TWO ROSCOE DRESSES, A TRIED AND TRUE PATTERN FROM TRUE BIAS

My first version of the Roscoe, I made from a piece of baby wale corduroy that I bought when my daughter was a baby. I loved the way the bright cornflower,  plum and leaf green floral pattern contrasted with the black ground, almost like velvet, but not quite. It reminded me of a Liberty print (which it's not) and at the time seemed like the perfect fabric for a little girl's holiday dress up dress or jumper (like velvet, but not too "fancy"). Fast forward almost 17 years and I finally found the right pattern.

This dress has a simple gathered "peasant" neckline with ties that can be worn open, and a bracelet-length raglan sleeves that gather gently into narrow band. It can be made up as a top, tunic, or even a maxi dress, with or without a gentle ruffle at the bottom. Soft but not to "frilly" or "fancy" (kind of like the corduroy). Perfect with tights and boots for my now- grown-up high school girl at holiday time this winter.

Roscoe dress number 2 was a "selfish make" for me. I've taken to wearing flannel as often as possible during our Minnesota winters. My "uniform" has become 3 flannel Wiksten Tovas, and a Merchant and Mills Dress Shirt dress with tights/leggings/or long underwear , and boots or clogs (weather permitting).

I had also fallen in love with the Jolie-laid ("pretty ugly") mustard and grey checked Mammoth flannel in the shop. It got to the point where I was jealous every time I sold a piece, so I knew I had to save some for myself. Enter Roscoe. I made mine longer, and perhaps a size too big (big enough to layer over a cozy turtleneck). Almost, but not quite as cozy as pajamas. Perfect with a cup of coffee by the fire on a chilly day.

Now that the days are longer and the snow is almost melted (it is Spring after all), I'm waiting for the new lawns and double guazes to arrive. And I'm dreaming up my next round of Roscoes, after all the pattern is at traced, marked, ready and waiting. Another TNT* pattern...Don't you love it when that happens?

*Tried and True