1960's Swimsuit Cover Up

I finished two coverups from the 1960s McCall's pattern I bought awhile back. Here is how they turned out. For more details read my project post on my blog Bobbins And Bombshells.

Rosie the Riveter

My version of the "dirndl dress"

I’m a little bit late, but here is my answer to the “dirndl dress” question.

I sewed three 1950s dresses with dirndl skirts this year. One is Simplicity 3429 which I made twice.



I do own a few vintage dresses. At least 3 have a true dirndl skirt. A few of the others dresses have pleated skirts, but they are made from two rectangles too.

I try to post pictures of them on my blog in future, because I think it’s always interesting to see how things are done back then.

You can read more about Simplicity 3942 and “dirndl dresses” in general here.

Busy Busy

I've been making my way through my to do list & have almost finished 2 shirts. First up is Simplicity 4255;A great pattern that I will definately be making again many times I think. With modifications, however...

I've also (almost) finished Simplicity 1554. Just needing buttons now.


So I'm getting there. Hopefully I'll be back on track & able to make some new things soon! Check out more information on these sewing projects and some VI buys at my blog

Hello - New to group

Hello, I found this sewing group while doing some research on a Singer 501A. I have sewn my whole life, ever since my aunt put me out in her garage studio with her featherweight, showed me how not to run the needle through my finger, and then said have fun. I was about 7 or so, and have sewn ever since. Made all my clothes in jr. and senior high, and alot through college days. Most of my sewing the last few years has been for dolls and other crafts. Currently re-create outfits for vintage and antique dolls, and am studying reproducing (in doll size) historical accuracy in mid-1800's fashions. I do still sew for myself, and am wanting to get back into making my own clothes, or at least supplement my wardrobs with my own creations again soon. Love vintage patterns, have many and have been wanting to make some of them up. So this group is a great inspiration to do so. Recognize many of the patterns I've seen made up so far. Also, am a collector of vintage sewing machines, just love them. Besides my featherweight I inherited from my aunt mentioned above, I have a Singer 301, 401, 500a - Rocketeer, my 80's Bernina Sport, a Bernina minimatic, my late 50's-early 60's era Brother, and a few other assorted machines not as collectable but in process of being cleaned up. Splurged and bought a Viking #1+ in 2000, but love my older machines more. That's about it, appreciate being able to join, and look forward to reading about other's projects and hopefully will get started on some of my own retro sewing projects. Need to get a blog, too, have been going to do that. When I do, I will post it. Thanks again, Susan

Summer of the Dress Re-Visited

At this rate I'll have to do Decade of the Dress. I combined a couple different patterns to come up with the details that I wanted. I'm still not sure about the hemline. I am tempted to raise it a couple inches. Come on over and let me know what you think.

Dress Fail: Marian Martin 9253

I am posting this as a Fail!, though not an irretrievable one, since it might still be usable to somebody else.

I won this on eBay a few months ago. The seller was a little unclear on sizing and, as you can see, the eBay camera watermark obscured the size stamp. I got most of the way through and was thinking, "Gee--that looks a little short-waisted." Actually, it looked a lot short-waisted, but I was optimistic.

Optimism lasted until I got down to the buttons and the hem, tried it on, and realized that the "natural" waistline was around my ribs. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a half-sized pattern, intended for mature but petite women. I haven't been petite since I was eleven years old (and I'm long-waisted), so it's a whole lot short.

I am keeping the pattern and plan to do a re-draft on the bodice to see if I can get it to fix my dachshund-figured self, but this particular incarnation of it will do me no good. If you are a vintage size 18 (bust 36, waist 29-ish, hips 39) but 5'2" or shorter and would be interested in trying to salvage the dress, visit my profile and drop me a line. It needs buttons, buttonholes, hemming, a belt, and some general finishing work, but it's not mangled and I was very pleased with how it was turning out right up until I discovered that the belt would be up under my chin. I can't stand to have unfinished projects lying around, and it does not deserve to be cut up for quilt scraps.

It's in a good-quality Moda quilting cotton, rust-colored and dark brown calico. More pictures of the fabric on my Flickr set.

* * * * * * *

Measurements:
Bust: 36"
Waist: 31"
Shoulder-to-waist: 15"

A 'Rectangular' Skirted Dress?

Just recently I've come across a number of dress patterns that have a skirt which is just 2 rectangles of fabric, sewn together & then gathered to attacht to the bodice. Has anyone made a skirt like this before? How did it turn out?

It's odd that I've been collecting patterns for a while now & never seen this method of making a skirt, then all of a sudden I seem to have about 4 of the things! I'm not sure if I like the idea or not. If anyone has pics of this kind of skirt it would be very much appreciated!!

ddd

10 things I "hate" about this dress

Last year I found a cute fabric, with red and white flowers on it, in a thrift store with some other fabrics ranging from the 1950s to the 1970s. I’m not sure how old it is, but it was only 36” wide, so it’s probably pre 1970’s.

Because I really liked the print of the fabric I decided to make dress Number 4 out of it. My usual 1950s dresses wouldn’t work with this rather thin polyester (?) fabric, therefore I choose McCall 5622, which was already in my stash. I made View D, with short sleeves. Although the dress was easy to sew, the project sucked from the beginning to the end.

Read more about it on my blog

Wiggle Dress in Floral & Greens

This is my fave pattern at the moment:


And here's some off shoots, both with vintage green material:





Some more piccies over on Veronica Darling's Crafty Adventures, but I'll be making more of this one soon. It's so easy, especially the one with sleeves.

Refashioned 1970s Thrift Store Find

I found this 1970's formal in a thrift store. It had this shiny silver top and polyester plaid knit skirt and jacket. The top was too tight, and I can't imagine wearing it anywhere anyway. It was floor length. The jacket wouldn't close and was long sleeve. So I decided to modernize it a bit. I separated the top from the skirt, sewed a zipper in the back, shortened the length to just above the knee. I shortened the sleeves on the jacket, and took out the bust gathers so it would close. And voila, there you have it, a new outfit for me. Hope you like it!











This is before I released the bust gathers.




The jacket was too small. It would not close all of the way. There was a four-inch gap. So I unpicked the band at the bottom and released the bust gathers. Then I sewed the band back on. And now I am able to close it all of the way and tie it.




I cut off part of the sleeves and hemmed them to make them shorter.





This is a skirt from the 1970's that I found at a thrift store. It is floor length. I'm just not sure what to do with it yet, if anything.




This is a preview of my next post.

You can visit me at Sewing With Trudy.

Patterns I won from Mom's Patterns for Sew Retro's Drawing

These are the patterns I chose from Mom's Patterns for the Random Drawing Contest that I won hosted by Sew Retro. They are Vogue 7719, the year, I don't know; Simplicity 8887, 1970 and Simplicity 5345, 1972. The reason I chose these particular ones is because they are classic designs that will never go out of style. They each have a similar design but with different interesting features. Vogue 7719 has a faux wrap top, a square neckline and princess lines. Simplicity 8887 has princess lines and a scoop neckline with different sleeve options: long, short and sleeveless. Simplicity 5345 has a low bias roll collar, pintucking on the bodice and princess lines.

Thank you, Sew Retro, for hosting this contest. I was so surprised to find out I had won, but very excited.

You can visit me at Sewing With Trudy.

Vogue 2962

Last one for a while, I promise!

Another of my older dresses, Vogue 2962, is one of my favorites. A challenge that definitely paid off.

From The Year 2050

For more on the 5+ yards of skirt and a close up of the back buttons, check it all out over at The Year 2050.

Butterick 4513

Another of Butterick's retro reprints, and this time from 1957, it's Butterick 4513! This was one of my first sewing projects after getting back into sewing, probably actually the second one after Vogue 2267.

From The Year 2050

Despite my unfounded hatred of elastic, I like this dress. For more and how to make that matching purse, head over to The Year 2050.

Butterick 4919

This continues a short series of projects I've had finished for a while but am only just getting around to blogging. (I've actually only just finished fixing the hem, which was an atrocity of shortening and not properly measuring. If you're going to shorten always measure and then measure again!!)

From The Year 2050

This is Butterick 4919, one of the recent "retro reprints" that Butterick was doing. Originally from 1952, it's been redone for modern sizing and such. Read more about it at The Year 2050.

Sixties Inspired Skirt + Vintage Fabric = Marvelous

I made my first Burda Fashion Magazine skirt. Granted it isn't a vintage pattern, but the design is Sixties inspired which caught my attention. It screamed "vintage fabric." So, I went through my stash, grabbed a kitchy, vintage cotton twill and went to love. I love this skirt.
If you want to read more about it or see more pictures, stop by any time.

On safari!

I have been on a sewing rampage! I have a month off between the end of teaching summer school and the new year beginning, so I am using my free time to sew.

I busted out McCalls 5926 in a couple of hours, including a hand sewn hem, and tacking down facings.

(the one on the left)

I made it with zebra print quilter's cotton. (I don't love quilter's cotton, but jo-anns is the only option and the selection is pitiful.) It is a smaller print and in dark grey and beige, so very neutral.

This is a dress for work, and I think it is super cute. I was afraid it would look sausagey, since it is a 10, and I am not in high school and no longer have a 24" waist. I would say it has about 2 inches of ease, and it fits nicely.

More details here!

Home Made Dress Form

I wake up & have these crazy ideas, this morning it was 'I'm going to make me a dressform'. So I did.Read all about the fun on my blog!

xdollydaydreamx

Vogue American Designers 2533

Sorry for the triple post. My bf was out of town, so I had no one to help me with my "photoshoot." Plus, my house is way too cluttered and messy for self-timers!

I picked this pattern up at an estate sale. I made it in a slinky fabric, when the pattern suggested something crisp. This is why it ended up in the Pile of Shame for about two years. It still has some gaping issues, and the pockets seams look atrocious ( my bf thought it was a zipper!! omg!). Ha, whatever, I could wear it out at night for drinks, some place nice and dim....

.

More on my blog mollysews Also, pictures of my awesome vintage sewing machine as well!

Simplicity 3490

This is a sundress from 1951. Here you can see a picture of the cover that isn't falling apart.

My fabric, a quilter's cotton from Jo-Anns.

I made the red version, minus the horrible pockets and bolero, which is not something I would wear.

It looks a little off, due to the magnitude of my screw-ups. You can read the gritty details here, if you are so inclined.

The hem is even, its just a weird picture...I swear...

Simplicity 3673

This is a reprint by Simplicity- 50's style dresses. I made the view in the middle. It came out nice in the end, but beware of "ease of fit." I think I ended up taking off 4 inches or so!

Whoops! Blinked! The shoes are totally 80's garage sale finds as well.

More info here on my blog.

Simplicity 5475

A little red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July celebrations. Made with a 70's pattern. A very easy, attractive sheath pattern. It has great details which can't be seen to well in photograph--bust, french, and back darts, seams in the CF and CB, and neckline slit.
You can read more details here. Have a fun, safe weekend!

Overalls - Modified!

This morning, as the weather here has been so stupidly hot hot hot, I woke up with the idea that I would make a playsuit. So I did. It took me about 3 hours alltogether, and as I have misplaced my actual playsuit pattern, I used my overalls pattern. I am so pleased with them. I haven't yet decided if I will make proper turnups or leave them as they are. I also need to move the hip buttons (massive hips = large placket & buttons in the wrong place!!).

Voila!

In the process of writing a lovely little blog post with more information!

xdollydaydreamx

Retro Fabric--Charles Parsons. what would you do?

new fabric $5.

I love these colours.

New pattern! this wouldn't work with this fabric so I was wondering what everyone else would do because I don't want to make something the looks ridiculous,





and this is the hhmmm....questionable...fabric.

everyone else hates it.
I got it for .20 cents but i really like it...it's soft cotton.

yep it's a curtain.


what do you reckon?

Allison.

Pretty in pink

The next dress I made was Simplicity 8467.

It’s a cute sun dress from the 1970’s with front gathers and a sweetheart neckline. I used a pink cotton seersucker fabric from my stash

I made a lot of changes for a better fit. I shortened the bodice, made more gathers and shortened the straps significantly.

I'm pretty satisfied with the result, but there are still a few wrinkles under my bust. It seems that the bodice is still to long, but I’m not sure.
Do you have any suggestions how do I get rid of these wrinkles?

Additional picture on my blog

I finally made a crinoline!

Learn how to go from that (on the left) to this (on the right) with less than $10, a day and a half, and some good old fashioned bright orange netting...


Hear the tale of the crinoline (and ignore the Batman socks) over at The Year 2050!

Simplicity 8125 - Cute, if you're only standing around

My first foray back into sewing after having a baby was Simplicity 8125, a very cute dress from the late 1960's. I love to look at it on my dressform, but when it comes to wearing it, it sucks. The whole thing just won't stay put! More details on my blog, Chronically Uncool.

OOP Simplicity 3875

A duro. I have been saving this bright cotton lawn for the perfect dress. And I absolutely adore the shade of green in the contrast fabric. The pattern came together nicely, but be forewarned it runs b-i-g! For me, the dress has a peasant feel with the ties. It will get a lot of use this summer...now if it will only warm up!
You can visit my little olespace for more tidbits.

Tutti Fruity Top

I finished this project a week ago and finally got some pictures taken!

The straps were a fiddle, but I managed to get it wearable in the end. You can read more about it on my blog here http://when-ladies-dressed.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

And The Winner Is...

Trudy with her post about her lavender dress which you can read again here.

I will be sending you an email with your winning code in it, happy shopping Trudy and don't forget to show us what you get!

Thanks to everyone for entering (we had 50 entries which is wonderful), hopefully there will be more competitions in the future.

If you run a business that is compatible with the Sew Retro ethos and would like to sponsor a competition please drop me a line at sewretro at hotmail dot com.

Happy sewing everyone!

Anna

Vogue 884

Definitely my biggest project ever... It is finished now, but in this picture the hem is yet to be done. I entered it in the 4-H fair this morning or I would have the finished pictures.
It's tafetta with black flocked roses from JoAnn's (JoAnn's? Really?) I added pockets on the side seams and lined the whole thing since it seemed rather odd to only line the bottom back skirt.
Not much else to say other than, I love it and it's the most incredible pattern ever. :-)

Update: It recieved champion in the formal class and is going to state! *I take that back, it is not going to state. APPAENTLY champion is *not* first place, A with an asterisc is first place, so it isn't going anywhere and it is second place.

AND my sewing blog:
http://sewingon.blogspot.com/

Simplicity 1960s Retro Dress

I had so much fun last week playing with two of the Simplicity Retro 1960s pattern. The first one I made was 3833.
I chose a Robert Kaufman barkcloth for this dress and love it. Of course, the best part of this dress -- well my favorite, at least, is the button. A Checkloslavakian glass kitty button. Too bad I have to be walking away in order for anyone to see it!
r
The second dress is Simplicity 3559. Another winner in my book.
For this dress I chose Michael Miller's Eiffel Tower. Both of these dresses went together with no major issues! 3833 will definitely be showing up in many colors in my wardrobe! The only change I made was to make my bow a snap-on! For these stores and many more, please feel free to stop by my blog.

Next up.. a 1968 Simplicity shift dress.

Simplicity 1191

Simplicity 1191 view 2 with a modified bodice, vintage glass buttons. Now just to make a poofy slip....

2 Days Left!

Don't forget that there are 2 days left to enter the competition to win a $25 gift certificate for the Moms Patterns store!

All you have to do is post about a completed project, the winner will be drawn randomly on the 1st of July.

Good luck and happy sewing!

Anna

Simplicity 2959

The second dress I made this year is Simplicity 2959, a very popular pattern amongst the lovely ladies of Sew Retro. I’m the third one who made a dress from this pattern. It’s a great pattern and very easy to sew, too.

Read the whole story here

Close up the neckline