make do and mend 1940s suit

This isn't so much a straight-up sewing project, but I felt it would fit with the spirit of the Sew Retro community! I recently was asked to participate in a collective refashioning project by Portia of the Miss P blog. The premise was to take a mystery (thrift store) garment she sent me, and rework it. The challenge would be taking something ho-hum and making it into a garment I'd be excited to wear! I was sent a rather dowdy floral suit, several sizes too large. However, having been on a bit of a 1940s "make do and mend" kick lately, I was inspired by the idea of completely refitting the suit and making it into a cute 40s-inspired number. (Note: in the "before" picture below, I added a few clothespins to the suit to get it to fit my dressform a bit better--it was far too big!)





I've gone over some of my details in the post I wrote for Portia's blog here, but a quick break-down:
- refit the jacket completely, including removing the original sleeves, recutting those and sewing them back in. I also eliminated the original pockets and sewed those shut (the placement would have been grossly off when the jacket was refit).
- cut a new neckline that was distinctly inspired by the 40s.
- added some snazzier buttons; two vintage glass ones from my stash.
- added a bow to the neckline I made from what was originally the jacket collar!
- recut the skirt into a shorter a-line style; refit the waistband too.





I love how it came out--definitely am going to be wearing this over the last few weeks of September while I can still get away with it! I'm really inspired now to tackle a few more 40s-inspired "make do and mend" projects. Because as much as I love sewing a dress from start to finish, sometimes it's just as enjoyable (and challenging!) to rework something with a few well-placed stitches and seams to bring it back to life.

Be sure to stop by my blog!

Hollywood 1412: circa 1940s

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Pattern used:



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I recently finished this 1940s suit from Hollywood 1412. More details can be found on my blog.

Butterick 2564 - Vintage Overblouse

I saw this pattern in the Stitches & Loops store and just had to have it. I imagined owning the entire suit and being just as chic and professional as the model. Well, I now have one of the three items concluded. This little top is what was described back then as an overblouse. It could also be worn over a sleeveless dress to expand wearing options. More elegant versions in satin or crepe would be worn over evening gowns.

What I loved about this design and that of the jacket is that the darts mimic each other on the pieces. I also found in construction of this top that the shoulder darts and french dart on the side add flattering shaping to the top.

For the top, I used a lovely drapey red cotton twill that I'm also using for the Colette Patterns' Oolong dress. I then added four white 1-inch pearlized buttons from my late mother's button stash.

For the jacket and skirt, my dream would be to find a salt and pepper boucle with maybe a hint of another color running through it. But for boucle, that means I have a bit of a weight until they are in season again. Never mind, I have plenty to wear this red shirt with right now.

For a complete pattern review, click here.

A suit film

Hello dear sewers! I come to present you the latest suit came out of my cave of sewing, I'm spending the time to sew clothes that I see in classic movies and I decided to make an outfit each month by choosing a movie.

The chosen film in December had to be "It'sa wonderful life " of course I chose the suit that looks this girl off the train, I made the patterns with my measures and this is the result, I am delighted with a waistcoat with cape because it has a very elegant result.
You can follow the entire process from the beginning of the idea here, and as it reaches the final result on my blog, Sewingadicta.
  I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

The Betty Draper Suit

It must be Mad Men day in Sew Retroland! And here's my contribution...

So I was watching Mad Men a few weeks ago, when there was a shot of Betty wearing this:

I jumped off the sofa and went to check my patterns, and behold!

The pattern is Simplicity 7032 from 1967. I found it under a pile of rubbish at an antiques shop in Brighton and snapped it up for £1.50.

Here's my version:

More on my blog, including finished jacket post here and tutorial on sculpting scallops here :)