Joan as my official
Mad Men Dress Challenge inspiration! Maybe you all already expected that, but I really deliberated.
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| Winner! |
I was finally able to decide based on a few factors pushing me in Joan's direction: I
felt like making a dress rather than practical, useful, smart separates - even though they'd probably fit into my lifestyle/wardrobe a little bit better; I already have some fabric, notions, and a pattern that I think I can use, so that'll help chip away at my stash; I'd like to be able to work on my sashaying; and finally? nothing's stopping me from going ahead and creating a Peggy-inspired outfit too, once I've completed this challenge.Yay!
The fabric I've got is a stretch cotton sateen, which I'm not quite sure is ideal (but we'll see how it goes), in almost the exact shade of green as Joan's dress. I'm hoping it's a good color on me!
Here's what I was thinking, pattern-wise.
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| View D, slightly longer sleeves and sans pockets. |
I figure, if I go with View D and omit the pockets, leave off the store-bought belt the model has saucily donned, lengthen the sleeves an inch or two, and fiddle with the collar a bit, I'll be able to add a gold colored button/brooch/thing to the collar action and call it a day. Sound like a plan?
What a great pattern fit! I loved that dress but I couldn't imagine how I would do it without a pattern. Yours will be stunning. Mind if I ask how you search for patterns when you have the dress design in mind? Maybe I'm stupid but I don't know how to find e.g. 'Wiggle dress with a collar'. Does one google or is there a magical sewing wiki where you can put in design features and find the perfect pattern? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Luckily for me, I'd happened upon this pattern several months ago and snatched it up. I'm in love with this type of collar and have been meaning to try one.
DeleteAs for pattern searching techniques, you're not stupid! I bet you could actually type in something like "sewing pattern dress with collar" on Etsy and find something. However, I usually end up searching through simplicity.com's entire stock of simplicity and new look dress patterns whenever I get an email that there's a sale. I'm pretty sure that's how I ended up with this one. Not very strategic. :)
Also, I can't wait to see how your Joan dress turns out!
Thanks Sue! I guess I just need to dedicate more time (instead of snatched moments in the office!) to finding the perfect patterns :)
DeleteI love this dress! This one was one of my top contenders (but I couldn't find a good picture of the entire dress). I was so sad when things ended... badly for this dress! Are you going to make it in green as well?
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan! I've got some green fabric I think I'll finally get to use (it's been in my stash ever since I plucked it off the sale shelf at Joann Fabrics about a year ago). Yay for Mad Men + stash busting!
DeleteAlso, this New Look pattern, it's like the Joanie Dress Patter for Normal Peeps! View A has a neckline I've seen her wear at least twice (once on that lovely pink dress with the roses on it)!
ReplyDeleteYou're right! That pink dress would be a-mazing.
DeleteThat is going to look amazing. What fabric are you going to use?
ReplyDeletestrugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com
Thanks, I hope so!
DeleteI've got some green cotton stretch sateen in my fabric stash that is very close to the color of Joan's green dress, so my plan is to go with that. Wish me luck!
Great pattern choice! Look forward to seeing the finished version.
ReplyDelete