Bell Sleeve Dress Finished

Whoever had this Simplicity 6634 before me never used it.  It's been waiting forty-five years...time to get made!

It did indeed turn out a little on the outrageous side, but I knew it would when I bought the fabric (a rayon challis).  I put it on after gardening yesterday to lounge in and it was incredibly comfortable - very soft and flowing. 

When I modeled for my husband he laughed and said I looked like I fell right out of the sixties.  Some 60's fashions can slip by easily these days without a second glance.  This one definitely screams 60's. 

Because the dress has facings instead of a hem I had to shorten the pattern before cutting.  Those 60's patterns! - they show short and mini dresses on the envelopes, but unless you're tall they're all way too long.  I shortened this one by about five or six inches.  I also shortened the sleeves since I wanted them to be below the elbow and not long.

It ended up being about an inch shorter than I had anticipated but that's ok.  It went together with no problem.  I did lower the front neckline about an inch.  I thought it was too high and a little choking  -- I often lower the high round necks on 60's patterns.  The only difficulty I had was at the side seams.  I seem to have gained a little weight this past year?! -- I need to keep this in mind when I use my 32 bust patterns.  I always add a little to the waist and hip on them...it seems I need to add more.

I just shot this photo before posting this so you could see what this dress looks like on.  Ignore me and look at the dress!  I was laughing at stupid stuff my husband was saying - and my hair is crazy because right after the photo I took the dress off and put on something else so I could go get a haircut. 

I really am loving these 60's dresses!