A Dress A Day

A dress.
Mostly every day.

March 26, 2008

Invisible Mantelpiece!


Butterick 2146

Cookie sent this pattern -- which is actually a lovely dress, from So Vintage patterns -- for us all to make fun of the picture.

Oh, it's so easy, isn't it? What is her arm resting on? Is the other woman painted on the wall, and Foreground Woman is leaning against the wall? Does Background Woman have an unfortunate and conveniently placed bone spur coming out of her thigh? Or (my favorite hypothesis) was there an invisible mantelpiece, made by some ancient 1960s technology, now lost? Is Background Woman about to say something tactless, or reveal a secret (look at her, on the verge of speech) and Foreground Woman is elbowing her to shut up already? Were they pushing and shoving to see who, in fact, would get to be Foreground Woman?

Foreground Woman could also be a space alien: look at her head and tell me that's not a wig covering up her enlarged brain inside a transparent domed skull.

Too bad the envelope image is so WTF-y; I really like the dress! (But you know I'm a sucker for those single-button bodices. And for transparent domed skulls, when you come right down to it.)

[Cookie, by the way, is also looking for Butterick 2241, a 1960s shirtdress. If you know where one is, want to let me know, or post a link in the comments?]

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posted by Erin @ 7:31 AM  

34 Comments:

  • At Mar 26, 2008 8:00:00 AM, Anonymous Whitestone said…

    I recognize the pose. It's one of "my antiperspirant has quit! And my underarm is Wet!" Her next move, of course, is to tuck a folded kleenex under her arm and hope it doesn't fall out her sleeve.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 8:07:00 AM, Anonymous Toby Wollin said…

    Now, for me, what is going on is that the woman in the backgroun is saying, "Ceil, you can stop doing your Marcel Mareau immitations now."

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 8:12:00 AM, Anonymous john said…

    foreground woman is doing the inverted peace sign which means ? who knows-
    maybe some fashion model secret thing-

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 8:37:00 AM, Anonymous Lisa Simeone said…

    Background Woman is giving Foreground Woman the *snap!* because she looks so much more fabulous!

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 8:38:00 AM, Blogger Hoardmeister said…

    Dahling, don't be silly! They're "Vogue"-ing as it was done back in the day. Movement was rather restricted for ladies, you know.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 8:43:00 AM, Anonymous kim p. said…

    Background Model has hypnotized Foreground Model: "When I snap my fingers, imagine yourself leaning on the mantle at a boring cocktail party, giving your date the agreed-upon 'let's-get-out-of-here' signal."

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 9:04:00 AM, Blogger kristine said…

    Foreground Woman looks like she's letting her "fingers do the walking"--is she pantomiming something? Maybe she's making fun of Background Woman, snarkily saying she should walk on out of the picture.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 9:10:00 AM, Blogger Eevin said…

    I totally thought background woman had just snapped her fingers, making the formerly visible mantle invisible - like she was demonstrating her cool invention for 007-like foreground woman.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 9:16:00 AM, Blogger Nancy said…

    Mrs. Plaid: Doctor, could you come tell this woman to put her broken arm back in her sling? She has moved it, and I think she might put some real weight on it.

    Mrs. Blue: I"m ok, I just can't move my elbow... everything is under control! Just need to find some support before my shoulder cramps up. Owww.

    Mrs. Plaid: Doctor, Could you ring the psychiatrist as well? She's gone a little funny.

    Mrs. Blue: Oww. No, I'm ok! Ouch. Really! Ooof. I just need my sling and a percoset and I'll be ok. Could you hand my sling to me, Mrs. Blue?

    Mrs. Blue: Doctor, are you coming? This poor woman needs help!

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 9:43:00 AM, Blogger lorrwill said…

    Naw you're all wrong. Foreground woman is just starting some alien hip-hop robot dance move and background woman is making her do it with a super tiny remote control.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 9:45:00 AM, Blogger Nora said…

    Foreground lady is clearly throwing signs; maybe she's in a rival gang from Background (Crips v. Plaids)?

    But I love the design, too. Cn I be in ur gang blue lady?

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 10:03:00 AM, Anonymous Jen - The Alien Spouse said…

    I love the Alien idea, but then I would...

    I'm with Nora on the gang signs, but it could just be I've overdosed on "The Wire". Last week I was convinced my neighbours were slinging.

    Actually I think Background Woman might be holding something, possibly the vital clue in a murder mystery. If I run with that hypothesis the Foreground Gal is definitely the psycho-killer.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 10:44:00 AM, Blogger Viviene said…

    Blue woman actually has a merry widow stay that is poking her in the chest if she puts her arm down.

    I'm sure she's thinking, "Now if I can just casually stand by the fireplace and rest my arm on the mantle I can get through the rest of this incredibly boring cocktail party. Why oh why did I let Marge (foreground woman) talk me into this God awful contraption."

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 10:44:00 AM, Blogger Viviene said…

    Blue woman actually has a merry widow stay that is poking her in the chest if she puts her arm down.

    I'm sure she's thinking, "Now if I can just casually stand by the fireplace and rest my arm on the mantle I can get through the rest of this incredibly boring cocktail party. Why oh why did I let Marge (foreground woman) talk me into this God awful contraption."

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 10:53:00 AM, Blogger Cookie said…

    My first impression was that the foreground woman was an alcoholic artists model in the 60's, so accustomed to leaning on bars that her arm eventually stuck that way. Sadly, she showed up at this sitting is a blackout and it was one of her last jobs. The only thing I can say about Background Woman is her arm seems to be misshapen. Maybe that's why she's hiding it behind her dress? The elbow seems too high, and the forearm is sort of lumpy looking.

    Perhaps both these women took some 1960's experimental drug that was eventually removed from the market because it affected one's right arm.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 11:25:00 AM, Blogger RachelMM said…

    I love this bodice in spite of the distracting and hilarious poses of the drawn models.

    Has anyone made a vintage dress with the single button? I'd love to see a picture!

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 11:41:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Now I'm intrigued - what does Butterick 2241 look like?

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 11:45:00 AM, Blogger PhantomMinuet said…

    I think she's signaling for a fast ball. :-)

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 11:48:00 AM, Anonymous flea said…

    Clearly there is an untapped need for LOLPATTERNZ on the internets. I think A Dress A Day and its readers could fill this gaping hole in all our lives.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 11:49:00 AM, Anonymous Daedala said…

    Cemeterian may have it in b34. The picture is missing, so I'm not sure what's up: http://www.cemetarian.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=1650&=SID

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 12:17:00 PM, Blogger Cookie said…

    Thanks. I think the cemetarian site took the picture down because it's out of stock. The dress itself (I'll try to create a URL later) could be kind of matronly looking if done wrong, BUT would be nice in white linen with matching red belt and shoes.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 12:36:00 PM, Blogger LadyT said…

    if you though this pattern pic was hilarious, you should check out this site:

    http://www.threadbared.com/

    and especially this entry:

    http://www.threadbared.com/2005/05/ken_thought_it_.html

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 1:12:00 PM, Blogger HouseMouse said…

    Gang signs and lucite mantel. Word!

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 1:13:00 PM, Anonymous kim p. said…

    Another thought: maybe Foreground Woman was the Bell Telephone spokesmodel, clearly suffering the effects of doing one too many takes of the "let your fingers do the walking" advertisement!

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 1:21:00 PM, Blogger Katie Alender said…

    I'm going with Nora's theory: gang signs!

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 4:21:00 PM, Anonymous dulcet said…

    I must second the recommendation for threadbared.com! So hilarious! Just sad that it isn't going anymore.

     

  • At Mar 26, 2008 4:50:00 PM, Blogger oracle said…

    Ms Background: "I've just found a louse in your hair."

    Ms Foreground: "Back off, Betsy."

     

  • At Mar 27, 2008 12:44:00 AM, Blogger Pintucks said…

    "two down,
    one to go...."

    It's an old hand signal for sporty girls.

    meaning, of course, the lucky lady in the back is outta here next-

     

  • At Mar 27, 2008 9:32:00 AM, Blogger lorrwill said…

    You all are too funny!

    flea: host it and they will come.

    I am now down with the gang signs. Even foreground woman's facial expression kinda says, "yo."

     

  • At Mar 27, 2008 12:37:00 PM, Blogger Theresa said…

    i have a one button bodie pattern that is very similar but with a HUGE button. When I make it, if it's successful, I'll let ya'll know.

     

  • At Mar 28, 2008 5:02:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Invisible Mantlepiece Woman bears a striking resemblance to Barbara Amiel (Conrad Black's wife). Okay, I knew she was well-preserved, but could she have been around to pose for the pattern envelope???

     

  • At Mar 30, 2008 11:44:00 AM, Blogger Zegi said…

    I picture her saying something like, can you deal with THAT! a la Ben Stiller.

     

  • At Apr 10, 2008 4:24:00 AM, Blogger Linda said…

    I loved your comments about the envelope cover for this. But I fell in love with the pattern and was fortunate enough to acquire it. Thanks for enabling my beginning vintage pattern buying habit!!!!

     

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