This dress has been taking up space in my wardrobe for who knows how long. 25-30 years perhaps, judging from the shoulder pads! The only reason I don't wear it is because it is out of style - and has been for some time :-) The fabric is still perfectly good with no stains, and because of the style/loose fit it should be relatively easy to modify by removing bits (in my mind adding bits seems more difficult). I like the pintuck detail on the front. I'm going to remove the shoulder pads, unpick the collar and the sleeves
and then try it on again to see what modifications it needs. I'm planning on a sundress or short sleeve dress so it will be interesting to see how much gapping there is around the armhole, how much the dress 'drops' and/or drapes towards the centre without the shoulder pads, and what changes I'll need to make to the neck. The long sleeves means I have some fabric to play with if I do need to add some (eg under the arms) and to make bias strips/facings for the neck & armholes. If all else fails it will make a brilliant art/messy crafts apron and I will have gained hanging space in my wardrobe!
and then try it on again to see what modifications it needs. I'm planning on a sundress or short sleeve dress so it will be interesting to see how much gapping there is around the armhole, how much the dress 'drops' and/or drapes towards the centre without the shoulder pads, and what changes I'll need to make to the neck. The long sleeves means I have some fabric to play with if I do need to add some (eg under the arms) and to make bias strips/facings for the neck & armholes. If all else fails it will make a brilliant art/messy crafts apron and I will have gained hanging space in my wardrobe!
5 comments:
Love the modeling Liz, You are very brave. So looking forward to seeing the resutls...good for you!
Yes, I think I look like something out of Anne of Green Gables - the Grandmother perhaps? :-)
Absolutly :)
Gosh, I had one of these only in olive green! About 15 years ago I added applique all around the hem (remember that first chook material that also came with panels that included seed packets?) and suffolk puffs, chopped the sleeves off a bit and added diff cuffs, changed some of the buttons so it was more random - wore it to death.
You will prob have to resew the shoulder seam to take up the pad allowance, and that will losve the gaping arm hole prob.
Alternatively, you could resew the top to make a shirt, and have enough material to make a skirt same same as your last entry...
Well done anyways!
XXXX
Yes, my thinking was that getting the shoulders right first would give me more "correct" info about the armholes so thought I needed to do that in 2 stages rather than all in one hit. Hopefully I'll be able to wear this one to death too - that will save wardrobe space! :-)
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