The Two-Pattern Vintage Dress
This dress is a labor of love that spanned three months and two lives. The design is a unique hybrid of two different patterns found in a vintage 1980s catalog. I chose to knit the skirt and sleeves for a soft drape, while crocheting the bodice and collar to provide structure and intricate detail.
The journey to this finished piece wasn’t easy. I originally began the dress in an orange-brown palette, but after running out of wool, I discovered the new dye lots were slightly different. Unwilling to compromise on the finish, I unraveled the entire project. That original wool was eventually transformed into winter leggings and small purses, while this dress found its true identity in a beautiful green.
A highlight of this project was using my new button press machine and piston for the first timeâapplying matching fabric to the buttons was the perfect finishing touch, and I look forward to using this technique on many future designs.
