This adorable dress, which gives a nod to the mod 60s (one of my favourite fashion eras) is by Milly of New York. The simple shift dress has armhole and neckline bands that end in a racerback, embellished with a bow. The best patterns I can come up with are the following:
Neue Mode 23353Good points:
- armhole bands
- neck bands - although they are the wrong shape, they could be redrafted into a circular shape
Bad Points:
- the dress is not a simple A-line, but rather has a princess bodice which continues into the skirt
- the back of the dress is not right - no racer back shape
Vogue 8229Good points:
- neck bands
Bad Points:
- the dress is not a simple sheath dress - it is gathered at the neckline
- the back of the dress is not racerback
Simplicity 3799Good points:
- neck bands of the proper shape in front
Bad Points:
- the dress is not a simple sheath dress - it is gathered at the neckline
- the back of the dress is not racerback
Butterick 4974Good points:
- sheath dress
- nicely shaped front
- racer back
Bad Points:
- no neck or armhole bands
I looked high and low at actual vintage patterns, to no avail. Personally, I would start with B4974 (the last pattern above) and go from there. The neckline and armhole bands could be drafted fairly easily for this dress. If anyone else has any other pattern suggestions, please leave a comment with the info.
12 comments:
I agree, I would start with the butterick pattern. Or you could start with a sleeveless sheath pattern, like Simplicity 6643, view A. You would have to work from the armhole up. It looks like the Milly dress is from a raglan sheath block and the dart shaping is either lack or incorporated into that design element. You could get close enough with a sheath dress with darts and redoing the top.
Thanks for starting this kind of discussion. This is fun.
Love the Neue Mode! It looks more flattering than the original (albeit so incredibly cute) dress.
I agree with Linda - this is fun!
I instantly thought of Vogue 1792, a pattern I found in a Joann's pattern drawer long after the pattern had been pulled from the books.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sabrina9642003/album/576460762364755278/photo/294928804403556100/8
The previous picture shows a closeup of the dress. The line drawing shows that the bodice has a band around the neckline that wraps to the back that can be made in contrasting fabric. The back is not a racerback just standard straps. I think this one has the same feeling but of course it is no longer in print!!
WoW, I love that dress too! OMG, you're (I'm???) going to HAVE to find a pattern solution to this one. My shoulders/upper arms are my best (only good) feature!!! And even though I like brown AND yellow, I would definitely change the colorway.
Lisette - unfortunately I can't get your link to work - I think the end of it was cut off. Now I'm dying to see the pattern you're talking about. If you're on PR or SG, you can PM the link (my name at those two sites is simonfreep).
after looking at all your choices, my immediate reaction was also the Butterick...now I can't wait to see what Lisette has come up with.
Very cute top, but i also agree with Isabelle: love that NeuMode top pattern.
I'm enjoying this discussion myself. As to the style, check out the Milly web site for the latest run way looks from her or go to a retailer like Neiman Marcus for a ton of Milly dresses. She has a few more in this style but different fabrics. Interesting bio on her too. Lilly Pulitzer has a very similiar style in her summer collection. Same neck band but an empire style dress. Good for anonomous or anyone with good upper arms!
Sorry about the link. If you follow the link to my blog, I created a post with the really blurry pictures I took...
Hello,
check out the following blog. I just saw a dress (I think) looks identical to the one you want a pattern for, racer back and all. Check out the entry for Thursday May 17th. The Blue Sundress. Blog owner doesn't mention a pattern used. I think she drafted it herself. Good luck! http://couturedetails.blogspot.com/
Sorry forgot to sign my name to the above comment re blue sundress- Goodluck from Rubydarling
That would be Claudine's blog, and she draped that blue dress on the dress form, using a RTW dress as inspiration. That is the same Claudine who made the incredible Bottega Venetta smocked dress knockoff.
Hmmm,
Checking back to see if anyone had a solution yet. Marji, and Rubydarling, I love that blue dress by Claudine now too! However, now I'm thinking, as my dd mentioned when I showed her a "high neck" halter and asked her opinion, "It's hard to wear a bra with it", but on the other hand, Claudine solved the problem quite nicely - ingeniously actually, I'm definitely going to have to keep that solution in mind. Dd also doesn't think this type of halter looks good on her either because she's very well endowed. She certainly didn't get that from me!!!
designdreamer aka anonymous
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