Thursday, May 3, 2012

Help! Your Opinion on Stripes Is Needed!

I'm in the middle of sewing up my Vintage Vogue 8789, the chevron-ed bodice version. In my inspiration sketch, I had originally written that I wanted a circle skirt, but I'm kind of just not feeling it. So here are my new options, and I can't decide which to go with!

If you can read my terrible iPad handwriting.

Here's an example of a real Horrockses dress with horizontal stripes in the skirt:

Plenty more like this here.

This is the pattern envelope illustration, which has the vertical stripes:

From here. I'm making the one on the left, obviously.

And here's my inspiration for the double-chevron look (I don't want to just steal her photo for my blog, so please go look at her fabulous dress). Dapper Duds' choice of fabric+pattern is just awesome! I'm concerned about all the bias, though, as I want to wear this to a wedding on Saturday and don't know if that's sufficient for the fabric to finish stretching. The horizontal stripes might be too widening, or is that just a fashion urban legend? And the vertical stripes are just so expected. So there are my arguments. In case you need to see what my actual fabric looks like, and not just my doodles, here:

Quick and horribly green-tinted photo of the bodice so far. I am so sad that the darts cut off the nice stripes! :(

What do you all think? How should I arrange the stripes on the skirt?

Walnut is of the opinion that I should just leave the rest of the fabric out for him to play in.


23 comments:

  1. Vertical stripes, like a betty draper homedress!

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  2. Am for vertical stripes too. To me it adds more interest to the dress and looks like the natural progression. Horizontal would be too far removed for me, and it would feel like an abrubt stop and afterthought. I know am talking a load of . . . but I know what I mean. Oh I have just noticed your diagrams and was about to suggest you drawing something lol. Yes am definitely still with vertical.

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  3. If a full skirt, not the chevroned stripes. And here's some more inspirational fodder http://www.makesthethings.com/2012/05/02/finished-chevron-high-low-hem-dress/

    There was research recently that demonstrated that horizontal stripes are actually slimming. And if I were as slim as you, I wouldn't care a jot either way.

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    1. That was my example of a recent chevron chevron dress as well (though I actually voted vertical, because I thought it suited the fabric best).

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  4. I do like the chevrons though, but for some reason for your fabric choice and event my first instinct is to prefer the vertical. Anyway good luck.

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  5. if you do it vertical we can be twins!
    http://oonaballoona.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-is-most-awesome-month-in-history.html
    but i voted chevron, cause i slacked on mine...

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  6. I'm doing a similar dress right now and I decided on vertical stripes with the chevron bust. I think you can get the most out of your fabric that way and also leads your eye down from the chevron (or up the chevron depending on how you look at it!)

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  7. hmm I think vertical but chevron could be cool too.
    Dont worry about the bodice the most obvious chevron is perfect that pulls the eye in so all is good :D

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  8. I guess it all depends on what you are DOING with the skirt, because if you are going to gather it then yeah, vertical all the way, but if it's going to flare, chevron nation! That's my two cents.

    strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com

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  9. Your fabric is retro cool! With your fabric choice and limited stretch time for bias, I like the vertical. But my first instinct was all chevrons. (Of course, I'm working on an all chevron striped dress for myself right now, so that might have something to do with it.)

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  10. I could not resist the chevron temptation, myself---though I see that vertical stripes are winning the poll. :)

    Sign you are a nerd #4532849: Every time I read "Horrockses" I see "Horcruxes"...

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  11. I like vertical stripes! But I saw a cool all-chevron dress on another sewing blog, very different fabric but you can see what it might be like: http://zilredloh.com/2012/04/18/butterick-7651-my-nautical-inspired-dress/

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  12. I made two dresses like taht and always chose vertical, because i wear it to work etc. But wedding? Seriously? Go crazy, choose horizontal!! It would be something bold and original. Can't wait to see waht you choose!

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  13. I would say do horizontal if you want to emphasise the fullness of the skirt but vertical if you want to look taller. I voted horizontal because it's more 50s, also I think given the broad stripe it might suit it horizontal layout better, but it's up to you! :) Good luck either way and I'll be excited to see the result!

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    1. I forgot to say, my mum bought me a book last Christmas all about Horrockses dresses and it's really good. It has a lot of detail about the fabric choices and design features like the under-arm square (for concealing unsightly stains) so if you're specifically interested in Horrockses dresses, I'd definitely recommend it!

      [Look for "Horrockses Fashions: Off-the-Peg Style in the 40s and 50s" on Amazon, ISBN-13:978-1851776016]

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  14. You could rotate the front below bust darts to the side seams if you know how to do that. That would preserve the chevrons in front.

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  15. I voted chevron because it looks the most challenging. I've been poking at a striped dress as well and want to do chevrons but lack the intestinal fortitude.

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  16. Chevron chevron chevron! (I'm making that not-my-granny's-photo dress right now with chevrons out the wazoo. Chevrons are awesome. ;))

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  17. Well, dang. I missed the poll, and I know it wasn't the most popular but I hope you go with the horizontal stripes! I think the double chevron is going to loose a lot of impact because your stripe is diluted with florals. You are so tiny that a bit of widening isn't a problem, and it's such a lovely, unusual historical touch.

    I'm sure whatever you pick will be gorgeous though!

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  18. I really really like the horizontal stripes on the skirt. It's different and unique and I don't think it will make you look bigger than what you are

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  19. I came to vote Vertical but it seems I"m too late for the poll. I don't know how much fabric you have but chevron/bias takes a LOT of yardage esp a long skirt. Bodice looks great!

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  20. I'm probably too late, but I love the vertical.

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  21. Wow your material is gorgeous! I'd go with vertical stripes, can't wait to see it! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk/

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