I was actually helpless in the face of this pattern (from seller tarna). I couldn't NOT have it, despite having recently organized FIFTEEN comic-book-boxes of patterns. This pattern is basically my kryptonite. Gathers over the bust? Square neckline? Pockets??? IT HAD TO BE MINE.
And, thankfully, nobody else on eBay seemed to want it (well, one other person wanted it, but not as much as I did!), so now it is. Mine. All mine.
My only regret is that it is nearly certain that it won't arrive before my next New Dress Opportunity, which is next week (although I probably won't have any time to sew before said opportunity, sadly).
The only thing I think I'll change is the length of the sleeves. I like mine to be a bit more cap-sleeveish, and hit above the biceps, so that when I'm lugging big boxes around (which I tend to do a fair bit) I won't split them. Not that I'm in actual danger of splitting the seams, not being either the Incredible Hulk OR Popeye, but I do like to maximize mobility. You never know when some errant radioactivity (or can of spinach) will change your life FOREVER.
Also, I cannot wait to see how the facings are done on the neck. Do the shoulder pieces fold over, and is there a separate facing for the bodice piece? I think it's going to be really interesting, in the sewing-engineering way.
Oh, I hope this gets here SOON!
A Dress A Day 
Oh, how cute is that? I love how the gathering at the shoulders repeats at the pockets. Adorable.
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I love this dress! Please show us a picture when you make it. Sleeveless is so cool (literally), but after a certain number of years, the upper arms do flop when playing the violin, the handbells, and gesturing broadly. (sigh)
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Yes, what Sondra said. Please show us when you are done. I would love to know how they have sewn the gathered bit above the bust.
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Yep. Pretty much perfect (the sleeves were my only hesitation too, but not hard to fix; I like the idea of cap sleeves, though it would be nice sleeveless, too.) I’m glad you got it, so we can hear (and see!) how it goes together.Maybe it can be part of your Anne Adams extravaganza (hint hint).
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I want that pattern!!!! That is an awesome dress!!
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Oooh, sneaky not to show this pattern to us earlier — not that we would have bid against you intentionally… It is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see your finished dress. I wonder if you could extend the gathered shoulder bit to become the cap/flutter sleeve and not have to set it in (and all that implies). Wouldn’t this be cute in a fun print with a solid color for the blocks at the pockets? As soon as I retire, I’m going to buy a sewing machine. 🙂
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Ooh, nice. I’ve not been fully sucked into Vintage Sewing Universe yet – only vintage patterns I own are the ones I bought in the 80s and never got round to making up! BUT. I really like this. I really hope you make it up soon!!I have to say I’m not sure about sleeves yet – most of my shorter sleeves are on t-shirts, so I’m going to have to wait until I’ve made a few and tried wearing them before I decide on my preferred sleeve draft. These look good to me, though.I would also be very interested in the engineering on the inside. That gathered seam would be downright uncomfortable without a facing or lining or something to cover the edge.And doesn’t this design just beg for colour blocking? Cheers,AJ
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That pattern is so you. I cna’t wait to see what amazing fabric you choose. YOu always have so many great fabric ideas. I personallly prefer the 3/4 sleeve over any ohter sleeve. I hate my upper arms and loath long sleeves — even in winter.I liek the idae of the Ann Adams extravaganza.And Heather Outside of Boston – Why wait till you retire to get a sewing machine? That’s what days off are for. And don’t say you have to “clean, walk the dog, mow the grass…” even is you cna only work on a project an hour or tow at time, you should do it. Sometimes I take my machine to work and sew on my lunch break.
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That dress is completely adorable, and of course the pattern had to be yours- please do show us a picture when you make it!I can totally see the new sleeve being in line with the yoke insertion of the shoulder.
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I’m with you on the sleeve length. The freedom of movement thing, and also I just think shorter-than-this short sleeves are more flattering on most women. Especially a closely fitted sleeve like this.Theresa– I wear long sleeves in the winter, but unless it is truly cold where I am, the sleeves immediately get pushed up to the forearms. Sleeves on the lower part of my arms make me twitchy. No idea why.
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I like how you are curious about how the facings may be. I would love to hear the sewing-engineering details, as I am not much for patterns but am always looking for ways to make my garments look quite finished. (And I often have to buy patterns anyways. Hah)
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So I’m not the only one who feels like sleeve biceps on patterns are too tiny? 🙂
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I am newly enamoured of your blog. AND I love this dress, can’t wait to hear about how it goes together. I used to wear vintage gowns and day dresses in my twenties, everyone thought I was coo coo. Alas, I no longer have a waist so am unable to wear any of these delicious dresses. But it’s fun to watch.
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But there’s no midriff band. Surely you could have just said no? Also — about the gathers over the bust– I haven’t noticed you mention this before. Is this a particularly flattering feature for your figure, or is it just something that you find technically satisfying/challenging to accomplish?
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I’ve been on the lookout for patterns that deal with fullness in ways other than darts for a while … gathers are my new fave.
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Maria,Long sleeves make me twitchy too –like I am in straight jacket or something. I never wear suits — although I love them and there are MANY vintage suit reproductions I want like this new one for fall from Simplicity 3668, http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?cat=1&type=1&sec=6&startrow=1Of course I would make it with the skirt and not the pants. Jackets are uncomfortable for me. If they fit around my waist & chest, it’s too tight in the in shoulders back and arms and I can’t move. If it fits my shoulders, it’s too big everywhere and the arms are waaay tooo long. Of course I ahve never worn a jacket I have sewn myslef and I am not even sure I could do a passable, let alone, good job. As to being a coo coo vintage dresss wearer, everytime I wear a vintage dress I made, I get compliments. Some things never go out of style.
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Love the pattern and CAN’T wait till you can post pics.~Amelia
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That is a WONDERFUL dress. I absolutely love it!
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Stop the presses! Simplicity fall patterns are out already?!
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I see and I COVET!!!!! Do show it made up, please. In fact could you go start sewing it up now?-Janet
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I always thought of sleeves the same way I think of jacket length – don’t let it hit you at your widest point. Cap sleeves would make me look far more like Popeye than busted out sleeve seams would. My Ideal sleeve hits maybe 2 inches above the inside of my elbow. Not that I can find that sleeve in any store EVER. – Elizabeth
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Such a pretty dress! I too look forward to seeing it made up. Sorry to pull the thread out of the gathers, but I think the shaping for the bust is coming from the darts, (or are they pleats?) at the waist. They look like released darts to me. The wonderful gathers above the bust release toward the shoulder, so they don’t really do much for the bust…but they are a dynamite design feature.
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What a great dress. I love the angle of the pockets with the square neckline. Looking forward to seeing it made up. But my question is, will you be wearing gloves?
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Oooo! I REALLY like this pattern! Sigh. Saidee is right: the bust shaping is not in the gathers; they’re just the bonus part!I do hope you can find fabric to match your gloves!
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FQckrC Nice Article.
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Please write anything else!
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