In my spare time this summer, I’m adding lots of lovely vintage pieces to my wardrobe.
I bought this pattern before Christmas. McCall’s 8849 circa 1952, an adaption of an Italian Couture Design, as it says on the front.
Straight out of the movie Roman Holiday, don’t you think? I’m picturing myself as the queen of style, Audrey Hepburn, with my new short hair.
The envelope is in very poor condition, but the pattern & instructions were pretty good. And for once I didn’t need to do any alterations.
It arrived from the US in record time & in the 42C/110F temps this week I stayed inside & got cutting & sewing.
A friend was having a Champagne, Canapes & Cake celebration for their wedding on Thursday (when it was 44C) & I decided this would be a lovely cool option.
I used a navy & white cotton sateen for the skirt,$7pm, & white embroidered voile for the blouse, $2pm on sale. (which I didn’t realise until I got home, I would have bought the roll, it’s so lovely)
I miscalculated the voile, as the embroidered pattern stopped about 10cm from the selvedge & I also didn’t realise the blouse was cut on the bias. So I used some scraps from a production blouse for the facing & also for the pocket flaps, so it bought the two pieces together. I also altered the skirt pockets so the weren’t just in the side seam. The buttons are from my Bettina Liano stash. I bound the armhole with bias tape as I really dislike armhole facings.
I think this might be my favourite outfit this summer, & the blouse will go just as well with my vintage pants or my skinny jeans.
I teamed it with my red shoes from Florence, earrings from the Uffizi Gallery & my Mum’s necklace from the 1950’s.