Retro Chick Designs a Frock – An Update

• by: Lady K Loves
• 13 years ago

Hello!
It’s coming along great and will be with you next week. I love the dress so far and hope you love it to when it arrives!
I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you for all the great feed back on here and answer some of the questions.
The haberdashery which everything is from (excluding zips and thread), for this project is called Wayward and is on the south coast and all of the fabric is vintage (pre-60’s and in some cases earlier). These are very limited, with 1 per size plus one for the blogger/designer, Andi & Gemma, so no wholesale sadly and a price of £90 each.
With regards to the cut and fabrics, Gemma and I had a conversation and she showed me pictures of the kind of thing she wanted. Many of them were quite boxy, which worked great on a 30’s style boyish figure (with taped down boobs and an enthusiasm for not eating very much), however they don’t always translate well on to a curvier more modern figure. There were conversations about cutting the skirt on the bias to provide some give, however due to fabric choices this isn’t possible.
There was a lovely midnight blue cotton in the shop, but this is what Gemma, as the designer wanted, so the trim is a milk/lavender grey ribbon with this lovely blue stripe. It will be slightly different but will keep the playful attitude of the original drawing.
There have been some alterations to the pattern from this original toile, Not included in this post (thankfully!) is a dreadful picture of me wearing it to help give a better idea of the cut and fit, as the tailors dummy pictured has an odd bust (small but very pert, making fitting things very difficult). In fact the hip/waist ratio is hour-glass friendly, the sleeves will be slightly shorter, puffier on the shoulder and have plenty of room in the circumference. Finally the under bust seam will be moved down about 2 inches (after trying on) and in fact, is cut for a larger bust, frankly there is too much fabric for someone with next to no boobs like myself. The bust seam decision was mine, as my experience with boxier tops, is that it can cut the body at the wrong point, drawing attention to the waist and robbing the wearer of their natural shape. Having an higher seam like that helps flatten the tummy, elongate the body and legs (by not making a clear distinction of where one ends and the other begins) and draw attention to the wearers natural strengths (bust, neck, face and smile!).
But of course the finished picture will tell it all so keep your eye’s peeled for the final thing.
Full hip, waist, bust and sleeve measurements will be on the items page on the web site to help inform buying, plus I’m always on hand to help.

LKL x

• by: Wendy
• 13 years ago

I think its going to be very nice indeed, although I wish it didnt have a bust seam. Counts it out completely for a lot of larger chested ladies. I wouldnt even be able to think about it.

• by: Lori Smith
• 13 years ago

Gorgeous! That’ll look amazing on you 🙂

Can we buy them too?

• by: LandGirl1980
• 13 years ago

Tan accessories IS stylish – well – I bloody hope so – or I look like a knobber most of the time!? (dont answer that!)

Love the fabric idea – but I think the cut on me would look awful. But I am very much looking forward to seeing it upon you!