Yeah, I'm still in Japan and I actually took a picture of a dress in a shop window last night, but I'm worried that being here has corroded my visual sense and that it's not actually a great dress, but instead is just A DRESS, and not the inevitable combo of military-style jacket, knee-length skirt, and knee boots that seems to be the uniform-inspired uniform of the younger women on the train and the street. I can't tell by the women I see in the offices, because they're all (with one exception so far) receptionists and have an actual uniform, not just something that looks like a uniform. Anyway. What I really wanted to say was (courtesy Mary Beth) THERE ARE A THOUSAND NEW PATTERNS at Vintage Martini! Yes, let a thousand projects bloom. Or maybe they're the equivalent of a thousand paper cranes? Whatever. This one above is the first one that caught my eye. Yep, square neck, cute little sleeves, full skirt: it might as well have "Reserved for Erin" on a post-it on the back. But then I saw this one:
I've never seen this brand before! It's Australian! (New thing to search Ebay.co.au for, huh?) And I love that yoke ...
But then, there was this:
Game over. Look at that! I don't think I'm going to buy it, because I'm not sure I could make it, but man oh man, is it going on my "life list" of patterns I've seen.
Now I have to go put on my uniform, I mean my suit, for my meetings today. But I'll be thinking about this dress.
VINTAGE MARTINI HAS A THOUSAND NEW PATTERNS? *head explodes*
Posted by: janellio | 01/16/2006 at 06:34 PM
Sweet suffering zombies! That first one! We waaaaaants it.(So, is it worth it for me and my 42" bust to even consider looking at vintage patterns? None of them are going to work with my measurements, are they?)
Posted by: jilli | 01/16/2006 at 06:43 PM
I love lace flowing over a second material. You don't see people using that much any more -- applied lace as a decoration, yes, but not interplay between an allover lace and another layer.
Posted by: Jonquil | 01/16/2006 at 06:50 PM
Jilli, you should definitely look at vintage patterns if you like them! You'd probably be looking for a size 20, without alterations, but you could grade up a smaller pattern -- the book Sewing for Plus Sizes, from Taunton Books, has lots of information and advice about how to do thaat -- plus it just has general good advice for sewing for larger bodies. It's a terrific book.
Posted by: Rose | 01/16/2006 at 07:30 PM
That Vogue pattern doesn't look bad at all. It's just gores. Tedious, maybe, but not difficult.--Lydia
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/17/2006 at 10:04 AM
That first image somehow reminds me of your wedding dress, which you should maybe publish here? V
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/17/2006 at 04:13 PM
Jilli -- I was browsing these new patterns at Vintage Martini, and here's one for a 43" bust: http://www.vintagemartini.com/patterns/1950s/pages/3078.html
Posted by: Rose | 01/18/2006 at 09:30 AM
Hi Erin,This is Ken...aka Vintage Martini. Thanks for all the kind words to you and everyone else that has mentioned my website. I'm always searching for the fun, unique and larger bust sizes, which isn't easy. Purchasing or not, I'm just glad our website makes people happy and excited about vintage clothing and patterns.Thanks again, Kenwww.vintagemartini.com
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/18/2006 at 06:44 PM
Keep up the great work. It very impressive. Enjoyed the visit!
Posted by: Anonymous | 09/09/2007 at 05:46 PM