Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive
Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Mad Men Dress Challenge.

2/16/2012

7 Comments

 
I know I'm among many eagerly awaiting the fifth and final season of AMC's Mad Men. Impeccable plot lines, script and character development aside, I love tuning in to adore the costuming genius of Janie Bryant; it's vintage sewers' eye candy. Among those enamored with the series, self-proclaimed, Mad Men Obsessed, Julia Bobbin has proposed a thematic SAL challenge to choose and re-create your favorite wardrobe piece from the show. This project was just too exciting not to start researching immediately... I've promised myself no actual work will begin until I've finished February. 
Picture
Picture





Picture
Picture
Between scouring Netflix, Tom And Lorenzo, and my pattern collection I think I've narrowed my top contenders. Both, are Betty dresses. 

Option A:  Rose print, camisole top dress. It appeared TWICE in season two. First, it was worn dressed down for a picnic during episode 7, then, spruced up with some pearls for dinner with Daddy in episode 10.
Picture
This rose print cotton from Fabric.com may as well have been made to recreate this dress, right? It's so perfectly suited to the challenge, I've stopped looking for alternatives. 


I think McCall 5842 view B, dated to 1961 would do quite nicely for imitating the design of the original. Most obviously, the spaghetti straps, scoop front, fitted bodice, and full, gathered skirt resemble the design shown on screen. The contrast band could easily be eliminated, but I don't think it hurts the overall concept. And, I would likely leave it if I choose this option. 
Picture





Option B: Floral Cocktail Dress. This dress, from Season 1, episode two, was the inspiration for the Betty Draper Barbie. It's pretty incredible. 
Picture


This option still requires some searching for fabric. I've found a few varieties that mostly underwhelm me, but the above swatch from Mood is at the top of my list so far. 

If I choose this dress, I'll be using Advance 9275 as my pattern, though I will probably franken-pattern a sleeveless bodice from another, solely because I imagine far more use from a sleeveless version. And, perhaps, a detachable bow? We'll see.  




Picture
Submissions are due Friday, March 30 (fits the bill perfectly for my monthly project!). If you want to participate, jump over HERE to get detailed information. I've got a tough decision on my hands.  Which do you think I should go for?  
7 Comments
Wyldehills
2/16/2012 08:11:31 am

I'm glad you're doing Betty, as I expect to see a LOT of Joans (probably including me). My two cents: I think the Floral Cocktail dress is certainly the more iconic of the two, but I think the Rose dress is cuter and more flattering.

Reply
Libby link
2/16/2012 09:04:33 am

I can't wait for the new series too!
It's a hard one to decide, I love the neck line on the second dress, it is so elegant - but the first one is so very wearable.... no, that neckline wins for me. It is the cocktail dress! No bow!

Reply
Lauren link
2/16/2012 10:19:40 am

I loved that floral dress at the picnic. I also loved how they just dumped all the garbage in the park. It reminded me how when I was a little one littering was no big deal and then all of a sudden it was.

Reply
Marie link
2/16/2012 07:23:55 pm

What lovely options you have there! I love the sound of this challenge, it's so much fun!

Reply
Erin link
2/19/2012 02:03:06 am

If I could choose, I'd choose option B. I love the sash across the middle. I can't wait to see which one you work on!

Reply
Mary link
2/20/2012 02:37:40 pm

Both are awesome but I'm really loving the 2nd one.

Reply
StephC link
2/25/2012 08:35:02 am

I love love love the pink roses dress... It was a close second for me, but Megan's pink mod dress won out in the end. Looking forward to seeing what you make!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    “The
    follow us in feedly
    “Vintage

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

Thank you for respecting the intellectual property rights protected by the copyright laws of the United States and International Copyright Treaty.
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive