"7-Year Itch" Dotted Dress

It's been over a year since I have posted.  I started working part time last year and don't have as much time to sew.  I also still have to be careful about how much sewing I do each day because of my neck and elbows.  But I'm back!  I have several things to blog about, but I wanted to start with my latest project.

In the 1955 film, "The 7-Year Itch" Marilyn Monroe wears three beautiful white dresses.  Of course this is the iconic dress from the film.  

not my photo

not my photo

I love this dress too, and would like to make it in the future.

not my photo

But this is my favorite dress in the movie.

not my photo

I have made my interpretation of this dress many, many times.

not my photo

My first attempt in 2006, I had found a great piece of black and white rayon challis.  I wish I had bought more of it.

My second attempt was a commission for the Franklin Mint Marilyn doll.

This is my 3rd and last attempt.  I took me years to find the right fabric again.  I needed a fabric that would drape for the skirt detail.

Of course, after I had cut out all the dresses I wanted to make, I found a better photo of the dress.  Why didn't I find this photo years ago?  Ugh!  The dots are green and not black!  And the skirt!  I did the skirt so wrong!  I had decided to omit the gathers at the bodice because they didn't lay right on the doll, so I was fine with that difference.  For my dress, I sewed a drape/sash into the side seams of the dress and tied them in the front.  After a closer inspection of the original dress, I decided it would have been impossible to replicate the detail of the skirt in miniature.  I decided not to feel too bad about it.

not my photo

not my photo

My dress is "loosely" inspired by the film.

I found a lot of great photos off the internet.

not my photo

not my photo

not my photo

not my photo

The Franklin Mint Marilyn Monroe version

Tonner's version

Since I was going to make the patterns to sell, I wanted to see what the dress would look like in a cotton print without the skirt drape.  It turned out really well.

I added a full skirt to the bodice for an adorable sundress.

Pattern Coming Soon!