I do love a bit of bengaline. Did you know that Lizzie Borden was wearing a bengaline dress when she* axe murdered her parents? The things you learn on Wikipedia!. Hers was silk though, mine isn't so murdery...
I decided to make Butterick 5281 - a retro reprint from 1946. Now I look at the Butterick website I see they've made a version in a similar red - fancy that!
Unfortunately I think it has turned out a bit mumsy (not sure of the translation of that term for our North American friends...). I'm hoping a brooch -as opposed to the fetching pin that is there now - and a belt will help. I also didn't put the shoulder pads in - I will have a think about it on my test drive tomorrow.**
It was actually a pretty straightforward sew. I didn't line the bodice, just made a facing which seems to have worked fine.
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*Allegedly murdered (thanks anonymous)
** Test drove frock today - garnered compliments. Easy Jane, why do you frumpify# my frocks?
#Thanks Cathie, that is the word I was looking for!
11 comments:
Hott!
I think little shoulder pads may spice it up a bit.
And a belt.
And a brooch.
Bengadine - never heard of it! But love the red dress.
I've never heard of Bengaline, either! Thanks for the lesson!
"Mom-ish" is the word I've heard used as the American equivalent to "Mumsy." "Mumsy" rolls of the tongue more easily though!
I've only been seeing Bengaline here recently - I think I've even see it in Lincraft (shock horror!). It seems to be the fabric of choice for those retro styles like Stop Staring and Bettie Page, which led me to look at it...
The word might be "frumpy". I like the red, though! Keep working on it!
Bengaline usually has a nice drape to it - with plenty of substance - I think shoulder pads are required - plus a belt .. and no more mumsy!
Lizzie Borden didn't kill her parents. She was fully acquitted at trial. Anyone who knows anything about the case suspects the maid.
So don't worry about your bengaline - which looks very nice, just like Lizzie.
How about a lower neckline and a higher hem? It worked for my vintage tea dress.
Yes, I noticed a difference between the original pattern illustration and the made-up version on the Vogue Pattern site. They really exagerated the look of that shoulder drape, didn't they? I wrote about it here. I'm glad you were able to rectify the dress and get compliments on it regardless.
How can a red dress ever be "matronly"? (the term used in my part of the world)
A pin, a belt and some killer shoes and it will look great.
I love this pattern, the skirt falls very nicely... I recommend just trying to dress it up.
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