AUTHOR: Erin TITLE: Official Dress of the International Woman of Mystery DATE: 6:08 AM ----- BODY:

I love this dress. I think it would be fun to have this dress with three or four different underslips, in different patterns, kind of like wearing different shirts with same suit, only better. This dress was probably used in one of those 1960s movies where the heroine's "disguise" consisted of a completely conspicuous hat and sunglasses that would shield car headlamps, or where she dressed as a boy (but with full-on false eyelashes), or she "hid" by standing behind a set of brocade drapes (like any villain with common sense doesn't have venetian blinds at this point).

You can nab this dress (and possibly sign up for Interpol) at the Vintage Fashion Library, where Lisa is having a FREE SHIPPING sale. Yes, that even includes you folks outside the U. S. of A. (See what I mean about Interpol?) Also, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to the United Christmas Service in Indianapolis. (Interpolnapolis? Okay, took the joke too far.) This sale includes patterns at Miss Helene's as well -- email Lisa for more details if you want to buy from both sites. Sale lasts until the 17th, so shop now for best selection ...

Labels: Griffe, sales, Vogue_1044A

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Lydia DATE:Dec 15, 2009 8:55:00 AM I love this dress, and a resounding yes! to the multiple slips. I don't see why one couldn't modify a standard shift dress to get a similar effect. I might give it a try! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Jen DATE:Dec 15, 2009 9:47:00 AM Modify? Yes! What a great way to make a tight waisted 50's dress fit a 2000's average size waist. Not that I promote vintage dress destruction or something like that... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Dr. Julie-Ann DATE:Dec 15, 2009 10:27:00 AM I wasn't surprised when I clicked on the link to find that this dress had already been snatched up.

For the rest of us, we could take a basic shift pattern and do some slashing to the front of it (after copying the original pattern of course).

It looks like a horizontal seam would be placed just above the bust apex. Then a simple inverted pleat along the left princess line and you have yourself a variation of this gem! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Dec 15, 2009 12:47:00 PM I must admit, I am the guilty party who snapped this pattern up. Who can resist being a vintage international woman of mystery? "My name is Blonde - Jane Blonde." (Cue music)

Amy ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Kristen DATE:Dec 15, 2009 12:52:00 PM the sting would hurt perhaps a little less if Amy would post photos of said dress when it is made... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

When Ladies Dressed DATE:Dec 15, 2009 1:29:00 PM I love this pattern! Fabulous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Sara DATE:Dec 15, 2009 1:44:00 PM Love it! And that is a great dress, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Cookie DATE:Dec 15, 2009 1:55:00 PM IT REMINDS ME OF THE "PIRT" WE DISCUSSED HERE, ONCE! (I mean the underskirt aspect.) How I wish I had kept an image of that mysterious pattern that was featured at Lanetz Living for so long. Also, this is one of my 2 favorite pattern illustrators, and I have changed my avatar for the day, in a show of solidarity. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Dec 16, 2009 12:22:00 AM Seriously, pattern companies should let us vote on patterns to put back in print--updated for today's bodies/sewers. Because this one would get my vote. Just lovely. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

lucitebox DATE:Dec 16, 2009 5:28:00 PM I can't tell you enough how totally ME this dress is. The batteau neckline (a favorite style), the bracelet sleeves and that dashing slip/slit detail action--all I can say is iwantiwantiwantiwantiwantiwant.
Alas, icannnotsewicannotsewicannotsew.

Sign me,
Frustrated breaker of all sewing machines ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Nishant DATE:Dec 24, 2009 11:35:00 AM What a great way to make a tight waisted 50's dress fit a 2000's average size waist. Not that I promote vintage dress destruction or something like that...
Work from home India ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Lizard DATE:Dec 27, 2009 3:09:00 AM I have the exact same pattern!!! Though, it doesn't have the french flag on the top of the cover -and I got it for a bridesmaid dress for a best friend's wedding.

I used the colours that my friend chose - dark blue (outer) and slightly-paler-than-normal blue, both raw silk, and I found a beautiful antique silver belt buckle with flowers that I used to make a belt like the blue-dress in the background.

Everybody, including the blushing bride, loved it! (if you want a picture, I'll post a link up here!) ----- --------