I'm going to hold off on this pattern and hope for it to show up in the next size up, even though I think it's pure genius and I could certainly go up from a B34 to a B36.
It's from FuzzyLizzie's Vintage Patterns, and even if you aren't a fan of Halston, go there right now. Seriously. She has tons of Mary Quant! She has older Dior! She has Betsey Johnson! And all at very, very reasonable prices (under $20, for the most part). There's a 50s dress in particular with a scalloped detail that goes across the front and *over onto the back shoulder* that I think is worth three times what's she's charging.
Anyway, back to Mr. Halston. In a weak moment (aren't they all?) I bought some bright magenta knit fabric that just screams for a minimally-seamed 1970's dress to set it off (although how I'd do the facings that must be required for this neckline in knit I'm not sure … maybe it's self-lined? That would work …). I think this one would be excellent. You can control the plunge of the neckline and the length of the skirt and there are no goddamn Bishop sleeves to deal with. (I hate Bishop sleeves, what a lot of trouble for something so unpleasant to wear and look at!)
The only thing I don't like about this dress is that there are no side seams, so there is nowhere to put a pocket unless I put it in the underbust seam, and if I'm going to put a pocket there I might as well carry money around in my bra. And the knit I'm thinking about won't support a patch pocket (which would also ruin the line of the dress). Ah, well, on to the next candidate.
A Dress A Day 
Oh, you witch! You with your “go there right now. Seriously.”You just caused me to buy the Butterick 8933 even though it’s been fifteen years since I had a size 34 bust or wore a size 12. Now I will have to have surgery to fit into this dress.Evil woman!Maybe I’ll just sew the dress and hang it on the wall.
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I was going to feature that one too! Seriously. It’s great!Maybe you can just frame the pattern?
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Harrumph. Maybe I should mount the pattern on the wall above my gym bag.Meanwhile, I love that the neckline is described as “pie-cut.” That must be why I’ve always preferred V-shaped necklines. In my case it’s probably a cake slice, though.
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If only that scalloped number wasn’t a bust 32. I have something very similar that I traced off a friend’s…it’s pretty much that same dress, only a full-skirt version. Also a Bust 32. It’s been seven years and I’ve never made it. No point in shelling out the $12 for the straight-skirt version. Boo.–Lydia
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Gee, I’m blushing!Thanks for the feature. I LOVE vintage patterns, and I do have a few I sell. Actually I have 100s, but can’t seem to find the time….This is a great blog. I love to find kindred vintage-loving spirits!Lizzie
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You say the dress has no side seams? Well isn’t that what made Halston’s clothes so wonderful and different from all his peers! The seamlessness of his garment along with the bias cutting! I’m always looking for ways to eliminate seams in the men’s clothing I make. I’ve used that same principle and made some very fluid, relaxed and masculine clothes. I’ve dedicated my blog to him, and would love to talk to other fans of his! There will never be another like him!!!
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Yep. Halston’s cutting was genius. But no pockets! So hard to reconcile those two things … I guess Halston women always either had a shiny pretty clutch bag or some guy to carry their lip gloss, cigarettes, and cocaine …
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