Asymmetrical Fashion

Lately, it seems like all I see is asymmetrical dresses and shirts.  And I just can't get on board.  There is this from Vogue:

It looks like something went horribly wrong in the construction process.  How do you know if you've messed it up?  The result is all poochy in the middle.  I am sure this woman has a perfect figure but it makes her look bad.

Why did just one leg need covering?  Is that why it is sticking out?

The mullet look recreated in a dress?  Party in the back and business in the front?  Or I guess since it is shorter in front, that is where the party has moved?

Remember this? I didn't like it in the 80's, either.  

Final proof: If a mole is asymmetrical it might be cancerous. If your face goes all asymmetrical, then you might be having a stroke.   These are serious medical issues.

I rest my case. 

Does anyone have an asymmetrical look they LOVE?  Am I wrong?

Simplicity 1803 in Flowers for Spring

It is spring in the northern hemisphere.  Time for flowers!  I chose Simplicity 1803 for my cotton flowered dress.

Here is the original pattern.  It is much more modern than the patterns I have been choosing -  although I love the 50's retro dress patterns, the modern ones use less fabric.  This one still has a retro look, although I did make some modifications.

The first thing I did was add 10 inches to the skirt.  I don't look good in skirts above the knee.  That turned out to be over-kill.  Eight inches would have actually been plenty - I ended cutting two off.

Next, I modified the sleeve.  The pattern calls for pleats, which makes a box shape on the shoulder.  I have never been a fan, so I took my sloper and used it instead.

 

The pattern has a gathered skirt but I wanted a little more fabric in the skirt (I guess I can't leave the 50's entirely behind). I sewed a size 12 bodice and a size 20 skirt and gathered the large skirt into the bodice. 

 

One thing I have been working on is to make the insides of my dresses nicer.  In the past, they have looked great on the outside, but I have left a war zone inside.  This one is lined in a cotton and hand-sewn into the dress.  All edges are serged.  The zipper is an invisible zipper.  I keep telling myself to get a better camera, but I swear it does look nice. 

I didn't put gathers in the lining because I didn't want more bulk at the waist than chocolate already deposits.  So, I used a smaller skirt size and put in some pleats to avoid the bulk.

I really run out of poses.

The only thing I would do differently is that the pattern calls for the front bodice to be in two pieces.  I think that cutting it on the fold would have been much better for the flowers on this to look right.  It looks a little off the way it is.

Overall, the result is a wearable dress that is a little less conspicuous than the 50's patterns I love.  I can wear this without so much attention.  I can get into a car without closing half of the skirt in the door.  I'll definitely be wearing it this summer. 

Next up: work on my invisible zipper skills.  I still hand-picked this one because every time I use a machine to put in a zipper, it turns out funny. 

V2903 - Retro in Camouflage

I had an event to dress up for that had a Redneck/Camo theme and since I don't miss many opportunities to walk around with big hair and lots of makeup, I did it 50's style.   Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures taken when my hair was big and rockabilly, but I did get pictures of the dress, made from Vogue 2903.

This is the original pattern.

V2903 Pattern

I meant the dress to be a joke.  It is 50's.... and camouflage. But the thing is, I REALLY love this pattern. It is super figure flattering.  I don't have nearly as nice of a figure as it looks like in this dress.  Which everybody knows is the sign of a good dress.

One thing I changed was the pleats.  In the pattern, there are large pleats in the skirt section.  I started to make them with the knit and it was a complete fail.  I ended up skipping it entirely and the way the fabric falls, it almost looks like they are there, anyway.

I used a stretch knit for the fabric, so although the pattern has a zipper down the back, I skipped it.  It easily fits over my shoulders without having to fuss with a zipper installation.

I also got to make a size that didn't include and much ease.  I love that about knits.  A close fit AND the ability to breathe.

On the bottom of the skirt, I just used a serger and didn't hem it.  I figured hemming was too much for a redneck theme.  And it is handy since it is my least favorite part of making the dress.  Does anyone like hemming?  It always seems like a tedious detail after you have done all of the fun work.

Hems - the redneck way

Bottom line: I am going to make this again in a different fabric.  Maybe even another knit.  I'd like a dress I can wear in public without being stared at so much (for all the wrong reasons).