When we think of the Little Black Dress, it's usually the sleek, slim-skirted model, right? But lately I've been dreaming about a fluffy-skirted dress in black cotton for summer. Like the Kate Spade number above. Wouldn't that be an incredibly useful dress to have in one's wardrobe? (Love it with the pink shoes and necklace!)
If I make my own version, I think I'll use New Look 6886. (I just got it for $1.99 at Jo-Ann! Yes, I have a Jo-Ann's now!)
I'd make View D, and add some box pleats to the flared skirt for extra fullness.
The fabric would be simple, like a black sateen or pique with just a little stretch.
Another great pattern option? Simplicity 1803, the pink version.
Anyone else down with the full-skirted LBD?
I am totally down with that full skirted LBD! I prefer an A-line or fuller all the time as just feel more comfortable in that shape. I love both of your pattern suggestions & would probably try that little ruffly New Look jacket, too. Hmm... I have some black cotton in my stash that I should dig out! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! Love the full skirt!
ReplyDeleteLove that New Look pattern, and it looks like something my teen daughter would wear. Time to get sewing!
ReplyDeleteOh, no!! Jo-Anns....your disposable income has now been disposed of! ;) I am much in favor of the full skirt, also 3/4 sleeves, if the fabric is light-weight enough.
ReplyDeleteDang, now I need to make myself a black cotton lace dress!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I've had one on the plan for a while now, with a gauzy black embroidered cotton. I just haven't figured out where to place it on the vast list of things I want to sew.
ReplyDeleteI just finished a full-skirted frock and I. AM. IN. LOVE. I think its going to be my big trend for summer :)
ReplyDeleteCat
www.catgotdressed.blogspot.com
Just one comment, careful with the project runway patterns. It may be a personal fit or the make but I should have created muslins prior to using the two patterns I tried. The cut of Butterick and Vogue patterns I can make without any alterations lucky me!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.simplicity.com/p-3079-child-girl-jackets-coats.aspx
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1858-misses-knit-dresses.aspx
Also, the child's coat pattern had pieces that overlapped causing me to have to cut into my other pieces.
It's funny, I was thinking the exact same thing earlier today: I just need a full skirted LBD. Like in NEED. Right now. I think they look just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE a full-skirted LBD. Somehow, it always feels very "Italian Summer" to me. Forget the little white dress for summer!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite LBD is a full-skirted jersey version I purchased years ago. It's starting to pill, but it flows so wonderfully when I walk. I've been wanting to make something to replace it when it finally bites the dust, or at least to wear as an alternative. And I've got yards of black stretch sateen sitting on my "to-do" pile. Hm.
Yes! I love this! I wish I had a clear schedule to start (and finish) one this weekend. it would also be the perfect dress for an event on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me! Yes, please! Who doesn't need another lbd?! Yay!!
ReplyDeleteGertie, you're the best! Always so inspiring! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think the LBD comes in as many shapes and designs and the black shoes you would wear with them! I probably have 3 or 4 different LBD and maybe 5-6 pairs of black heels.
ReplyDeleteVariety is important. The LBD is the staple of a wardrobe, but you wear it to so many different functions you need different styles.
I love the Simplicity 1803!! It would look great as a LBD, but I actually love it in pink!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteI just saw Simplicity 1803 suggested for a Make This Look on the Sew Weekly. Adorable!
http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/04/make-this-look-good-ol-daisy-dress/
I swooned over that Kate Spade dress earlier today on the website!
ReplyDeleteThis would be perfect for a wine tasting I'm going to in a month. I've never made clothes for me (just kids clothes). Do you think it would be too hard?
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm going to stick in my 5 cents worth and say I think the New Look pattern is the one. I love the bolero jacket - how handy when it is not so warm.
ReplyDeleteYes! I desperately want to make a black, knee length version of this nightdress out of something light and flowy for summer. In my head it's been christened the "bride of dracula dress", haha.
ReplyDeleteI was actually thinking about this the other day - I have a black wiggle dress, but no plain full-skirted LBD!
ReplyDeleteI think they're absolutely perfect for any time of the year - and you can co-ordinate with absolutely any colour in the world!
If anything, I think it should be a wardrobe staple, full-skirted LBD's are perfect for both daytime and nighttime, you can spring them up with coloured tights/stockings and accessories, or go full class with a pearl necklace and tea-length gloves!
Oh hell yes - I find straight skirts so impractical for the summer - if we get summer in the UK it is usually humid, so tighter dresses are restrictive and bleurgh....
ReplyDeleteAnd black because I have goth tendencies, though I'm trying to do colour, really I am!!!
OK, one other comment - how come, if I sign in using my Wordpress account, it will NOT let me post? (keeps telling me I've not entered the words correctly) It's fine for name/URL though. Don't get it.....at least it'll let me post eventually, there are other blogs it just won't even do that!
ReplyDeleteI am all for a full-skirted LBD. It's a nice change of pace from the usual. I recently made that New Look pattern in view A. It's cute and easy, but the sleeves for that view don't work. The elastic is several inches too long. :/
ReplyDeleteI'm sure whichever you chose, it will look fantastic!
Wow, I'm so down with a full skirted LBD. Brilliant! Especially for this classic pear figure of mine.
ReplyDeleteLove the pink accessories, but any pastel would be rockin' with this dress. I'm thinking lemon yellow, aqua, pale green. Okay, I'm going to check the fabric stash IMMEDIATELY.
You must have read my mind, I have just returned from my local Fabric Land with a load of black cotton to make the Project Runway 6048 in the hope that England gets a summer this year!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about a black eyelet sundress with a full skirt lately; I mentioned this to a friend and she made a goth crack. Yes, my hair is dark reddish black right how...so what? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie,
ReplyDeleteI actually started reading your blog after searching for a pattern. My Mum has been sewing for me for years, she's been sewing since she was 12, I believe (that'll be 48 years in September!), and have recently got into sewing myself.
I am commenting on this post in hopes of getting a question answered. Your post from February 23, 2010 (http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2010/02/suspender-skirts-of-yore-snappy.html), has a Simplicity pattern underneath the Seventies header. Do you think you'd be able to share the pattern number? Chances are very good we have the pattern lying around, but we'd have to go through about 12 boxes filled with hundreds of patterns! This would help enormously!
I can't wait to read more of your blog!
Love the full skirted LBD!!
ReplyDeleteif it's full-skirted, i'm always down!!!! i've been planning a black lace one for a year now. while i love how a pencil skirt looks, i don't like how constricted i feel wearing one (i fidget too much!!), so 99% of my skirts and dresses have full skirts. all the better for twirling :)
ReplyDeleteI like the skirt!Looovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Tess, I did a quick search (going with what I can see of part of the pattern number in the picture) and it looks like 9520
ReplyDeletehttp://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Simplicity_9520
Hope that helps!
The comment about "Italian summer" is spot on! I'd go with Simplicity's 2444 (Project Runaway) my go-to full skirt pattern. Also, no SBA required!
ReplyDeleteI really like those patterns too! Very cute! I made up one in black sateen using Lisette's 1878 The Diplomat. It turned out super cute and cool (its so hot here in the summer). Plus I'm finishing up Cosmotology school and we can only wear solid black or white. It'll be my summer staple!
ReplyDeleteI'm down with the full-skirted LBD, hard. Just finishing my version, which I dreamed up back in December, I think, and wearing it to a concert this evening. So I'm finishing this comment and getting prepared!
ReplyDelete6886 in some form of black eyelet with a thin black cotton lining. ::nodnodnod::
ReplyDeleteLoey52
ReplyDeleteKimberly, I just checked out 6886, it sounds perfect for a full-skirted LBD! Guess I know where I'll be heading this week!
I love a full-skirted anything. I'll be trying to hunt this pattern down this morning. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just bought the pattern for 1803...its going to be my first (in 15 years) dress experiment! I choose the nothced out collar with the buttons. Found an adorable knome scene cotton for the full skirt, and a grougeous deep red for the top and hold the phone....acorn buttons. Not really the pin-up style I usally cling too, but I am also a sucker for woodland creatures ahahhaah wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteI just bought the pattern for 1803...its going to be my first (in 15 years) dress experiment! I choose the nothced out collar with the buttons. Found an adorable knome scene cotton for the full skirt, and a grougeous deep red for the top and hold the phone....acorn buttons. Not really the pin-up style I usally cling too, but I am also a sucker for woodland creatures ahahhaah wish me luck!
ReplyDeletebeautiful thank you so much :)
ReplyDelete