Our Mum made a ball gown to wear to a Highland Ball - 6 weeks after she had her 6th baby. I wrote about it here where there is a photo of my sister Noela wearing it.
Mum was so slender she wore under it the full circle taffeta petticoat she had worn when she was a bridesmaid for her sister. When she was 16...
Mum made this gown on the Singer treadlie, it is blue crystal organza with embroidered silver sprays on it
The original pattern is long gone. I have spent years looking for one. I think I have found it!!!!
It is Butterick 6810 and looks VERY like Mum's gown. Mum made a gathered skirt rather than the circle - the organza was so fine that it fitted the waist just fine without bunching out. Mum had to sew the seams with tissue paper over them to stop it scrunching and dragging and making life hell under the presser foot. It is 22' feet around the hem...
Mum actually was (is) about as skinny as the drawing of the model - she is nearly 6' tall. I remember how gorgeous she looked in her ball gown. Hector was in his full kilt regalia - MacDonald tartan of course.
I just found it on eBay - an envelope that didn't look very healthy, and I found it with only minutes to spare in America so there wasn't time to ask the seller if the pattern was complete etc.
So I didn't actually buy it. There have been a couple for sale - mostly around $US65 - 100. Ouch.
So I shall just keep looking. If anyone has this pattern in a useable condition please let me know - I could swap something Aussie and worthwhile for it.
Though how does one put a price on nostalgia?
10 comments:
I would keep an eye out, but very much doubt if I'll get it in France. They do sell Butterick and you can get some old patterns if you know where to look.
Are you ok? Been thinking about you after I heard you are on Fire Danger alert.
PS - Miss you on FB. Can't you come back quietly?
beautiful...so if I make myself one of these, will my waist magically look like that????
x
I bought a reproduction of this pattern for $22 here: http://www.vintagefashionlibrary.com/inc/sdetail/1415
I'm going to make it for my high school daughter's senior prom dress.
Oh Catherine - may I have it when you have finished with it? I shall swap you something Australian!
XXXX
I plan to keep it, but they still had three more for sale last time I checked - size 16: 34 bust, 28 waist, 37 hip. Good luck!
Hi!
Did you ever end up finding a pattern for this dress? I have spent hours trolling through the internet with no success, I'm dying to use it for my wedding dress.
If you did find it how did it sew up? is there any possibility of loaning it perhaps? I wouldn't need to cut it I could just trace it out....
I can only offer to swap you for something Australian though as I live in townsville :)
Cheers
Sarah
@Sarah - no I didn't find it (cheaply!). If you google Butterick 6810 you can find it in America, it is gorgeous!
I am in Oz too - Central Vic near floods (but then - who isn't...!). Let me know too if you find it. I had to reply this way as you aren't set to be able to reply directly. XXXX
PS - here is a link to the pattern (but SOLD - for $65...
http://www.momspatterns.com/inc/sdetail/52203
I have this pattern Butterick 6810 uncut factory folds. It is a size 14 Bust 32, waist 26 1/2, hips 35. I haven't posted it yet but plan to in the next few days. My site is stumbleupon.etsy.com.
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