This was my very last minute entry for @sewOver50 's #so50visible20 competition which finished yesterday (31st March 2020). The idea was to find a sewing pattern where the cover image was using a model that was over 50 to highlight the lack of age diversity in many sewing patterns companies.
It was hard to find a regular pattern that fitted the bill so I looked out for my favourite company - Maudella. The have quite a selection of patterns from the mid 60s which feature illustrations of what look to be lovely thin young ladies - but with silver hair. That's good enough for me!
The dress itself was pretty straightforward except that I bought the pattern in a size 38" bust - I am a size 32". I hoped it would be fairly straightforward to take out the extra via the 10, yes I said 10, darts - and it was. Another inch or so came off the side seams.
It had two features that I hadn't done before - a vent pleat on the skirt and the zip was inserted about half way down the back so that the neckline is unbroken. The instructions were a little vague on the pleat ("sew pleat" I think was the full step) so I used a great post on SewoverIt - https://sewoverit.co.uk/diy-kick-pleat/
I was featured in the SewOver50s Instagram story of the day which was very nice. Winners announced on Saturday -I'd like to say fingers crosse but looking at the strength of the other entries I don't think I'll be worrying the judging panel!
