Making The Dress, Please Help Me.

Lauren -- try doing an internet search on "vintage sewing patterns." There are several sites that carry patterns long out of print. If you are doing a hippie wedding, you may well find an actual pattern from the 60s or early 70s.

If that doesn`t work, what is the dress style? I know a lot of little pattern companies, but would need to know more what you`re looking for in order to direct you!

Kat in N.J.,

Thank you so much for your reply. It was very helpful. I will do a search. She wants three layers at the bottom with each layer a little shorter than the one underneath so that all of the layers show. She wants the bottom to also come to a point in the front and back like a triangle with the sides shorter than the front. With the front and back point a lilittle longer than mid-calf, and the side angles a little below the knee. She wants a fitted waist. She wants a simple necklne scoop or v-neck. With sleeves that split at the wrist and hang down longer (not sure about sleeves just an idea). And Indian (east) type embroidery around the neckline. All this is just an idea of what she wants. Most importantly she wants it simple and not at all poofy or gaudy like most wedding dresses. It will be outdoors and she will be barefooted with a crown of flowers on her head. The embroidery is the 2nd most important element of the dress. Can you picture all that? Thank you so much for your help. I`m sorry I don`t really know sewing terms, I am not the seamstress, I`m just helping her to find the patterns. If you have any other suggestions for a hippie wedding let me know. And please let me know of any pattern company that may have something for her.
Thank you,
Lauren

Lauren, hi! I`ve been having trouble accessing this board for some reason. If this goes through, my email is panacea789aol.com -- you can email me directly!

The dress you describe sounds vaguely familiar. I think that was called a handerchief hemline and I can remember a `70s pattern made from scarves or bandanas where you sewed four together to make the skirt with the points hanging down. It would be easy to layer to get the desired effect. Also, you could do it so there were only two points per layer.

I will check some of my hippie lore (and some former hippie friends!) for background. Off the top of my head, I can recall for clothing: tie-dyed t-shirts, jeans with trimming sewn on, John Lennon sunglasses, headbands, puka beads and funky jewelry, leather sandals and Earthshoes. Decoration wise, peace signs, smilies, flowers, psychodelic colors. There`s a lot you can do! Drop me an email & we can chat!

Kat in NJ

Hi! You are looking for a hankerchief hem dress. You can do barefoot or slip flops. They also have toe rings that have string to make it look like shoes. You need to go look by rail road tracks in june to get her flowers. Queen Anne`s Lace is beautiful and all natural. You can add some ribbons in the thin silk if she wants it a little more festive. You can amke the dress out of cotton or chiffon like if she wants it whispy. Good luck. Serve all natural things like granola, fresh pineaple, star fruit, kiwi strawberries etc. If you use cut fruit bannans and apples put a touch of lemon juice on them and they will not turn color.