Cousin to The Seven Year Itch Halter Dress, Butterick 6938
There is a famous scene in the 1955 film, The Seven-Year Itch, a movie set in a hot summer in New York City when air conditioning was still rare. Marilyn Monroe is standing over a subway grate and the whoosh of a train blows up the skirt of her white halter dress giving some relief from the heat.
This re-issued 1950s pattern from Butterick is the cousin to that famous white dress. There are differences--Monroeโs dress by Travilla had a pleated skirt, a waist-tie, and no buttons in front--but they share a silhouette of fitted bodice with a halter neck and a full skirt.ย Indeed, you could alter this pattern to make it look more like the iconic dress, but the ensemble here is both charming and practice.
The buttons on the front bodice appear on the little jacket as well. And the jacket is a nice addition since air-conditioning can create a chill on many a summer evening out.ย While the buttons are functional, you get into the dress with a side zipper.
The dress and jacket take 6-7 yards of 45โณ fabric, and they suggest crispy cottons like chambray, broadcloth or pique, or fancier silks like taffeta or shantung.ย Iย would either test muslin the bodice or add extra-large seam allowances (3/4โณ), so that you can tweak the close fit. You need to take into account the shape of the shoulders, the bustline and the waistline and how they relate to each other, are you long-waisted, short-waisted, etc.
Realize the skirt will be WIDE, and you may prefer to pleat it rather than gather it at the waist to reduce bulk. The 1950s designers loved the fitted bodice with the enormous skirt, but many of us find it overwhelming to the eye.
You can find it at your local fabric store on online here: https://simplicity.com/butterick/b6938
