Retro?

I saw this fabric in the remnant bin and it called to me, but I wasn't really sure what it wanted to be until I was rummaging through my patterns and came across Kwik Sew 530.It was my grandmother's and although there isn't a date printed anywhere on the pattern, I did find it in an old Kwik Sew catalog from 1971. Isn't it awesome! I've actually used this pattern once before, to make a faerie dress for my Sister-in-Law.Isn't she cute?

What I had forgotten was that Grandma had cut the pattern down to a size 10 in the bodice only and then altered the shoulder and armscye (we Colley women are shortwaisted). But according to the pattern measurements, I needed a 12, so what's girl to do? Well, I headed to BurdaStyle for a How-to on grading up a pattern and went for it. So, now I have a size 12 pattern and I was ready to go. I should have listened to myself though, when I thought the pattern looked too big. I ended up taking 6(!) inches in the waist and I'm still not really happy with how it fits around the arms, but I love the print and the fabric is super comfy, so I don't care.

And here is the top on (headless) me. I was having a very bad hair day.

Lesson learned #1: When you think something looks weird... It probably is.

Lesson learned #2: Pattern measurements should be taken with a grain of salt (and the recognition that each pattern incorporates a different amount of ease).

Lesson learned #3: Grandma knew what she was doing.

I miss her.