A Rosy Pink 1950s Dress

Hello Ladies,

I have just finished sewing my dress for the 1950s sew-along I had on my blog, and here are the results! 

I used a drapey pink rayon for the main body of the dress, along with a lovely rose-print matte satin for the front panel.  This is the first time I've sewn B4790 using the contrasting fabric option, and I really think I rather like it!  I wore a crinoline with the skirt that is specially designed for the walkway dress, and I created a last-minute headpiece to complete the 50s look.  I just covered a crinoline frame with taffeta, then decorated it with ribbon and roses.  I wore a birdcage veil in front of the headpiece, then flipped it back over the top like Lucille Ball often wore her hats from back then.

The skirt is finished with a lettuce hem edge for the ruffly, almost "flower petal" hem, and I had the pictures taken in a massive rose garden which was the perfect setting for this floral inspired dress.  Hope you enjoy the pictures!  (You can read all about this dress and how to make a 1950 hairstyle on my blog).

Happy sewing!

Katrina
http://www.edelweisspatterns.com/

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

My 1950s Coral Rose Dress - Another Authentic Walkaway Dress!

Hello Ladies!

After I discovered how to alter Butterick's Retro Walkaway dress pattern (4790), I had so much fun wearing the resulting dress that looked just like the 1952 pattern cover!  If you have ever had disappointing results from this pattern, I wrote an article on how to adjust the pattern here.  The first version I sewed was from an orange faille fabric, but this time around I decided to use a crisp cotton print from Maywood Fabrics' "Roses" collection. 

As you can see, I added a vinyl belt around the waist to help cinch everything in more, and I also used a corset and crinoline skirt for that classy 1950s silhouette.  Over the belt I tied a grosgrain ribbon sash, and I almost think that this way the dress looks more 1960 than 1952! 

Along with the outfit are vintage white gloves that I found at an estate sale earlier this year.  I believe they would have been worn in the 1940s, but they are in near-perfect condition! 

I absolutely love wearing this summery vintage dress, with the big swishy skirt and the fitted bodice!  Back in the 50s it was almost as if they were dressing up for a party every day!  I'm not sure how often I will find an excuse to wear this dress, but I sure have had a fun time sewing it!  And since I had well over 100 pictures taken of my walkaway dress, I've shared more photos here. 

If anyone would be interested in doing a walkway dress sew along, please leave a comment after my blog post to let me know.  While most reviews of this pattern online are negative, it need not be the case any longer since it's so simple to alter the pattern to the original style! 

Happy sewing!

Katrina
www.edelweisspatterns.com/blog

My Authentic 1950s Walkaway Dress

I have always loved the classic 1950s dresses with their bouffant skirts and fitted bodices.  This dress was made from the "Walkaway" dress pattern (Butterick 4790).  But since there were obvious differences between the retro version and the updated patern, I did a few simple adjustments to the pattern to achieve that authentic 1950s look. You can read more about it here.  I love the way the dress turned out, and I plan to make another one using this pattern soon!  Happy sewing! 

Katrina

Pearl's Sun Dress inspired by Butterick 4790

I made my dog Pearl a new sun dress using a vintage floral sheet inspired by Butterick 4790.  I attempted to make this pattern for myself when I started sewing and it came out horribly.  I drafted a mini doggie version and I love it.  

For pictures of Pearl modeling her dress visit my blog.

Also, the first version of this dress I made is here.

Thanks and enjoy!

A Walk-Away Give-Away

I've received some great things from my fellow vintage sewing bloggers in the last couple of years and it's time to pay it forward with my first ever giveaway. I have four patterns to give away, and all of them are variations on the Butterick Walkaway Dress. Entries close at noon on Friday. To enter, come on over to my blog, Chronically Uncool.

Here are the patterns:

Pattern sizes and entry details are posted at Chronically Uncool!

Another Infamous Butterick 1952 Wrap Dress - Augmented!

Hi again!
So here's my version of the infamous Butterick wrap dress which made last year. I love when this dress pops up because its quite a standard and everyone does it differently. Mine is quite different, perhaps unrecognisable!! I made a few changes including flutter sleeves, lace trim, bow etc. More detail/photos on the blog.

Happy Sewing xx

YET ANOTHER WALKAWAY DRESS...

I have to say a BIG Thank You to all that suggested sewing a size smaller than your measurements suggest. I think I would have hated this dress otherwise.

It was so easy to put together, I made a small alteration to the centre front by using 'hook and eye closure tape' instead of 'snaps', and it works a treat!

More on my blog.

Have a lovely New Year....

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!

An old favorite from a new member

Hello,
I have just joined the sew retro fun, having been an avid reader for pretty much as long as the blog has been going.
By way of an introduction, here is my take on the ever popular Butterick B4790 reissue of their whirl away dress.
I used fabric which had been on the shelves in the shop for long enough to have its own driving license...
I blogged it here, on my blog Practical Polly, where I was a little more self indulgent with the photographs...

I'm looking forward to posting here regularly- I've got quite a backlog of pre-blogging sewing to get through!