Thanks for the feedback about the fullness of my skirt. I feel a lot better about using that one now, but I got bored and made up some design sketches just to see if I liked anything better.
1. The original dress. It's clean and elegant and I like being faithful to the original. But I think it looks a bit bath-robe-ish, which makes me hesitate.
2. The double layer Butterick skirt. I've made this one before so I know it looks good on me and is easy to make, but I'm not crazy about the way it looks with the kimono bodice. They don't seem to fit together just right.
3. This skirt is inspired by an antique 1910's pattern that I bought today. It's one of those transitional styles, and the back looks very much like the original skirt, but I thought the center panel with some tabs would give it a nice tailored look. I think this one is my favorite at the moment.
4. Straight skirt with a border, inspired by that photo I liked. I like it, but I'm not sure I love it. I could also change the color of the borders, but I'm still having a hard time picking a color. I found a blue-gray that was pretty, but it didn't seem like the most "period" choice, if you know what I mean.
Anybody want to offer a vote? I'm going to think obsess about it for a week and then start cutting.
What do you think of sort of combining option #1 with #3? An opening starting at the point of the bodice wrap and closed all the way to the hem with buttoned tabs. Or maybe a faux opening, with the buttoned tabs just applied to the skirt. Or perhaps the tabs running from the waist to the hem on either side?
ReplyDeleteI also think the bathrobe effect might be lessened if you had a belt like in option #3 or #4, rather than the tasseled one on #1.
I like number one. But I actually really like the battenburge lace edging of the other dress in the photo. :)
ReplyDeleteRight now I vote for #3. I agree, #2 doesn't work as well. I LOVE the inspiration photo for #4, but for some reason it's not exciting me as much in your drawing. I don't know why!
ReplyDeleteNumber 3!
ReplyDeleteI love 1 and 4 but 1 without the tassells
ReplyDeleteI vote for 1 or 3
ReplyDeleteI love the original option with the false gore alot more than the others. It reminds of my all time favourite pelisse sleeves ( http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O117404/pelisse/ )
ReplyDeleteI don't dig the silhouette on the second one, the third one feels a little "too much" and the last one feels a little plain, like it needs something more (like a lovely false gore) to be striking.
I like #1 or possibly some hybrid of 3 and 4. I like the button detail on 3 but I think it needs the color accent of 4.
ReplyDeleteNumber 4. Hands down. Of the four options sketched it jumps out to me. I think maybe increasing the contrast of the of the border color will help get you to where you want to go. And you know what I think is missing? A bit of lace. Feminine up the blouse worn underneath and you've softened the severity of the outfit while maintaining the simplicity.
ReplyDeleteEspecially with the bathrobe concern, I like the detail on #3. But I also really like the contrast visual impact of #4. A combination of the two would be great.
ReplyDeleteOf course anything you wear would look great just because you DO pay attention to the details.
I'm going to be no help at all. I like 1,3,4...closer to 1 and 4 lol
ReplyDeleteI actually like 1 (the original), but 4 also appeals to me. I don't know enough about the period to know whether the blue gray is or isn't a period choice, but I like it aesthetically.
ReplyDeleteHow about #1 without the tasseled sash? That's the only thing about 1 that says "bathrobe" to me at all.
ReplyDeleteI love your sketches, could you tell me what mediums you used?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on my sketches! I used prismacolors on tracing paper, and I draw/color on both sides. This softens the colors on the back side, and allows me to layer details (like the stripes) on the front.
ReplyDeleteThat is ingenious...off to practice now...thanks!
ReplyDelete