This pattern gives two views, easily adaptable for a wide variety of daytime and evening looks. Both views have the high Directoire-style waistline (shaped in the back), but are built over a boned and fitted bodice which goes to the natural waist. View A puts a short-sleeved kimono over-bodice over this, allowing the under-bodice to show (think of the Swim Dress from the film Titanic, 1997). This pattern could easily be used to build a copy of the Swim Dress. View B conceals the entire under-bodice. The skirt and bodice pieces for both views are interchangeable. The pattern also includes a long-sleeved blouse for day wear. I made View A, with no train and no front slit in the skirt as I thought it looked silly. I added a Swim Dress-style open overskirt. My under-dress was made from a deep orange sand washed silk charmeuse; my overdress fabric is a synthetic sari. Once I had done the usual fitting of the under-bodice, the pattern went together smoothly. When you’ve attached the skirt to the bodice, the seam will be on the outside, to be covered by the sash. This may be period (Editor’s Note: it is period and very commonplace), but I find it aesthetically bothersome, as every time I look at it I think I made a terrible mistake. I opted for a hook and eye closure. The pattern also makes allowances for a zipper. Unfortunately I haven’t mastered the art of thread eyes yet, and several of them pulled out when I reached forward. This appears to be a very versatile pattern with a lot of options. Read the directions carefully before you begin, as sometimes they can be a bit difficult to follow.
Maura Burns –
This pattern gives two views, easily adaptable for a wide variety of daytime and evening looks. Both views have the high Directoire-style waistline (shaped in the back), but are built over a boned and fitted bodice which goes to the natural waist. View A puts a short-sleeved kimono over-bodice over this, allowing the under-bodice to show (think of the Swim Dress from the film Titanic, 1997). This pattern could easily be used to build a copy of the Swim Dress. View B conceals the entire under-bodice. The skirt and bodice pieces for both views are interchangeable. The pattern also includes a long-sleeved blouse for day wear. I made View A, with no train and no front slit in the skirt as I thought it looked silly. I added a Swim Dress-style open overskirt. My under-dress was made from a deep orange sand washed silk charmeuse; my overdress fabric is a synthetic sari. Once I had done the usual fitting of the under-bodice, the pattern went together smoothly. When you’ve attached the skirt to the bodice, the seam will be on the outside, to be covered by the sash. This may be period (Editor’s Note: it is period and very commonplace), but I find it aesthetically bothersome, as every time I look at it I think I made a terrible mistake. I opted for a hook and eye closure. The pattern also makes allowances for a zipper. Unfortunately I haven’t mastered the art of thread eyes yet, and several of them pulled out when I reached forward. This appears to be a very versatile pattern with a lot of options. Read the directions carefully before you begin, as sometimes they can be a bit difficult to follow.