I went back and forth for months over what I would wear. It was my big brothers wedding, after all, I needed something special. I couldn't decide
between something fitting to the theme of their wedding (western) or something
more futuristic that represented the true me. I just wasn't feeling the normal
inspiration that usually comes over me when I have a special event to outfit
myself for. Thus everything I was coming up with was completely off the wall
and just plain quacky. Finally at the end of July I remembered a picture
of simple 1940's dress my bestfriend had sent to me...
All the sudden I was extremely excited and immediately started locating the
components I needed to complete this puzzle...
I first ordered a hat off Etsy. After several days the seller canceled the sale
and wouldn’t respond to my messages.....I was quite disgusted..lol After all, I’d
spent hours searching for the thing and thought I'd found the perfect one.
In the meantime a friend pointed me towards
Aris Allen’s reproduction shoes.
I knew there was no way I’d ever fit my monsters of feet into originals. So I
ordered a pair of
these. I was soooo thrilled when I tried them on they
made my feet look tiny and are soooo perfect for the late 30’s early 40’s not to mention the
superb construction and how comfortable they are….I did, however, decide to go
with a different size. So back those went. They were definitely a pleasure to
work with and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Fabulous customer service,
quick shipping, and just an all around wonderful product! (Yes, I love shoes.)
The search for the perfect hat continued. I didn’t have a huge budget for
one and wanted something nonintrusive. I picked out several then after looking
at them more I would decide I didn’t like them any longer…Finally I found a
couple on eBay that I liked. I took a vote and ended up choosing a repro felt one. It was coming from Australia tho and it was at this point
less then 2 weeks till the wedding. I once again got lucky tho and it got here
with several days to spare…so much worrying…in the end for no reason, but nerve
wracking at the time none-the-less.
Finally my attention turned to the dress..Not sure why I hadn’t thought of
this earlier, but I NEEDED FABRIC. I searched the internet a bit and found a
few plausible options, but it was soon apparent I’d waited too long to order
anything. Plus I wasn’t really happy with the colors of any of them… It was
then necessary to make my yearly trip to Joann’s. Much to my joy they didn’t
let me down. I found a lovely red 70% wool suiting…It was perfect – as was the
40% off coupon I was able to use. :P
Three days before we were to leave for the wedding I was, at long last, able
to start the actual creating process of the dress. Once I got home from work on
Tuesday evening - I started making the pattern. I used McCall's 3129 as the
base. The thing has been around forever and much to my surprise was still in
the pattern books when I went to Joann's the other day! Some of these things
just won’t go away. The biggest job was bringing the princess seams straight up to
the corners of the neckline rather then curving to end in the armsyce. I did
this on the front and back. We decided the back of the neck should be
squared, as well, instead of leaving it
high and rounded. Next I slit the front side panel and added bust darts. Never
been a fan, but they are kind of necessary to achieve that vintage silhouette I
was looking for. Lastly I shortened the skirt about 11”. That allowed 2 inches
for the hem which ended up being about perfect! Then began the real fun. The
mock up fit nigh on perfectly. I decided to end the bust dart about an inch
sooner and that’s all I had to change! Yay for simple things, right!?!
The next night I started cutting out. That went fairly quickly…altho I do
believe I threw a nap in there at one point. (Let me tell ya these last few
weeks of wedding prep are stressful as all get out) I got the basic construction done to where I could try it on...Started getting excited and
feeling relieved that it was lookin better then I’d imagined it would. The next day I
threw the zipper in. I was so proud - got it in perfectly on the first try! And
it was a new method for me. Woohoo! ;) My lil sis then got more practice taking
side seams in. I always have a hard time getting princess seamed things to fit
right on my body shape. I’m just a few inches shy of being a ‘perfect’ hour
glass…I have enormous hips, a nipped in waist, and then a fairly large torso
above that …Never fun seeing as I want the fabric to do the same and it has
such a strong mind of its own…Either way…we prevailed…The rest the construction
went smoothly till I got to putting the lining in. I decided to take the
shoulder seams apart so I could use the lining instead of any facings (trying
to figure out to accomplish this kept me awake the night before. lol) Upon
trimming the neckline and giving it a closer inspection - I discovered, much to
my horror, that the center panel was a ¼” shy of hitting the corners of the
neck…I’d forgotten to account for the fact that the sides of the neck angled
out and once I put a full seam in there it would be off…To say I was
disappointed would be an understatement! This once perfect dress...totally
screwed up…grr…things like these drive me crazy! Alas, the cooler head
triumphed and I decided I would just have to get over it…
Next came the make-up. This
picture was kind of my inspiration...
I went with a full white
shadow, perfecting the winged liner was
perhaps the hardest part…not used to doing it quite so…what can we say…dainty?
I wanted the whole upper lid lined, preferably very thin on the inner eye
swelling and then turn turning to an angled wing. My issue is usually symmetry
from one eye to the other. :p I used Maybelline New York Master Duo gel liner. That danged stuff was
expensive….
The hair....I REALLY wanted victory rolls or at least a few swirly things, but I had no one to help me and I ended up running out of time...so next go round perhaps?
And that, my dears, is how this get-up came to be…
Love,
Brooke
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