It took more than a year of watching and waiting, but finally THIS PATTERN is mine:

And I bought it from Wonderful Wiki Contributor Birgit/Tarna's eBay store, which only makes it better. (She also has a Main Street Malls store.)
I love this dress so much. I think it's because (even though the model in the illustration is clearly an ingenue) this seems like a very attractive (okay, let's admit it: sexy) dress for a woman, not just a girl. Think a kind of lush, mid-career Elizabeth Taylor; before women past 35 were encouraged to inject their foreheads with toxins lest -- heaven forbid -- they showed a creased visage (or attempted to raise their eyebrows).
And is it wrong that I want to make this dress in every color (starting with orange)? Possibly best not to answer that.
If this pattern makes you long to buy some patterns yourself, you're in luck: Janet at Lanetz Living is running a sale (while she goes off to welcome her fourth grandchild into the world -- congratulations!). It's
25% off ... just use the code sale25 (make sure it is all one word) and it will be deducted for you. Sale will end at midnight CST on Nov 2nd. You might want to start your browsing with this one ...
And I bought it from Wonderful Wiki Contributor Birgit/Tarna's eBay store, which only makes it better. (She also has a Main Street Malls store.)
I love this dress so much. I think it's because (even though the model in the illustration is clearly an ingenue) this seems like a very attractive (okay, let's admit it: sexy) dress for a woman, not just a girl. Think a kind of lush, mid-career Elizabeth Taylor; before women past 35 were encouraged to inject their foreheads with toxins lest -- heaven forbid -- they showed a creased visage (or attempted to raise their eyebrows).
And is it wrong that I want to make this dress in every color (starting with orange)? Possibly best not to answer that.
If this pattern makes you long to buy some patterns yourself, you're in luck: Janet at Lanetz Living is running a sale (while she goes off to welcome her fourth grandchild into the world -- congratulations!). It's
25% off ... just use the code sale25 (make sure it is all one word) and it will be deducted for you. Sale will end at midnight CST on Nov 2nd. You might want to start your browsing with this one ...


































That is gorgeous! Congratulations! I take it there's a side zipper?
Posted by: Vegan | 10/14/2008 at 09:21 AM
Talk about optimism and waiting patiently for a out-of-print pattern. Major props! I like the little wings on the sleeves. This dress has a sweetness about it that's sorely needed now...
Posted by: the_lazymilliner | 10/14/2008 at 09:26 AM
Such a pretty dress - it looks like a dress that would flatter any shape - can't wait to see the end result
Posted by: dudara | 10/14/2008 at 09:26 AM
I also meant to say this dress could work with or without a crinoline. What do you think?
Posted by: the_lazymilliner | 10/14/2008 at 09:29 AM
My daughter (3) commented that the green one is the step-sister and the blue one is the princess. :)
Posted by: Erin | 10/14/2008 at 09:43 AM
A-dorable. But the little sleevey things would drive me nuts.
Posted by: Toiling Ant | 10/14/2008 at 09:45 AM
Ah MAN I love a shirred bustline on a dress! Congrats on your coveted purchase and can't wait to see it when you make it :)(PS, Congratulations on the new baby, Janet!)
Posted by: Jen ~ MOMSPatterns | 10/14/2008 at 09:46 AM
I love the little wing thingies! I have loved them since childhood when Rosemary Clooney wore that gorgeous black lounge singer gown in White Christmas with similar embellishment. As the twig is bent...
Posted by: Little Hunting Creek | 10/14/2008 at 09:50 AM
Erin's a happy miser!
Posted by: Lydia | 10/14/2008 at 10:09 AM
Wow, that would make a wonderful holiday dress in a lush rich color.
Posted by: Myra | 10/14/2008 at 10:13 AM
Congratulations! It is really lovely. It reminds me of Tea's travel dress. It would make a great holiday dress in a jewel tone dupioni and a great spring / summer dress in cotton as well.But, I'd be tempted to cut the empire line into the back and square the back neckline so that it doesn't have that step-sister / princess effect. It would be a princess all the way around.
Posted by: wundermary | 10/14/2008 at 10:35 AM
Love it in black satin!
Posted by: Stana | 10/14/2008 at 10:51 AM
Ohhhh. Felicitations. And now you'll be a guest star on Pushing Daisies, right? (do you love that show's visuals as much as I do?)I also agree with wundermary.
Posted by: Jonquil | 10/14/2008 at 11:14 AM
Ooh, that is gorgeous! I confess I'm not big on the fauxleros and pockets, but I love that style of bodice and that lovely full skirt... It's a shame I'm committing to drawing Halloween paper dolls all this month, because I don't think it'd be right to make something that inherently elegant into a plain old costume. Maybe I'll draw it next month...
Posted by: lianaleslie | 10/14/2008 at 12:06 PM
Oh lord, I am so jealous. I wish I never knew that this existed!
Posted by: Robin | 10/14/2008 at 12:29 PM
I believe Lanetz Living's sale is 15% off, and "sale 15" unless you know something that's not on the website...
Posted by: Anonymous | 10/14/2008 at 12:54 PM
I just bought something from Birgit, too! And what's really fabulous is SHE emailed ME when she saw I'd added something to the wishlist at the vintage pattern wiki! Pattern arrived immediately with a cute card. (PS: it was Advance 3021, which looks like a simplified version of the dress Jackie Kennedy wore when she gave the televised tour of the White House.) I like your dress, too...not so much the sleeve cap things, but otherwise delectable. I see it in mauve.
Posted by: Cookie | 10/14/2008 at 01:21 PM
This dress looks a lot like the one Ava Gardner wore when she married Frank Sinatra. The sleeves are a little different. I believe hers was green.http://www.otrcat.com/z/frank_sinatraava_gardner_wedding_day_(51.11.07).jpg
Posted by: Heidi Schempp Fournier | 10/14/2008 at 02:59 PM
It's beautiful! I like it in a solid colour rather than a print.If it was me, I would take the midriff-band seam around the back, put on puff sleeves, make the bodice in white, the midriff in black and the skirt in white-spotted red. An homage to Agent Sarah Walker in her Wienerlicious days! (Yes, I am tragic.)
Posted by: Nadine | 10/14/2008 at 03:02 PM
Branching off of Cookie's vision, I see it in violet velvet.Also, WOW to heidi schempp fournier's example of Ava Gardner's dress. These glimpses of glamor make me excited about working with winter fabrics!
Posted by: tea | 10/14/2008 at 03:53 PM
Ohh, I love the turn up detail at the shoulders! Is the size on the picture the size it actually is? If so - could I borrow it to trace out? lolI think it could be really cool in a top layer of chiffon, and a different coloured lining, or underlayer (depending on how many layers you'd prefer) to create an irridescent effect. Or even a cotton gauze for a less formal look. Yummy yum yum!!
Posted by: brocadegoddess | 10/14/2008 at 04:16 PM
I'm not crazy about the sleeves either, but I LOOOOOOVE the bodice and skirt combo!I see it in an orange polka dot! yummy!! Congrats! :)
Posted by: Janel | 10/14/2008 at 07:25 PM
So pretty. Lucky Erin. Please make this dress in a rainbow of solid jewel tone cotton sateen, starting with the sleeve wings in navy, sleeve bands in purple, shirred bust in burgundy, midriff deep red, dark orange belt and deep yellow skirt.Or just black chiffon with black satin belt and sleeve wings?Colleen
Posted by: Anonymous | 10/14/2008 at 07:55 PM
talking about orange... i used to think it was a weird and loud color but, from visting your site and reading your blog religiously, it grew on me. now i friggin L-O-V-E love love love it. just thought you'd like to know. :]
Posted by: ceci | 10/14/2008 at 08:37 PM
shirred busts can also work with prints...i used to have a 50s novelty print dress (racetrack paraphenalia) that was very close to this (no sleeve 'cuffs' tho). the shirred bust made me look TOO busty, but for a-c cups it's stylin'. i think if i had this pattern and could wear it (!) i'd do it in a mini-stripe of two similar colors, like a burgundy/red mini stripe or a blue/aqua mini stripe.
Posted by: Robin Edgerton | 10/15/2008 at 07:53 AM