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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mad Men Challenge: I'm In! (With a Joan Dress. And a Bow.)

A royal blue figure-hugging V-neck Joan dress with cuffs? And a bow? Oh, yes, please.

Please don't laugh. I know full well I've posted only one finished object this year, but I SWEAR I have been sewing like a madwoman and will soon be assaulting you with a mountain of finished object awesomeness. Including my wide-legged trousers, which now fit PERFECTLY but just need a proper hemming and pressing. And even something made out of polar fleece (but don't get too concerned now--it was for a costume for a comedy sketch video).

But let's get back to the magnificence that is Joan, shall we? I was so excited to read about Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Challenge, because a Joanie dress has been on my epic to-sew list for EONS now. I actually missed the entire last season (I blame my awesome toddler for being way more fun than watching even a really excellent show) but no matter. Also: I used to work on Madison Avenue! (In marketing design, not advertising, but still).

I did spend AGES on What Would Joan Wear? combing through all of her perfectly-fitting and brightly colored curve-adoring dresses, but in the end I kept coming back to this one.

I rewatched the episode on Netflix Instant Watch and took a lot of screen shots, and I'm fairly sure that it's a dickey dress (an item of which I was unaware until I started pattern hunting for one) with a faux-blouse underneath.

Here's the "dickey dress" 1960s pattern I picked up on Etsy (on its way to me now!), McCall's 5737--no bow, and no collar, but it has the right shape and the detachable dickey and cuffs--I can alter the other details to my liking:

Source: etsy.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest

And although I'm guessing that the original Joan fabric was probably a lightweight wool crepe, I've already picked up fabric, too--a gorgeous soft stretchy but stable blue wool Christian Dior doubleknit, on sale at Paron's for less than $16/yard. I got a bit over 2 yards, which might be a squeeze, but I'll make it happen:

Christian Dior blue wool doubleknit

I'm still working on the blouse fabric--I'm struggling to find a silk charmeuse with an even vaguely similar or 60s-appropriate print. Except this awesome printed silk remnant on the Denver Fabrics site, but they are only selling it as one big 8 1/2 yard piece, and I need like, 1/2 a yard:

I'm also making a modified Ruby Slip to wear under it, in blue silk charmeuse.

Sketch soon!

So: are you in? What dress are you making? SO EXCITING.

15 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, that is going to be one BEAUTIFUL dress!!!!

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  2. This looks amazing! I saw that blue dress while searching for inspiration pictures...it's definitely eye-catching! Love the shade of blue.

    I'm so excited for this challenge, but am stuck between a Peggy outfit and a Joan dress. Can't decide!

    Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out!

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  3. It's going to be a beautiful dress! This challenge is not for me, but I'm looking forward to seeing your dress and others too.

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  4. I can't wait for the onslaught of FOs! And I have a blue silk charmeuse (and lace) Ruby slip. It's all the thing :-) PS: It's really lovely to wear.

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  5. Just left a comment but I think it got eaten! Gist was that I have made a blue silk charmeuse Ruby and it's great. Will be perfect under this dress.

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  6. Ohhh, you finished your pants?! I can't wait to see them!!

    I'm sitting this challenge out (mostly because I don't like being told what to do lol), but I can't wait to see everyone else's finished outfits. It'll be like watching a new episode :) Which btw, MARCH CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

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  7. OMGOMG! What an exciting project! I can not wait to see how it takes shape!

    And your pants!! Perfect!?!?!? Amazing. Can't wait to see them.

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  8. This looks like such a fun project, and looks like you have all the details absolutely sorted and matching the original really well! I kind of wish I was less of a tube shape when I see all these curvy dresses...

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  9. I too am a big fan of this dress! I bet your version is going to be lovely.

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  10. Just hopped over from Sewaholic...after reading your comment...you lucky girl! Love the fabric choices for the dress.

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  11. That fabric you found is so perfect. Too bad there's a minimum amount you have to order.

    Heres some other fabrics that might work

    http://www.joann.com/silky-print-teal-floral-satin-stripe-chiffon/zprd_10631026a/

    http://www.joann.com/brocade-fabric-brown-turquoise-tapestry-/xprd757782/

    http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=dc642ffd-5f00-446a-b888-5f9537ac20f9&CategoryID=5d5a6e6e-7de4-4eaf-99f5-a704695792c9

    http://www.joann.com/april-johnston-project-runway-fabrics-soho-blue-gray-plaid-printed-knit/zprd_11054053a/

    http://www.joann.com/silky-print-purple-emblem-octavia/zprd_10629400a/

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  12. Thanks for the encouragement everyone, and thank you Paige for those excellent fabric suggestions!

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  13. I wandered in from your Sew Retro post to add some suggestions! I always love hunting for someone else's project, it's like window shopping. My disclaimers are that these are satin charmeuse, and I've never bought from this website (but they had such a good retro feel to the prints!):

    http://www.printedsilkfabrics.com/Designer-Fashion-Fabric-Satin-Charmeuse-Graphic-All-Over-Green-Printed-Apparel-Silk-Fabric-1697.html

    http://www.printedsilkfabrics.com/Designer-Fashion-Fabric-Satin-Charmeuse-Graphic-All-Over-Printed-Apparel-Silk-Fabric-1700.html

    http://www.printedsilkfabrics.com/Designer-Fashion-Fabric-Satin-Charmeuse-Graphic-All-Over-Green-Printed-Apparel-Silk-Fabric-1827.html

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  14. Maybe you could work out a group buy for others wanting to make this dress. The Sew Weekly also has a Mad Men challenge coming up as well. I'm tempted if others wanted to join in as well.

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