Tall Men Clothing: A New Dress for Cathy!

Readers, I've changed my mind again.

I am not ready to jump immediately into the cotton-mohair suit jacket that goes with the pants I just made. I'm tired and I want to have some fun. Tailoring is rewarding, but fun it ain't.

I've decided to make Simplicity 4856, one of the great vintage patterns Debi sent me in exchange for that 1940 swimsuit pattern I sent her what seems like eons ago. I love this dress -- simple (though not simple to construct) and elegant.

The dress has a surplice bodice gathered on one side and a beautifully draped skirt attached to a dropped waistline. Classic.

This pattern was printed in Great Britain. The pattern paper has a waxy surface on one side (very sturdy). The envelope is black and white. The instruction sheet is reduced in size -- one small sheet printed in tiny print on both sides (thank heaven for my "readers").

The pattern has only eight pattern pieces, not including a bias strip that finishes the neckline.

The pattern is unprinted and still has its original folds.

Given the style, I would date this 1943-45. It reminds me a bit of the dress Judy Garland wore (designed by Irene) when she married Vincent Minnelli in 1945.

Not to be confused with the wedding dress Judy wore when she married Mickey Deans in 1969.

I made my muslin today, and though I'm not quite finished you can see where it's going.

I used an old cotton/poly sheet I found months ago at the Salvation Army. It's not very soft to the touch but I like the print, which has a vintage Forties feel. (It drapes OK -- nothing special. For the final dress I'm thinking silk or some kind of crepe.)

Anyway, except for getting the bodice sides reversed, it went together pretty fast. I still have to stitch the skirt to the dropped, shaped waistline -- one of the prettiest features of the dress. The skirt will be attached lower than seen here and the gathers more evenly and artfully arranged. Plus there will be 3/4 sleeves. But you get the idea.