Something Old, Something New

I went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston this week to catch their latest Fashion Exhibit. I think they are cashing in on Project Runways popularity. The exhibit is 2006 Spring fashion. There are clothing, and videos of the runway show. Time to see something new, right? I enter the exhibit and I get a blast from the past from Viktor & Rolf.

Is this REALLY anything new and different? Here is an Advance sewing pattern from the 1950s.

Advance 8198

OK - the material is a bit different - but even the ribbon art is the same at the top!

Chanel returns to it's roots with a little suit.
Wanna make your own? Try this Simplicity pattern - you'll be up to date in it!

Simplicity 4768

Ok, ok enough retro fashion! Here is something from Christian Dior 2006. Where will you wear this and how do you sew it?

What is Three Armhole Dress?

I have found several of these pattern from the 1960s. They are jiffy dresses all dating from 1966-69. They look like they could be good beach dresses to me. I've have found several designs of them for women and girls. I found references to people making them as their first Home Ec. project. They are sometimes called a three armhole dress or a wrap-arounder dress. If you want to find one on ebay - you will have to search for a wrap arounder.

You see above: McCall's 9181, McCall's 9109, Simplicity 8080, Simplicity 7484, Butterick 4699, Simplicity 7572

If you want your daughter to match you try Simplicity 7617 or Simplicity 7518.

Here is a new take on this design by fashion student.

With a bit of searching (gotta love Google), I found someone IS selling this dress as beachwear.

This is in Australia! This is a direct copy of one of the 60s patterns. Just add your own fun beach print!

Adeline André was awarded a patent for a three sleeve hole dress in 1981.... hmm... What made it different?

I have a few for sale on my website Patterns from the Past Simplicity 60's dresses or Patterns from the Past McCall's 60's dresses. Maybe you can alter one into quick high fashion, or as a new beach dress!

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Additional information: according to the McCall's 9181 pattern. The term "wrap-arounder" is a trademark of the McCall corporation. I keep searching and finding more variations on this pattern, all from the late 1960s.