The New Vintage Wardrobe

Yes, I know I said that, except for the party dress, the yellow dress was going to be the last summer dress.  I don’t like the thought of ending the summer without completing my to-make list.  This one only took 2 days from cutting to hemming, so I don’t feel like it’s too much out of my time.  This patten has alot of details that caught my eye.  I love the contrast band at the neckline and the cuffs.  The pockets flaps are an interesting shape.  However, while it doesn’t say so on the pattern, I think this may be a maternity dress.  The wrap back makes it adjustable and the gathers at the waist front add some room.  Just from looking at the pattern illustration, I didn’t see the gathers.  If I make this again, I will eliminate the wrap feature and make it more fitted.

This is my first attempt at the slim style that was also common during the 1950’s. I’m not so sure it works as well for me as the full skirted styles. I used the bodice from Simplicity 3780 and the skirt from Simplicity 3673.

I know this isn’t sewing, but I had to share!  I’ve fallen in love with vintage bakelite costume jewelry. This is my first piece and there are also matching earrings.

This is a mail-order pattern, which are typically difficult to accurately date. If there is a model wearing the dress, hairstyle can be a good clue, but since there isn’t one on this pattern, anywhere in the 50s will do. Other than adding 2 inches to the side seams, this one needed no other alterations. It fits like a dream. I decided to try my hand at a different type of pocket, since this skirt is a 6 panel skirt. For a first attempt, it’s pretty good. If I do this again, I will make the opening higher. For some reason that I can’t put my finger on, this dress doesn’t look very vintage to me. I like that it fits well and I’ll probably make it again, but I’ll have to think about how to add some more vintage touches.

As for future projects, I think I’m getting tired of sumer things. I need to make a dress for a special party at the end of the month, but other than that, I’m starting to think of cooler weather dresses. I can’t wait!

I generally lean toward 1950’s fashions. Not only do the styles of that decade fit me well, I really like them. Occasionally, I come across a 1940’s pattern that I really like. Marian Martin 9181 is one of those dresses. When I first saw this on eBay, I knew I had to make it in some gingham I had leftover from another project. How sweet! Well, today I graded it to my size and cut it out. I didn’t have as much of the gingham as I thought, but decided to use it for a mock-up. Hmmm, I’m not really happy with it. It makes my mannequin look thick through the middle and she’s a bit trimmer in the tummy than I am. The finished dress would have waist ties, but pulling it in doesn’t really help much. I’m going to think about it for another week or so, but I think I will end up putting it in the Fedora Lounge classifieds. It will look much better on someone less curvy than I am.

This one was quite difficult, for many reasons. It’s always difficult for me to grade a pattern more than 1-2 sizes. This one was tiny! It was also made on a sewing machine that I’m not used to working with. Oh, how I miss my Pfaff! The Babylock is really not up to handle delicate, thin fabric. I’ve also started wearing a brace for my wrist and learning to sew with it on has been interesting, to say the least. I think this came out just a touch too big and the neckline is a little too low. I’m going to have to baste it shut.