So ignore the hungry-looking women in the front wearing jackets, and concentrate on the woman in the distance—yes, the one in the goofy pose—and look at her dress. This is a type of dress I really like, and not just because the more seams you have in a skirt, the easier it is to force pockets into it.
I like the simple bodice, and the paneled skirt, and the belt. In the right fabric (a plain weave wool? a silk twill?) this is a dress you could wear with a cardigan and flat shoes, or a little jacket and heels, or with big chunky jewelry and fancy shoes. In fact, when I see a dress like this it's hard for me to imagine someplace you *couldn't* wear it, given the right fabric and accessories.
If you feel the same, there are two copies (different sizes) right now at Patterns From the Past (at $10 each). Just … if you make the jacketed version, lighten up on the eyeliner, okay? It kind of creeps me out.
A Dress A Day 
I had to laugh out loud when I read your post. They really do look hungry. And scary. They look like they want to eat me! 😉
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I think a dress like that has to be made in a really beautiful fabric thats a tiny bit stiff. A slubbed silk would be perfect. Also, unless you want to be attacked by birds, consider leaving the donut off your head. (Red might keep it pinned there throughout the day so its close at hand if she feels faint.)
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I got that pattern a while ago as part of a job lot, and because it wasnt the one I was specifically after from the bunch, I tucked it away and never really gave it a second glance. Until now. Just goes to show that sometimes it takes someone elses eyes to open your own. I even have the right stiff-ish fabric (an eye-poppingly colorful Liberty twill) and the pattern is in my size. What am I waiting for?The funniest thing is, its the haunted look of hungry lady that I immediately recognized rather than the pattern per se!
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Hmmm, I dont even ever remember seeing this pattern. Strange. Love its simplicity. You are right; made with the right fabric, this dress could go anywhere.
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Oh, Annonymous, I would REALLY like to see this dress made up! GO FOR IT! And to burden your little shoulders even further, I especially want to see a matching belt. All those patterns say you need a belt kit to make one…but someone here pointed out you can find vintage ones on ebay. I think a beautiful twill sounds fab. Yum!
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PS: I mean you can find the vintage belt kits on ebay…not any-old vintage belt to pop on your new creation. Though that could work, in a pinch.
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It may just be that my measurements are not standard and I havent spent enough time to adjust patterns to fit me, but I always find that Simplicity patters are actually TOO simple. Too few pieces to get a good fit. I always do better with Butterick or Vogue. McCalls in desperation.
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Earlier anonymous here – for some reason Id never thought to look on eBay for vintage belt kits, but thank you Cookie for mentioning it. Now you say it, it does seem rather obvious… Actually Ive been a bit scared of making my own belts up to now (I have buckles, but making buckle holes seems far too complicated, with special kit involved, and Im not convinced the ones without buckle-holes will ever hold). I usually end up either sewing bias trim around the waist as contrast (only works with some types of dresses though), or using belts I already own. Cookie, it seems to me this is the perfect challenge – I shall make this dress WITH a self-made belt! Thank you and goodnight.
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I think a nice brocade or fully lined raw silk would be geat. This style reminds me of Mad Men I love the outfits from that show.
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Cookie, it seems to me this is the perfect challenge – I shall make this dress WITH a self-made belt! Thank you and goodnight. Im sure I can speak for the group when I say were all behind you, 100 percent! If a 1950s housewife could whip up her own belt, Im sure you can, too. The kit is sure to have instructions. Report back on this Missing Link of vintage clothing construction! : )
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Anonymous, yes, we MUST see this dress in a Liberty twill with matching belt — and you can do it, Im sure!As for Red Donut and Blue Contrast Lapels, the eyeliner is only part of the reason theyre creepy. They both appear to have been mesmerized by an evil doctor, and have their eyes focused on some mysterious object — a shrunken head? a belt kit? some offending rick rack? — located somewhere between them and the pattern viewer.
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All of you make my day. 🙂
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Come to think of it, they kind of look like store mannequins come to life. Theres some revolt underway at Bonwits…
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I think they are fembots. –Karen
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Ever see that epidose of the Twilight Zone where the mannequins come to life and the one doesnt wan to go back…
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Very similar to Simplicity 6978 from the 1960s. The ladies featured on 6978 seem to be eyeing these hungry women with distrust!
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Youre right about its simplicity – it actually looks so simple that Im thinking I might be able to make the pattern for myself, if I went into the trouble… I probably should. Its exactly the type of dress I like.
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Too funny, yes these are goofy poses! But yes, it is indeed a very nice dress.
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Oh!!! I have that dress!! the red one, of course it was not made with the original vintage pattern, but as I always surf in the net looking for clothes I like and I have this but in another color.
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