This is the kind of thing I point to when people tell me fashion isn't art. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that this dress followed the Golden Ratio. It's so beautiful that I just sat, mesmerized, gazing at it on my monitor for a little while, and only the incessant ringing of my phone drew me out from under its spell.
I would love to make this dress, if only to have it hang on a dress form in my room for the rest of its life. I don't think I could wear it, because I really don't have a 1930s-type physique, unless by "1930s-type physique" you are thinking of Margaret Dumont, and not Myrna Loy.
The bidding on this one (click on the image to visit the eBay auction) is up to about $28 now, and I can't imagine it's going to go for much less than $50. Quite a few 1930s patterns hit $100, these days. But it's B35 (very reasonable!) and so unutterably gorgeous ... you could always justify it as an objet d'art.
Many thanks to Marie Christopher for the link!


































I think it might be a little off for the golden ratio (which is 2/5:3/5). It's very, very nice, though, albeit a bit flouncy for my taste. The fabric choices are bang-on for the design.
Posted by: enc | 05/15/2007 at 09:57 AM
And by the way, Margaret Dumont was a legitimate '30s physique.
Posted by: enc | 05/15/2007 at 09:58 AM
"...unless by "1930s-type physique" you are thinking of Margaret Dumont, and not Myrna Loy."OH! oh, i am *so* gonna steal that line. my bosom is a dead ringer for Margaret's.
Posted by: bonnie-ann black | 05/15/2007 at 10:03 AM
*dribble*
Posted by: flurogoddess | 05/15/2007 at 10:51 AM
Oh I like that dress! I love loking at vintage dress patterns, there are just somany I would love to have just for the artwork. I love the vintage patterns form 1930-1960.
Posted by: Ariane | 05/15/2007 at 11:33 AM
That is gorgeous. And I say that as someone who's more Mae West than Myrna Loy.
Posted by: ambika | 05/15/2007 at 11:49 AM
Oh my, oh my!!! Love it. So feminine and gorgeous. Sigh, unfortunately I have the mac truck figure so it's 1940's housemarm wrap dresses for me ;-)Thanks for the eyecandy!Missy
Posted by: Missy | 05/15/2007 at 11:54 AM
Oh, this dress is just waaay beyond nice and love and amazing :-)
Posted by: rka | 05/15/2007 at 12:15 PM
love the back but don't care much for the front
Posted by: john | 05/15/2007 at 12:32 PM
Rose-pink chiffon, worn with a string of pearls.Damn. If only I didn't have a belly.
Posted by: Jonquil | 05/15/2007 at 12:47 PM
As another Mae West figure, I can only admire such a lovely dress. Very pretty.
Posted by: Theresa | 05/15/2007 at 01:49 PM
As Mae incarnate, all I can do is drool over 30s gowns and dresses. Is the utter plight of a vintage seller....and fan.....*sigh*. 30s gowns, and the Myrna look, are my favorite!! All I can do is sigh. Ang
Posted by: Ang | 05/15/2007 at 07:32 PM
i clicked on your blog and just gasped! what a lovely dress!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | 05/15/2007 at 09:23 PM
How beautiful! Apparently many others think so too; the bidding is nearing $50. Add that to the yards of silk chiffon this dress deserves, and that makes one expensive homemade dress!
Posted by: Therese | 05/15/2007 at 11:49 PM
Aww, come on, we've seen recent pictures of you. If you do a muslin to get the fit just right, you can wear this dress. Go for it!
Posted by: Anonymous | 05/16/2007 at 06:39 AM
What I would give to be a Myrna Loy!
Posted by: AmandaMay | 05/16/2007 at 02:04 PM
Stunning! I really want to see the pattern pieces. Now, do you really have to have perfect shoulders to wear this dress, or would it give you great shoulders?I also love Ms. Loy; I love to watch the old Thin Man films just to hear William Powell say my name! And I love the way they flirt with each other.
Posted by: Nora | 05/16/2007 at 09:51 PM
What a work of art! B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L
Posted by: mojogeno | 05/17/2007 at 08:38 AM
eh. I think it's a little too Melanie and not enough Scarlett.
Posted by: Robinson | 05/17/2007 at 05:29 PM
As a follow-up, The bidding ended with 10 bids and the winning bid was $153.99!!!!!
Posted by: Moonwishes | 05/21/2007 at 04:38 PM