DuBarry 1952B (1937-1938)

DuBarry 1952B, circa 1937-1938.

Here's the pattern packet:

And here's the dress:

Pardon my wilted appearance, it was about a hundred degrees even though I was in the shade and it was dry.

Yes, I wore red heels to an archaeological site. Actually, I nicknamed this dress "Archaeologie" because it's cutesy-poo enough that parts of it could possibly show up on Anthropologie, but I made it to wear to my brother's archaeological presentation. Ha ha. Personally, I think it looks a whole lot like the pattern packet, especially considering I'm not built at all like the 1930's ideal. I added two inches overall to the hips, out of necessity, but other than that, this is sewn exactly as directed. Oddly, by far the hardest part was the lace trim on the split cap sleeves--lots of basting and blind-tacking!

The fabric is Moda Happy Camper quilting cotton, which is supposed to be a modernized 1950's-flavored series, but I think it works well for this.

Flickr set.

Blogger entries.

Two new dresses for me...

Now that it's turning into summer, my unfinished-basement sewing area (which is a chilly torture chamber in winter) is starting to feel gooood. So I decided to make myself a few more dresses while I've got the creative juices flowing.

First up, a 1944 housedress pattern (I've been yearning for a housedress for the longest time).

I fell in love with the diamond shaped pockets, like, instantly. I made this up in one of the prints from the new DS Quilts (DS = Denyse Shmidt, dunno why JoAnn's is being all coy about it) line from JoAnn's.

Nine buttonholes and a LOT of rick-rack later, here I am, all ready to start a scrap metal drive for Victory:

As you can see, the tops of those cunning diamond-shaped pockets flop over all the time. I knew they would. Before I wear it again, I'm going to put a vertical buttonhole near the top of each diamond and then the pockets will button closed. They sure are handy - I keep my cell phone in one pocket and my MP3 player in the other, which I am sure is what Simplicity's designers had in mind back in 1944.

My second project was a dress for my sister's upcoming wedding. My sister sews vintage dresses at a rate that puts me to shame (and I've pestered her many a time to join this site), so the least I could do was make one for her wedding. I actually started with this pattern (undated, but probably early 60s?) and then altered the heck out of it.

I used the short sleeve version (she's getting married in the desert, in the summer - thanks for nothing, sis!) and moved the zipper from center back to side so I wouldn't have to worry about matching a GIANT print. I scooped out the neckline, too, only I scooped it out too much and it showed my bra straps six ways to Sunday. So I made little inserts out of the few precious bits of fabric I had left and then sewed bows over them, because duh, bows are fun. I replaced the original skirt, which was pleated in the front and fitted in the back, with a nice full dirndl that used up most of the 4 yards I was able to scare up. Did I mention that I like to fall in love with prints long after they have gone out of production, and I had to hunt every dark corner of the internet to find enough yardage for a dress?

Here it is with the hat, the shoes, and the crinoline petticoat so you get the full effect. I think in the end it looks more Fifties than Sixties. I wish you could all know how unbelievably haughty I feel in this get-up.