Vintage Simplicity 7798

As a follow up to yesterday’s post, here’s a little more about my party frock. I’ve had a shift dress on my mind for a while now and then I saw this pic of Gwyneth Paltrow in a trash mag and really, really loved the colour and simplicity.

The pattern stash yielded this vintage number – Simplicity 7798 – and the fabric I chose was Red Crystalline (but really more of a burnt orange), a fabulous rayon/polyamide/spandex ponti knit.

As with most vintage patterns, there were a few alterations to be made. I lopped heaps off the length (nothing unusual there) and needed to take in the side and shoulder seams. Zip was eliminated (bonus!), sleeves were shortened, and I lowered the neckline because I’m not so much into the turtleneck thing, especially in spring time.

I hadn’t planned on adding buttons, but these bronze-y ones worked perfectly and the dress felt rather plain without it.

Having never sewn them before, I must say I’m rather partial to the elbow darts…