet on Friday night, but that's been readjusted to wearing it to church on Sunday.   I would have been able to finish it, except for the fact that I have 5 Lollipop Guild costumes (if you're thinking Wizard of Oz, you're right!) to work on today that need to be delivered tonight, plus the usual things of life, you know grocery shopping, laundry, carpool, blah, blah, blah.  The last few days have been rather busy, so instead of going off to find ruby slippers, it looks like I'll be outfitting the Lollipop Guild.

***Make the Look Update***
Phyllis of CoudreMODE and CoudreMODE Vintage Patterns on Etsy has a pattern that is similar to the Champ -Elysees Skirt, and is still available at a terrific price.  It even has pockets in the pleats; if you skip the pockets, you could stitch down the pleats and add a deep hem without too much trouble.  Phyllis also suggests a lighter weight fabric - there will be a lot of fabric to manage at the waist.  Lighter weight will make for easier sewing and very few people that I know appreciate extra fabric around the middle!

Parting Shot:  Cute, but Trouble.  Oh yes, he's back investigating everything, but isn't he cute?  This time he was curious about the box that my daughter's book making supplies arrived in.