Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress

Credits to the author Dolin Bliss O'Shea!

Yet another book on the LBD? Yet another book on icon-inspired dresses? 

Really?

Ok, I was sceptical at first tbh. I had borrowed the other Famous Frocks book from the library once and wasn't particularly impressed. This one, however, is a lot more 'me' and one of the better sewing books in my collection.

The first half of the book is a comprehensive guide to sewing techniques. I found the instructions a little wordy and there could have been more diagrams, but they are easy to follow even for beginners. Aside from the usual guides on seams, hems and zippers, there was also a small section dedicated to sewing knits without the use of a serger (i.e. with a standard sewing machine).

The main feature of the book features 10 LBD's inspired by their respective style icons, and a variation = 20 garments! A few of them are already on my to-sew list:

" I never go outside unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want the see the girl next door, go next door." - JOAN CRAWFORD

I love cowl necks! The front piece is cut on the bias so it drapes nicely. Alternatively, one could use a jersey knit for this as well. The curved mid-riff makes it a bit more special, especially if you use sequinned fabric as shown here. 

 "I wish to live to 150 years old, but the day I die, I wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other." - AVA GARDNER

How fabulous is she??

The Ava-inspired dress itself it gorgeous and is one of my favourite shapes in the book. However, the plunging halter neckline might be more suited for curvier figures *insert sad face*. For myself, I would prefer the alternative .... 

Using the same pattern but adjusted for greater front coverage with a higher neckline and an easy drawstring tie. I already have the perfect blue and yellow polka-dotted cotton lawn for this.

"Elegance is the only beauty that doesn't fade." - AUDREY HEPBURN

The classic sheath, but in bright yellow! Most sewists would already have a sheath pattern that they would have sewed a gazillion times, so this would be a familiar shape. I have not seen one in such a happy shade of canary yellow and it's giving me ideas!

"I don't want to dress up a picture with just my face" - GRACE KELLY

Of all the patterns, this one seems to be the most daunting. When I eventually get down to making this, I would probably replace the organza sleeves and back yoke with a soft lace - I wonder if the shape will hold though?

"There were time when I hated my nose. But you grow up and you start to recognise that maybe it wasn't a bad thing that you weren't born a Barbie." - ANJELICA HOUSTON

A non-conventional style icon! The Anjelica-inspired dress is shaped from the 1980's, with an oversized draped top and slimmer-fit skirt. Once I overcome my fear of sewing knits, I would probably sew this up in the softest bamboo knit jersey in purple. I love purple. I have too many purple dresses, but not enough of them.

The patterns themselves are tucked neatly into an envelope attached to the front of the book. The different sizes are nested, though fortunately, none of the pattern pieces overlap (Japanese sewing books .... hmph). 

A range of sizes from XS (33" bust) to XL (45" bust) is provided and drafted for a C-cup. The instructions don't include guides on altering fit but a quick Google should link you up to some of the excellent resources on SBA/FBA's and all that.

P.S. These awesome quotes are actually included in the book, together with a bit of background on the who's who and the inspiration behind the dress.