“What shall I wear to my graduate program holiday party?” I thought. I briefly considered wearing something totally different than what I wore last year (a navy blue dress) and decided against it. Navy blue it is!
This is simplicity 1795, a full-skirted dress with kimono sleeves and a v-back. It’s made here in navy blue poly satin, which doesn’t photograph particularly well. I made it in 2008, pre-blog and actually before I ever discovered the vintage/retro/sewing blog community! It is made exactly to the pattern, with no modifications in either construction or fit. Lots of interior pinking can be seen on my blog!
We’re iced in here in Texas, so yesterday I spent the day designing a dress. I’ve made plenty of 50s era dresses from patterns before, as well as several skirts and a few blouses. I’ve also designed my own skirt pattern using How to Make Sewing Patterns by Donald H. McCunn. In my opinion, the book is a little complicated. I think I prefer altering existing patterns to creating my own from scratch.
Using the peplum blouse pattern from Simplicity 1590, I made a princess seam bodice with buttons in the back. You can read more about the altering process on my blog. Let me add that I have never done anything like that before!
Here is the dress so far. The skirt is basted onto the bodice, and the “belt” is actually my husband’s tie. There are mostly-invisible pockets on either side of these skirt. My torso is about 4 inches longer than the dress form’s, so the proportions are not quite right. I also realize the skirt is not sewed on straight. But something seems to be missing. I am not sure where to go from here. Any suggestions?
Thanks for reading!
I recently made a simple gathered skirt as a basic separate, and I’ve been wearing it as often as I can, so I thought I’d share it with you here. It’s easy as pie to make and given the right fabric can look dressed up or down, and makes a quick addition to the vintage wardrobe.
And completely without a zipper!
I’ve already posted it in more than one outfit post, but you can see it and read the simple construction here.
Bye y’all!
When my fiance and I moved to Massachusetts for school, I knew that one thing I wanted to purchase or make was a very warm housecoat. I’d purchase the pattern for Butterick 7461 last summer and made the shorter version out of a kimono that my mother and I made while I was in junior high, and the fit and style were great and the pattern was quick and easy (like it says on the package!) so I figured it would be perfect for making a longer housecoat.
I procrastinated on the hand finishing for ages, but… it’s DONE!! And I love it to bits and wear it constantly. For more construction details and lots more pictures, keep reading…
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Hi All
I only recently stumbled across this treasure trove of inspiration, and instantly became an avid fan! I just graduated from college, and although I am just a beginner, I am trying to hone my sewing skills specifically with 1950s/1960s styles. I am having so much fun perusing all your projects, and only hope I have something just as nice to show off soon.
To show his support for my new found obsession, my BF is going to spring for a dress form for Christmas! I am obviously super excited, but as I mentioned before, I am kind of newbie to this fun and fantastical world, so I am a tad clueless as to what exactly I should be looking for.
The hunt began at the logical first stop for all things beautiful and vintage, Etsy of course. My heart sang as I browsed the plethora of loveliness that might just soon be mine, and I did find a number of contestants for the coveted position of my in house body double.
I mean, how gorgeous are these girls?
But then a nagging thought occurred to me; Perhaps I should be focusing more on the function of the dress form, and less on the display/vintage aspect. I did a bit of research about what I should be looking for, but have come up with nothing conclusive. Collapsible shoulders, adjustable height, and wheels seem to be biggees, and I did find a nice form that doesn’t break the bank from The Shop Company that seems to cover everything.She looks clean and crisp, but alas she is admittedly not vintage.
So, sewers of the world, what do you think? What do all you professionals out there use?
I am so excited about joining this awesome vintage-sewing community. Keep up all the beautiful work!
This lovely wool challis pleated skirt is my second make from Simplicity 9070 circa 1970.
My mother’s friend saw it and exclaimed, “That is a perfect pleated skirt. And I went to Catholic school, so I know what I’m talking about!”
To see some more photos you can stop by my blog. Thanks and happy vintage sewing!
Hello WSR!
I recently served as Bridesmaid for my gorgeous girlfriend’s destination wedding in New Orleans! I received Butterick pattern 8080 as a gift, and was very excited to make this pattern. I have many tattoo’s and needed to cover them for the conservative Catholic wedding mass.
I couldn’t believe I found this amazing grey satin with embroidered Fleur de Lis for $6 a yard. It was in the back area of Joann’s! It was originally 20$ a yard. What a score!
Upon opening the pattern, I was missing the back lining piece and the INSTRUCTIONS!! It was my first time flying blind, but everything came out pretty fantastic! I jimmy rigged the front enough for it to lay right. I almost want to purchase another pattern to see how it really goes together!
The rest of the dress and my New Orleans adventure can be seen on my blog!!
~Missy
Technicolorcutie
Tagged as:
fleur de lis,
New Orleans,
sewing without instructions
This is economy Design E233. I found it in my Nan’s stash.
Economy design
I thought the picture sheet was lovely and I decided on design A. I had all the pieces but no instructions! I used a plain cotton drill in purple. I’d have loved to use a wool crepe but I was worried I’d mess it up without those instructions.
I added the braid to the neckline and hem.
I thought this made the dress look more 60s. I like the dress and it’s fun. If I were to make it again, I’d shorten the bust darts as they are too long
This was my first vintage pattern and I really enjoyed sewing it. I’m looking forward to my next vintage make.
It’s finally finished! I thought and drafted and muslined and sewed this dress over the past month.
It’s inspired by the beautiful images in 1930′s sewing magazines and made from wool crepe and silk satin. The dress has raglan sleeves which form a yoke at the back. The lower back bodice is gathered to that yoke and fits at the natural waist. At the front, there’s a satin cowl neck with pleats. The skirt rises into a point well above the waistline at the front. It’s fairly slim and has flared inserts.
It’s very comfortable but I still have to get used to the silhouette. I mostly sew 1950′s dresses with the odd mod look or 1970′s thing thrown in…
Go to my blog to read more about this dress!
