I Love it When a Plan Comes Together ... I Think

Gaylen (who, by the way, has the some of the cutest pooches on the planet) asked me if I had a SWAP 2007 plan published somewhere and I realized that I had sort of roughed out some ideas as to the direction of my SWAP, however, nothing was set in stone. Well, like a diligent little SWAPper, I sat down yesterday and put together a plan (actually I have been agonizing over this for about 2 months now - sometimes my anal retentive nature gets the best of me).

I decided to do a dress SWAP this year, as have many of the other contestants. Since I have a reasonably large stash of vintage patterns, I decided to create the entire SWAP using these patterns. Also, since I have a need for a Prom dress (I chaperon Prom at the high school where I teach) and some other dressy clothing, I decided to do a vintage evening wear SWAP. I believe I will call it "Glam, Bam, Thank-you Ma'am". Now, I reserve the right to change my mind as I go along, because after all, I am a woman, but I think this plan is the plan.

I will provide all the interesting details for each piece as it is completed. In many cases, I was inspired by a great vintage garment I've seen for sale on eBay or another website. For now, here are the basics (the pattern, its description and the fabric photo):

Dress 1: Butterick 8020 (copyright date unknown) - "Scoop-necked, cap sleeved, Empire-princess dress has a swinging skirt, bowed empire band." - rust silk dupioni and copper ruffle knit


Dress 2: Butterick 9690 (copyright date unknown) - "Full skirted dress with surplice bodice, shirred shoulders and a set in cummerbund." - black poly eyelet (purchase from Timmel)


Dress 3: Vogue 4209 (copyright date 1961) - "Circular skirt joins fitted bodice at waist-line. Low front neck-line, higher in back. Short sleeves." - orange silk dupioni & beaded embroidered silk


Dress 4: Simplicity 7990 (copyright date 1968) - "The underlined dress with lined bias midriff stitched to surplice bodice and gathered skirt has back zipper." - mottled orange/brown/green satin with sequins and embroidery


Jacket 1: Simplicity 4123 (copyright date unknown) - "Lined jacket has kimono sleeves...and button and loop closing." - mottled orange/brown/green satin with sequins and embroidery


Jacket 2: Vogue 2934 (Vogue Vintage Model - Original 1950 Design) - "Lined jacket, slightly below waist, has straight front and flared back, funnel neckline and three-quarter length sleeves with deep cuffs." - black faux Persian lamb & black silk dupioni


Bottom 1: Simplicity 3881 (copyright date unknown) - "Misses' half circle skirt ... is street length." - black silk dupioni


Bottom 2: McCall's 3489 (copyright date 1955) - Ten gore skirt with darts at waist and waistband. - coffee silk dupioni


Top 1: Butterick 6886 (copyright date unknown) - "Brief, 'n scooped 'n sleeveless." - flocked lace knit


Top 2: McCall's 3489 (copyright date 1955) - High-necked, sleeveless, fitted shell OR Advance 9111 (copyright date unknown) - "Shirtwaist blouse." - coffee silk dupioni


Top 3: Simplicity 1954 (copyright date unknown) - "The "Dutch-Boy" look right out of Paris. Cropped lined jacket has bracelet length kimono sleeves, buttoned stand-away collar, shaped buttoned trim band at lower edge of back." - lightweight black wool with floral embroidery