Sunday, October 3, 2021

"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!

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