My favorite of the three groups was Odoru 11, with “Shiawase Kyouryuu Ondo”…The Happy Dinosaurs March.
About two years ago, I went fabric shopping with a friend – I was making some cushion covers for her, and we went to the ever-fabulous Urban Arts & Crafts to look for fabric. They stock a range of gorgeous and colorful craft, apparel, and upholstery fabric, including a nice selection of Amy Butler prints. In fact, it was a pair of Butler prints we ended up using for her upholstery project.
But while we were there, I made a purchase of my own:
I saw it and immediately thought of the Odoru 11 costumes, and thought I might make something for myself that was somewhat inspired by the 1960s go-go-girl style dresses the Odoru 11 group wore. But not quite as extreme or as revealing, since I am a grown-up-lady and have a proper job and all. (Also a horror of appearing to be “mutton dressed as lamb!”)
So, this is what I ended up with:
The pattern is from 1966 – it was one that my grandma had made up for my mom when Mom was in high-school.
(Mom had the long-sleeved version with the box-pleated skirt, in a cream-and-brown plaid polyester twill).
I’ve made this dress before in red-and-white polished cotton with a machine-crochet lace waistband.
This red dress was an experiment and I learned that this pattern is about 2.5″ too broad across the chest, so before I cut the pink floral, I adjusted the front of the dress accordingly and the new dress fits just like it was made for me…go figure, right? To make the red dress work, I introduced a row of ruching to the center of the neckline and then hand-stitched a lace “collar” on either side of the ruching so as to make the whole affair look intentional.
So, now I have a very cheerful, bold, 1960s-style dress, the season for which will soon be upon us, and I will wear it with a smile.
Fun! I’m guessing you’re not a pattern size 16, though? My measurements indicate that I am, but everytime I follow the pattern, it’s on the big size. Laying out patterns, adjusting for fit, etc gets me into a nervous and twitchy state involving wringing of the hands and bouts of internal shrieking.
I’m generally a pattern size 12 unless it is from the early 1950s or earlier. For pre-1950s, I do actually wear a 16, but for anything from about 1960 to the present, I use a 12. 34″ bust.
I love this dress!
What a great dress. The pink/green is like a psychedelic Wm Morris. Enjoy it!
I got here via Antonio’s blog comments. Love the F. King quote!
Ah, thank you! I was thinking it was kind of a pass between Liberty’s of London and Lilly Pulitzer, but you are right with the psychedelic William Morris. I guess the Arts Nouveau crowd weren’t dropping enough acid.
I had a lot of fun making it. This is one of those patterns that once I got it dialed in, it’s a winner. I’ll probably use it again sometimes.
Thank you! I’m really happy with how it turned out.