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McCalls 4769 Shirtdress with Vintage Flare

By Akram Taghavi-Burris on June 30, 2016

Hello All,

I recently participated in the McCall’s Shirtdress Sew-Along and thought I’d share my project with everyone.

For this project I used McCalls 4769 pattern which I had in my stash, unfortunately it’s currently been discontinued.

Since it was the first time I made this dress, I decided to make a wearable muslin first.

Akram's Ideas: McCalls 4769 wearable muslin — The wearable muslin came out very nice

Once I was happy with the muslin I decided to make my final dress.

While the pattern was a modern one, I choose a floral purple print fabric and vintage buttons to give a vintage flare.

Akram's Ideas: McCalls 4769 final dress — I love the vintage look of the final dress

This pattern was a little tricky and I had to do some pattern grading to get it to fit right. Still I love how this dress came out.

To read more about my process for making this dress over on my blog Akram’s Ideas (http://akramsideas.com/shirtdress-mccalls-4769/)

2 Comments

1950s | 1960s | 1970s | Accessories | Hats | Vintage Sewing

Faux Zhivago: self-drafted faux fur hat

By ooobop on December 29, 2014

December is definitely a month for quick satisfying projects that can slot into the madness of work, shopping, entertaining and visiting! And a faux fur hat is most welcome when the temperatures take a dive into freezing.

December is also a great month for finding the best range of faux fur. This fur is so soft and silky and feels so real I had to double check the backing to make sure it wasn’t! It’s a bit pricey but you really don’t need much more a hat of this kind.

I’ve got fond memories of snuggling up on the sofa with my mum, lots of years ago, watching Doctor Zhivago on the telly. So this hat is cosy in more ways than one. It has a wonderful vintage vibe but I can’t attribute it to any one era. 50’s? 60’s? 70’s? or 2015’s? Maybe it’s just timeless!

I’m planning on posting a tute and a pattern real soon so keep an eye on my blog for more details.

In the meantime, I’d like to wish you all a very happy and healthy new year! x

How do you top off a vintage look?… With a hat of course!

By made with hugs and kisses on October 21, 2013

I have always been open and honest about my obsession with sewing. You only have to take one glance at my life to see it is completely consumed by the hobby. As well as my blog, I have numerous sewing machines stashed away throughout my house (and in my garage) and the largest bedroom in my house has been turned into a sewing room. Now this interest developed over a period of time. The more I attempted to sew garments, the better I became and the more obsessed I grew. A natural progression some might say.

What has taken me by surprise, however, was how quickly this developed into a secondary interest…. an interest in vintage sewing. I found it really enjoyable to search for, collect and try out vintage patterns, hunt down vintage machines, source vintage fabric and of course take inspiration from vintage fashions. Why we follow current fashions I will never know, because in my opinion people were so much more stylish 50+ years ago!

Lately I have been really trying to incorporate my love of vintage fashions into my every day wardrobe. I am so proud of myself as I am finding I have developed such an extensive handmade wardrobe that I am able to wear handmade for at least half the week, if not more (depending on how up to date with the washing I am!) And by attending vintage fairs and stores I have begun to pick up a few accessories that finish off the look perfectly. My latest favourite being hats! I never realised until recently, but I think In really suit them 😀

So, what does all of this rambling have to do with my latest project? Well, this dress is based on a vintage pattern from the 1970’s that I borrowed from a friend. Luckily we are exactly the same size which made everything nice and easy.

I already loved that it was vintage, but what was even better was that by using this particular material I think it looks even more retro… I can’t quite pinpoint which era it reminds me of… I want to say 20’s perhaps.

Anyway, this then gave me the idea of teaming it with one of my vintage cloche hats to see if it would finish of the look…. and it did!

When we took these pictures I felt like I had stepped right out of an old movie 😀

hat with floral vintage dress by made with hugs and kisses

I do plan on making this dress again,but next time I might add an extra inch around the waist , and even though that pattern calls for bodice facings to be used, I felt that these proved to be more of a hindrance than a help, so I would instead go for a full bodice lining instead. Overall though a successful creation and one I am sure I will get plenty of wear out of, especially if I team it with tights for the winter.

Well, it certainly is nice to be able to share another project, I know it has been a little while since my last one. Turns out work is hard and tiring!

With it being half term this week I am hoping to get a lot of sewing and blogging done, and perhaps some refashions and pattern making too… it is going to be a busy, but very enjoyable week. I have lots in store so please feel free to pop on over to my blog 😀

Happy sewing everyone

oXo

5 Comments

1920s | Dresses | Hats | Vintage Sewing

1920s Dress for the Great Gatsby Challenge!

By Kristin on June 3, 2013

For the Great Gatsby challenge, I made a draped dress from a 1924 publication. The instructions were surprisingly easy, though it was challenging not having enough of my gorgeous silk chicken fabric.

I also decided to also make a hat and a brooch to tie the whole look together. The hat is from Simplicity 1736, view E.

More photos are over on my blog!

19 Comments

1930s | 1940s

Schaperelli inspired hat – a preview

By LadyD on December 28, 2012

So this hat pattern was suggested to me when asking for a retro hat that I could sew without buckram or wire involved. I was a little sceptical as to how it made a ‘hat’ so I did a mock up. (I’m making the real thing for a sew along but this is a little preview). I used a scrap of unknown material, might be denim, might be cotton.

The instructions were simple enough. I did add a little to the 10~” hight to give me more to play with…

I realise now its supposed to be shorter to make a base. Which you then add things to and trim. I’ll probably make the real one in felt or a silk with a lining.

Looks like little cat ears from the front. lol!

I added a ‘bow’ pin. In real life I’d probably pin with a decorative hat pin or a broach.

What do you think?

4 Comments

Hats | Vintage Sewing

ooobop! Lucky Hat

By ooobop on October 28, 2012

Self-drafted hat, using cotton velvet from stash, fully lined with poly lining and decorated with a ‘yoyo’ of self fabric with a central statement button. The ‘Lucky’ button was found in a biscuit tin by my daughter, at a vintage fair we attended last year.

I’m so glad it found a special home!

And I’m so glad I have now got a hat that actually fits my big head… and keeps my ears toastie!

I’m hoping this hat will work for both modern and vintage ensembles. Though I might just have to make a few more in different colours!

It really only took a couple of hours, including the hand stitching and decoration.

More details over at ooobop!

6 Comments