AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: APB on a BDP (BDP = Bridal Dress Pattern)
DATE: 8:00 AM
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BODY:

Jen at MOMSPatterns is trying to help a customer find the dress on this pattern -- not this actual pattern, which is for fabric roses -- but the dress that Vogue used as a canvas in the picture on this pattern envelope for the flowers that this pattern makes. Is that clear?
We're assuming that the marketing whizzes at Vogue would use one of their own patterns ON one of their own patterns, but nobody's been able to find this yet. Can you help?
Speaking of brides, I'm going to be a bridesmatron again in May! I'm very excited. [Not-so-interesting Erin trivia: thus far I have only stood up in the weddings of people named "Vanessa".] This is the dress my bride-to-be has chosen for us -- I really like it:

(NOTE: She is not getting it in BLACK. You guys know how I feel about that, and anyway, it's a May wedding. But you know what? If she asked me to wear black I would so totally do it. I even offered to wear purple if she wanted me to, and purple and I don't get along.)
This dress is from Watters -- does anyone have any helpful tips for dealing with them? They're saying "ten weeks"; is that for real, or a nervous-bride-buffer?Labels: brides, helpfulness
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Helen
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 9:07:00 AM
Re the Vogue pattern - my unhelpful comment is 'yes' that is from a bridal pattern (I remember it being in the books when I worked in the 90s) but I don't recall the designer. Happy hunting. I will go a-googling and try to help though too!xx
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: kylydia
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 9:26:00 AM
I'd say yes on the 10 weeks. It's crazy, but they don't keep stock, they make to order. My bridesmaid dresses (from a different company) have a lead time of 12-14 weeks.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 9:45:00 AM
Aw, cute! Yeah, I know it's cheesy, but I love weddings (especially if I don't have to do any of the work!!). Have fun, bridesmatron!!
Anon in Ire
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 10:03:00 AM
So what color is the bridesmatron dress going to be??
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Zoltar Panaflex
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 10:31:00 AM
My wedding dress was a bridesmaids dress from Watters, and it was the nicest outfit, pity I never actually wore it.
I had to go through a Bridal Shop Of Horrors, they ordered it Too Big and "with Extra Length" despite the reality that I'm 5'5". I swam in that thing.
It was a FINE dress though, and when I donated it to a Prom Dress For Needy Girls shop, it made a local girl feel very special to wear it to her prom!
Watters is wonderful though beautiful garments.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 10:59:00 AM
Hey! I was a May bride and now I am goign to my BFFs may wedding in Boston...I am so excited. I am makign this dress...pray for me
http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1084.htm??tab=whats_new&page=1 -- in blue taffeta
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Vavi
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 11:12:00 AM
Well after Googling, I came across 2 patterns that were close:
Vogue Pattern #2263
Vogue Pattern #1325
Good luck
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: nineveh-uk
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 11:18:00 AM
HAs she tried asking Vogue? Surely they have a back catalogue and could look this up (and maybe even sell it to her)?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Patricia
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 11:23:00 AM
Erin,
I seem to vaguely remember that dress as being a Vogue pattern, and I think it might be a Vera Wang, if indeed she has done any designs for Vogue Patterns. I have the pattern for the flowers, and I bought it new about 10 years ago, so that might give you an idea of the timeline for the dress pattern. Hope that helps!
Trish
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: fabricgirl
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 11:37:00 AM
Pretty dress - Watters makes some of the nicer ones. The timeline is for real. They are indeed 'made-to-order' overseas somewhere; thing is, they order by the largest of your measurements. If you're pear shaped, for example ( not saying you are ) you will get a dress in according to your hip size, and it will have to be altered down for the bust at the store, or by you. The alterations are what the shop makes $$ on, like the consessions at a movie theater. Crazy, but true.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Patricia
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 11:44:00 AM
Vera Wang Vogue Pattern 1583? (Saw some copies on ebay)...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 11:56:00 AM
I don't know how I missed the original post about appropriate wedding day attire. My mother in law wore a whitish shade to our wedding. I was not pleased. It's nice to have some validation that it's WRONG!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Hana
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 12:18:00 PM
If it is Vogue 1583, it actually is listed on MOMSPatterns!
http://www.momspatterns.com/inc/sdetail/20108
Although, it seems to me the waistband isn't present on the photo Erin posted... but it's definitely very, very close.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Miss Amelina
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 12:31:00 PM
It does look alot like Vogue 1235:
http://shopping.sewingpatternsupply.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=51
they have all three size ranges available
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Miss Amelina
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 12:33:00 PM
but the back of 1235 is more v-like than rounded, methinks
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Chantelle
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 1:22:00 PM
It sort of looks like different dresses (or different views of the same dress, possibly) were used as a canvas for the roses.
There's the dress with the sheer top and sleeves, scoop back, basque waist, and full skirt shown for views D and E. For view G, the bodice has a low, wide scoop neck with short sleeves and covered boning/seamlines. View C's dress is similar to view G's but it looks like there might be more boning lines, and the boning lines aren't covered. There might be a sheer top on view C's dress as well; it's hard to tell from the picture.
Do you know which dress the customer is interested in finding?
Thanks for a reminder on appropriate dress for weddings, Erin. My brother-in-law is getting married in July and of course I'll make a new dress! I wish I could use the pale pink fabric I bought, but it's too light. Sigh. I'm sure I'll find some other fabric. After all, I did just order some vintage mint fabric that is gorgeous.... and there will be lots of other fabric in the stores, if it comes to that :)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen ~ MOMSPatterns
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 1:32:00 PM
Oooh! Y'all made me go RUN to pull the Vogue 1583 to see if it was it, how embarrassing that would have been to have had it the whole time! lol
BUT I think we can scratch this one off the list. The Vogue 1583 is a straight fitted skirt with a removable overskirt; the one that she's looking for on the 7009 envelope looks like it has a dropped waist and full gathered skirt?
Thank you for mentioning it and making me check!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Patricia
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 1:47:00 PM
To Jen,
Perhaps your customer could still use 1583 with some modification, i.e., adding a gathered skirt below the waistline. The top part of the pattern is definitely identical -- the same illusion bodice with no armhole seams (as in 1235). Hope that helps...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jean
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 1:55:00 PM
Yep, fabricgirl is right on! Most all companies that order from overseas have at least a 2-3 month wait! But hopefully they will already be in stock and sent right out!
Have fun, weddings are great!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 2:28:00 PM
That really looks like a Vogue Vera Wang gown in the pattern picture, although it may not be called a bridal gown. I could swear I remember seeing it in the catalog. yes, with the dropped waist and full skirt. Although, it *might* be a Vera Wang original that they "translated" for home sewers.
(FWIW, my bridesmaid wore a dress with black velvet bodice and printed taffeta skirt. It was February, 20 years ago. We felt that there was no reason for her to buy yet another formal dress, and she already had it in her closet. And stylewise it was a perfect foil for my dress....)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: ISS Man 71
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 2:44:00 PM
Erin, Thanks for coming back to us. I was beginning to think this was dressaweek.com. ;->
Good luck as a bridesmatron. And What color IS that dress going to be?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 5:03:00 PM
Erin, if Jen HAS the actual pattern, there should be photo credits for that dress listed somewhere either on the pattern or the instructions!
Anonymous, how tacky! The subtext to that is always "I want to be the one to sleep with my son!" (Yes, feel free to pour that oil on the fire.) I think at least in Western customs it will be one of the last "Don'ts" - unless of course the bride requests it. I'm willing to stretch a lot of other colours - yes, even the red which gets Erin's disapproval - but then, my colouring pretty much DICTATES black, white and red - all verbotten, in theory, at someone else's wedding. And so is my fallback print - which is leopard! I haven't had to go to many, fortunately; I had a miserable search for a navy outfit for my brother's wedding (I was making the bride's dress, and didn't have time to sew mine) - black outfits and red outfits were EVERYWHERE, and would have looked perfect on me, but I wanted a blue that would fit in with the rest - even though it really wasn't flattering.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sandra B
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 5:56:00 PM
I am standing up with BFF in less than 2 weeks, with no dress yet. It is a small, intimate wedding, and I can wear whatever I want. Just looking for the right fabric for a pattern I already have a nd love.
When we started talking about the wedding, she said "of course, you will be my matron of honor..." I said "of course I will, but if you ever call me a matron of honor again, I WILL poke you with a fork". So, I am the best girl.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nancy (nanflan)
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 6:15:00 PM
Yes, try googling Vera Wang in the pattern section of eBay. I remember that treatment with the sheer was really a signature look for her and did a skating dress for Nancy Kerrigan at the Olympics with the same sheer effect.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: tammyo
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 6:25:00 PM
how about vera wang vogue #1945 on etsy? dropped waist, gathered skirt...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Oldpatterns
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 7:06:00 PM
The pattern companies do not store out of print patterns. They have a a few, but once they pull it from the catalog and they are done selling it as out of print, it is gone. You then have to hunt on ebay of the many fine people who sell out of print patterns. Many of the pattern companies refer their customers to me. I know McCall's and Butterick send them to my website once a pattern has been out a print for a while.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: mmcnealy
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 7:25:00 PM
I think Tammyo found it!
Vogue 1945 dress on Etsy
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Carolyn
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 7:38:00 PM
Belladonna, if your colours are black, red and white I'll bet you look brilliant in cobalt blue..
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 7:39:00 PM
10 weeks is a very short time frame for bridesmaid dresses. From the time you order the dress at the bridal shop, it can be a week before the factory in China receives the order. It is then placed in sequence of wedding date with ALL the other orders placed from around the world. Then it is transported by ship to the country the order was placed; then has to go through customs. From there it goes to a warehouse that has to ship to the individual bridal shops. That dress travels a long road before it ever gets to the customer. That said, as a bridal consultant and master seamstress, Watters are beautiful gowns.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 7:51:00 PM
Isn't this the dress?
It's on ebay...Item number: 260334386174
http://cgi.ebay.ca/5-7K-Exquisite-VERA-WANG-BRIDAL-WEDDING-DRESS-GOWN-6_W0QQitemZ260334386174QQcmdZViewItemQQptZWedding_Dresses?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: brocadegoddess
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 8:15:00 PM
I just read the dressing for weddings post now for the first time. It's FABULOUS!!! I was surprised at the number of people defending black. Live a little people!!
May I also add one more rule? This is to do with shoes actually:
NO CROCS!!!!!
I actually *SAW* someone wear a pair to attend a wedding a couple years ago. Could not believe my eyes!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: tammyo
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 8:27:00 PM
Jen, that looks just like the pattern that I mentioned above! I bet that's it!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 8:34:00 PM
I just read the wedding-dressing post too. I haven't read all the comments, though! I'm from the south where black is definitely not a color to wear to a wedding. However, when I went to a trendy, young, urban wedding in NYC a few years ago I warned my best friend (also a Southerner) "do not wear pastels." Sure enough, every. single. person. other than the bride and the mothers (who were in cream, as were the bridesmaids) wore black.
brocadegoddess--I am reeling at wearing crocs. that's hilarious! (and terrible!)
--polly
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Anan
DATE:Feb 4, 2009 9:42:00 PM
I love that wedding gown... but I've already bought the "Winter Wedding" dress pattern, not that I'm making plans. :P Still I too wish I knew what pattern that is.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 1:37:00 AM
Its Vogue Pattern 1583, a Vera Wang Bridal dress with overskirt. This seller has it on Ebay for $15
http://cgi.ebay.com/UNCUT-VOGUE-PATTERN-VERA-WANG-WEDDING-DRESS-8-10-12_W0QQitemZ310112127898QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Ebay # Item number: 310112127898 if the link doesn't work.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 1:45:00 AM
Woops, it is Vogue 1945 by Vera Wang. I thought that pattern didn't have the long sleeves like 1583, but it does. And it has the dropped waist. Lovely dress!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Hana
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 2:02:00 AM
Yes, Vogue 1945 it must be! Great find, tammyo!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Becky O.
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 6:56:00 AM
Aww, I made the headpiece that the model is wearing for myself over 15 years ago : )
That is a great memory to start the day with!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 7:28:00 AM
Why not call Vogue/Mc Calls' direct?
There contact information can be found on http://www.mccall.com/about/About_The_McCall_Pattern_Company.htm
I'd call the Kansas office first as it would probably be easier to speak to someone there than in the New York office.
Best of luck on the dress -- it is lovely.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen ~ MOMSPatterns
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 8:05:00 AM
Vogue 1945 YES!!! I believe that's the one and have just emailed my Hunter & Seeker.. you guys are awesome!
Thank you so much!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen ~ MOMSPatterns
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 8:07:00 AM
PS.. I didn't see anything about 'credits' on the Vogue 7009/Roses pattern.. and she was advised to contact Vogue directly who were no help to her at all; she got the 'oh, that's out of print, we don't know' spiel.
I bow to your searching abilities!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kate McK
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 9:02:00 AM
Awwww, that's such a pretty dress, Erin. Are you wearing a wrap or anything?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 9:04:00 AM
This post led me to the one on dressing for weddings -- and let me thank you, Erin, for explaining the so-called rules.
It always baffles me when people say that proscriptions on wearing black or white to a wedding are outdated.
Manners aren't about making yourself comfortable or about self-expression, they're about acknowledging other people and their rites of passage. At someone's wedding you don't dress as if for a funeral (yes, yes, you can wear black if the bride has set a different dress code) and you don't in any way try to upstage the bride.
If these ideas are outdated, I'm very happy to be a dinosaur.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen ~ MOMSPatterns
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 1:05:00 PM
From the gal looking for the pattern:
THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK EVERYONE FOR HELPING!! HOW AMAZING THAT YOU FOUND IT!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! AWESOME!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I'M OFF TO BUY THAT PATTERN!!!
THANK YOU!! TO EVERYONE ONCE AGAIN!!
Have a fabulous day!
LOL!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: scormeny
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 2:19:00 PM
Vis a vis Watters dress and 10 weeks -- this does steam me. I had to buy a bridesmaids dress for a wedding I stood in, and also had a lengthy wait for the gown, even though like Watters it came only in off-the-rack sizes, no custom-tailoring. The dress fit me so poorly and I ended up spending about $70 on alterations to shorten the skirt (which had nearly a foot too much length!) and completely alter the neckline, arms and waist as I'm a busty short-waisted woman and had to order something that was 2 sizes up everywhere else, to make sure it was wide enough at the bust.
I would suggest, if there's time, to ask the bride to choose something comparable that is carried at Michael's. You can at least try it on first to get the closest size, and they may even have it in stock in your size and color. And it will probably be cheaper than a Watters dress.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Marla
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 4:36:00 PM
I cannot for the life of me figure out what body part(s) are being shown in "G." Is it... someone with a bit of a pot belly, wearing a white T-shirt and khaki slacks, with a garland of roses around his/her waist? Because that is SO not what I would wear to a wedding :)
I also am a firm believer in the No Black at Weddings rule. As you point out, it's not just a party, it's a very specific event with its own rules and customs. I will never forget at MY wedding, an acquaintance WORE HER OWN WEDDING DRESS. Yes. Granted it was a tea-length dress that could pass as a dressy dress and not specifically a wedding dress, but still. It WAS HER WEDDING DRESS. Was she f***ing crazy or what?
My worst faux pas was wearing a summery, beige dress to a recent wedding - to discover I was dressed almost exactly like the bride! I guess she was even more traditional than I am, as it was her second marriage and presumably she felt she couldn't/shouldn't wear white (now THAT is a rule people can ignore!)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 5, 2009 7:29:00 PM
marla, i believe that G is a neckline, with that velvet trim tapering down to a waist. and i think its on a dress form, because surely nobody has skin that uniformly white (i mean, i wish I did, but... when they have 'fake paling' salons, i will so be there....)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: AuntieShel
DATE:Feb 6, 2009 8:31:00 AM
I recognized that it was a Vera Wang, so glad someone was able to find the exact number. My son is getting married in August and I'm so excited. I promise not to wear anything remotely white or black.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: L
DATE:Feb 6, 2009 8:45:00 AM
oh i love those dresses....
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Marla
DATE:Feb 6, 2009 11:36:00 AM
OK, I see it now! If I extrapolate from view "C" it all makes sense.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: <b>Not a Knitter</b>
DATE:Feb 8, 2009 2:41:00 AM
Oh, I am so glad you posted about this! That picture is in an ad in one of the pattern books at JoAnns, and I have been looking longingly at it for ages. I'm not getting married anytime soon (that would require a man, lol), but it's nice to know that this actually exists as a pattern!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Send gifts to Pakistan
DATE:Feb 9, 2009 12:08:00 AM
Beautiful design of dress.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Feb 10, 2009 9:56:00 AM
Thank you a million times for that wedding post-- copies should be printed and mailed to every home in America. ;)
Half the reason that people show up at weddings so inappropriately attired is that NOBODY has ever told them what IS correct dress.
When I was a girl, mom told me that at a wedding you wear "something nice enough for church."
That still meant something, in Oklahoma, in 1988.
The bride was allowed to look "sexy" if she so desired, but the rest of us looked modest and scrubbed and well-behaved. Because we weren't there to be sexy.
Now, of course, even the most conservative among us go to church in jeans and crocs.
Last Sunday, our pastor's wife attended in skintight denim pants, a thin plunging-neck knit shirt, and patent-leather FMBs.
I guess she thought she was All Dressed Up.
And so of course the general advice to "just wear something nice!" will inspire the ignorant populace to wear anything from their favorite holey Levis ("but they make me look thin! And they're soooo comfortable!") to club-wear.
Blah!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Dr. Birdcage
DATE:Feb 16, 2009 10:01:00 PM
My bridesmaids (in wedding to previous husband) wore Watters dresses, and though this was more than a decade ago, I recall it being a close call for one of them who not only needed a tiny size, but also needed hemming and taking in (she is 4'10"), and it was being done the day before the wedding. Ten weeks, for reals.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Mar 14, 2009 8:23:00 PM
ok I'm sooooooo glad someone else is looking for this dress too. I just went today and found this same dress picture in the vogue patterns catalogue. Of ciourse i have veen on limne all night trying to find 1945 and the life of me I CANT FIND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone help me out here - I'm stressing and getting married in October - Help!!!!!!
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AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Name That Pattern!
DATE: 8:20 AM
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BODY:

Deborah writes in with a plaintive request: does anyone know what the pattern number is of the McCalls pattern on the cover of Blueprints of Fashion
?
If you know (or better yet, if you HAVE) this pattern, please leave a comment ... I *think* I've seen this one before, but considering I can't even remember the number of the Walk-Away Dress, there's no way I'd ever be able to pull three or four digits out of my noggin for this one.
And to continue my unbroken string of sales announcements, there's a sale at Specialist Auctions, starting today:

Labels: blueprintsoffashion, books, helpfulness
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 8:49:00 AM
Well, I can't help with the dress, but the hat is definitely modeled on Schiaparelli's 'harlequino' model from the 40s..
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lydia
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 9:38:00 AM
I have the book at home. I'll look to see if he provides the information on the inside text and will comment tomorrow if nobody else does.
It's a fabulous book, BTW! Well worth the price!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 9:45:00 AM
As long as we're pattern hunting, does anyone know the Pattern make and model for the yellow dress on Penelopepup's Vintage ad?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sold A Moke
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 9:47:00 AM
That is a good book, as are the others that go along with it. Good luck on finding that number...
Can you imagine how hard this job would be without the internet?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lisa
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 10:32:00 AM
If no one gets it, I'll email Wade. I have his email address.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 5:29:00 PM
Your mentioning of the walkaway dress brought to mind all the various alterations folk have done to get it fitting. Then I came across this it seemed appropriate.
Time is a dressmaker, specializing in alterations; Faith Baldwin (1893-1978) US writer
Susan
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 5:34:00 PM
wade laboissonniere is actually designing a show at Goodspeed Theatre in CT now so you might reach him there.
Sorry I don't have the number handy but google will !
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: cpeep
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 6:41:00 PM
I suggest a quick call to the publisher and ask them
"We are always happy to assist you in any way we can, and we try our best to provide answers quickly. You are free to email us any time at Schifferbk@aol.com, or you may call us at 610-593-1777 M-F 8:30-5:30 EST, or fax us at 610-593-2002."
Carol
Extreme Cards and Papercrafting
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Miss Kitty
DATE:Oct 1, 2008 9:05:00 PM
Sadly, I can't help with the number of that drop-dead-gorgeous dress, but I'm *seriously* digging the author's name. LaBoissoniere? That's approximately "drink-maker" or "bartender" in English, but it sure sounds elegant en francais.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Summerset
DATE:Oct 2, 2008 11:24:00 AM
I just looked inside my copy of this book, and it says "Cover photo: Courtesy of the McCall Pattern Company." Maybe it is a McCall's? Looks like very early 50's to me.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sarah
DATE:Oct 2, 2008 2:42:00 PM
what is the book like inside? Is it about re creating the fashions of the decade, with actual patterns? (scale drawings?)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: What-I-Found
DATE:Oct 2, 2008 11:58:00 PM
It is a wonderful study of actual sewing patterns...the art and the history. There are examples of patterns from the years included in each of the 2 books, the Fifties and the Forties.
They are a wonderful resource for pattern collectors and sellers. They also have invaluable date lists for dating patterns.
I just wish he'd come out with a 60s and 70s version!
Tina
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: cpeep
DATE:Oct 3, 2008 8:10:00 AM
I wonder if it's NOT be a "McCalls" pattern but a Vogue--the McCalls company owns both Butterick and Vogue brands. When I saw it I thought VOGUE, which would explain a lot.
Carol
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Alyssa
DATE:Oct 3, 2008 8:39:00 AM
Truth be told, I'm wondering if it might not even be a pattern. It could simply be an illustration done for McCalls.
I agree with Carol, though, it looks very Vogue. When I go to work today I'll have a looksie in some of the McCalls and Vogue pattern catalogues from the 50s.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Alyssa
DATE:Oct 3, 2008 8:39:00 AM
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: cpeep
DATE:Oct 3, 2008 2:02:00 PM
"if it's not be" ??!!! Nice editing there. Geez.
Carol
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 6, 2008 2:12:00 AM
Carol and Alyssa, I think you two are probably the closest to solving the mystery of the dress. To everyone else, thank you for your input!
Deborah
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Penelope
DATE:Oct 9, 2008 1:22:00 AM
Looks like a gentleman's bathrobe seamed into a woman's day dress. Blueprint it's not.
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AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Meet Our Advertisers #7: Specialist Auctions
DATE: 10:20 AM
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BODY:

How long have you been in business?
Specialist Auctions Vintage section opened in June of 2006 but the site itself opened late in 2005.
What motivated you to go into the vintage and pattern auction business? We had a request from Margaret Bolger of Artizania to open a vintage and antique clothing section. In December of 2006 our current moderator, Margaret Leyden, joined us as a seller and co-moderator of the Vintage and Antique Clothing Section and is the moderator at this time and a member of the Vintage Fashion Guild.
Where are you based? Specialist Auctions is based in the UK but we are truly an international site with more than 50% of our sellers based in the U.S. We have vintage clothing, vintage textiles and vintage pattern sellers from Lapland, the UK, Peru and the US.
what's the weirdest/best/craziest/most beautiful thing you've ever found?
There are so many beautiful things at Specialist Auctions Vintage it would be a sin to pick just one so I'll give you four:
this zebra hostess gown from Wyoming Vintage
this 1936 home sewing magazine from Memories Past
this champagne satin party dress from Alley Cats Vintage
this popover duster dress pattern from Henrietta's Pearl Button
and, from our newest vintage pattern store, this adorable vintage jacket pattern from RetroMonde Vintage Patterns
What do you wish someone would ask you about your site?
How did we have the nerve to set the site up in the first place ?
It's a good day at work when ...
We have new sellers come on board and watch them have success with selling their items. It's also great to see buyers come on board and be pleased with their purchases and the service they receive.
The pattern at the top of this post is also from RetroMonde ...
If this wasn't enough Specialist Auction Action for you, check out Marge's blog, where she's been profiling SA sellers all week, in slideshows.Labels: ads, helpfulness, McCalls_8385
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: the_lazymilliner
DATE:Sep 4, 2008 10:37:00 AM
Marge's blog is nice...I especially like that hibiscus maxi dress....so anti-autumn!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: lorrwill
DATE:Sep 4, 2008 11:01:00 AM
I want that dress pattern and the jacket pattern (that style is purrfect) but in bust 34! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!
oh - any tips on navigating the site? Vintage patterns are not on pull down search list...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Marge, Born Too Late Vintage
DATE:Sep 4, 2008 12:38:00 PM
On the left hand of the site click on clothing-sewing vintage and antique, then click on vintage sewing and then click on vintage patterns.
There you will see the types of patterns available.
Or if you read the front page of the stores when you click in you will see in the descriptions if the seller has patterns. There are actually two stores with the name "patterns" in them. Hope this helps.
By the way, The Vintage Bulletin is a collaborative blog of which I am only one of many posters. You can see what we have available on my blog:
http://alwaysplayingdressup.blogspot.com/
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Mel
DATE:Sep 4, 2008 5:12:00 PM
really nice ideas!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Vegan
DATE:Sep 7, 2008 4:39:00 AM
The way the sleeves are done in that McCall's pattern is really interesting. Wish it were my size.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Hoardmeister
DATE:Sep 11, 2008 2:02:00 AM
Thank you so much for the interview, Erin dahling! Specialist Auctions is truly THE site to buy vintage nowadays, and Marge does a truly fantastic job as moderator. What other site has live moderators to make sure no fakes or reproductions sneak into their various categories?
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AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: APB on 4743
DATE: 2:22 PM
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BODY:

I don't usually put out pattern calls (because otherwise that's all I'd do, and because putting out pattern calls often alerts folks that a particularly desirable pattern EXISTS, which usually leads to even more people looking for it, benefiting the original pattern-coveter not a whit) but I am making an exception in this case because 1) it's for a wedding, specifically Shannon's wedding, and 2) it is completely freaking gorgeous.
So, if you have a line on this pattern, will you let me know? Or if you know of a modern equivalent, or something that could be altered into a reasonable facsimile of this pattern ...
Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, I don't know how many of y'all Twitter, but I have decided that it would be a Very Funny Idea if I were to twitter as Fake Diana Vreeland, sending out "Why Don't You ..." tweets (both some of her original ones and new ones in her "style") at irregular intervals. If you are on Twitter and want to follow Fake Diana Vreeland, she is here. (I also tweet random words at this Twitter account.)
Also: to come later this week: the return of the Meet Our Advertisers feature!Labels: helpfulness, twitter, Vogue_4743, wedding
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Shannie
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 2:58:00 PM
Thanks a bunch Erin!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:04:00 PM
I hope you don't mind too much, Erin and others, but everyone here is so wonderful, I thought I'd ask.
Years ago, I came across some truely wonderful buttons. They were Betty Page photos, and they were so cute! Now I can't find them for love nor money. If I google "Betty Page button", or something like that, I get Betty Page pins. Can anyone help me?
-Sandra
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Erin
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:12:00 PM
Sandra -- I saw those at Tender Buttons in Chicago a while back; it's worth calling them to see if they still have any, I bet!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Charles
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:22:00 PM
Wow, that one is *not* easy to find on the web, even in passing reference.
A measure of last, desperate, resort might be to find someone with a copy of Wild Ginger's PatternMaster Celebrations to create the pattern from scratch? The front view is a little too small (and the lace details to busy) to make out the style lines though.
For some reason, the back bow made me think "Princess Diana" right off; which seems funny to me since this pattern is sleeveless and Lady Di's was ... well ... all poof up to *here*.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:43:00 PM
That's a beautiful looking dress I hope you find it. McCalls 6670 is is a midriff pattern but it might give you a start. I'll see if I can scan the envelope tomorrow.
Susan
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:46:00 PM
Oops lost a phrase there. There should have been an ,if you can find it,after the McC's 6670
Susan
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:53:00 PM
Shannie - ok this is weird - you and I have the same cat, many of the patterns, and mad love ofr halloween...were we separated at birth. I think Vogue has a retro repro that is similar and could be tweaked into that design. I'll check ... I have the pattern at home.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 3:56:00 PM
I haven't seen that sort of back-lacing turned into a sash before. Pretty! And I like that it's not strapless. Maybe Shannon can email this scan to different pattern site managers, and as them to notify her if it comes in? How long does Shannon have to locate it?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: vespabelle
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 4:08:00 PM
McCalls 5232 might work for the top. It's a basic v-necked dress with a V in the back as well.
For the skirt, you just need lots of volume like in Butterick 4918
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Shannie
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 4:20:00 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Our wedding is June 20th, so it feels like I still have lots of time. But I probably won't feel that way for long.
Vespabelle: I have Butterick 4918- that's a good start, I'll check into McCalls 5232.
The search continues...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Little Hunting Creek
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 4:57:00 PM
What a beautiful dress; I can see why Shannon needs the pattern. I especially like the bow in back. That is a bow that is unashamed of being big and bow-y - it makes a statement!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nancy (nanflan)
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 5:14:00 PM
I think I have a similar dress from about 10-15 years ago in my stash somewhere. The skirt is different but the back detail is very similar. I'll check when I get home and get back to you.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Penny
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 5:19:00 PM
I just listed this so lovely 1954 bridal/evening dress http://www.antiquedollhouseofpatterns.ca/cgi-bin/doll/store.cgi?overlord=Details&store_id=19474
mccall's 9678, perhaps you could check it out and see if this would be suitable for your wedding.. most of these 1950s bridal gowns are magnificent.. and many I have listed sold within a week!.. this one is the very old sizing of 18... bust 36 inches. I am so sure you will yet find the perfect one you are looking for! and congratulations!!!! Penny
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 5:25:00 PM
Beautiful style! What is the internal construction on a garment like that? Boning and ...?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 5:30:00 PM
Hm, so we've got a fitted bodice, bateau neckline in front, plunging vee in the back, with the tie. Hard to tell about the skirt style--is that a bouffant, or a circle? Either way, the skirt shouldn't be too hard to come by. There's a very similar bodice on this pattern at Ebay, Vogue 5823
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stunning-Uncut-Vintage-1950s-V-Back-Evening-Gown-14-36_W0QQitemZ170253407330QQihZ007QQ
You'd have to add the tie, but shouldn't be too hard...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 5:33:00 PM
also the more modern Vogue Pleat Flare Contrast Back Bow Bride Dress V2849 Pattern that has a big bow and strappy dress.. just passing along suggestions as I see them... and that is a great idea to look at the selection of the Vogue Retro Vintage series patterns...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Myra
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 6:04:00 PM
Erin, what a beauty. But I did come across some:
Lanetz V2239, strapless, though, but has full skirt with long ties
So-Retro M8733, but a size 12
Scissor Happy V4205, B36, a 40's wedding pattern with a blue view that is a formal
So Vintage (2 patterns) S1743, but a B32 and M9533, but is sold
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Luck(x8)
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 7:33:00 PM
These are a little more 30s and a little less 50s, but they are in the same design "family" and full of romance...
http://www.evadress.com/371.html
http://www.evadress.com/6573.html
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: lorrwill
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 9:17:00 PM
I would highly recommend reaching out to the pattern sellers on the side bar. They perform miracles from time to time and my experience is that they were all detectives in a past life and would love to be in on the hunt. Janet (Lanetz Living ) and Jen (Mom's Pattens) both have been wonderful resources for me.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sandy
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 9:35:00 PM
This pattern is absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could tell you I have one, but I don't. I can just see this dress in a wedding. What type of fabric are thinking of using?
I have a friend here in town that has old vintge patterns. I'll check to see if she has that one.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sarah
DATE:Aug 25, 2008 11:49:00 PM
Shannon. if you can't find this particular pattern, which aspects of it are you most attached to? I have a discontinued Vogue from a few years ago (maybe the same one nanflan referred to) that has a very similar back (faux lacing with the sash, but that's not a huge deal), a v-neck in front that could be modified to a bateau, and a straight skirt that could easily be replaced with a full skirt. I'm sure there are other current patterns with elements that could be modified...
I'll see if I can find and scan the pattern I have tomorrow.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: What-I-Found
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 1:37:00 AM
I don't have this either, but I wish I did. It's beautiful and I hope we get to see what Shannon does make.
I wondered how the holes would be re-enforced for that ribbon/sash. Maybe like huge button holes?
And how I'm wondering if this would have a side zipper? Because you sure don't want to have to tie the sash to get in and out of it...but then it's a wedding dress. How many times are you going to be getting in or out of a wedding dress? So never mind!
Tina
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: wundermary
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 2:57:00 AM
Wow, this is really wonderful!
Who is going to be sewing this dress? It is a relatively simple design and if you intend to have it made, any person who has the skills to make a wedding dress should be able to put this look together.
As a person who has made her own wedding dress, let me tell you this: start now! I thought I had plenty of time and I used a base I'd done three times before. It did not go easy. Messing around with expensive fabric and high expectations makes everything different.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 3:46:00 AM
I have decided I hate McCall's they are too fond of reusing pattern numbers. This is the front and back of the 6670 I have but a search on that number has returned a range of different patterns so I guess finding a copy on your side of the pond might be difficult. http://i34.tinypic.com/r299hu.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/jr760w.jpg
Susan
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nancy (nanflan)
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 7:24:00 AM
Erin, I found an illustration of my pattern on my blog: http://sewwest.blogspot.com/2007/12/on-more-positive-note.html
It's the second selection, the Bellville Sassoon Vogue 1672. Let me know.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Charles
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 9:19:00 AM
I wondered how the holes would be re-enforced for that ribbon/sash. Maybe like huge button holes?
Tina,
I have made a dress and a costume for my daughters with a similar tie arrangement, and what I ended up doing is:
- create large button holes (or eyelets in one case) about 1/2" inset from the edge of the opening
- insert a length of 1/4" boning right into the edge seam
The boning distributes the force of the tie along the entire fabric edge, preventing puckering.
I may not have described it very well. :-( Let me know if this doesn't make sense and I'll figure out how to get some illustrations together.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: lorrwill
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 9:53:00 AM
There might be a fabric underlay beneath the openings for the sash. The lacing part may be purely decorative and the stress all on the fabric.
Just a thought.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Shannie
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 10:00:00 AM
Nancy, I absolutely love Vogue 1672! I think a combination of that bodice and the skirt from retro Butterick 4918 (which I already have) will get me the dress I'm looking for.
Thanks everyone!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 11:06:00 AM
Perhaps another suggestion could be to go to www.patternrescue.com and put a plea on that site in case someone has even parts of that gorgeous Vogue pattern.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 12:23:00 PM
Wow! What a great community this is!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Emily
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 12:24:00 PM
Erin, drat you, your fake Mrs. Vreeland persona convinced me to join Twitter at last. She is, at least, very amusing!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 12:34:00 PM
RE: Vogue 1672 I wonder if that later design was inspired by the first one, since they're both by the same company? It's scrummy! (That's my abbreviation for "scrump-dilly-icious".)
I'm looking forward to the day when scanners and printers are bigger, and a place like the wiki vintage library will have a feature where you can actually download patterns and print them right out, like ordering a movie on TV. Then there will be no more two-year searches for the Ding Dong School dress (like I just went through) or Shannie's Vogue 4743, or anything else. We shall all live in harmony and equality, pattern-wise. I HAVE A DREAM!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Shannie
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 12:55:00 PM
Anonymous:
I love pattern rescue and participate in pattern donation and recycling A LOT! :)
I posted with them first, but I wanted to explore all my options.
Thanks
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: wundermary
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 1:20:00 PM
Holy crud! My mom made this dress for me when I was a kid! I'd totally forgotten about it!
http://weirdbabe.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/ding_dong_duo_1.jpg
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 1:42:00 PM
re: the Betty Page buttons, I thought i'd seen some at reprodepot.com but a peek today says no dice. You could e-mail her though, maybe she knows. Or try Etsy?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 1:51:00 PM
Wundermary: Did you like your Ding Dong dress? I think it's a very cool pattern, for some reason (sans appliques.) It's a precursor to the wrap dress, or something! In my relentless search, I ALSO discovered they made an adult version in 1955! Look how similar the drawings are, in the models' poses and the choice of fabrics, etc.
http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/McCall%27s_1948
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 26, 2008 1:54:00 PM
Ooops...I don't think that worked. Go to Vintage Sewing Patterns Wiki and enter McCall's 1948 in the search option on the left.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 1:25:00 AM
Shannon, you seem to have found your dress but check out kwik Sew 3401. Except for the bow which would be easy to add, it has all the elements you are looking for.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nora
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 8:31:00 AM
Stunning dress. And the Vreeland twitters (I just RSSed them) are hilarious and surprisingly inspirational; little moments of fashion zen. I'll have to sign up for the words, too!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sharon
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 12:11:00 PM
Check out Portia de Rossi's wedding gown! I would post a link, but really you should google it, there are different views at different sites. It also is frigging gorgeous, and its very much like this pattern except that its a completely backless halter. I think its a Zack Posen.
I wish Ellen had worn a gown too -- I think she'd look much cuter than she does in pants.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 12:42:00 PM
Shannie: I saw that Vogue 1672 online and bought it, so you're covered. I live in L.A. and I think you're in San Diego...so if you decide to go with that design and you need it, I can send it to you. I got interested in it because it looks like it could be made into a neat 1800's style evening dress (with some tweaking) or even a slinky Goth Gown, and also because someone was selling the pattern in a COMBINATION of sizes as one lot; the owner used an 10 skirt and 16 bodice...so this package has all the pieces for sizes 8-10-12-14-16-18 (!) That was just too good to pass up! So if and when I make it I'll trace the pieces carefully for myself and not screw up the pattern pieces...just let me know if you ever need them :) They will be safe and sound in Hollywood.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 6:56:00 PM
Gosh Cookie. I think you must be one of the nicest people on the entire planet.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: shannie
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 10:44:00 PM
Thanks Cookie, I really appreciate it!!!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jean
DATE:Aug 27, 2008 11:42:00 PM
I agree with Penny.... comment way up there!!! I checked out Vogue today to see if there was anything close... sure enough there is one that is somewhat similar to what your looking for.
Good luck! If need be, you could see if you can find a similar top to put on the Vogue skirt. I've done that before. Beautiful pattern! Congrats on your engagement! Best to the Bride to be and Groom to Be!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: jae
DATE:Aug 28, 2008 4:35:00 AM
oh twitter...i`m following both you & the diana vreeland fake.
& i hope you find the pattern you need! congrats to the bride & groom - to - be!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 28, 2008 8:56:00 AM
Erin: your word of the day "throwie"... I think I have one. Mine is a small translucent green ball with internal diodes that light from the energy generated from a bounce or catch. Is it a throwie?; if not, maybe it's a blight (bounce/light). I got it at a "Safety fair" here at work and wondered what to call it. Must be that serendipity thing... can't remember the name of the other island.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 28, 2008 2:39:00 PM
Why thank you, theresa. I think some of the venomous posters at the Joan Crawford board (where there's always some juicy Mommie Dearest vs. St. Joan warfare going on) at imdb would argue with that, but I do try to behave like a nice person, in general. And I couldn't very well hog that pattern when I found out about it through Shannie's plea for a wedding dress. But the more I looked at it, the more I saw I could incorporate elements from the back of the dress into my Halloween costume, which will be (slighgtly sexy) Mrs. Lovett from Tim Burton's version of Sweeney Todd. I found this very well made, hand stitched 1800 style dress at the thrift store that must have been constructed as a costume...but it's too small in the chest and waist, and since I'll have extra fabric left over from narrowing the poufy skirt, I suspect I can make extra panels for the back and do that sash lacing thing from the Vogue 1672 with a complimentary fabric. The only mystery is WHY they made a heavy, constricting costume out of iridescent polyester taffeta...the actress who wore it must have felt she was dying under the lights.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: laurel
DATE:Sep 5, 2008 11:43:00 AM
Cookie, I don't suppose you have actually made McCall 1948? I really love it, but at ~$40, its a little pricey for me. If it looks that good in real life, I would buy it in a heartbeat though. Do you know of a picture of one that someone has made?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen ~ MOMSPatterns
DATE:Sep 27, 2008 6:52:00 PM
OK guys and dolls.. I've lucked into FIVE of the Vogue 1672 Bellville Sassoon patterns. Uncut, Unused, Factory folded New Old Stock.. I have 2 size 8-12, 3 size 14-18. They'll be at www.momspatterns.com by tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon!
Seeing as I can't find ANY on the web ANYwhere, I'm gonna be pricing them at $25 each (original price on the pattern). But you know you have at LEAST your dressaday coupon to use if you're interested in one!
xoxox,
Jen/MOMSPatterns
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AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Great Dresses of Mediocre Literature, Meta-Discussion
DATE: 8:22 AM
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BODY:

Reader Lynn is looking for fiction that describes twentieth-century older women and their clothes, which reminded me of the wonderful descriptions of clothes (on women of all ages) in the novels of Kathleen Norris, like this one:
Only the wearers and their dress-makers knew what hours had been spent upon these costumes, what discouraged debates attended their making, what muscular agonies their fitting. Only they could have estimated, and they never did estimate -- the time lost over pattern books, the nervous strain of placing this bit of spangled net or that square inch of lace, the hurried trips downtown for samples and linings, for fringes and embroideries and braids and ribbons. The gown that she wore to her own dinner, Mrs. White had fitted in the Maison Dernier Mot, in Paris; -- it was an enchanting frock of embroidered white illusion, over pink illusion, over black illusion, under a short heavy tunic of silver spangles and threads. The yoke was of wonderful old lace, and there was a girdle of heavy pink cords, and silver clasps, to match the aigrette that was held by pink and silver cords in Mrs. White's beautifully arranged hair.
Mrs. Burgoyne's gowns, or rather gown, for she wore exactly the same costume to ever dinner, could hardly have been more startling than Santa Paloma found it, had it gone to any unbecoming extreme. Yet it was the simplest of black summer silks, soft and full in the skirt, short-sleeved, and with a touch of lace at the square-cut neck. She arranged her hair in a becoming loose knot, and somehow managed to look noticeably lovely and distinguished, in the gay assemblies. To brighten the black gown she wore a rope of pearls, looped twice about her white throat, and hanging far below her waist; pearls, as Mrs. Adams remarked in discouragement later, that "just made you feel what's the use! She could wear a kitchen apron with those pearls if she wanted to, everyone would know she could afford cloth of gold and ermine!"
From The Rich Mrs. Burgoyne (review here; For a contemporary account of Kathleen Norris, look here).
Do you have a favorite author for descriptions of dress, especially descriptions of twentieth-century dress? (Georgette Heyer is great for Regency dress, at least to read -- I have no idea how accurate her depictions are, but I'm sure someone will tell me!) Please leave your recommendations in the comments ...Labels: books, helpfulness
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: the_lazymilliner
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 8:53:00 AM
I don't have any recommendations, but I can certainly relate to misplacing square inches of (in my case, stretch) lace. I'm loathe to toss any of that stretch lace, especially the hard-to-find scalloped variety.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lisa @ The Hem Line
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 9:23:00 AM
Mommy Dressing: A love story, after a fashion . . . . details the torrid life of designer Jo Copeland and her obsession with perfection in dress and life. It was written by her daughter, Lois Gould, and describes Jo's impeccible fashion taste, but more how she failed as a wife and mother.
To quote from the publishers note:
Exquisitely written and painfully observant, MOMMY DRESSING tells the story of self-made fashion star Jo Copeland, and the daughter who struggled to please her. Lois Gould paints a mesmerizing picture of the kingdom of movie stars, fashion shows, and steamer trunks her mother ruled, from the viewpoint of an isolated girl acutely conscious that she would never enter that glittering domain.
I read this a couple of years ago and it is a great read as well as full of fashion history!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lisa Simeone
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 9:46:00 AM
It is indeed a fascinating book (MOMMY DRESSING). I posted a review of it a few years ago at Amazon. Not sure how much actual detail it has about the way ordinary women dressed, though. It's about a pretty glam world.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jen-TheAlienSpouse
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 10:21:00 AM
"Valley of the Dolls" springs to mind, not least because, although clothes are often very important to the plot, there is rarely a detail that dates the book to a specific fashion period. It's most odd.
There is also a very fun blog called "What Claudia Wore" in which the blogger combs old copies of the Baby Sitters Club to find descriptions of the clothes.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 10:21:00 AM
Memoirs of a Geisha has incredible descriptions of the kimonos. The best part of the book in my opinion.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Gwen
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 12:08:00 PM
I can't speak to the accuracy of the clothing specifically in Heyer's work, but she knows her history.
I think it might be more fun to skim books for the clothing descriptions than for the 'torrid' scenes!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: oracle
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 12:41:00 PM
There is a deeply moving short story called "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair" in a book by the same name by Jancis M. Andrews. It's about a terribly lonely young woman who works as a cook in the home of a kindly female employer. The young woman, Ruby, has suffered since childhood from a condition that has made her "grossly obese" (in her mother's words). In a crucial scene, the story describes in detail so honest and painful as to take your breath away the way Ruby dresses and makes herself up to spend an evening out (her first ever) with a decent man who has made her this generous gesture on her birthday. Also, the story is practically built upon magnificent descriptions of Ruby's artistry in cooking. These serve as more than colourful detail since through them the author reveals much of who Ruby is. In fact, Jancis Andrews' use of description to show much about the depth of the characters is phenomenal. I read the story many years ago, yet it remains unforgettably vivid in my mind. I highly recommend this story and its author.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 12:55:00 PM
How about Angela Thirkell? I haven't read anything recently, but I seem to recall some nice clothing descriptions, and some of her memorable characters are women who are no longer young.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 1:03:00 PM
Yeah Georgette Heyer - she seems to go into more detail on the dandies. Don't know how accurate, I would bet she is though.
Margot
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Myra
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 1:08:00 PM
How about Gone with the Wind, even though it's Civil War era but written 20th Century? She details Scarlett's dresses, uniforms, etc.
BTW, anyone interested check my blog for a free pattern giveaway http://adventuresbabysewing.blogspot.com.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 1:36:00 PM
Am ashamed to report I am QUITE familiar with the oeuvre of trash queen Judith Krantz (not sure if that classifies as "literature"), and that I know for a fact she lovingly and meticulously describes all her characters' wardrobes. I think Princess Daisy is my favorite, for that. A Schiaparelli evening gown plays a central role in The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark, which is a very entertaining novella set in WWII London. Will try to think of others.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kai Jones
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 1:42:00 PM
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, by Paul Gallico, has lovely descriptions of a British char (cleaning lady) taking care of her clients' homes, their clothes, and her aspiration to go to Paris for a couture gown. There are terrific descriptions of haute couture--going to the salon, going for fittings, the women and men who work there.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lisa Simeone
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:13:00 PM
Lynn, you've probably already checked these out, but both Edith Wharton and Henry James included detailed descriptions of dress in their novels. I think James in particular went into rapture over the Worth gowns the women were wearing at a ball, but of course that was a late 19th century ball. I don't know when he wrote his last novel. Since Wharton was younger, she was still writing novels and stories up until 1937, so she might be a better bet.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Anna
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:15:00 PM
Older woman buys all new clothes for fancy hotel/beach holiday in early 20th century--Aunt Crete's Emancipation by Grace Livingston Hill. Terribly detailed description of entire wardrobe!!!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kristen
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:16:00 PM
my fabric and women's-dress-vocabulary grew so much when I started reading Georgette Heyer! "Mom, what is a pelisse? And a cravat? And what exactly is Sprig Muslin??" Her books are so much fun.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Little Hunting Creek
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:17:00 PM
Patrick O'Brian has lovely details of his characters costumes. Sophie's, Diana's and Clarissa's gowns are lovingly evoked, with jewelry! Dresses feature largely in the plots of several books. He also describes the details of the men's clothing as well; so well you can vividly imagine them. Little Women has many scenes with clothing as plot devices as well.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nadine
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:29:00 PM
Cookie, have you seen this post asking about Judith Krantz?
http://thethoughtfuldresser.blogspot.com/2008/07/judith-krantz-remembered.html
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:39:00 PM
Ahhh, what a truly lovely commentary you started Erin! Books and clothes two of my favorite subjects and folks are naming some of my favorites and suggesting some intriguing new ones.
I always check romance shelves in bookstores in the hopes that Ms. Heyer has risen from her grave and written another book. So far no luck. I have to content myself with re-reading passages such as:
"When Serena presently entered the room, she had changed her walking-dress for a robe of clinging black crape, made high to the throat, and relieved only by a little ruff of goffered lawn. The sombre hue seemed to enhance the whiteness of her skin. .." (what the heck is goffered lawn anyhow)
I tried to read Kathleen Norris on the suggestion of Erin but couldn't swallow the mediocre story. Maybe I will try again.
An interesting early 20th century read somewhat about clothes is "Rose: My Life in Service". It is the memoirs of Lady Astor's Lady's maid and has some details on clothes.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 2:40:00 PM
OMG! I was just going to post here that Judith Krantz's first book Scruples is a better novel than her follow-up, Princess Daisy...it's just that the later book discusses vintage clothes more!
Wow. Thanks for the link. I'll have to write a whole book review over at that other blog space now!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: 3KillerBs
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 4:34:00 PM
Elizabeth Peters devotes quite a bit of time in her Amelia Peabody mystery/thrillers describing first the highly conventional traveling clothes of a Victorian spinster and then the increasingly practical (and occasionally outlandish), clothing of a female archeologist as the 19th Century begins.
Peabody's clothes are carefully chosen for practicality and decency, but there is ALWAYS a crimson gown.
"And in the process I somehow acquired half a dozen new frocks of my own, which I had had no intention of buying. They were not the kind of frocks I would have chosen for myself. One evening dress, which I certainly did not need, was of the most astonishing shade of crimson, with a square neckline cut several inches lower than anything I had ever worn. The skirts were draped back over a bustle, displaying a sequined underskirt. Evelyn chose the fabric and bullied the dressmaker quite as effectively, and much more quietly, then I would have done. I thought the gown quite absurd; it squeezed my waist down to nothing and made my bosom look even more ample than it unfortunately is."
Elizabeth Peters, "Crocodile on the Sandbank"
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 4:38:00 PM
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf has a long passage about mending her favorite gown before a party, describing the dress, the designer and the process of fixing it. It contrasts her as an older woman in dark green silk with her youthful self in pink gauze. Clothing plays a major role in that novel.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: 3KillerBs
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 4:41:00 PM
Oops, slip of the brain.
I meant to right at the beginning of the 20th century.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Rachel
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 4:57:00 PM
D.V., the memoir of Diana Vreeland, is full of asides about fabulous clothes-- and how, before the war, she would have three fittings just for a nightgown. Ah, if only we could all be so fabulous!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Melynda
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 5:11:00 PM
Although no-one reads her any more, the early twentieth-century novelist Berta Ruck does lovely frocks: "So I travelled down in expensive seclusion, wearing for the first time one of my new costumes, a real success in thick tobacco-brown silk, with a duck of a little brown hat to match . . . . with a smoky-cream underlining and the trimming--a cream-coloured feathery mount and a knot of dull-pink buds . . . A dream of mine on the way to the office has come true at last; it's a thick, clover-pink linen suit, with touches of heavy creamy lace in just the right places." (His Official Fiancee, 1918)
"The Disgrace had been her husband's name for that frock . . . that skimpy scarlet bodice, that unskimped ivory breast . . .the fluttering petal skirts."
She does some bad dresses, too: "Jack confronted a bizarre figure which happened, just then to be passing Miss Robertshaw's door. Its meagre frame was wrapped in a flannel dressing gown of the type sold at church bazaars in colliery districts. Its grey head was muffled in a saxe-blue chiffon motor-veil. On its feet were mocassins of crimson wool, and under one arm it clutched a pop-eyed Pekingese." (Both from Money for One, 1928).
Of course, she also does food very well:
"A piece of rump-steak, as carefully chosen as quotations for chapter-headings in a nineteeth century romance; steak tender as mother's love, cut three fingers-thick, and by no means well-done; just rosy as an Alpine dawn. Potatoes--to begin with Kitten had planned a bank of snowy, piping-hot potatoes mashed with unstinted butter and a generous tilt of cream. In time she had realized that this might not do full justice to the gravy. Lots of gravy, powerful, rich, and mahogany colored! for this it were better that the potatoes should be plain boiled, floury, blandly absorbent of the delicious sanguine juice."
Harriet Vane's gold lame wedding dress sticks in my mind, too--square neck and long sleeves, cut rather medievally.
Wonderful thread!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 6:17:00 PM
JUST HAD A HORRIBLE THOUGHT. For her project, what is Miss Lynn's definition of an "older woman"? Brace yourselves, everyone!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: daisyfairbanks
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 6:46:00 PM
Adriana Trigiani's novel "Lucia, Lucia" has a wonderful account of a career-minded woman in the 50s who works in the custom dress dept. at B. Altman's in NY. Fabulous insider account of the end of an era in American fashion.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sarah
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 6:52:00 PM
Yes, Dorothy Sayers' Gaudy Night has considerable detail of the dress of female dons at Oxford in the early 20th century, not to mention a great story.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Eirlys
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 7:06:00 PM
Wonder if any of you have read Doris Langley Moore? This from 'Not At Home' (1948):
"On the step was a woman laden with flowers, a wonderfully smart woman with a white cloth coat, a yellow taffeta turban draped in the newest style, and white wedge-heeled shoes as complex as a Chinese puzzle. Her hair was pale gold and her ivory-coloured face suggested rather than achieved the most extraordinary beauty. With a smile of such radiance as lies only in the consciousness of flawless teeth, she extended from amongst the flowers a lemon-coloured suede glove."
Doris was a noted Byron scholar, plus (more pertinently for our purposes) the founder of the Fashion Museum here in the UK, and you can see the facility of the costume curator in her effortless yet perspicacious clothing descriptions. Funny too that the Fashion Museum has a particularly celebrated glove collection, even to this day!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: kagitsune
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 7:09:00 PM
I don't have any author suggestions, but the first half of the excerpt's first paragraph perfectly describes the week before an anime convention... last minute cosplays, for the win! x_x;;
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 7:31:00 PM
I enjoyed reading this thread so much this morning that I had to come back after checking out "High Rising" by Angela Thirkell suggested by another of Erin's anonymous commenters.
You All have mentioned so many of my old favorites like Heyer and Mitchell's Gone With the Wind (That lovely early chapter where she stands in her pantaletts and corsets and contemplates her choice of dresses in great detail.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder books also describe dresses in great detail as she is usually telling the story of sewing them.
Now I have to look into Doris Langley Moore and Berta Ruck. Melynda, thanks for putting in the excerpt. It is a most satisfying description.
Thanks Erin and all
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 8, 2008 7:46:00 PM
What wonderful descriptions! What springs to my mind is a list of items from a Katherine Anne Porter short novel, Pale Horse, Pale Rider. The character, Miranda, has recovered from a near-fatal bout of influena during WWI. She is writing a list of items she needs: "One lipstick, medium, one ounce flask Bois d'Hiver perfume, one pair of gray suede gauntlets without straps, two pair gray sheer stockings without clocks--" for some reason I have never forgotten those gloves and stockings. I suppose these items represent a return to living.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: mamafrog
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 12:54:00 AM
Georgette Heyer's clothing descriptions were as accurate as her historical ones. She truly researched everything about the Regency period. She also wrote an authoritative history on John of Lancaster, though it was never finished before she died. Jane Aiken Hodge, who also writes great descriptive novels, wrote a wonderful book about her. For those who are interested her are some websites--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgette_Heyer
http://www.georgette-heyer.com/who.html
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 2:40:00 AM
Wonderful thread, indeed! I have some treats in store after reading the above.
I am very fond of the role of clothing in Laurie King's A Monstrous Regiment of Women, the 2nd in her series of Russell-Holmes mysteries. Mary Russell, an orphaned teenager, meets the retired Sherlock Holmes early in the last century, becomes his apprentice, and marries him between novels #2 and #3.
In the first novel she rarely wears a dress, but in the 2nd, as she reaches her majority and attains control over her very large inheritance, she decides it's time for adult clothing. She purchases one fairly extensive, somewhat glam RTW wardrobe to disguise herself in an attempt to catch the bad guys, but she also orders a bespoke wardrobe from her mother's cousins (who happen to have one of the best dressmaking establishments in London), though she can hardly stand to be measured or to stand still for fittings.
She has a nasty scar on one shoulder where she was shot in the 1st novel, so she can only marvel at the clever evening gown they design for her:
"This dress, though--as a piece of pure engineering, it was fascinating; as a piece of evening wear, even in its present incomplete state, it transformed the padded torso on which it hung. High on the right shoulder, it dropped down to expose the left and continued down and yet farther down, the fabric barely meeting at the waist before it began a slit up the left side, where the hem angled down in a mirror image of the bodice line. The ice blue silk made it aloof--in any warmer colour, it would have been an incitement to riot.
I gulped, smiled feebly at Mrs. Elf, declined her eager invitation for me to try it on, and turned to the other two half-formed outfits."
Clothing is an important metaphor throughout the novel as she adjusts in fits and starts to this new clothing, as well as to adulthood. Simultaneously, she begins to recognize her new and very grownup feelings for Holmes.
It's all quite delicious. Of course clothing and costume descriptions always provide great detail and colour in any Russell-Holmes mystery because of the frequent need for disguise. :-)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Trevira
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 4:20:00 AM
I'm a regular reader, and this is my first ever comment, hi!
First off, my Amazon wishlist has gained quite a few additions as a result of this thread, so thank you everyone!
I'm wondering if Lynn wants descriptive passages of 'older' women's clothing for research reasons, or simply for pleasure. You've got to be cautious about any works set in previous periods, no matter how well informed the author claims to be. My university tutor, a renowned dress historian, used to make us laugh by telling us about one of her former students who cited Georgette Heyer's work as evidence. The clear message was - don't!
Authors addressing their own period/era are likely to be much more reliable and authentic in their descriptions. I suppose I'm stating the obvious, sorry!
Most of the books I am thinking of seem to focus on young women and their dress (Beverley Nichols' Self, published in 1922, has plenty) but I've recently read Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day by Winifred Watson, first published in 1938. The principal character is a dowdy middle aged governess whose encounter with a flamboyant and beautiful actress transforms her life. There's plenty of clothing descriptions, although I can't check right now because I've passed it on to Mum. You can get it from Persephone Books online. There's a recent film of it, which I really must seek out.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 8:12:00 AM
One of the best women's clothing moments is in E.F. Benson's Miss Mapp - the War of the Chintz Roses.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 9:19:00 AM
Erin
Did you post an illustration this time? I don't see it.
Colleen
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 9:54:00 AM
Thank you all for your comments! By the way, my definition of "older women" is 50 plus. Lynn
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 11:04:00 AM
Gloria by Keith Maillard. 1950s clothing in great detail.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Ladygrande (Texas Marie)
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 11:30:00 AM
I like reading a current novelist and her descriptions of Miss Phryne Fisher (1920's heroine/detective) and her wardrobe:
http://www.phrynefisher.com/
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Amy B.
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 2:01:00 PM
L. M. Montgomory (of Anne of Green Gables fame) was fond of describing the clothing of her female characters of all ages. Who can forget puffed sleeves and skimpy wincey? ;) The last book of the Anne series takes place in the twentieth century (WWI era) and she wrote several others based in the early decades of the century as well, Mistress Pat, A Tangled Web, etc.
If you want women of the latter half of the century, female Suspense writers also loved to describe clothing. Isabelle Holland, Victoria Holt (some are 20th century, but not all of them), and others of that genre.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 2:44:00 PM
Laurie Colwin's always described her characters' style beautifully. Plus her books are a delight to read.
Here's an excerpt from her novel "Family Happiness":
"Her silvery-gold hair was cut into an Eton crop, and the clothes she favored were a stylish edition of what a girl who went to a French convent school might wear: a black cape, a gray jumper, and a starched white blouse. There were diamond earrings in her ears, and on her feet she wore a pair of sude brogues."
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 7:27:00 PM
How about Philip K Dick's Ubik? Yes, it's science fiction, but the descriptions of clothing definitely add to the atmosphere.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Amanda
DATE:Aug 9, 2008 8:51:00 PM
Mistress of Mellyan - Victoria Holt. The main character is on the young side, but there are a number of older helper/rivals
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 10, 2008 10:37:00 AM
Check out Margaret Atwood's Cat's Eye and The Blind Assassin. I just finished reading Cat's Eye, and there are some hilarious, in-depth passages regarding the main character, an "older" artist, and her search for what to wear to the opening of a retrospective of her work.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kathleen
DATE:Aug 11, 2008 8:27:00 AM
Has anyone read "The Clothes on their Backs" by Linda Grant?
She's the Brit who writes The Thoughtful Dresser blog.
FYI: an article that mentions Liberty plans to reinvigorate their textile presentation:
www.livingcreatively.com.au/current_issue/issue_6/creative_uncovered/circle_of_friends
Cheers!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: JuliaR
DATE:Aug 11, 2008 9:29:00 AM
They are not great descriptions and the writing is generally bad too but my earliest memories of clothing descriptions came from the 1930 versions of the Nancy Drew books. We had about 20 of them that had belonged to my mother and her sisters as they were growing up and I read them as a small child. Nancy always wore frocks and pumps and cloche hats. Sometimes she wore "stout boots" when hiking. I think the clothes were described just enough that I could fill in the rest with imagination. I loved that plucky, titan haired sleuth. And her dresses.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: de muze
DATE:Aug 13, 2008 2:54:00 AM
The 'Irene Adler' books by Carole Nelson Douglas have some great descriptions of late 19th century dress.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Aug 14, 2008 10:12:00 AM
Ah, the best part of the Nancy Drew movie starring Emma Roberts was her dresses! (I hated that they made Nancy such a caricature though.)
The novel Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day had lovely descriptions of 1930s evening gowns.
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AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Etsy's loss is your gain
DATE: 5:55 AM
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BODY:
Jace (at Gremly Girl) recently let me know of a change to Etsy's search that I wasn't aware of ... the new default Etsy search is for handmade items only:

So if you search, say, "fauxlero" on Etsy, without changing the default to "Vintage" ... well, you wouldn't get much. Then you would believe there are no fake boleros on Etsy, and, considering how many fake-bolero links I've been sent in the past 24 hours, that's un-possible.
In order to make it worth your while to change the little drop-down in the search box from "handmade" to "vintage" (see below)

a bunch of Etsy sellers have banded together to offer a special "Buried Treasure" promotion. They're offering 10% off through the end of May to Dressaday readers who put "dressaday" in the message to sellers. The site won't input the discount automatically, so buyers will get a revised Paypal invoice from the seller. (Some pattern sellers offer additional shipping and quantity discounts, which they'll combine with the dressaday discount.)
Here's the list of participating Etsy sellers, in alphabetical order:
Bamabelle -- vintage clothing
Enigma Vintage -- vintage clothing
Gremly Girl -- vintage patterns
Joules -- vintage clothing and patterns
Just Picked Vintage -- vintage patterns & notions
Pattern Mania -- vintage patterns
Pattern Shop -- vintage patterns
Pattern Stash -- vintage patterns
Sandritocat -- vintage patterns
I suggest you take advantage of the discount by perhaps snapping up something like this:
Or this:
It'd be a shame to let those dresses languish, undiscovered and almost undiscoverable, just because Etsy changed their search ...Labels: etsy, helpfulness, patterns
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lydia
DATE:May 21, 2008 8:55:00 AM
Augh! *covers eyes* I'm looking at buying a possible third vertical file for pattern storage. For dog's sake, no pattern sales. Please, please!
--Lydia
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: banzailibrarian
DATE:May 21, 2008 9:05:00 AM
I've got a nice dress pattern up on Etsy right now, but it's only a 32" bust: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9731652
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: abigailrose
DATE:May 21, 2008 9:18:00 AM
Hello from a faithful Dress A Day reader! I have a small etsy store with a few vintage patterns up, and I'd like to extend your offer to my store for all of your readers. :) The link is
shinyprettythings.etsy.com
Thanks! :)
-Abby
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: MadeByAmanda
DATE:May 21, 2008 10:35:00 AM
So how would an Etsy seller get in on offering this discount? I have patterns in two Etsy shops, and would be perfectly willing to offer the same deal for Dressaday readers.
www.bbsvintage.etsy.com
www.butterflyblue.etsy.com
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: The Boss
DATE:May 21, 2008 11:00:00 AM
I am an avid etsy shopper and am not a fan of this new search feature. THANK YOU so much for posting this offer!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 21, 2008 11:14:00 AM
Okay, thanks to the great sewing conspiracy, I just spent a good 30 minutes perusing patterns from the 60's & 70's! I even found the pattern that my mom used to make me a great ORANGE vest and pair of bell bottoms when we switched from Catholic to public school and no longer had to wear a uniform. If only I still had the pattern or the bell bottoms! If only I was still a size 12!
Thanks Erin & Etsy for the walk down memory lane. I may just have to give in to the conspiracy and spend $5.00 to get that pattern!
Regards,
Teresa
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:May 21, 2008 12:17:00 PM
The girls on the first pattern look to be drawn by Diane Arbus! NO ONE is going to adopt them looking like that. The one on the right looks VERY odd...though maybe the paper is just crumpled? Or, my search for my own perfect posting pic has turned me hyper critical. (When the search is over, I'll offer both unfortunates a makeover in photoshop if they're still around.)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: fashionambition
DATE:May 21, 2008 12:39:00 PM
hey awseome blog! interested in link swapping?? check out my new blog http://fashionambitions.blogspot.com
i love love love vintage! keep up this amazing blog!
fashion ambition
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: propriatrix
DATE:May 21, 2008 12:42:00 PM
thanks for the nice post on this issue..erin.....etsy is so secretive on the new changes on the search function....no notice to someone about to search....they just assume everyone can read their mind on the dropdown box thingie.......Of course, anyone who says DressADay to me is my new bff...at least long enough to score a discount! wink.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 21, 2008 1:47:00 PM
the vast sewing conspiracy just smiled on me--I found a Vogue Vintage pattern that I've loved (and that Vogue has discontinued) on one of the sites you mentioned!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: sandritocat
DATE:May 21, 2008 2:16:00 PM
Thanks Erin (& Jace) for this article. It's already helped, I just sold a pattern to a reader ~one of the few I've sold since this change, so thanks and Bless you!
I adore you blog!
Sandra ~ Sandritocat
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 21, 2008 4:26:00 PM
the one in plaid in Simplicity 3560 looks like she's grimacing while smiling. The other jyoung lady looks like she's trying to impersonate her mother at PTA meeting or Parent-Teacher conference.
And is anyone a little bothered by the armhole-sleevey things on the second pattern?
Has Erin uncovered, the horror, faux sleeves!?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Chantelle
DATE:May 21, 2008 4:57:00 PM
I wondered why all of a sudden some of my favourites were sold!
Of course I just went and bought a bunch of patterns - I don't want to lose more of my favourites :)
Thanks for offering this deal and thanks for publicizing it!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Just Picked Vintage
DATE:May 21, 2008 5:19:00 PM
Thank you so much for mentioning my shop! The tutotial was also great, it's just a little change, but it makes a big difference!
Christine from
Just Picked Vintage
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: anthrokeight
DATE:May 21, 2008 5:33:00 PM
The lady in the Vogue pattern 7689 in the lavender dress with the glasses- is she going to a 3D movie? Or is she putting on her Secret Ray Gun Specs?
If 1) Green Stripe had better get hers out or she'll be staring at a weird red-and-blue screen for an hour and a half.
If 2) she'd better get hers out or she'll be a sorry pile of smoking cinders in a minute or two.
Either way, it would be a losing situation... get your glasses Green Stripe!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: anthrokeight
DATE:May 21, 2008 5:35:00 PM
Also, Turquoise Dress in Simplicity looks like she has been practicing her Marylin Monroe head-tilt.
Tilt, Turquoise, tilt!
Next she'll be practicing "Happy Birthday Mr. President" on pattern covers!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 21, 2008 7:32:00 PM
Thanks for bringing the Etsy search change to your readers! We've been so invisible, and I'm delighted to offer the discount.
Wendy
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: lorrwill
DATE:May 21, 2008 8:07:00 PM
Ah the irony. Here I got Etsy'd - slapped with the inspiration stick - by this Tetris Skirt that I found there last night: http://tinyurl.com/3xbqp6
Which in turn lead to the matching necklace: http://tinyurl.com/6amhej
And now you point me back to Etsy to get a fix of my favourite new drug: Vintage Patterns!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too bad I am facing impending unemployment (stupid gov't contracts!) and have to keep my pennies close :-(
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 21, 2008 9:38:00 PM
Here is a "fauxlero" dress I made for my DD, http://www.flickr.com/photos/9423018@N04/1460395688/in/photostream/, and here is my review of it on Patternreview.com. http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=23460
Tina W
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kelly
DATE:May 21, 2008 10:07:00 PM
Great patterns today Erin.. and Tina that dress that you made for your daughter is fabulous. You did a wonderful job.
k
the one with no sewing conspiracy drag name
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 22, 2008 8:27:00 AM
Kelly we need to make one up for you. Maybe we can do your mom's pet and street - since your didn't work for you...or How do you feel about Kyana Seldon? (My son's first pet and his first adress?)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: shannon
DATE:May 22, 2008 9:27:00 AM
I certainly think etsy could have made it more clear that the search has changed, maybe with an announcement on the front page?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: lorrwill
DATE:May 22, 2008 12:06:00 PM
Tina the dress is gorgeous. That is the way a fauxlero should be done!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:May 22, 2008 1:22:00 PM
Oh yes...that little girl's dress is delightful! Tina: I read your pattern review and was so impressed that you maneuvered some common sense changes and expanded the lining, etc! I'm sure your daughter will remember that dress her whole life. BTW: Everyone, we have proposed classifying the sub-division of Baby Feauxleros (child sized) as being called Beauxleros. The discussion is still going on in the previous posting blog.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: lorrwill
DATE:May 22, 2008 6:14:00 PM
Hey Kelly what about Xanada Rose?
Xanadu Isabella Avataris was my little pooch when I lived on Rose Way in the 80's. I got her in the 70's in case you couldn't tell by her full name.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:May 22, 2008 8:11:00 PM
Kelly: You could also choose from some pet name combinations from my mom's family. She is not part of the conspiracy, so she doesn't need them.
Dutchess Mountfort (circa 1950), Tweeter Post (1960's), Pandora "Panda" Eardly (1970's), Desiree Mark (1980's) and/or Dolly Pacific (present)
Clearly, she moves around a bit.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: natalie
DATE:May 23, 2008 2:00:00 AM
hey, i wanna join in on this buried treasure sale business!
homegrownms.etsy.com
enjoy!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 23, 2008 8:10:00 AM
Hey I like Desiree Mark and Dolly Pacific!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cookie
DATE:May 23, 2008 9:16:00 AM
I must say, Xanadu Avataris is catchy, too. I see her in a spangly tinsel wig, like Olivia Newton John wore at the end of that movie. Dolly Pacific sounds like a jolly, Good Time Girl. She and Xanadu would be pals. I think she must own a saloon or something.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 23, 2008 1:30:00 PM
Lorrwill, no joke. I"m on etsy all the time and had no idea. Who knows how long it would've taken for me to notice if Erin hadn't posted this.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Pattern Peddler
DATE:May 23, 2008 7:09:00 PM
I just made an Etsy pattern sale, and dressaday was imbedded in the message - NOW I KNOW WHY! Thank you, Dress A Day! Count me in on the May discount plan. And to my buyer, Amy, look for a PayPal credit of 10% forthcoming.
Connie
"Pattern Peddler"
patternpeddler.etsy.com
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:May 9, 2009 2:07:00 PM
What happened to the 1st two listed?
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--------
AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Thanks, Adorn
DATE: 2:34 PM
-----
BODY:

Many thanks to Susan Beal for including A Dress A Day in her "This Just In" roundup in the new issue of Adorn. It's nice to be in such good company!Labels: helpfulness, magazines, media
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Nov 16, 2007 3:39:00 PM
looks like an interesting magazine. I've never seen it. Where do they usually sell it?
Marguerite
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Erin
DATE:Nov 16, 2007 3:42:00 PM
I've seen it in most Barnes&Nobles and Borders stores ... you can order it from their website, too.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Oldpatterns
DATE:Nov 16, 2007 5:08:00 PM
I've seen it at Michaels and Joanne's fabric. Fairly slim magazine, but interesting topics!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Wicked Knitter
DATE:Nov 16, 2007 7:35:00 PM
I have a question, if you have a minute to answer it: Do you recommend any favorite sewing books that would be great for an intermediate sewer looking to expand her horizons? Love your blog! Thanks.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: vanessa.e.
DATE:Nov 17, 2007 8:22:00 AM
yay for dress a day! yayy for new magazines to check out!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Nov 17, 2007 8:27:00 AM
This looks like a great magazine - has anyone seen it for sale in the UK? If so, where! ;ve not seen it in Borders in the UK.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Nov 17, 2007 9:55:00 AM
Thanks everyone for the info. I go to those stores, but probably never looked in the magazine sections. Erin, your blog is the first one I read everyday, or mostly every day!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Nov 17, 2007 8:27:00 PM
Here's a dress - well, OK, the jumper and/or pants and/or skirt - for the bibliophile: stylebubble.typepad.com/style_bubble
One has to scroll down to the 11/16 entry - past the shoes. You'll get there.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: THE BLUEST BUTTERFLY
DATE:Nov 18, 2007 7:22:00 AM
I have heard of Adorn but never read it. I will have to now. :-)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: THE BLUEST BUTTERFLY
DATE:Nov 18, 2007 7:22:00 AM
What month is the issue of Adorn that you are in labeled as????
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: M.
DATE:Nov 18, 2007 7:46:00 PM
Congratulations!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Meghan
DATE:Nov 18, 2007 9:01:00 PM
Ok--off topic, but weren't you on a hunt for ginkgo fabric a few months ago? If you haven't seen this, I think it's pretty perfect:
http://kirinote.blogspot.com/2007/11/ginkgo.html
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Erin
DATE:Nov 19, 2007 8:26:00 AM
Hey butterfly -- it's the Winter '07 issue.
And Meghan, yes, that fabric is PERFECT! I have it bookmarked as a Christmas present. For me. :-)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Faith
DATE:Nov 19, 2007 10:47:00 AM
Hurrah! Congratulations on getting into Adorn! I love that magazine, and just got my copy in the mail. So fun!
Hey, I need a great, fairly simple bias-cut pattern for a holiday-party skirt. Do you have any suggestions? I know that you usually only do dresses, but as I'm a nursing mum, I can't fuss with the top end of a dress when I'm out with the baby. Skirts it is!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Faith
DATE:Nov 19, 2007 10:48:00 AM
Oh, I plan on using some Silk Dupioni for the skirt.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kristi
DATE:Nov 19, 2007 12:44:00 PM
Congratulations, I'll have to go check out this issue.
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--------
AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Y'all Are Too Nice To Me
DATE: 7:02 AM
-----
BODY:

Seriously. You leave me nice comments, you send me fun links, and now you buy me fabric. Anna at BootyVintage saw this amazing fabric on eBay, noticed that it was "BuyItNow", decided that no one but me deserved to own it, and bought it right there on the spot!
I *am* the luckiest woman on the planet, dontcha know?
Of course I paypal-ed her posthaste, and soon this amazing fabric will indeed be mine, all mine. Fabric I did not even know existed, and is my favorite color green, to boot (so many alphabet fabrics are pale blue and pale pink, for the nursery).
So now I just have to find a pattern that will let me put a giant "e" right at the center front, and I will have achieved alphabet-dress nirvana.
Oh, and this dress? Arrived MONDAY. Not that I've had time to do much more than gaze lovingly at it in stolen moments ...Labels: alphabet_prints, ebay, helpfulness
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Ladygrande
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 9:30:00 AM
I visualize a sundress with a white bolero....have a pattern? How much fabric? Aren't you the luckiest!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 9:39:00 AM
DSNA Chicago - Wow, you are one busy lady. What I want to know is what you wear on each day. Any "stunt" dresses? What is the general fashion attitude of lexicographers and other wordsmiths?
And, as ladygrande says, how much fabric do you get of the green alphabet?
Cheers,
AJ
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 11:11:00 AM
If you used the same pattern that you used for the Valentine's stunt dress, wouldn't that allow you to put the 'E' in the middle of the front panel?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 12:29:00 PM
I like your style, Erin. What a classy font!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: BootyVintage
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 12:49:00 PM
No thanks needed, Erin, just a photo of he completed dress! Hope your conference goes well.
anna
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 12:59:00 PM
Once you get that e front and center, maybe outline it in a matching shade of satin stitch? Just to subtly highlight it. The kind of thing you'd have to look at three times before you noticed something was different.
It's fun to think about the possibilities.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 2:58:00 PM
Check out this cool fabric on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120131266557&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11
Maps, not letters
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sue
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 3:23:00 PM
I saw you on Rachael Ray's show!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 4:47:00 PM
Ok, I read your blog almost every day, and commet infrequently. However, I loved your alFabet fabric, and also clicked on your "had time" link. OMG!! (Sqeeeeaalll!) A dictionary Soceity!!! A real group of people that sit around and discuss words!!! How spectacular!!! OMG!!
I shall join immediately! I only wish I knew sooner, as I live in Michigan, and Chicago is quite close. poo. There is always next year! I though I was the only one who got excited over the Oxford English Dictionary, and they have a Latin one too! EEE! My life is now complete.
Thank you very much!
Oh, and I love your site!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 7:33:00 PM
I love your site, too!
And that dress, she is YOU, sister!!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Deniz
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 9:17:00 PM
An extraordinary blog... Liked it!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 14, 2007 11:58:00 AM
What's the plural of "y'all"?
"All y'all"!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 14, 2007 12:26:00 PM
I always thought that "y'all" was a plural..."Did you have fun?" for one person and "Did y'all have fun?"
I want to hear what others have to say.
Erin, white piping or binding??
-Janet
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Gidget Bananas
DATE:Jun 14, 2007 2:19:00 PM
Oooh, like the blue and white map fabric. It's the color of blue & white porcelain, so you get two, two, two references in one!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 14, 2007 3:22:00 PM
In South Carolina Y'all is plural. You is singular. Y'all hungry?
You hungry?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 15, 2007 10:54:00 AM
I am in accord with theresa and zimmersarmy about the singular and plural of y'all. "All y'all" is used rarely, and only if you are asking a question of a group and need to make it clear that you are addressing the entire group (say, everyone at the barbecue) and not just a sub-group (say, your clutch of girlfriends). Also, "all y'all" is not a form of address the way "y'all" is, but a descriptive noun. As: "I need to ask all y'all a question"
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 26, 2007 1:11:00 PM
btQ2tF Please write anything else!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Oct 26, 2007 2:22:00 PM
Good job!
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--------
AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: name that (dress) tune
DATE: 7:12 AM
-----
BODY:

Reader Rebecca has written in to ask for help identifying a song about a dress (she found me through this post, I bet).
She says:
I heard the song on the Thistle and Shamrock NPR show years ago. The story of the song seemed to be a girl asking her mother what dress she should wear, and the mother offering various reasons why she shouldn't. I believe in the last verse they come back to the dress from the first verse, and realizing that there's nothing else to wear, the girl and mother finally agree.
She's already googled the heck out of it ... anyone know it out of their actual heads?
(The image is just a random piece of sheet music from eBay ... not the song being hunted.)Labels: helpfulness, songs
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Viviene
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 7:49:00 AM
Have your reader check out this link for the Thistle and Shamrock Show. It has archives of music playlists.
http://www.npr.org/programs/thistle/playlists/index.html
Hope this helps.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Canine Diamond
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 8:13:00 AM
I posted a query about it on Mudcat, too. Those people know every UK & Celtic song on Earth. I'll post a link to the thread if they come up with anything.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lady
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 8:19:00 AM
The playlists only go back to Jan 2006. If it was before then, you may want also to try and either email the show or post to their forums. Someone there might remember it?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 8:52:00 AM
I think it's Jenny Jenkins. It's a call-and-response song that I learned as a child. Sample verse:
"Oh, will you wear white, oh my dear, oh my dear, oh, will you wear white, Jenny Jenkins?"
"No I won't wear white, the color's too bright, but I'll buy me a fol de rol de seek a double roll and find me; Roll, Jenny Jenkins, roll."
(Sorry if this double-posts; I'm having technical difficulties!)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Prairie Princess
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 8:59:00 AM
Yep. Jenny Jenkins, or a variant is also my best guess.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 9:14:00 AM
"I can name that tune in four comments."
Isn't the interweb wonderful?!
(Sorry, I have no interobang.)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Canine Diamond
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 10:56:00 AM
Jennie Jenkins lyrics, if they ring any bells.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: vespabelle
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 12:26:00 PM
My first thought was the trout (which was named after the colorful dotted calico that was named after the Dicken's character!)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 2:14:00 PM
Thanks for the Jenny Jenkins earworm, ladies! Seriously, though, I don't think that could be the song in question. The dresswearer in the song is declining all the suggestions... And it's more of an English-Appalachian song than a Celtic-Hibernian, isn't it?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 2:15:00 PM
anonymous 2:14, again...
I wish I could delete that last message. I think I am talking out of my bustle.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 12, 2007 10:48:00 PM
If you need Jenny Jenkins in audible form, Sharon Lois and Bram (childrens entertainers popular during the 80s/90s) play it on one of their collections (it shows up again in their Great Big Hits album...dont ask why I remember this some 15 years later...).
I believe at the end of the song Jenny declares she does not care about the appearance of her clothing, as long as it covers her...I'd be willing to bet Jenny'd have grown up to read this blog.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 13, 2007 10:04:00 AM
Jenny Jenkins! Yes, that's the song. I looked up the lyrics. Thank you all so much, and Erin, thank you for letting me take advantage of your blog and generosity. I'm off to iTunes now...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: JulieZS
DATE:Jun 14, 2007 10:41:00 AM
There is a great version of this song on the Jerry Garcia/Dave Grisman cd, "Not for Kid's Only", highly recommended!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Mary Pat
DATE:Jun 15, 2007 4:46:00 AM
Dolly Varden, huh? I'm reading Barnaby Rudge right now (where Dolly Varden is a character.)
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--------
AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Black and Pink Stripes?
DATE: 8:04 AM
-----
BODY:
Despite my own penchant for bright grass green, which I would venture to guess is the Anti-Goth color (brimming as it is with life and vulgar cheerfulness), I have a not-so-secret fondness and admiration for the Full-On Goth. I really, really love Goth fashion, in all its varieties, but probably my Favorite Goth is the Lady of the Manners, who runs Gothic Charm School. (That's her, right there on the left.)
And because the Lady of the Manners has such exquisite fashion sense, she is often hindered by the lack of availability of certain items, since manufacturers are either unaware of the demand for such things, or unwilling to cater to those so far avant of the garde. So she asked me for help in tracking down a particular fabric, and I, in turn, am asking all of you.
Does anyone know of a source for black and "cupcake pink" (see why the Lady is my favorite Goth?) WIDE striped fabric? The stripes, ideally, would be more than 3/8th of an inch wide.
The Lady of the Manners needs at least five yards, because the envisioned dress includes a bustle. (Oh, my heart!)
It has been suggested that the Lady of the Manners buy black and WHITE fabric, and dye it, but, perfectionist that she is, she is afraid that she wouldn't be able to dye it evenly. So she waits for the right fabric to come along.
And -- this request got me thinking. If I put up a quick-wiki/bulletin board page of "fabric requests" would you folks visit it, both to post requests and to help fulfill them? Does such a thing exist anywhere else? I wouldn't provide any kind of ecommerce support -- you'd have to email each other and make arrangements for sales and swaps yourselves -- but would simply having such a space be helpful? Let me know in the comments.Labels: Goth, helpfulness
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:19:00 AM
Hi Erin,
A bulletin board would be wonderful for fabrics and dress patterns. Our 'pin' board, if you like!
I wish I could help out with the black and pink fabric but I know I don't have that in my stockpile. What I do have, if anyone is interested, is piles of novelty print/floral print 40s and 50s and 60s barkcloth fabrics, some of which I'm willing to swap. Email carolineturnerathome@yahoo.co.uk (I'm in London, UK) for more info.
Thanks! Caroline
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:24:00 AM
Erin,
Could you (or Miss Manners) elaborate on "cupcake pink?" Are we talking FFCCCC? Or more FF66CC? Hello Kitty Pink? Lemme know and I'll keep my eyes peeled.
--Lydia
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Frowner
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:50:00 AM
In an emergency, I would say that washing-machine dying works pretty well with pink. Here's how I would do it:
I would make sure my fabric was all-cotton and for preference not too sateen-y.
I would run a test dye job in the washing machine with the pink I intended on using.
Then I would fill the washing machine with hot water and slowly add small amounts of the correctly mixed dye, testing with bits of white cloth, until I got a color slightly lighter than what I wanted.
It seems like "cupcake pink" would be hard to mix up exactly, but something pretty close could be done.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Canine Diamond
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:01:00 AM
I'm sure a bulletin board or listserve or something would be invaluable. I know they have been for some of my other hobbies.
Hmm, no luck finding pink-and-black, or even white-and-black (Rit and I are good friends), plain stripes. Dang.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Anna
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:07:00 AM
There are ongoing fabric swaps on Craftster, but I like this idea better. I think it would be very helpful for those hard-to-find prints and unusual colors.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Miz Shoes
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:25:00 AM
Fashion Fabric Club (naiaw) has 700+ stripes. Surely one of them will appeal to the Lady of the Manners.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nora
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:27:00 AM
I think the bulletin board is a great idea. And I also love the goths, despite green being my favorite color.
I haven't seen the fabric the Lady requests, but I'm sure it must exist and will keep an eye peeled for it (I'm thinking decorator fabric...did she specify weight/content at all? I'm imagining it in a nice heavy silk.)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:30:00 AM
oh yes please - the "pin board" is a fabulous idea...
I've dyed lots of cotton stuff with Procion dyes from Dharma Trading in the washing machine. It's got a few more steps and additives than Rit, but tons more color choices. Pink shouldn't be a problem. Dark red, that's another whole ball of wax.
And frowner, I think if you want to do the test patches, they should be slightly darker when wet, as things turn lighter when dried.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Kristen
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:52:00 AM
I think a pin board would be great - although in all honesty i'm not sure how much i would actually use it. And for LotM, I live in LA not far from that bustling haven of blocks and blocks of fabrics that it the Fashion District.... i could look. I mean, ANY excuse to go down there, without the kids. ;) What kind of fabric are you looking for?
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 10:05:00 AM
I love the pin board idea. My 14 year old daughter is somewhat goth and her favorite colors are cotton candy pink and blue.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Heather
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 10:28:00 AM
Hi,
FYI, I ordered the Butterick 4790 pattern from a couple of days ago for .99 cents at Hancock! The shipping was more expensive.
I think I'm going to make it reversible so that I don't have to do all of that crazy binding!!
Thanks for the info.
Heather
knittingontherocks.blogspot.com
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Hilatron
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 10:37:00 AM
I am just now desperately searching for more of a fabric I stupidly bought only 2 yards of, when *obviously* it needs to be a full-skirted dress. Duh. So count me in as a pin board participant!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 11:35:00 AM
Pink and black stripes might also be found in home decorating fabrics, if she hasn't already thought to look there.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: julia
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 11:59:00 AM
I love the pin board idea. Features that would make it extremely usable for me would be to be able to reference hex color codes like Lydia did above or maybe paint chip codes from one of the online paint stores, for color matching. It would also be great to be able to link to or upload an image of the fabric being hunted.
Great idea!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Juno
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 12:08:00 PM
http://www.lucysfabrics.com/detail.aspx?ID=327
It is unfortunately a ploy/spandex knit, so probably not suitable. But where there is one........
-----
COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jillian
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 1:02:00 PM
You darling! Thank you so much for posting this. And for the record, a fabric request board is a fabulous idea.
Lydia, "cupcake pink" is somewhere between FF66CC and FF99FF. Any shade of pink between those two would work, actually.
As to those that asked about fabric weight: the Lady of the Manners is pretty certain that a mid- to heavy-weight fabric would work, because the bustle would be supported with a wire bustle cage.
Juno, thank you so much for that link! While that fabric might not work for the gothy-goth bustle-y gown, it WILL work for the eleventy-billion other pink & black clothing projects the Lady of the Manners has been plotting.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lorraine
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 1:06:00 PM
fabric.com has a fabric wanted bulletin board.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: pirate
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 1:11:00 PM
I hope these links are live:
Black and pink striped fabric sources:
Black stripes and pink stripes with black dots alternate and repeat. Part of the Glam Girl Collection from Free Spirit.
$8.25 yd at http://www.alwaysquiltingonline.com/ :
http://www.alwaysquiltingonline.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?product=freespiritmisc&productid=fsd1116-630&pid=1#fsd1116-630
Pink Stripes on Black. This coordinate from Loralie Designs' Pink Cats collection is 44" wide, 100% cotton and sells for $ 8.98 per yard. Not necessarily the stripe you're looking for but you might think "outside the box". http://www.creations-online.com/fabrics/loralie_girls.htm (scroll almost all the way to the bottom of the page)
These two are negatives of each other and might be too narrow a stripe:
Tiny black stripes on pink. From the Wilmington Essentials Color Shapes collection. These stripes run parallel to the selvage, so you can have borders as long as you like. Our price-$7.89 per yard. http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Details&productID=17248
Thin pink stripes on black. From the Wilmington Essentials Color Shapes collection. These stripes run parallel to the selvage, so you can have borders as long as you like. Our price-$7.89 per yard http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Details&productID=17249
Is Lycra OK? Striped Pink & Black Spandex with LYCRA Item # SP7 Price: $11.45 yard (10 yard minimum) http://spandexfabrics.com/StripesPrintsSpandexFabric.htm
Cotton Lycra Jersey Stripes. Price:$8.95. Price:$8.95 http://dollarfabric.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=5561-06&Category_Code=5561
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lorraine
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 1:14:00 PM
Total oops, I mean fabrics.net
http://www.fabrics.net/swatch/newthrd.asp
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 1:52:00 PM
Please, isn't it time for a new Secret Lives of Dresses? Just reread #11. Beautiful!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 2:21:00 PM
If the lady is really determined, she might try the folks at Angus International:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/angussilkshongkong/
Supposedly they can have silk fabric custom woven for you, at a reasonable price. For the amount needed for a bustle gown, it might be worth it.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Frowner
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 2:50:00 PM
Sarah Jane, when I do washing machine test patches, I find that after sloshing around in a strong dye bath the fabric gets darker than it is on the initial, quick dye--I would be especially cautious with a light pink, because it would be so easy to dye too deeply. But that may be unique to RIT, which is all I ever use.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Erin
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 3:53:00 PM
A reader who can't comment suggested
www.missingfabrics.com
Seems to be geared to quilters, but worth a shot!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: mamafrog
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 4:07:00 PM
I, too, love the idea of a pin board for help in looking for a desired fabric! Especially since I have tons that could be used for this. I'm having trouble finding Oxford shirting for my hubby's shirts. I can only find industrial lengths (way more than I need), or even something we used to call kettlecloth, but is now called rodeo cloth(?). And I have very fond memories of a gold, double-knit, lacy-like cloth from the late 60's that I would love to have some more of!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 4:28:00 PM
I would find a bulletin board deliciously helpful -- it could have helped me out big time one more than one occasion.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jillian
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 5:16:00 PM
Supposedly they can have silk fabric custom woven for you, at a reasonable price.
!!!
Custom-woven silk! Good heavens. The Lady of the Manners wonders how complex of patterns they can do. Because a custom-woven bat brocade is pretty much the Goth fabric Holy Grail ...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Thea
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 7:09:00 PM
I am looking for that fabulous broomstick rayon fabric that all the dresses about 4 years ago were made out of, and now they are all gone! My mother wears those dresses every day and really needs new fabric.
So yes, I would love to find a place to go and have helpful knowledegable folks help me out! What a great idea!
And yes, the Lady of the Manners is sooooo lovely.
I just found some great fabric to recover a pagoda shaped parasol - it was sun proof and water proof and cheap!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 7:30:00 PM
Home decor fabric is probably her best bet, as it often comes in wide stripes.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Jess
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:07:00 PM
Can any of you wonderful sewing-types help me with a dress-related dilemma? Even if it has nothing to do with fabric or fabric dye?
I have a lovely, lovely black ruffled apron dress that I want to wear to a cocktail party tomorrow night, but the zip is awfully sticky. I used to be able to wiggle it up, but last time I tried on this dress it got stuck halfway and it took two housemates and all sorts of contortions to get me out.
I don't have time to replace the zip before tomorrow night, and neither have I the inclination if there's some very simple trick I'm forgetting that will magically sort me out instead.
All help appreciated!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: melissa joy
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:08:00 PM
www.fabrics.net hasa search engine.
i'd love a board for fabrics, both to get rid of and obtain new fabrics.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Erin
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:11:00 PM
Jess -- try scribbling on the zipper with a soft lead pencil. That often is the right amount of lubrication ...
good luck!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: stacy
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:15:00 PM
I haven't scrolled through this entire list of comments, but you may want to check out Lucy's Fabrics (lucysfabrics.com). She has a 3/8" pink and black stripe knit that is wonderful to work with.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 8:17:00 PM
Jess, try rubbing dry bar soap over the zipper and test zip and unzip it before you put it on. Should work on a metal zipper.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:27:00 PM
Depending on how much time the Lady would like to spend on this project it is possible to sew your own striped fabric. In fact it was not uncommon for people to create striped fabric by sewing together strips in the "olden days". The advantage is that you get exactly the width of stripe you desire as well as the precise color, but it is very labour intensive.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 6, 2007 9:57:00 PM
I would be happy to contribute to the wish lists on the 'pin board' - as I live in China, the mother country of cheap fabrics.
In fact, (I don't want to cause a riot), but 6 weeks ago I bought some coffee-on-cream multi-sized polka dot fabric in silk charmuese. I think I paid $8 per meter. If anyone is desperate, I could see if there's more....
-Barbara
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Myrte
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 1:41:00 AM
YES perfect! I have left overs of my production, not only fabrics but trimmings as well. I would participate, definately! And it's hard to get any special fabrics over here.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 2:36:00 AM
Yes: a Pin board! Yes! Pink and Black! "Pink and Black is coming back" is a 50s thing, I think...I've always loved those 2 together. I know I have seen a stripe of this kind, but not for awhile. Try quilt fabric sources is my advice. I personally would NOT want to dye 5 yds. of fabric, but some would not flinch.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 7:09:00 AM
What a great idea. I have some wierd fabrics that weren't weird when I bought them (at least that's the story I am sticking to) but don't have anyone who would want them. If they feel good, if they are cheap, they go home with me. Sad, really.
I think there are some items that are commonly available to the "web search" experts, but sometimes you need additional fabric to complete an ensemble and the original source has gone bye bye or you can't remember where the heck you got it! So if, on occasion, it was possible to post an "I need 2 yards of this purple on green polka dotted stripped rayon knit that I think I got at Walmart but I might have picked up at Goodwill and I need it because I just cut the bodice out three times and forgot to cut the skirt and I am out of fabric" kind of thing, it would be nice to have a place to beg. Expecially if we could post photos of the fabric needed!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 9:44:00 AM
Jillian,
I'll keep my eyes peeled for something between FFCCCC and FF66CC. I go to a mill-end store about an hour from Lawrence every once in a while. If they have something, I'll contact you via your website correspondence page.
--Lydia
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: kate
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 1:36:00 PM
To the zipper quandry person:
*I am furtive and ashamed to say this in public*
I stiched myself into a dress with that problem once. I used wide basting stitches that took five minutes to do (i hid them in the zipper's fabric edging). Then I snipped myself out of it that night with nail scissors.
If you aren't expecting to have company when you get undressed, it's a one-time resolution till you can fix your zip.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Emily
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 1:37:00 PM
This purpose-made machine dye works very well, and comes out extremely evenly. And I would think the lighter pink might fit???
http://www.dylon.co.uk/colourcentre/index.htm
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Amanda
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 4:34:00 PM
This may or may not help...but check the clearance rack at your local fabric store. I just got some awesome cotton that is black with pink outlined jack-o-lanterns on it. I am using it for the lining of a corset I am making out of bright pink (probably what The Lady would consider cupcake pink) PVC, so I only bought a yard. I wanted to buy more, but thought I should restrain myself. I bought the PVC for 75% off at JoAnn fabrics because they considered it Halloween fabric, and thus it was marked down in their Halloween sale. I bought all they had, and have enough for several projects. So, my second piece of advice would be to check out Halloween fabric. I don't know when you need the skirt, but the Halloween stuff should be out in a month or two.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 7, 2007 10:56:00 PM
Regarding custom-woven silk from Angus International: I'd just email them or call them and ask. The custom order thing isn't on their website, but it used to be in the materials they sent out with their orders (I haven't ordered from them for a about a year.) I'm sure they could handle stripes, less sure about a specific brocade design-- though bats are not an uncommon motif on Chinese brocades.
If that fails for your stripes, you might also try these folks:
http://www.bangkok-thailand.com/about-world-of-thai-silk.htm
I know nothing about them, but they sell Thai silk woven to order and it appears that they can weave stripes in any color combo you wish.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jun 9, 2007 1:57:00 AM
Hi guys, in New Zeland we have locally people who do digital textile printing and could make cotton, silk or synthetic to order for you at www.digitex.co.nz. There are definite minimums especially for natural fabrics due to the treatment requirements (50m) ... but you may want to look into similar options in the US, I'm guess you may find them - if not, I'm guessing these guys could ship to you. I think The Lady would probably have a fantastic time thinking up patterns!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Erin
DATE:Jun 9, 2007 7:44:00 AM
Jasmin -- thank you! That link is EXACTLY what I've been looking for ... and the keywords 'digital textile printing' have opened up a whole new search avenue for me. Thank you!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: MinaW
DATE:Jun 10, 2007 1:56:00 AM
I've dyed fabrics with Procion dyes, washing machine & not, and it's easy to get even color in the machine by not letting it drain out, and turning the cycle back to wash again several times. And Procion fiber reactive dyes are washfast & lightfast, unlike RIT. (Dharmatrading.com has good instructions.)
BUT that's with PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabrics. I also have had excellent overdye results with cotton or rayon commercial batik fabrics, which have some fun black & white or blue & white patterns. Regular stripes, however, are not a batik type of pattern.
Unfortunately for the dyer, many regular fabrics are going to have permanent press or, in the case of decorating fabrics, stain resistant, finishes which resist the dye, either totally or patchily.
So a test patch is essential, but do it in a ziploc bag, to see if the fabric is dyeable, rather than waste the supplies mixing up a whole washing machine full for your test. You don't want to delay in putting your fabric into the dyebath after it is mixed, to do a test; some dye colors have a very fast active window for the dye to strike the fabric.
So it's a good thing several people found fabric possibilities for this!
Jasmin-I too am excited about the digital textile printing link. Thanks.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Jul 29, 2007 6:07:00 PM
Oh, a bulletin board page of "fabric requests"... Now what a grand idea! I'd love to see tha happen! :D
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AUTHOR: Erin
TITLE: Any Chinese Translation Help?
DATE: 7:13 AM
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BODY:

Dress A Day reader Erma's husband is a non-native speaker of Chinese and a linguistics professor, and he has a dress-related translation question. Does anyone know the meaning of the Chinese character bai3 (摆)? It's used in compounds such as qun2bai3 (裙摆), where qun2 means skirt. It was used in a sentence which translates to something like "Under the rustling of the evening breeze, the entire bai3 of the skirt was billowing".
The dictionary defines bai3 as "hem or lower part". But a native speaker told Erma's husband that bai3 refers to width -- a narrow skirt has a "small bai3" and a wide skirt has a "big bai3".
Anyone have some input? I have to say, if we figure this one out, I'm going to steal that word into English and use it to refer to this concept all the time. "I only wear skirts with big bai," I'll say.
[The image is an artwork called "Memory Dress" by Yu Hong.]Labels: Chinese, helpfulness, language
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 8:22:00 AM
I don't know chinese, but in patternmaking we call the bottom hem of the skirt the sweep. Which covers both of the definitions, hem or lower part, as well as the narrowness or width of the sweep.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 8:27:00 AM
And yet, I think Erma's husband's friend is confirming what Erma's husband thought, in a round about way. "Small" and "big" modify the word bia3. Therefore, it is not the word "bia3" that describes the size of the skirt, but the modifiers of "bia3."
If that makes any sense.
Amy
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: sarah
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 9:30:00 AM
Agreeing here...narrow and wide skirts have to be narrow or wide in the lower part, right? since presumably your waist is unchanged no matter how "big" your skirt...so hem/lower part works perfectly, narrow lower part or big lower part. I think the two definitions are actually the same.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nora
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 9:33:00 AM
How come English has, like, NO borrowed words from Chinese languages? Well, that's going to change eventually (I liked how they worked that into "Firefly", though it was mostly cussin'.)
Maybe soon we'll see a woman in a skirt with a full sweep and say admiringly, "baby got bai!"
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: alai
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 9:54:00 AM
English does have words (and phrases) borrowed from Chinese -- tea, chop chop, long time no see (Chinglish, really), kowtow, etc. Chalk it up to less integration and less (history of) interaction. Also to the fact that most foreigners were not allowed to learn Chinese.
As for the word, it kind of means "sway".
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: alai
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 9:55:00 AM
Or, yeah, the sweep of the skirt sounds like a better translation for it. :) I only do legal translation, so I'm not too good with other subjects!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 10:03:00 AM
At work, I asked two gentlemen who are from China. One of them said that it means to oscillate or swing. The other gentleman isn't here today, so if he says anything different, I will post his response later.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Robinson
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 11:16:00 AM
I don't know anything about the Chinese language, but the work is beautiful.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: blossom
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 1:59:00 PM
i agree, bai3 means swaying by itself, but when used as "qun2bai3", it means hemline (of a skirt). if you want to say narrow skirt, you would usually add the adj before the word skirt (qun2, in this case), like "kwan1 (chinese for wide) qun2", but not the word "bai3".
chinese words are tricky, a single character has a meaning by itself, but it would also mean something else when used along with other characters.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: impon
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 3:28:00 PM
I asked two Chinese friends. The first confirms blossom's: "I think it (qun2bai3 (裙摆) ) means the edge of a skirt!"
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Nadine
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 3:42:00 PM
Do you read Knit and Tonic? (Because you totally should.) I bet she knows someone who could give you a bit of fashion-savvy Chinese translation.
http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 8:13:00 PM
I don't have anything to add re: a translation... I just had to give a shout out to Nora for her to to "Firefly"!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 8:15:00 PM
opps... that was supposed to read "her NOD to"
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 27, 2007 8:41:00 PM
We have a pretty phrase in chinese to describe girls walking along with their qun1 bai3 yao1 yao1, the hem of their skirts swaying away.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: ashley
DATE:Apr 28, 2007 5:41:00 AM
hi hi!
i'm fluent on both chinese & english. hee hee.
actullay 'bai' means movement. swaying sort. associated with skirt means the flow of the skirt. the native speaker is correct.
anyway, can you please link my fashion blog?
http://www.rocketrend.wordpress.com
thanks! i love you!
(i've added yours to my blogroll already:):):) )
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: erma
DATE:Apr 28, 2007 8:11:00 PM
Thanks for everyone's help. It's not always possible to find an exact translation of a word or in this case, a part of a word. I like robyn's suggestion of "sweep", and how it can be used with "wide" or "narrow". Seems like a useful word to know.
Somewhat appropriately, I just went to see the play The Light in the Piazza. The costumes were wonderful, lots of dresses with large bai.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Amiene Rev
DATE:Apr 29, 2007 8:45:00 AM
well... there are some e-translator online.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Sue
DATE:Apr 29, 2007 9:32:00 AM
I thought I was the only one who watched Fireplay :o) rock on Nora and ladybegood!
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
DATE:Apr 29, 2007 11:47:00 PM
It actually helps if you had the entire sentence in Chinese to look at...but I'm pretty sure "bai3" is used as a verb here, for "sway". So, the dress is swaying side to side.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Muses of A Trivial Traveller
DATE:May 3, 2007 6:27:00 AM
Hope I'm not too late because I was just reading the backposts...
裙摆 refers to the hem of the skirt and the sentence is probably used to describe, in a poetic way, the movement of the skirt hem.
Someone correctly commented that Chinese word have a different meaning when used alone. The word 摆 when used alone has a different meaning. It literally means "to put something" or "to display" something".
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