A Sew Along for the 1950s Walkaway Dress

Hello Ladies! 


It sounds like several of us would like to do a sew-along for the 1950s walkaway dress (Butterick 4790), so I am going to host one on my blog!  In case you haven't read my posts about how to fix this retro pattern so it looks like an authentic 1950s dress, you may want to read the articles and see how the dresses turned out. 

It is not necessary to own a corset or girdle for this dress (though it does often look better if you wear one with it), and I will start out the sew-along by giving a tutorial on how to make a crinoline underskirt specifically designed for this dress.  In the 1950s they wore this with an a-line slip (according to a vintage illustration), but I figured out a way to make a crinoline slip that will only make the circular skirt pouff out, without altering the fit of the sheath panel.  While this slip won't be exactly how big the crinolines were back in the 50s, it will give you an authentic silhouette with just 1/4 yard of lining and 1 yard of 72" crinoline! 

In about a week from now we will begin cutting out the pattern, so if you don't already have the pattern, Joann's is advertising their $1.99 Butterick pattern sale from August 11-13. 

I would love to have you join the fun!  I really can't describe just how fun this dress is to wear when you have the bodice properly fitted and a big pouffy crinoline underneath! 

Happy sewing,

Katrina