Simplicity 5131

About a month ago, I won some vintage patterns from the generous Lisa of The Hem Line. You all know Lisa, because she announces her vintage pattern giveaways on Sew Retro.

There was no envelope, so from just looking at the style, I would guess it's a late sixties, early seventies pattern. What do you think?

Anyway, this is the dress that came out of the pattern. I messed up the skirt lining and the hem a little, and I was going to fix it. However, as sweet as the dress is, but I don't think I'll be able to pull off the look.




I did a mock roughly pinned the dress up to make it into a top, and this is how it looked:

I think I may have a new top instead of a new dress.

Introduction

Hello everyone!

This is my first post. My name is Cedar, and I am so excited to be here! I am pretty new to sewing, and up until recently have only done small projects like pillows, purses, and of course the necessary mending. Although I am new to sewing clothing, I am not new to vintage. I have been collecting vintage for over ten years. I recently decided to start sewing my own clothes because the styles I like are becoming more and more rare, as well as more expensive! I have been collecting tons of vintage patterns and retro reissued patterns, so I really have my work cut out for me!

This is the second item I made. It is the famous Butterick 6015, reissued as 4790. I feel I did an ok job on it, but I need to go back and make a few alterations.


I also have a blog called The Vintage Wife, where I post a lot about fashion, and hope to post more about my sewing adventures as I go along.

Nice to meet you all!

Near-fail Dress

I'd like to introduce you to a nightmare that kind of worked out in the end:

I have a LOT to say about this dress and pattern, but won't bore y'all with it here. Take a squizz at my blog for more details if you are so inclined.

I used some beautiful vintage buttons my friend gave me for my birthday to create a kind of yoke detail to make the whole dress a bit more exciting. The dress is made from an un-dated pattern I scored on ebay. I'm guessing 1973, anyone else have any ideas?

I love these patterns that contain the patterns for loads of garments like this, as if it's saying 'This is the only pattern you will ever need!'. Out of interest, does anyone have a pattern that they have made all the different garments from?

Advance 8171

This is the pattern cover. I made the view in the middle out of fake silk shantung.

Back view. The lighting makes it look so wrinkly and lumpy. It doesn't look that bad in person. I like my hair.

It slipped off my shoulder a bit in the picture. The straps do lie flat.

But I post it because while it is not an epic fail, I doubt I will ever wear it. The bust area fits terribly. It rides up, it has lumpy seams. Overall, it sucks. But, hey- I thought I would share it anyways.

Pattern notes: the bodice should have been shortened for petites, but there was no line for it. Advance patterns have bad instructions. I didn't realize how low the back drops, so you can't wear a bra, so the bust was extremely gaping, and I had to try to fix it too late. But, none of that would apply if I was patient and made muslins. I enjoy slapping things together, so I refuse! haha.

more pictures, details and whines here!

Wool And Flannel

I have finally finished a new project. It took me such a very long time. Mostly because I have been lazy these last few weeks. It is a soft green wool (perfect for a winter frock) with tartan flannel for the contrasting collar and sleeve bands.

I used vintage McCall's 6626. View A.


Unfortunately, it is not a party dress, or I should enter it into the November contest.

Please disregard the wrinkles and my slouch.

Closeup on the delightful collar!

Thank you, Darlings!

Dasvidanya,

Garnet

All Tomorrows Parties

Aloha!

I had a bit of a challenge this week; I accidently booked myself for two parties on the same night and had to come up with a dress I could wear to both.
The themes were “Hawaiian Luau” and “Rock’n’Roll” . I must admit that they aren’t the hardest party themes to mix so I was lucky there. The dress is a halter neck wiggle dress with flounce in a tropical palm tree print.

A little heads up for anyone thinking of using a multi directional print in the future; be careful where you lay out your pieces. Even though the palm trees went both ways I somehow caught them all going down making my bodice look upside down.

You can read more on my blog: www.vivianvondimples.blogspot.com

The Mad Clairegeit

Hello, I have also been obsessed with the wonderful styles of the 1940s and 1950s, sadly wonderful vintage dresses of this period are very hard to find in my size and hard to find in my country and repro dresses while beautiful have not-so-beautiful prices. So I have decided to get out my vintage patterns and start sewing a great vintage wardrobe.







I will hoping to use Sew Retro and my own blog to keep myself honest and on track (and not get distracted by pretty new fabric and a new idea). Also the following four rules
1. Four Projects at a time on the to do list.



2. Projects can only be removed from the list once completed or deemed a complete fail.



3. I will post all failures as well as successes so I as well as others can learn from my mistakes.



4. I resist the lure of new fabric and always check my fabric stash first before heading down to the stores.

Soon will post the first of my attempts. Come visit my blog http://www.clairegeit.blogspot.com/

Vogue 2609

Here's my entry in the November Party contest - my Halloween outfit, Vintage Vogue 2609. It went to quite the party - the New York City Dances of Vice Halloween party.

It was an Edward-Gorey-themed party (at times, quite loosely) and I thought a deep-colored version of this pattern would fit right in. So I made one. Out of $2-per-yard satin. (And some weird kind of latex fabric that I accidentally bought for the contrast.)

Though it was a bit long, it was great for the party and I thought it looked lovely. The art-deco styling makes me want to make a really classy version of this - from some lovely fabric - and wear it to the fanciest ball I can find. (The capelet, high neck line and open back make even this under-$20 version feel fancy and classy!)

Awkwardly brushing out the edges of the caplet featured in this pattern

The open-back design! (That tie at the bottom is supposed to be tacked down - pshaw, it's fine!)

Read the dirtier, minute-r details over at The Year 2050... Halloween edition!

New patterns

Just a quickie to post 2 new patterns I purchased thru' Ebay. Not often Plus sized patterns like this come up!

Designer touches at the Ridgeway inn

I never expected to see such fine custom sewn appointments at a roadside inn. Absolutely gorgeous.  If you like to use your machine to sew more that just clothes, you might like to see the details at the sewinghappyplace.

Frocker Spaniel, piping hot!

Second bash at the Keep It Simple frankenstein - introducing the Frocker Spaniel.
Not entirely happy - I narrowed the shoulders a little too much. Fits well, but visually I like a little more width at the top. I'm very pleased with the piping and pockets though. And the awful punny title.

Party Time Entry

Hello all!

I just pulled an "all-nighter" sewing this little number:


I present to you my day of the dead party skirt! I wanted something a little longer, more formal than the every day skirt. Plus, this scarlet linen matches perfectly with red lips, which is also a party must! I didn't use a pattern, but rather based it off of Gertie's tutorial on her blog. It's got that retro flare that I so adore, with a splash of macabre. I sewed some silk flowers onto lapel pins to add some removable detailing at the waist, and to tie in the colors in the hem fabric:


Now bring on the parties!

November Party Time Competition

Don't forget our competition for this month, show us your party clothes for a chance to win a $100 shopping spree at ZipZapKap!


Remember that it doesn't have to be a complete outfit and you don't actually have to have worn it or be planning to wear it to a party. As long as it's retro and could be worn for partying you're good to go!

Looking forward to seeing some great garments!

Happy Sewing!

Anna

McCall's 2481 Red Dress: First Project

Hello! I'm Tonia and I've been a silent admirer of the creations here on sew retro for quite a while.

I've been sewing simple projects and doing basic alterations since I was a teenager. Last January, I enrolled in my first real sewing class (a wonderful group of 10 women ranging in age from 30 to 70)!

I love the styles of the 60s and 70s, so I chose a vintage pattern for my first project. Under the patient guidance of my teacher, I was able to finish this red stretch denim jumper by the tail end of the semester. It looks like I'll have to pick up the pace if I want to make a dent in my vintage pattern collection!

Lookie!

Look at the two patterns I just bought from ebay for $5 each. I am drooling! What fabric should I make them out of? Suggestions?

Pill Box with Veil

It's alive, ALIVE!

This little cutie is one of my final assessments for my millenary class at University, a fabric covered hat. I was doing a bonnet originally but we had a fight and decided to see other people.

I did it in the same fabirc I made my dress out of posted a couple of days ago.

More pictures and blabbing at my blog www.vivianvondimples.blogspot.com :D

Happy Veteran's Day and Coat Sew Along

Wishing all the vets a Happy Veteran's Day, your service is VERY much appreciated!

On another note, does anyone know of a coat/jacket sew along? I would like to join one, I have a wonderful pattern and the wool to go with it just in time for winter.

I Fought This Dress

I fell in love with this pattern the first time I saw it. Our relationship, however started off a bit rocky when the element of "neck facings" was introduced, and over the course of one afternoon, I sobbed, I laughed, I cried and I said things I've never said to a dress before. In the end, I won, although I will probably still wince when I hear the term "neck facings" for some time to come. The dress is a charcoal stretch wool, I added the braid along the diagonal seam, around the collar, used vintage glass buttons post-WWII. The inverted pleat isn't very clear in this photo, but it swishes wonderfully when I walk. The whole sordid tale is documented in greater detail at The Republic of Dresses.
Finished dress (my dress form has a covering not unlike Astroturf on it--I swear the dress lays flat and does not pull to the side. If I threw tennis balls at my naked dummy, they would stick):

Simplicity 3914

This is my fabric, a black cotton with a white stripe print. Fairly cheap, and from Jo-Ann's.
This is my pattern, cute dress from the 50s or early 6os. Simplicity, but undated.

I made it in 2 days over the weekend. It was really fast and easy. More details here! Leave your blog address and I'll add you to my list!

Thanks for any feedback you might leave!

I'm a New Girl

Hello everyone; my name is Laurie and I've been a lurker on Sew Retro for quite some time now. I took a sewing class a few months ago and have been picking stuff up wherever I can and checking Sew Retro religiously ever since--so many talented sewists, I am both amazed and humbled! The work on here has inspired me to tackle several projects, including patterns from the 30's, 40's and 50's. Below is my first shirtwaist dress from a 1955 Advance pattern in a Yuwa cotton lawn. I really look forward to posting more on here and being part of such a talented and interesting community. I am currently working on a 1930's coat with a pattern from the Vintage Pattern Library--they reproduce original patterns, and do it beautifully on vellum. I have a brand new baby blog, The Republic of Dresses, if you'd like to stop by. Nice to meet you!

Let me introduce myself...

Hello fellow retro lovers! I am new to the sewing world, but not to the sew retro blog. I have been reading it for a few months now, loving all of the creations that people are posting, and waiting for my bravery to kick in to join you all! I just started a blog called is that sew? where you can find my latest venture in learning to sew with a retro flare. I just finished my first project:



Please stop by and give me your tips and thoughts!

Summer Dress

Hey there,

My name is Vivian V. Dimples and I have been watching SewRetro for quite a while now but have only just recently got up the nerve to join.

I am a student of Costume at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts or WAAPA for short. I pretty much sew from 9 till 6 every weekday with a couple of classes thrown in to shuffle things about. The holidays are finally coming up so I can apply all my new learnt skills for my own projects and I would love to share them with SewRetro.

I am eager to contribute to SewRetro so I would like to share the dress I have been making for summer. It is based on the Butterick pattern B4918 with a few minor alterations. I changer the full skirt to a pencil to be a bit more causal.

I hope you enjoyed!

Feel free to drop in a say 'hi' at my blog.

www.vivianvondimples.blogspot.com

Fall truly fell...

This is not the photo shoot I had in mind. I envisioned lovely falling leaf backdrops and gorgeous colors; which by the way, is what we had until the snowstorm. That's right we had a snowstorm. In fact, the prediction is for another tomorrow. A winter dress would have been more appropriate.

I'll get right on that. ;)

Come on over and say "hi". I love visitors, and will visit you in return.

Old Fabric, New Shirts

I used Butterick 5244 (which has gotten loads of use from me) and thrift store vintage fabric. I omitted the collar. I LOVE this fabric.

I used McCall's 5621, thrift shop vintage linen as the main fabric, and stash fabric for the accent. I altered the pattern by making it shorter, adding a band at the bottom, and making a slight adjustment to the sleeves. The fabric is a bit stiff, I think that I'll try and use some fabric softener next time I wash it.

I've got a few more non-retro projects on my blog.

NinjaEema

Howdy, Sew Retro!

Hello fellow seamstresses and vintage lovers! I've been a reader of Sew Retro for a long time, and am glad to be a member. I look forward to contributing posts (though my sewing plans always seem to exceed the actual time I have for them.)

My mother taught me to sew when I was a little girl, and all of the women in my family sew. When I was younger I was embarrassed that I knew how -- out of college I made many of my work clothes, taking advantage of my proximity to the garment district here in L.A. -- but now I take pride in it, and see it as a way of being connected with all of the seamstresses in my family. I inherited by grandmother's machine -- a Viking Husqvarna -- and can't imagine parting with it!

I adore vintage patterns and illustrations: the good, the bad, the just plain odd. They offer glimpses into history and forgotten fashion trends. Notes scribbled by previous owners or ephemera slipped into the envelope hint at other lives. I muse, admire and mock them (as well as talk about other sewing stuff) at my blog, Pattern Junkie. I also sell vintage patterns at my etsy shop, Gremly Girl. (Truthfully, the shop exists only as weak justification for my collecting habit -- ie, "Yes, honey, I know that's another box of 250 patterns that came in the mail -- but I'm going to sell the ones I won't use. Promise!")

Right now, I'm in the midst of the Wardrobe Contest over at PatternReview.com and have also just signed up for Wardrobe Refashion -- between the two, I hope to get a few vintage pieces done!

Pattern Junkie

November Party Time Competition!

Our November competition is all about party wear! Whether it's for drinks after work, a formal dinner party or dance or a family party we want to see what you've made and how you're showing off that retro style!

As usual any garment that you've made but not posted to Sew Retro before will be fine for an entry and I will draw the winner using a random number generator on the 1st December. It also doesn't have to be a full outfit that's handmade, if you made a blouse to go with a store bought skirt or the other way around etc that's just fine and dandy, we just want to see what you're wearing when you're celebrating!

This is also a great opportunity to get ahead on your sewing and prepare your wardrobe for any December parties that you might have in your diary!

The prize for this competition is fabulous! Katherine of ZipZapKap is sponsoring this time around and is offering an amazing $100 gift certificate for her store! That's right, I didn't mistype, it's $100 in vintage patterns of your choosing!


The prize does not include shipping but Katherine will work with you to get you the best deal for your prize. You can either have a blow-out and spend the winnings in one go or spread the prize over a 12 month period if you prefer.

So come on, show us your party clothes, I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with this time around!

Happy sewing!

Anna

Materinity Top just for Fun!

I've got this little idea on the go, the pattern and the fabric, now I just need the time.

I want to make the vest (yellow) not because I'm pregnant but because I love the shape and think it would be super handy for summer. The fabric is a light cotton from the 50s.

I will post the photos when I get it done. At this stage it's beside the machine in the 'next' position.

Butterick 8128

This is the pattern. Butterick 8128 probably from the 50s. I made the one on the left.
This is my fabric, cotton with tiny world maps.

It's a bad picture, but the dress is cute and comfortable.

I made it exactly like the pattern, and the instructions were so easy to follow. It has beautiful details, like a nice kick pleat in the back, a fan of darts over the back, the scarf, tiny darts on the elbows and a cute button detail on the back waist.

More details and pictures here!

Advance 2709

Sorry I haven't been sewing! There's been lots of work going on at home, hence why I have only just finished hemming and photographing my newest creation, Advance 2709.

I love this pattern! Its set-in, diagonal pockets. Its six-gored skirt. The fact that it has a provision for just a shirt-waist dress as well as the full shirt dress. (I only had four buttons, so I went for the shirt-waist. Also, I hate making button holes but love shirt-waists, so... that's also a reason.)

I can't say I love this pattern enough! Read more over at The Year 2050!

Cowboy PJs for the Big Guy

These have been through the washer a few times, and he was WAY too shy to model them, but sometimes even big guys like their flannel cowboy pjs! I added pockets and used modern fabric.

More vintage and sewing adventures at The Vintage Traveler.

Any San Francisco Bay Area Folks?

Hi Everyone!! :)

Anyone here in the San Francisco Bay area who might like a sewing buddy? I have HEAPS of vintage patterns...see above from a very early sew retro post... (lots of them plus size! Yippee!) several vintage machines and I am a decent seamstress, but some of the fitting is just impossible to do on oneself! I'm good at fitting others and altering patterns and garments. Figure if I have a buddy to sew with, we can help one another out! I'd also love someone to do sew-along sort of projects with.
I'm in Vallejo but anywhere in the Bay area would be fab! This may be a shot in the dark, but who knows!

Christine

(Who is trying to decide on the next project, a semiformal for an awards banquet the first week in December. I need to get cracking!)

Hello Everyone!

My name is Emma, and I'm new to Sew Retro! I've taken up sewing vintage patterns as a way to combat the frustration of being unable to find many clothes I like in mainstream stores, and the fact that there is a bunch of ebayers in my area who pick the op-shops clean of anything decent! Boo!

I have a whole bunch of projects lined up for the summer when I'll be free of uni, so expect to hear more from me soon! In the meantime, have a link to my blog: http://thebarnothing.blogspot.com/ and a few photos of my works so far.