The "Better Late Than Never" Dress

I actually attended two Senior Proms when I was in high school.  My boyfriend at the time was a year older than me, so we attended his Prom and a year later, we attended mine.  I've shown both of the dresses I made here and here.  Even back then I was channeling the full skirted 50s vibe.  Thank goodness I went with this classic style because the late 1980s were responsible for a lot of Prom fashion victims. 

Fast forward twenty years and I am again attending Prom (I estimate I've attended ten Proms over the years - you'd think I'd get to be Prom Queen just once, simply for sheer tenacity!) on May 14th.  I've already introduced you all to my inspiration for this year's dress, as well as the fabrics that will be used.  So, let's talk pattern.

I have made this vintage McCall's 9690 before (for Timmel's SWAP 2007) and I was really pleased with the resulting dress.  I will revisit this pattern for my "Better Late Than Never" dress.  It has the same full skirt, shirred midriff and gathered surplice bodice as the inspiration dress.  

Obviously the lime silk chiffon will be used for the bodice and the darker avocado silk chiffon will be employed for the midriff and the skirt.  If I had more time, I would tweak the pattern to look exactly like the inspiration dress.  However, time is short*, so the only changes I will make will be a small bust adjustment and a slight enlargement of the midriff band.


*This past week has been hectic, so I have yet to actually start this dress.  I hope to have it cut out and mostly sewn up by the end of the weekend.  Fingers crossed.