“Okay, This is a Mumu” Dress
The Facts
Fabric: Cotton from Joann's – 3 yards for $10
Pattern: Butterick 6009 – $4 from Alameda Antique Fair
Year: c. 1952
Time to complete: About 2 1/2 hours
First worn: July 2010
Wear again? Yes, with some alterations.
Oh, belted mumu, I should have quit while I was ahead.
Pushing my luck, I had another go at a belted formless dress this week. This one is Butterick 6009 from around 1952. The fabric is another surprisingly darling Joann's find that was just too sheer for this dress. Thankfully, I do have some fabric left over and have plans for a nice shirt.
The success of this dress is dependent on a bunch of "ifs." If I make it a little bit shorter. If I line it or wear a better slip. If I wear a bra that gives me a whole lot of support. If I'm sure that the pockets aren't sticking out and make my hips look even larger. If I wore a more suitable belt. If I wore a petticoat as intended.
I've been a little burned out on sewing these past couple weeks so I chose just to wear it "as-is." Hence the leggings and the awkward length. I think the dress is salvageable with a big hemming job and more structured foundation garments. That is, if I want it to have more a vintage and put-together look.
If I want it to look like some ill-fitting dress I got from Forever 21 that gives me mumu-sized grandma breasts, I think it's a pretty successful garment.
oh i bought that fabric too with plans for a 40s style dress (butterick reissue B5209, the sleeved version) but it’s sooooo sheer and self-lining was above my level at the time. it’s in the UFO box. could you insert some bust-to-waist darts to shape it?
I love reading your blog. I think you are brave. I love how you smile and wear the dress no matter how you feel about it, posting your favorites and not-so-favorites. And, I understand what you are saying about the dress, but you never look as bad as you think. :)
Well, I think it looks great, especially with the leggings. I see nothing wrong with it as long as it is comfortable.
I have a very similar dress http://lifeisexamined.blogspot.com/search?q=muu and my biggest problem is also with wearing a bra. I would really have to wear a strapless bra because of the shoulder ties and I don’t find those comfortable and the one I have is way too constructed to be cool in the summer. But my fabric is so light it feels scandalous without something.
Since it is so sheer I say cut it very short, call it a nightie. Lose the belt and some sexy undies and ta da!
ADD sexy undies I meant–dang it!
Yeah, make it into a nightgown! Don’t feel too bad. I can barely sew one thing a month. I don’t know how you do it!
“mumu-sized grandma breasts” Now I know the term for a couple of shirtwaist dresses I bought!! Thanks.
The dress doesnt look bad but I understand where you are coming from. I second the idea of some darts to tame the bodice into submission.
I love this fabric! The term you used is my new favorite!!! (mumu sized grandma breasts) It makes or breaks a dress for me. I’m going through a similar situation with a dress I made that needs some serious overhauling. Goodluck, and thank you for posting something that isn’t perfect. It’s nice to see that everyone struggles with fit and shape. =D
It doesn’t look that bad, but if you don’t love it as a dress I second the nightgown idea!
The pattern’s so cute, the fabric seems perfect for the style, and yet somehow it doesn’t all work the way you want it, so disappointing. I suppose that’s how it goes with sewing, you win some, you lose some…
A corselet might help for a foundation garment-and kinda vintage isn’t it? Or go with the nightgown idea and call it vintage “trousseau” garment instead!
Ack! How have I been missing your blog updates?! Yikes… Apologies for not stopping by sooner and commenting on all your sewing. :p
Anyway, I love the fabric of this dress! But I agree with you that another length might help things a bit. I admit, I’ve been a bit wary but drawn to this sort of style that seemed popular in the 50s (and my beloved Claire McCardell was a proponent of this style, one she dubbed the “monastic dress”). Sort of like a moth to flame, I guess. ;)
♥ Casey
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