looking for a particular type of dress pattern

July 2, 2017 11:57 AM

Years ago I bought a length of beautiful, tactile watered (?) silk, as well as a length of translucent finer textured silk (?) of the same pattern. I'd like to make it into a simple double-layered dress (niece's wedding coming up), but would prefer to work with a pattern. What's the right search term for this type of dress - "overlay" does not work - or could you make a specific suggestion?
posted by mmiddle to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

I think you're on target with your terms. I would search overlay or underlay. I would look for dress patterns with chiffon overlays.

https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/04/how-to-sew-an-overlay
posted by loveandhappiness at 1:03 PM on July 2, 2017

Hi, what color is your fabric, and how many yards of each?
posted by Altomentis at 1:33 PM on July 2, 2017

Erf. I'm imagining the double slippery of two silk pieces together, but not impossible!

Options for patterns, because you were asking for that as well: Laurel from Colette Patterns, Kenedy from Seamwork (Colette's simpler line), or Anna from By Hand London for something more challenging.
posted by msamye at 1:34 PM on July 2, 2017

Do you mean the sort that is a slip dress with an over dress (like this or this)? Or do you mean something with a sheer bodice or sheer skirt?

Vogue had a great slip dress with a sheer cape-like overdress that seems to have just cycled off the page. I'll see if I can turn it up at Etsy.
posted by crush at 1:56 PM on July 2, 2017

Two more dresses with sheer overlays from Vogue patterns at Etsy: 1330 (0ut of print) and 2784 (also out of print).
posted by crush at 4:08 PM on July 2, 2017

Thanks, all, for interesting answers! The dress images in loveandhappiness's link are what I was getting at, only maybe more Eileen-Westy. These are great resources for patterns though.
posted by mmiddle at 5:56 PM on July 2, 2017

1950's (Bust 33); 1940's (bust 32); 1960's (Bust 34); 1950's (Bust 32); Vogue Paris (Bust 34)

EvaDress does not have anything specifically with an overlay, but has a couple things similar to the Seamwork sample dress. (Her patterns are nicely done)
posted by crush at 7:14 AM on July 3, 2017