1984 Style!

It's back to 1984 for me today -- the best year of the 80s -- all the best music was out, fashion was starting to really show the 80s aesthetic, and sewing patterns reflected some of that. I thrifted this c.1984 pattern a while ago, and it's been on my To-Make-List ever since. Style 4233 has a great silhouette, and I had just the right thrifted fabric to use for it!

This wasn't a very difficult project; the neckline was probably the most complicated bit, just trying to get the collar piece to wrap around to the back bodice correctly. Otherwise it's pretty simple, with the straightforward undarted skirt, and dolman sleeve bodice. 

The sleeve and the front neckline were what appealed to me most about the pattern when I saw it. The facing was a bit of a trick to get laying flat but a bit of clipping and pressing worked it out. The two buttons at the front opening are supposed to have rouleau loops to close them, but in my fray-prone wool blend there was no rouleau making happening. I instead used two black hair elastics; I cut off the metal closure on the small elastics and tacked them on so that the loop was the right size. It worked out great, much faster than the 40 minutes I spent searching through my button stash to find two matching black buttons that were the correct size and feel for this dress!

I made a small change in the pockets; in the pattern they are attached a few inches below the waist seam. I always find that putting the top of the pocket in the waist seam works much better for me -- with my short arms that placement is perfect, and also, catching the top of the pocket bag into the waist seam keeps the pockets in place, no shifting or flopping happening there. I also lined the skirt as I'll always be wearing tights with it, and the lining also gives a bit more body to the skirt. 

The only thing I really don't like about this pattern is that it uses a centred back zip. I don't know why I didn't change it to an invisible zip, which is always my preferred style, but I went with the pattern and am not very happy with the lumpy zipper insertion. I may still pick it out and replace it, but I couldn't face it after finishing the dress -- it's very hard to see the black stitches in the patterned wool fabric. Maybe I'll try it after I've had a break from the construction part of this dress for a few days! 

But I really like the 40s inspiration in this 80s pattern. perfect for the 2020s. I like where the waistline sits, and the collar/front neckline a lot. It's growing on me!