Replies

1. 
   starzoe | Jun 11, 2009 08:28pm | #1

   There is a pattern for a spiral dress in Creative Dressing, a book long out of print. It is made of one length of fabric, sewn in a spiral which makes it bias.I haven't known anyone in all the years since I've had the book (about 40) who was slim enough and tall enough to wear this concoction, but I always wanted to sew it. Now I can't find the book but I can't imagine that I would have thrown it out.

1. 
   katina | Jun 12, 2009 06:52am | #3

   Hi there - I have a copy of this here somewhere. I loved that book - it was so different when it came out.

   Katina

   http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Dressing-Collection-Designer-Yourself/dp/0710006802/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244778645&sr=1-1

2. 
   gailete | Jun 13, 2009 01:31am | #4

   I have a copy of that book too! Some neat garments are in it.

   Gail

2. 
   Palady | Jun 11, 2009 09:08pm | #2

   A Simplicity 7484 circa 1967.  Known as a wrap-around on the pattern envelope.  MO, meant be for casual wear.   It has three arm ascyes & can be made with or without 2 sleeves.

   THE Infinite Dress.  McCall's 5360 circa 1976.  A dressier design which can be worn 3 different ways when 2 sections are cut & sewn from the single pattern piece.

   Another, the envelope for which is "buried" at the moment, so the info is unavailable.  This particular summer casual, circa late 1960's, is a bit of an A-line.  The eye catching feature is the sleeve being open from the shoulder to the cuff.  When I wore it, there were instances I was asked if I realized my sleeve was "torn."

   All are absent from my wardrobe at this time of my life. 

   As for more current designs - dare say I fall short of recalling any.

   nepa

    

    

    

3. 
   Teaf5 | Jun 13, 2009 03:18am | #5

   The two most interesting designs I've seen recently have been in import booths at our university.  Both were made of delicious rayons and sheers and obviously would appeal to young women looking for summer wear, but might work for mature women, too.

   The first was a double -layer wrapped circle skirt with a long, fairly wide waistband that ties.  The top layer was slightly smaller than the bottom layer, both were completely narrow-hemmed, and they were sewn into the waistband together but were otherwise completely separate. 

   The innovation was in the 5 or more ways it can be worn: tied in back around the waist and the top layer pulled up to tie as a halter top, or tied around the waist at the side, and the top layer pulled up to tie sarong style on one shoulder.  A really interesting option was to put the waistband over one shoulder and under the other arm, tying the underskirt at the side to make a tube dress with the overskirt as a sari drape over that shoulder.  I sketched the details somewhere, thinking my daughter might enjoy the options.

   The second dress was also very simple but very dramatic.  The top was a conventional sundress halter of two triangles above a banded bodice.  The bodice was set into a gorgeous skirt that was simply a large square of fabric with banding details around all four sides.  The four points fell front/back/both sides into a very nice irregular hem, and the dress flowed in a very lovely but modest way when the wearer walked.  The contrast detailing around the hem was echoed in the band and around the edges of the triangles of the bodice.  Simple but so very lovely!

   Edited 6/12/2009 8:19 pm by Teaf5