I've bought some fabric for the first dress pattern from my post below--a blend of linen and rayon in a very '50s print. And the fabric was only $2 a yard, so buying the four and a half yards was not so very painful. Deciding which buttons to purchase was the hardest part--it's rather difficult to find buttons that don't look like cheap plastic afterthoughts. I toyed with the idea of wooden or shell buttons, but in the end I decided to use fabric-covered buttons so that they wouldn't overpower the dress. Afterall, the design calls for nine down the front, and I don't want people to think "buttons" when I approach.

I've got the fabric drying in the nice warm sun right now, and hopefully I will get to cut the dress out next week.

Ohhhh my. I am head-over-heels in love with these dress patterns from the Vintage Vogue collection--I own the first two and aim to get the third when the next pattern sale arrives.

Here are some images from Pattern Drafting and Grading--aren't these reason enough to learn pattern drafting?

I have been quite preoccupied with sewing projects lately, and every night before I fall asleep I steal a few minutes to read up on pattern drafting. These two books are my favorites:

• Make Your Own Patterns by Adele Margolis (1985)
• Pattern Drafting and Grading: Women's and Misses' Garment Design by M. Rohr (1968)

The first book offers detailed explanation of dart control and shifting the control to seams lines or pleats or other stylistic details. It is written in two parts, the first of which is entitled "Pattern Whys" with chapters on the dart control system, creating a finished pattern, control seams, and shaped fullness. The second part, entitled "Styling," has chapters devoted to necklines, openings, pockets, collars, sleeves, and sleeve finishes, as well as a final chapter on draping and muslin models and pattern layouts. It's a wonderful resource, worth reading from cover to cover.

The second book is more inspiration than explanation, and it is best used when one has pattern drafting experience. But just look at some of these designs--