Dance dresses!

[eurydicebound]

Okay, this whole thing is going to be behind a cut because I am just not that cruel. It looks like we're going to be making my dress, though we went looking the other day and found some fun stuff -- not enough to make a full outfit from, unfortunately, but fun stuff nonetheless. So I've spent this evening going over patterns and whatnot. I have posted a number of pics and commentary behind the cut. If you don't care, don't go there. If you do, come be a goober with me over dresses.



So, first of all -- never go to buy patterns and look at Vogue's pattern book first before you look at any of the others. It'll just ruin you for the rest of them. Heh.

Many of these things are likely wholly impractical, but they're awfully spiffy nonetheless. Most of these have bare arms, which is probably not ideal but may have to work regardless.

A.

This would be advanced sewing, as it doesn't come with either a picture or instructions.

B. Vera Wang backless gown

Unfortunately I can't figure out how to get just the picture of this in. It's got a drape across a low back and a fishtail hem for the long version of the dress, both of which are just dreamy. I'd probably make the short one, though... I dunno. The downside is that the neckline in front is pretty shallow, and all the drama in the world from the back doesn't mean a thing if walking toward someone doesn't do it. Of course, most of time I'd be dancing backwards, so....

C. Dress and slip.

This has sort of a 1930s feel to it. The overdress can be solid or a sheer, and I really like the tailored feel of it. It's also relatively simple, for a Vogue pattern. The uneven hemline also gives it some motion and hides a multitude of sins.

D. Um... pretty thing

I really can't describe this one well, and in all honesty, given the amount of stuff going on here, the odds of this actually coming out well on me reduce this to a non-player in this evening's pageant. Isn't it beautiful, though? In my head, it fits me to a "t." :) Oh, and Vogue rates this one as "Advanced." Yeesh.

E. Black knit separates

Now I love, love, love this one. The mermaid sort of gored skirt in two different lengths, the fun little top... this one's got that sassy sort of look to it. It also suits my body type pretty well. I'm very, very tempted. It's also rated "Easy."

F. Suit top and skirt

This one is not rated easy. Oh my lord, though, I wants it, my precious. It's sort of sweet but yet sexy and edgy all at the same time. I think I can even pull it off with my current body shape, even with the back as it is. Cons: It might seem a bit too demure with the music we're choosing, but then again, maybe not. I'm not nearly as fond of the front of the top, but I don't dislike it either. Oh, and the store has this sort of lightweight black denim with a slight red metallic sheen.... it's not quite perfect, but I think it''d be awfully close.

G. Buckle top and skirt

So, the picture of the woman in the black top with the side buckles and the matching skirt? Oh yeah. That one. Probably with the top in red. Again, the pattern is rated "easy" and it would be relatively easy to alter to fit me nigh unto perfectly. Also, while it's not exactly tango... well, it's still damn spiffy, and it would make excellent date clothing. This and the separates in E are both in that category... F somewhat, at least with the skirt, but that's it.

So... yes. I'd thought about some others, but I think these are either my favorites or the most realistic or both. Comments?

Comments

[suikerspinner.livejournal.com]

That white Vera Wang is booootiful.

[anaka.livejournal.com]

Isn't it, though? Sigh.

[electricland.livejournal.com]

I want them ALL.

That said, not that I've sewn in years, but the bias-cut ruffly laced thingy? Yeah. That looks hard.

My faves are B, C, and F. I love the sexy-but-understated thing they have going on. (And one of my favourite dresses in the whole world is backless with a high front -- if you like your shoulders and collarbones, go for it!)

[exilesletter.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, D is fantastic.

I'm so excited for you!

[eynowd.livejournal.com]

Just to give a guy's perspective, A, B, D, E would get my vote. I can't quite decide which I like best. Some very classy outfits in there indeed :D

[anidada.livejournal.com]

Candid opinion time! I think C would be best, it would have a lot of nice motion on the dance floor and looks pretty straightforward, sewing-wise. Pick a fabric that drapes nicely and has lots of fluidity, it'll be flirty and sexy and exactly right.

I *love* D, but it would be a nightmare to sew. *sigh*

B is too long in the one version, and too short in the other. Either a trip hazard or kind of unremarkable, you know? Gorgeous dress, but not really for dancing.

A? No. Lovely dress, but no instructions? Ahaha. Buh-bye.

E is good. Simple and practical, and you could get a lot of wear out of those separates later. This would be runner-up, IMO.

F and G, no. I like the corsets and buckles, too, but suits don't really seem right for dancing.

[metallian.livejournal.com]

Man, I like A, C, D, and E a lot. If only mrsmetallian or I knew the first thing about dressmaking...

[masqlab.livejournal.com]

Hi, I play the Bishop at the Aureus LARP and happened upon your LJ through greyjoy's friend list. Plus I do a lot of sewing and goobing over dresses sounded like fun, so I followed the link!

I vote for C -- it looks ideal for dancing, with the bias cut making everything move so nicely, and the hemline is interesting. All of your choices are lovely, though. I haven't looked for 'regular' clothing patterns (I mostly make costumes) in so long -- time for a browsing trip!!! Good luck with the choice and construction. I'd love to see what you end up with.
Jen

[anaka.livejournal.com]

Re: costumes, me too. :) I know what I'm doing with costuming. I never sew real clothes for myself, so this will be... interesting. Of course, it's sort of a costume, but still. But yeah. Good to see you here!

[anaka.livejournal.com]

My grandmother taught me to sew when I was little, and then in high school my choices were home economics (sewing and cooking) or Vo-Ag (raising a pig -- vocational agriculture). Guess which one I picked. :) And then, of course, after I got married, we ended up taking up SCA stuff, and that's really when I started sewing again as an adult. I almost never sew for myself -- I don't have a dressmakers form and so I don't usually have anyone to look at the thing and tell me where needs fixing. I'm recruiting a local friend to help me with this, though.

[anaka.livejournal.com]

I want them ALL.

Tell me about it. At least my fashion sense doesn't seem to be the issue here. :)

[anaka.livejournal.com]

Isn't it just? Again, I think it's way too impractical given time constraints and difficulty level, but.... *sigh*

Tough Choices

[(Anonymous)]

In terms of actually being able to sew them tolerably well, I think that A and E are the best choices. D, of course, is the perfect dramatic dress one could hope for when dancing the tango, but I would not trust myself to make it.

~Kelly

[anaka.livejournal.com]

Well, I can adjust skirt length for B, but your point is well made. Regardless of whether I use it for dancing or not, I'm incredibly tempted to pick up E and try it anyway.