dresses

luzcasal I had never heard of Lindybop but took a look after your post. I ordered a pretty summer dress and it arrived yesterday. It's really lovely and the quality is superb. Only £30 plus £3 p&p. Thank you

Hi Babyboomer, sewing has already made a comeback! You should google 'sewing blogs', and there are many sewing groups on Facebook. I belong to one called Make a Garment a Month. I must say that going back to sewing for myself has really cheered me up. And things fit now! Also I find I can do things that when I first started sewing would have confused me terribly. It must have been all the years of mending children's clothes etc. I really hope you try it out. It's a revelation. Knit fabrics are terrific too, and easier than you would think. ?

I make nearly everything, but then I am a trained couturiere. I teach sewing and always recommend Vogue patterns. they may be a bit expensive but they are worth it. Follow the instructions to the letter and you won't go wrong. Watch out on Jaycotts site for sales of patterns which they often have.

I also like Butterick, McCalls and Simplicity. All the rest I don't rate and whenever any of my students get any of the other makes the garment is never as successful as the above. Especially Vogue.

Croft Mill is also good for fabrics - especially some really cheap stuff if you want to try it out in a toile (practice run).

Thank you everyone for this thread. Many really useful links and suggestions. I am nearly 6 ft and always try M & S and Long Tall Sally first but both so frequently disappointing. Long Tall Sally fabrics are not good. Will try the sewing machine route I think.

can you link to the john Lewis personal syle advisor.. I can't find it on line

I just looked at White Stuff but they are all so short, otherwise I like them!
I wore them that length 50 years ago.

Clingy and revealing I think etheltbags, the type that Nigella wears. I suppose like the old-fashioned 'blonde bombshell' style of dress.
(Not like that coverall she wore on Bondi beach )

Not my style at all, not that I like wearing dresses anyway

I too don't know what a bombshell dress is?.

I just wear leggings over a top or dress and my legs are covered and warm, I wear ballet pumps with this and that's all I wear winter and summer, adding a cardi or jumper as necessary and boots instead of shoes.
I don't have the self confidence to wear proper dresses.

I went into White Stuff and tried on 7 dresses in size 14. All of them fitted me and all looked good. I had a job to choose but am very happy with the choice. It is knee length, not too clingy, modern looking with a v neck which is quite flattering. I told the (very helpful) assistant that I had never in my life tried seven dresses on, in one shop, all of which fitted me and looked good. A first!

Phase 8 is pushing the boat out for me!

I rely on Phase 8 but when I wanted to push the boat out I bought one in Sahara - they have an online business too. Expensive but will not date.

whenever i see a dress/dresses i like they are either practically floor length (im only 5ft) or they are ridiculously short (not good at my age with my figure) lol

Thanks Treecycler for your advice. It's good to know where I can get a choice of materials. Many years ago, when I used to make my own clothes, every high street had a shop where you could get dress fabrics, but very few do now. Knitting has made a comeback, so perhaps dressmaking will too.

After all, they don't!

I doubt whether horses would be bothered whethr humans wore pants or not...

Don't frighten the horses.

Well, you could always go commando phizz...

I loved the Patra dresses.
Haven't worn a dress in ages but have sent for their catalogue and may well buy one very soon.
I am SICK SICK SICK of wearing pants.

boden for three different lengths and Pepperberry for larger bust sizes.

Bez - East sometimes do longer, floater skirts.

Phase Eight fit me well. Straight styles are more flattering as we get older. I think they always make one look slimmer, as long as we take the right size, not one that looks tight.

Hi Babyboomer. I've been buying my patterns from Sewdirect during the sales. They often have reviews. Good reviews of all sorts of patterns can be found on Sewing Pattern Review. If you google it it'll show up. Fabric I often buy from Minerva Crafts also online with only .99p postage. They do patterns and fabric. Sewdirect has a sale on half price patterns at the moment. I'd recommend the Tilton sisters patterns by Vogue and Butterick if you like an unusual look. Burda patterns are fashionable and often a bit dressier. Their sizing is pretty accurate. New Look does cheaper patterns which are just as good as the main Butterick /McCalls ones. Their are also lots of new younger designers doing Indy patterns. Happy Sewing!

Love the Bombshell ones and will look out for more of them. I bought a Damsel in a Dress Diora dress last year and love it. They're in the sale at the moment at £74; I paid just over £100 when their list price was I think £147.
www.damselinadress.co.uk/search.aspx?q=DIORA+DRESS+NAVY

MeggyMay - I had to google 'bombshell dresses' as I didn't know either! They seem to be 40's style dresses, and they look good!