Oh my! Thank you for all your nice comments about my Brown Marimekko Curtain Dress! Yes, Virginia, it is Brown!
I used this vintage pattern - and because the fabric was quite a heavy cotton - I had to take the dress in MANY inches down each side seam - like about 2 inches in under the arm and then graduate in a nice 'swingy' line out to as much as 3 inches on each side...
I guess I'm not really a size 18, but this style lends itself to lots of body shapes - so I figured it was so simple I could just run it in and make it fit where ever it didn't fit, which I did. Make sense?! Plus, this size 18 is not a contemporary size 18, methinks.
I made the same dress yesterday - and it was in a lovely drapey rayon, and it was fine and needed no inches removed - so it's all about the drape, really. The lighter and drapier, the better for this pattern. But definitely have a go with a heavier fabric and pin it in and alter as you go.
Yesterday I made View 2 (the centre one) - and I bound the neckline and arms and added a tie up back. Today I decided to make View 2 backwards - so that the opening was at the front and no tie was needed (cheaty!). Next time I make this dress (which takes only about 30 -40 minutes to make!) I am going to make it backwards again - with the opening at the front, and I'm going to make the front neckline into a 'V' shape. Because it's good to show off our assets, right? It helps draw attention away from the tuckshopness.
I think binding the armholes with bias binding is a good idea with this pattern. I think it's good to make your own bias binding out of the same fabric as the rest of the dress with a Bias Tape Maker. You can do the same and bind around the neckline if you like. Or you can be quick and dirty, just fold it over and stitch into place. If you are in a huge rush or are madly impatient.
Now... the sandals! So many people have asked me about those sandals! I bought them on eBay a while ago, after seeing similar ones in Gorman. Mine were brand new and only about $80, compared to lots more than that at lovely Gorman. But mine are not the SAME as the Gorman ones. I am sure they are well worth the extra bucks.
Mine are made by Perssons of Sweden. I can't find the Perssons website (does anyone know it?!) but I found this site which has some REALLY cute clogs and gorgeous YELLOW sandals! How about those? If you know where to buy Perssons clogs/sandals online, do comment here!
xx Pip
