An Update on the Isabel Green Dress

I must apoligise for keeping you in suspenders for so long over the Isabel Green dress but to be honest I can still only just bare to bring myself to talk about it. Abit like the cowboys I got myself into a pickle with a couple of weeks ago, but that's a whole other story! For those new to my blog, I'll briefly fill you in. After watching Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang and getting very excited indeed about the costumes and sets, I decided to set myself the impossible task of creating an Isabel Green wardrobe  (she's the main character). Eventhough I accepted that it would be a stupidly difficult task as the costume designer was also responsible for Atonement and Pride and Prejudice.

Anyway, my gorgeous 'hopefully sister-in-law to be' found the perfect Vogue pattern for the dress so I made it my mission to devote an entire 'Stitch n Bitch weekender' to making the dress. I had been warned that Vogue patterns were ridiculously difficult and the pattern had 14 pieces!! But it really was very nice and the closest to the 1940's style that I had seen.

Making the dress was a massive learning experience for me which I have to say I gained a lot from and enjoyed the challenge, but unfortunately when I finished it I realised that the dress was way too big for me. So whilst I was pretty happy with the fact that I had managed to make a really complicated and detailed dress, I could not wear it!

Not to be defeated, I decided to just whip up another one! I did the obligitory half thumb adjustments and was pretty pleased with how easy the second dress was to make. However, I could not believe it when I tried it on and it was still too big! How can this be? I had even measured myself and checked the guide on the pattern. I was so frustrated so out of desperation I just took it to the overlocker and whizzed it in another inch each side, tried to put it on and woops, I couldn't even get it on. It was too small!!!! Ok so I give up, it isn't meant to be.

The Isabel Green wardrobe project has been abit of a 'I don't want to talk about it' subject around here ever since. Until last week that is when I decided it was time to try another pattern. I have had real difficulty finding 1940's style patterns but I liked the look of the little blue and white dress with the collar and gathered sleeves so I thought I'd give it a go and I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out so I took some photos of me wearing it today. The chartreuse coloured fabric with the little white flowers isn't really 1940's style either but I love it. I bought it in the Retro Shop in Bangalow during our road trip and saved it for a dress. I may have gone off on a bit of a tangent with this dress but never mind, it's certainly been inspired by Isabel Green.

But if you can help me out on where to find 1940's patterns, I'd love to hear from you.