Trapeze

I found an out of print McCalls pattern last year that was described as a trapeze dress. It had a definite 60's vibe and I had all kinds of fabric ideas for it. But it, along with all other sewing projects, lay sidelined while my post-vaccine life speeded up. Finally, in August, I decided to force some creative time for myself by entering a sewing contest on the Sewing Pattern Review site. It was a month-long contest and the subject was Ankara fabrics. I decided I would make the trapeze dress with some wild pink & orange Vlisco fabric that I purchased from Etsy last year. 

The pattern instructions were straightforward but after pinning the pattern onto my dress form I realized quite a lot of alterations were needed. The pattern was a size 10 and my normal pattern size is 14. That was quite a huge jump in sizes and because this was a vintage pattern, multiple sizes weren't included. My biggest alterations were in the upper torso and armhole area, which were cut close to the body. I also decided that instead of a zipper, I would create a back opening with button closure. I added pockets, something which I consider a necessity in all women's garments. Finally, I cut the length of the dress by about two inches.

After much studying of YouTube tutorials, web articles and my own notes, I was ready to sew the dress with some trepidations. My lack of confidence is due to lack of practice - it's been a year since I sewed anything of significance, and decades since I sewed complicated items like coats and suits.

Meanwhile, since I was making so many alterations to customize the pattern, I decided to make a second trapeze dress with longer sleeves. It was an opportunity to order more Vlisco fabric, this time directly from the Netherlands. The fabric I chose was named in honor the singer, Angelique Kidjo.   

Was relieved and thrilled that both dresses came out exactly as imagined. They will be perfect for the many gallery and studio events that I participate in and with Indian Summer on its way, I might actually be able to wear them without a shirt or leggings underneath.