patterns one will never wear

It's a structural necessity; I think. One needs something to support that skirt.

One must consider "shapeware" sold today is vastly different than the bullet proof Playtex rubber jobs of old. Even the "18 hour" thing usually had one screaming for release after 4 or 5 hours.

My only gripe is today's boning, or what is passed off as such barely holds any shape and easily distorts, especially with improper laundering.

Candide

Thank goodness I came along too late for that!! I was referring to the sort of elasticated panties with attached stocking holder-uppers (suspenders in the U.K, garters in the U.S.) I tossed them out gleefully as soon as pantyhose (or tights) came down to a reasonable price. I think the worst thing I ever had to wear was a kind of all-in-one elastic combined bra/girdle/panty which was required under a skin-tight stage costume when I was playing an ingenue circa 1915. Only had to wear it for just over two hours a night, and boy! was I glad to get it off.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

There are quite a few about, and as a playtron you can wear anything anyway, right? Well anything decent!

I shall give it some thought, but I never needed one in the days before the weight gain, when I last wore a similar frock. I come with a built in wasp waist! And I tend to make the underskirtage on a waist band-free yoke that fits firmly.

Kate Dicey wrote in news:45235ebf$0$8712$ snipped-for-privacy@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net:

well, i could i suppose, but Sterling (my home faire) just doesn't seem like a fairy would fit in... although there are days when it's upper 90sF & humid that wearing barely anything would be a *lot* more comfortable. my next outfit for Sterling is going to be my 'madwoman nobles'. yes, i am going to go through all that work to trash a set, just for effect :) i'm sure i'll look completely loony trailing them through woods & swamp around the farm getting them properly 'broken in'. i've always figured old & eccentric was a good combo ;) lee

hey, that's me! 'Old and eccentric"

I'm getting the old bit, but I'll never have enough dosh to be eccentric. I'll have to settle for 'mad ole bag' I think. ;)

Kate Dicey wrote in news:4523d604$0$24486$ snipped-for-privacy@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net:

you need money to be eccentric? oh dear.... i may have to rethink my retirement ;) lee

Eccentric is when one has money but is slightly odd. If one has no money then you are plain old daft! *LOL*

Candide

Things I wouldn't wear on a bet, but still want to make:

A tiered skirt.

A more-than-a-full circle skirt, assembled from trapezoids in such fashion as to use every square inch of the fabric.

Shorts with two sewn-in aprons, to look like a skirt.

Culottes. About every tenth time that I pass the full-length mirror in the hallway, I eye my slacks and envision strategically-placed inverted pleats. For some reason, slash-and-spreading circular fullness doesn't come to mind.

A sleeveless dress with a collar that comes down to my elbows and has right-angle points front and back. (Actually, I *would* wear that one, but not to any place where I'm likely to be invited.)

(And I no longer have the figure for it.)

Joy Beeson

Must Have The Green One.....

Michelle Giordano

Oooh just love the black one. the green would show too much bosom for wear before three 0'clock ! *LOL*

Candide

This one is more my style. All one needs is long white gloves and off to the cotillion,debutante ball, or Miss America evening wear competition (circa 1950's -1960's)

Oooh, my Barbie doll had a dress in that style! It was slightly softer than lime green and had a layer of medium blue tulle over the skirt. The effect of the blue over the green skirt was amazing even to me at age 8 or so [mid to late 1960s]. And it came with long gloves - can't remember if they were green or white.

Barbie was so well dressed back then, maybe that's why I still attempt to coordinate my outfits [but no evening gloves or hats for me. LOL]

Sheila in Canada

I just checked with my sister to make certain I was correct. I made that very dress for her high school graduation in 1958, in all white of course. I may still have the original pattern in my stash, but it would never fit either of us now; besides, what would mid-60s and mid-70s women look in it today. It is one beautiful dress. Emily

Which dress are we speaking of? The pouffy "deb" gown or the simple green or black frock?

If the later, with certain alterations the dress would look great today on a woman of a certain age, just as it would have done back then. With perhaps sleeves lengthen or changed, and raising the neckline think it would look grand. What I would do is make up a short/bolero type jacket, very popular in the period to wear, thus taking care of the arms and if needed neckline worries.

Now for the deb gown, have a MIB Vogue pattern for an evening gown almost the same, but without the sash. Other difference is there is a tulle or lace covering over the bodice, neckline and making sleeves. Depending upon the woman, a "young" sixtyish woman might be able to carry something like that.

The one I made my sister was like the green one, maybe not quite as low-neck, but without the white under-collar that is on the black dress. Emily

a penrose tiling! just leave the edges uneven, or add a bit of something else. odd raggedy edges are all the rage now.