A Linen Dress for Spring

 

I have Spring fever.  I want pretty, bright colors in my life.  I want to paint all my walls pretty shades of green and pink and blue to be surrounded by the cheerful colors for the coming of Spring.  I'm too lazy for that so I sewed a dress from this coral linen (a blend with flax or cotton I figure since it doesn't completely wrinkle just by looking at it.)  I actually used this fabric to make a different dress last summer but it shrunk like nuts (even after pre-washing, too.)  I pre-washed the fabric again and let it stay in the dryer til it was static-y, just to be on the safe side.  This is pattern M113 from My Image (Spring/Summer 2011.)  I think this is my favorite issue of theirs- I want to sew about two-thirds of all the patterns in here.   The second I saw this dress I knew I would sew it up.  I'm almost sure the model here in their magazine is the same height as I am at 5'8".  The length and vertical fit is so similar (I didn't hem it quite as short as the pattern recommends.)  This is nice to know as I look at the finished patterns on her. 

I made a size 42 then graded the hips to about 46.  This pattern is evenly proportional from hip to bust, I happen to have a fuller bum and thighs and it was an easy fix.  Their translated directions from Dutch to English are not My Image's strong  point-- (almost) all the info is there for this one but it's not too clear.  I took my time and thought out each step and it all worked out.  What is missing?  The dimensions for the waist pieces.  I measured the width of the front and back skirt and used those numbers for the waist; I used 1 inch wide elastic so I measured 1" and added 5/8" seam allowances.  The directions for the waistband are vague and I had to improvise some.

I used some vintage buttons made from shells.  I wish I knew their approximate age.  I don't think they are mother-of-pearl because they don't have a very strong opalescent shimmer.  Buttons in my collection date back to the 1800s so there's a 100+ year span they could be from but my guess is they are mid 20th century?  Any button geeks out there who would know?  P.S. Hi, Mom and Aunt Barb!  I know you're reading now! And yep... these are Aunt Anna's buttons.