A Modern Pattern Modified For A 70′s Feel

by Inkdork

in 1970s,Dresses

First, some background. Four years ago, right after I got my sewing machine, but before I started really sewing, I attempted to make this dress, the one shown in blue. I did such a horribly sloppy job cutting it, the skirt was all I could save from the pattern. There were literally inches of fabric that did not line up on the back of the originally cut bodice.

After about two years, I finished it as just a skirt, but it was pretty hideous- there’s no other way to describe it. Fast forward to this weekend. I pulled out the last of my black cotton broadcloth from my stash and I re-cut the bodice, this time going for the view on the right in white. I ripped out all the seams of the skirt and ironed them all. I re-stitched everything with French seams. I made a few changes to the design as I went (you can see them listed here on my blog) and when I was finished this afternoon, I had something not only wearable, but likeable.

The empire waist I ended up with and the cap sleeves along with the almost A-line skirt shape give this a kind of 70′s feel, similar to what you see here and here, though I think the shorter length is reminiscent of children’s dresses.

My fabric choices are far from that era though, and if I did this again, I’d still make the same changes I did to this now, but would choose less loud and busy pattern for my fabrics- probably a solid color. Either way, I have a feeling my altered version of this dress are more my style than the original intended design.

I’ve also just won a lot of 60 women’s patterns off of eBay for about $15. All I know about the lot is most of them are uncut, so maybe I’ll find some treasures in there when they arrive! I may have a pattern buying problem.

Tagged as: 1970s, B5350, Butterick, cotton dress, dress, modern

{ 4 comments }

1950′s Dress

by Claire

in Vintage Sewing

 

Hello, this is my first posting on here and I want to share with you my first ‘vintage’ make.  I have been sewing and knitting since I was a young girl but this is the first time I have drawn out my own pattern quite like this one.  I recently bought a fab 1950′s book (via pdf) from Subversive Femme on Etsy.  It is  by Enid Gilchrist and has loads of designs to draw up as in the picture shown.  At first viewing the patterns look quite daunting but they are not.  You just need a set square, tape measure, a pencil and paper – I used baking parchment.

I needed to change some of the measurements a little and found this easy enough as the book details how to do this.  I also made a ‘mock up’ of the bodice which I was glad to have done as some tweaks were made to this too.

The cotton fabric was bought in Paris from Marche Saint Pierre, very near to the Sacre Coeur.  It’s a fabric shop on 5 floors.  Needless to say my eyes were popping out of my head when my partner took me there!  So much fabric to choose from!

I chose to make a petticoat to go underneath my dress.  This pattern is also in the same book.  The dress hangs much nicer with the petticoat and I decided to put broderie anglais lace at the bottom.  I could have added net but didn’t want my dress to stick out too much so lace is great.

When making this dress I also completed my first invisible zip and looked on You tube to help me.  It actually wasn’t too difficult and I’m very pleased with the result.

I’m loving my new dress and feel inspired to make some more clothes in this way.  I hope you like it too?

 

 

Tagged as: 1950s, 1950s dress, dress, vintage sewing, vintage sewing book

{ 10 comments }

Baby Dress

by racheleloise

in Vintage Sewing

Okay, so I guess she’s not a baby and she’ll be transitioning into the toddler room in one month, but I wanted to share the sweetest little dress I made out of Butterick 3949. There’s no date on the pattern, but I’m estimating it’s from the 1980s.  I used a batik print and I think it worked out really well.  The prairie bonnet is modified from a book called Sweet Booties.

You can read more about this at my blog.

{ 3 comments }

A bit of tartan anyone?

by lady a

in Vintage Sewing

Just a small post about my day job, and the lovely stuff we have created.

James and the ladies

check out my blog for more

Tagged as: Ballet, tartan

{ 2 comments }

Huzzah!

by Jenni

in 1950s,Applique,Skirts

Hello, We Sew Retro-ers!  I just finished a project and I am so happy with how it turned out that I decided to share it here!

Higgins Armory knights skirt

I made this skirt for a special event held at the Higgins Armory museum in Worcester, MA. I used McCall’s #1851, which has been in my collection for a while but honestly, I never had any intention of making it up. . . Until I found occasion to visit a museum that contains nothing but armour and swords!

McCall's 1851

Higgins Armory knights skirt

More pictures and info can be seen on my blog.

{ 16 comments }

It aint too shabby-COWBOY GINGHAM SHIRT FOR BF

by pumpener

in 1950s,Embroidery,Mens,Modern Patterns,Shirts,Vintage Sewing

Hey YAWLL!
It’s been a long time, well ive actually made something wearable but unfortunately its not for me its for my boyf as a valentines prezzie awww. <3
I used kwik sew 3506 i cut a medium it was massive i took in a couple of inches. the most annoying bit was the facings-i get mixed up with them alot left right front back confusion. as it was valentines and i wanted to put my stamp on it, i tried to stitch I <3 U on the inner pocket flap.
does anyone know of a good book to help the drafting of muslins, converting measurements to drafted clothing? and not hating the fabrics i have thats a big problem for me. but i feel newly inspired by all the gorgeous pieces that you ladies are creating :)

hope to see you all soon

Tagged as: 1950, cotton, cowboy, Gingham, men, shirt

{ 2 comments }

Green Shell Top Tutorial

by Sewingthe60s

in 1950s,1960s,Vintage Sewing


Today I will be showing you a variation on Burda Shift Dress 09/2012 #107

This variation turns the top into a 50s/60s shell style top with a cross back. You can use Burda 09/2012 #107 or Collette patterns Laurel as your base as we only need the front and part of the back of the pattern.

If you have another pattern for a shift dress or plain top, you can use this too! I will instruct you to make this top to fit you so make sure you have your measuring tape and if you have one a dressmakers mannequin or packing tape shell (if you ever made one). I don’t have a mannequin and I did ok so don’t worry if you don’t have one


[click to continue…]

Tagged as: 50's, 60's, beach, spring, summer, top, tutorial

{ 4 comments }

Retro Butterick ’46 B5281

by Stormie Goad

in Vintage Sewing

First posting! Proud of how my retro ’46 came out. Only my third dress ever to make and the first with a lining. Used gabardine as recommended on the pattern and it was easy to work with and provided the right weight. Added some button details to make it my own from a stash I picked up at an antique shop in Hot Springs Arkansas.

Tagged as: Retro Butterick '46 B5281

{ 17 comments }

On holiday to Miami

by audrey86

in Vintage Sewing

For the first time in my life I’m flying to the other half of the world. I’m going on holiday to Miami! And boy, do I look forward to that! I’ll be arriving there June 3rd and am staying for almost 2 weeks. :-) Now, ofcourse, I must be checking out some cool vintage stores and markets. And what about great fabric stores? Recommendations anyone?

{ 1 comment }

Vintage-ing a Modern pattern…sort of?

by Shaysierae

in Skirts,Vintage Sewing

Well I took a few trips to some 2nd hand stores in my area and came up with some fantastic finds this weekend! several vintage and 1 modern pattern that were all 1.00 a piece! they are all complete…one of them is a little wrinkly but they have all instructions and everything included. the top left one has got to be my favorite!

The top left one is my favorite!

I also found a nice little stash of vintage and modern fabrics while shopping…a lightweight burgundy wool (I believe..not 100% sure on that) a semi-sheer cotton with flowers, a black/blue checked rayon/polyester blend, and some fabulous vintage curtains with diagonal strips and flowers on them. Super excited…there is enough of the curtain fabric, and the polyester to make dresses out of each but the others were only about a yard and a half each…but hey for a total of 6 dollars on fabric I think I got a steal.

The package of stockings was only .10 so I couldn't pass them up...they are the wrong color but the picture on the package is great to look at :)

Which leads me to the project I just completed! a fun wiggle skirt out of the burgundy fabric that I am rather proud of. I used this modern pattern and lengthened the hem to just below knee length, brought the sides in rather than keeping it completely straight and repositioned the waistband so it sat higher on my waist.

Like most of my sewing projects as a beginner it had a few issues…for instance when sewing the darts on the front I sewed one set to the right side and the other to the wrong side. It was rather upsetting I had to very carefully use the seam ripper there! Lol But at the end it turned out alright…I need to fix the back a bit the top of the zipper gapes before you get to the hook and eye. I think all i need to do is reposition it? not 100% sure on  that one any advice on would be appreciated. I also sewed my first button hole and added a white vintage button to the back of the waistband…the button hole isn’t perfect either but hey…I tried. :)

as mentioned...not perfect :) but still proud. Side Note: my bottom is not that wrinkly..the shirt is just bunched underneath Lol.

I also thrifted the lace shirt for .50 :) the picture doesn’t show it but its actually a light gold color.

All in all I would say my thrifting trip and sewing as for the week of 5/20/13 was pretty successful :)

Tagged as: modern vintage

{ 7 comments }

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