Friday, December 16, 2011

The Perfect Weather for Wool



This is one of my favorite creations.  The pattern is Butterick 5556, another vintage reproduction - big surprise, right?!  


The wool was a fantastic find from Fashion Fabrics Club (and makes up for some of the less than wonderful cuts I have received in the past). 


It is hard to tell from the pictures, but the wool is purple with navy and fuchsia running throughout a tiny diamond pattern.  More information about the construction process may be found over at PatternReview.


I often hesitate to wear brooches because I am afraid that the pin will permanently mar the fabric.  With a woven wool, this becomes less of an issue.  Accessories can be so much fun.  And they do look so pretty! 


And although I would love to complain about the chilly weather, it is a great excuse to wear my wooly outfits.


And look, more twirling – it really is addictive.



Dress: Made by me, Butterick 5556
Petticoat:  Made by me
Shoes:  Banana Republic “Nelda” in Elephant
Hat:  Made by me
Gloves:  Vintage from mom
Brooch:  Antique Store in Sonora, CA
Earrings:  Macys
Bracelet:  Gift
Stockings:  Hue
Purse:  Harveys Seatbelt Bag “Flutterfly” Large Tote
Posted by Laura Mae at 11:16 PM
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17 comments:

  1. ClarissaDecember 17, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    This is beautiful. The wool looks divine.

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  2. Katrina BlanchalleDecember 17, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Beautiful dress - the fit is perfect and the fabric is lovely. I know what you mean about FFC. It's hit and miss with them but hard to complain with their low prices. You have a winner here!

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  3. TestosteroneDecember 17, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    NOT more twirling!!!

    And you subtracted milliner to the list of, "What can't she do?".

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  4. RebeccaDecember 17, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    This is such a lovely dress! :]

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  5. Laura MaeDecember 17, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    @Testosterone I actually cheated and purchased a ready-made buckram hat form, so all I had to do was cover and decorate! It takes care of the boring part of hat construction so more time can be spent playing around with silk and beads.

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  6. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Hi Laura,
    Here is the French girl you've already spoken with... I was thinking about sending you an email because I've just finished my first Butterick Retro dress and it is... the one just presented in your post, but with the other collar... I am so impatient to send you a picture of it to have your comments... As usual : congratulations for your work !!! I think this is your second realisation of this dress, why having chosen the same collar for the two... (to much curious ? sorry)

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  7. Laura MaeDecember 17, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    @Anonymous Yes, please send me a picture - I would love to see it! [lauramae.p.s (at) gmail (dot) com]

    This is the only version of the dress I have made, but I do have future plans to make up the other view . . . just not sure when I will get around to it!

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  8. poppykettleDecember 18, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    I love the fabric. I love the neckline. I love the hem length. The brooch is lovely too. In short? I love it.

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  9. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Absolutely stunning.

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  10. carinDecember 18, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Lovely dress, beautifully done - and the stockings! Wow!

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  11. SusannahDecember 18, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Beautiful dress! I love the cut of the shoulders on some of the retro patterns - they balance with the hips and highlight the waist so beautifully. The neckline on this one is stunning. And I agree about the brooch - it really sets off the dress beautifully, and brooches are so in keeping with the style! I've a few 'vintage' marcasite brooches that belonged to my mother (1940s, and managed to pick up a few more in second hand/antique shops over the years. Great fun.

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  12. A.J.A.December 25, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    I love this wool! Your dress is very pretty! I have a brooch magnet that can be used when I don't want to fasten a pin to a garment. It is a small, very strong magnet- you can probably find one easily, and then wear your pretty brooches all of the time!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Laura MaeDecember 29, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    @A.J.A. What a fabulous idea, A.J.A.! Thank you for sharing - I have never heard of a brooch magnet, but will definitely keep my eyes open for one!

    ReplyDelete
  14. M'ladyJanuary 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    How did you find the kimono sleeves regarding arm movement?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura MaeJanuary 16, 2013 at 4:20 PM

      I actually find a kimono sleeve easier to move around in than a set-in sleeve! This dress, especially, has plenty of room for arm movement. The seam allowances do need to be notched and trimmed, though, or the arm will want to bunch up around the curve.

      Delete
  15. MarikaFebruary 21, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    I was just looking through your flickr photos for this dress, and i noticed it looks like you slightly altered the skirt pattern. I really like how the skirt sits on your dress and i was just wondering if you only removed the gathers from the side pieces? or the back pieces too?

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    Replies
    1. Laura MaeFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:43 PM

      I had to make do with limited yardage, so I folded a wedge out of both the front and back skirt pieces. There is a bit of gathering at the sides of the front and back pieces . . . just not as much as the original yardage hogging skirt pieces. And the hem circumference is significantly less than the original.

      Delete

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