two things.

First,  I love Dita von Teese.  (Although google imaging her is somewhat tricky since I'm basically a sheltered country girl at heart.)  She never looks less than perfect.  Wouldn't you love to wander around in her (probably bigger than my entire house) closet??

Wonder if she ever lounges about at home in knit yoga pants and a ratty old tee?  No?  Probably not.

Next...I found the perfect pattern to knock off this Amy Adams dress!!

 

Look at New Look 6886:

Same bodice, right down to the angle of the neckline (although I think Amy's dress might have set in sleeves?)  Same swishy circle skirt (and I can even add more swish if I want to, with my circle skirt draft).  There was another very similar pattern that had a bodice + midriff piece WITH the tulip sleeves like Amy's.  Alas, I can't get the Simplicity site to load so I can show you a picture.  I decided to go with this pattern because it is the most similar, and because I think I can realistically draft the tulip sleeves if I want them.

Although I'm not sure that I can use the tulip sleeves on this type of raglan bodice.  Hmmm. This one will take some more thought.

First though I have a green plaid dress that needs some finishing up on!   

this...

is stunning.


It's from J Peterman and $229. So probably not in my current budget. But oh, how I lust. Pondering its recreation, I remembered this BWOF top from last fall:

Not exactly it, but a possible starting point. A true vintage pattern may be a better starting point, but my stash of vintage is 1940s, and this dress has a very 30's feel. I'm actually curious if I could self draft this, based off of a combo of peasant top and button front top patterns.

I have this pattern from Children's Corner from when Lu was small:


Note that it's a round yoke (albeit much shallower than the dress above) with gathered sleeve/bodice. I think the yoke/gathered bodice concept for the dress (in my size of course) would be the same. The yoke itself should be easy enough to draft off of a well fitting woven shirt.

In theory, that is.

My other option is to look at a true vintage pattern. If only I could get my hands on this one, a 1930s Butterick #6432. It's sold though (on sovintagepatterns.com). But wow, its close.


Hmmm. I'll keep you posted if I come up with anything better.

I'm considering the wardrobe contest over at PR. I know some of you are too! The only thing holding me back (it's a long contest, 3 months!) is the fact that once I finalize a plan I typically lose all interest in working on it. So we'll just have to see if I can make one and stick to it. Seeing as I just got my mojo kickstarted, I'm sorta loathe to jinx it now!

But be on the lookout for a potential storyboard this week anyway!

dress envy

Have you been watching Drop Dead Diva? I am really enjoying this cute little show on the girl network, Lifetime. Great getaway hour! And the heroine, "Jane" is adorable. It's worth noting that she's not a walking hanger and is just as cute as she can be! How refreshing.


Last week Jane wore this fabulous pink & black dress and I've been searching for a pattern ever since. Here are some snaps of various quality/closeup-ness.

The dress has a button front placket and a collar:


and a really great swishy skirt:


Jane wore it with a black patent belt:


and little cap sleeves. Isn't it (and she) adorable??


Any pattern suggestions?? Would be awesome if it was BWOF, but I'll take anything at this point. It just seems like I've seen a similar shirt dress pattern SOMEWHERE.