Another Joan Dress!

Here's another dress entry into the Mad Men competition. When I first saw this emerald green wool crepe, I thought "Joan would look fantastic in that color!" Alas, Joan is a fictional character, so I had to buy it for myself instead. I think she'd approve though.

I made this from Simplicity 3673, which is a reissued pattern. Here's the original on the right:

I had to do a lot of futzing to get the fit right - it looked like a sack when I first put it on. Joan would not be having any of that!

I ended up doing even more fitting and making it in a red doubleknit, another great color for Ms. Holloway.

I wrote more about fitting this pattern on my blog. Come on by!

I'm a Joan

Thanks, Anna, for all the Mad Men inspiration! I'm throwing my hat into the ring with this red silk satin sheath dress that I think Joan would have adored.

I made this recently as part of my ongoing quest to sew every pattern from a 1952 sewing book called Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing. This is the "after-five, slim sheath dress." As you can see, it was the project featured on the cover of the book, and I tried to replicate it as closely as possible.

The pattern I used is Vogue 7101, which is from the early 50s, but has an especially timeless look I think.

I wrote a lot about the construction of the dress here, so come by if you're interested!

Can't wait to see everyone's Mad Men-inspired looks!

Skirt Tutorial from Gertie

Happy Tuesday, friends! I just wanted to let you know that I've posted a tutorial for a 50's style skirt (like the one above) on my blog. No pattern required! The first part shows you how to draft your own pattern, and then the second part deals with the construction of the skirt.

Please come visit. Hope you enjoy!

Hello from Gertie!

Hello, sewing friends! My name is Gertie and this is my first post here. A couple months ago, I started a long-term blog project in which my goal is to sew my way through a vintage sewing book called Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing (aka VoNBBS). This involves tracking down fourteen patterns from 1952, and following the book's methods to the letter (tailor's tacks, anyone?). You can see my site and read more about the project here. Also, check out this link to see all fourteen fabulous fashions in VoNBBS.

So far, I've completed four out of the fourteen main projects in VoNBBS. As my introduction to you fabulous retro sewing fanatics, I thought I would share them with you, alongside the original photos from VoNBBS.

I started with "the feminine, portrait neckline blouse."

I liked it so much I made it again in pink.

Then there was the "slim, supple skirt."

I did a re-do with modern methods.

Next, I moved backwards to the first project in the book, "the chemise dress."



And moved right along to "the full, gathered skirt."

Whew! It's been an amazing ride so far. Please come visit me at Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing to follow me as I go along.

I have a couple special tutorials planned so you can make your own versions of two of these projects - no patterns required!