Monday, March 5, 2012

Joan Dress update

Here's a little update on my Joan dress for the Mad Men Dress Challenge. I've already shared the pattern I plan to use, but here are the deets (definition provided for when my mom reads this :) ) on my fabric plans.
My inspiration - check out that collar!
I already had some green cotton sateen (in my slightly out-of-hand fabric stash) that, though you can't quite tell from the picture, is a pretty similar shade of green to Joan's dress...as far as I can tell. I have several yards of it, so I'm just going to (probably unwisely, but whateverrr!) dive in without making a muslin first, mainly because I'm impatient, but also because the last time I made a muslin, I was still baffled over whether the thing fit or not. I plan to just adjust what I've got as I go along and wait until the end to add the collar, which I know I'll want to fiddle around with, in case I do end up needing to majorly alter or re-cut anything.
Green cotton sateen that does not really photograph true to hue.
The pattern doesn't account for a button, brooch, or buckle on the collar, like Joan's dress has, but I'm planning to add a good-sized, gold-colored metal button I picked up at an antique store with some other vintage sewing goodies recently. As you can see, it's just a plain gold-looking disc of a button, with a little shank. I hope it doesn't look too dinky on the potentially substantial collar. (Feel free to share any other gold-colored buttons, buckles, accents, whatevers you happen to find in your online sewing shopping excursions, people!) I'll be on the lookout for other options as I'm not necessarily sold on this baby for this project.
Brass? gold-colored vintage buttons against the green fabric for the dress.
The pattern calls for lining of the bodice and sleeves (really? lined short sleeves?) but I'm planning to go all the way and line the whole thing, including the skirt. I've never done lining before, only underlining, so I hope it all works out OK! Again, let me know if you come across any good tips or have any recommendations to throw my way. I've picked up this exciting bright pink poly China silk lining, which I think will look great next to the green fabric for the dress.
China Silk Polyester Lining Fuchsia - Fabric.com
After seeing some pretty dress linings on the interwebs recently, including the lovely Neeno's beautiful examples, I was itching to try lining! I love the way it looks to have colorful lining with lace trim on the hem. I've got the lining, but all I have in the way of lace is some random black scalloped lace trim with hearts, leftover from some distant craft project, which I hope won't look too over the top on the bright pink lining. I'd wanted to find some lace of the light pink variety, but also wanted to continue the stash-busting theme this dress has got going on for me, so am opting to stick with what I've already got.

Let me know what you guys think - I'm really excited for this project!
Black lace trim for hem on lining? - found on Etsy, similar to what I've got in my stash.














3 comments:

  1. I wish I had time to do this challenge :( Can't wait to see how everyone's turns out.

    P.S. love that provided your mom with a definition for "deets"-too cute.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awwwww, I'm so excited for the mention :D thanks!!!!
    Can't wait to see your Joan dress!!! I LOVE GREEN!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is an awesome pattern to be making. And our local pattern supplier is selling New Look patterns at half price ....I am tempted! Will have to see how yours comes on - looking forward to being inspired by you :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment!