new vintage dress

[dulcet]

I finally decided to stop just looking at all the cute dresses people have made on the internet, and make my own.  I really should step away from the computer more often!



I decided that the key to making a quick dress from a vintage pattern is to find a kimono sleeve.  So I went through my stash and found one from my Grandma.  I think she made the jacket some time, because the pattern pieces were labeled.  It also helped my quick-make factor that there was only one size (mine), and the pattern didn't need to be cut out.  Just slap it right on the fabric and cut!



It only took me a day and a half, but it was a good thing I didn't have too much else I needed to do.  And DH was very good about letting me sew.  But he likes it when I have a new dress--probably because they actually fit me and show off what curves I do have.

Here's that lovely pleated bodice.

[alwaysinmyroom]

Nice modern take on the vintage pattern!  Love the stripes...looks darling on you!

[Helcura]

That looks really good on you.  Did you narrow the skirt or does the drawing on the pattern exaggerate the fullness?

[elderflower]

Lovely style. That pleated bodice is so effective especially with the stripes.  I laugh at  how on those old patterns they always drew models with impossibly small waists. The lady pictured looks like an anorexic with padding.  Silly  really because your photos show what a lovely dress it is on a normal sized person.  A pity the pattern isn't made any more as it is a very pretty one.

[dulcet]

Thanks everybody!

Helcura- Actually, I was so excited to get started that I didn't make sure I had enough fabric before I cut out the bodice.  So I just pulled out a straight skirt from another pattern and sewed it together.  It was the bodice that I loved from the original, so it's still a win. 

Elderflower- I was worried that it wouldn't fit today's real women, but it was perfect.  So I looked a little closer at some of my other vintage patterns.  Strangely, all my measurements fit into one size with them.  In modern patterns, my bust/waist/hips are all in different sizes and I have to grade between them.  Go figure!

[alwaysinmyroom]

Vogue makes lovely vintage patterns in similar styles...but with a more modern fit...I laugh at how a size 33 bust and 36 hips is listed as a size 16...I believe that is now a size 12...my how we have all gotten larger but the sizing has gotten smaller ...my mother's pattern from the 40's and 50's are a size 6--with a waist of 21! It is now labeled as a size 1...you just have to check the fit to your body, which is great when you can sew for yourself!

[Andrea_c]

Beautiful pattern,you chose the perfect fabric for it!

[bananaleg]

Everything about this is just beautiful.

[liliv-1]

It's a lovely pattern. It creates a womanly silhouette and the stripes are such a classy look.

[ThéaOz]

Wonderful dress !