Oh, I Forgot!

Do you remember that bird fabric I was moaning about missing? And how y'all helped me find some (I bought five yards from CraftyPlanet, which, if you remember, was the place that featured the sock monkey dress in their windows).

Anyway, before I went traipsing about the globe, I actually made it up into a dress, to wit:



Here's the full-length view:



Annnnnnd the close-up:




I can't remember (or find, in my messy sewing room) the patterns I used -- it was another bodice-from-one, skirt-from-another Erin Special Combo, though. When I dig them up I'll post them.

At first I was a bit dismayed by exactly how much it looked like the waitress uniform at a diner called "Birdland" or "Nettie's Nest", but the more I thought about it, the more pissed off I was by my own first reaction. How sad and telling is it that clothes that remind us of honest labor (and let's be honest: low-paid, female honest labor) are somehow less beautiful? Why is is denigrating to say that a garment looks like the uniform of a waitress, or a nurse, or any other female service job? Why is the ideal to look as if you've never done a lick of work in your life? Why are clothes that actually facilitate Getting Stuff Done less worthy than clothes that actively Get In The Way (stiletto heels, I'm looking at you)?

Anyway, after getting myself comfortably indignant (it's good for the liver) I resolved to wear this happily, and if anyone points out the entirely-fortuitous resemblance between this and the traditional uniform of the great American waitress, I will pull a little pad out of my (convenient) pocket, take the pencil stub from behind my ear, and write them a thank-you note. After which I will continue on my merry way, working.

Comments

[xstpenguin]

I really hope someone does, and you do!:D

[Katie Alender]

I think (hope?) those attitudes are changing in general. Remember in "As Good As It Gets" when Jack tells Helen her dinner dress is basically a housedress from the 1950s?If it were me, I would write something less gracious than "thank you". ;-)

[Dottie]

That is probably one of the cutest dresses I've seen in a long long time. Thank you for sharing it!Rock on with the Erin special combos!

[Anonymous]

I love it! I think of it as a "day dress". The contrasting cuffs, collar and pockets are ever so charming!!! Thank you for posting what you did with the fabric.JenL

[Gwen]

I think it is stunning! I absolutely love the fabric. Oh, & I LOVE housedresses from the 1940's & 1950's. There is an elegance to their lines that works well with the simple fabrics. Working women are beautiful no matter what they're wearing!

[Anonymous]

KUDOS!I Love your attitude! You are too much fun!

[Jennette Fulda]

That's a great dress! I was watching "My Name is Earl" last year and secretly coveted the maid's uniform that Catalina wears. I thought it was cute and I didn't care if it was a maid's dress. So, I hear ya'!

[Missy]

beautiful Erin.... 1940's daydresses happen to be my absolute favorite. So comfortable and practical. And the birds are so sweet. Thanks for sharing!

[Susan Marie]

Love the dress, adore the fabric- admire the attitude!

[Anonymous]

Actually, I like it because it looks like a diner waitress dress.Lydia

[bani]

Truly food for thought that Erin! *applause*

[MostlyTextiles]

I think it's sweet. And I take your point about other's interpretation about house/day/working dress. I think subtelty eludes them, and I hate stilleto heels.

[Nora]

I love the idea of having a notebook in my pocket, and being able to hand someone a response (especially those kinds of people, who have no filter between their thoughts and their mouths). It seems like a good way to not engage them in the moment - so you can go about the WORK you are clearly able to do in your dress - without being TOO dismissive, and while giving them material for a story later. More pockets in my future!Classism rears its ugly head in lots of arenas, fashion in particular. But I too have always loved comfortable day/work dresses (you can take the grrrl out of the riot, but...) And I love the print, and how the winglike collar and cuffs echo the bird theme. Brava!

[The Momma Chronicles]

All I can say is, I wanna work at Erin's Diner!

[knitgirl]

Oops! That was my 1st thought, though in my defense, I don't wear dresses, I only fantasize about wearing them, and then of course, it's the whole thing of having an entirely different body and a whole 'nother life to go along with the glamorous dress.

[Cassandra Mortmain]

I COVET this dress Erin, no joke. My body aches with wanting it. I would never stop wearing it. And the darling pocketses are too wonderful.

[lulu]

Really cute! I especially love the way the pockets are designed gap open a little in vintage skirt & dress patterns.

[Lexy Girl]

Love the fabric! And if there were a diner where the waitresses wore bird fabric... well i'd be patronizing it frequently *forms business model*Excuse I need to go apply for a small business loan... do you think a line item of "bird fabric for uniforms" would look odd?

[Jennifer]

I love love LOVE this. And a waitress uniform did pop into my head--all the better! You can tell naysayers to kiss your grits.By the way, you've inspired mostly-knitter me to start my own Duro. I already have some blue-and-pink paisley for the main color--just need some contrasting fabric and off I'll go! Another convert...

[mamafrog]

Oh dear, now I'm really showing my age--my first thought, before reading your "mini rant" was a really happy one! It reminds of the 40's day dresses my grandmother wore most of her life!

[Linda]

I didn't see a resemblance to a waitress uniform. My Mom was a waitress for as long as I can remember. You are missing the button or zipper front. Then you would fit in perfectly!It is a great dress, retro looking dress. Way cool and I would wear it proudly.

[scarabee]

It's a lovely dress indeed. :)I don't know about the waitress factor - I was too busy observing the placement of the birds, and perhaps it's a good thing they're not blue?Sorry, I just thought someone had to make that joke before the day was out... In poor taste, perhaps?

[Julie]

Why is the ideal to look as if you've never done a lick of work in your life?A question for the ages -- literally. Show me a time and place where this is not true. I mean, even a social marker as basic as cleanliness is rooted in the concept of not working (hard).I know you have a post brewing on this and I have some comments brewing also, but I suppose I ought to wait until you make the post before I start arguing with it.... ;)

[Jen]

Oh, it's darling! So cute...I didn't think "waitress dress", but if so, who cares? It's not a bad thing, not at all. If someone can't appreciate this doll because of that - which I doubt - they probably don't know how to enjoy a warm, gooey chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge. Just adorable, I must say, I am kind of coveting it as well. ;)

[barbie2be]

it's very cute. if it were a waitress uniform, i can see it with a little green apron and a little green hat thingy. :) i wouldn't mind wearing that to work at the diner!