I had so much fun making this dress! I used the same pattern that I used for my wedding dress since it's pretty much the same thing (Vogue 8389), and it was so quick and easy. It's a little slapdash, but it's only a costume so I don't care.
I did not line it because who cares about lining a costume. I used the markings you trace onto the fabric as a basic guide for the fringe, though I had to fudge them a bit since I 1) lengthened the dress by 3" and 2) needed the fringe to be closer together since it was only 4" long vs. the 5" (I think?) spacing the pattern gives you for the lace placement. In the end it all works out pretty well as long as you sew your fringe on relatively straight. If you're looking to be a flapper girl in the future, I recommend this pattern! Unfortunately it's out of print so just scour eBay.
My other bit of advice is to buy your fringe with your 40% off coupon from JoAnne's. I bought 4 1/2 yards of the black fringe and 3 1/2 of the white (just the right amount of yardage for a size 14), and I got them separately so I could use a coupon each time. Fringe is almost never on sale so you can use your coupons, otherwise it's $5.00 a yard!
I used the terrible cheap-o costume satin which frays like no one's business. I sewed the seams and then topstitched them down for reinforcement (the same technique I used with this dress) and it hasn't split so that's a relief! That's the rub with using such cheap fabric, but whatevs - it's only for one day!
This is about as good as I can hope to ever get my butt to look in a picture.
I've entered it into Pattern Review's Halloween Contest, so if you like it go give me a vote! :) I'm really happy with the review I wrote for it, too. I used a lot of fun Jazz Age slang and it was the eel's elbows so go give it a read if you have a minute to spare. Other than that, Happy Halloween!! Did you guys make your costumes? Do tell - and link!! I'd love to see your creations!
xoxo,
