mad men casting call

My lovely friend from The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife, Twila Jean, has entered the Mad Men Casting Call Contest.

She is perfect for a walk on role. Check her out here!! Mad Men Casting Call - Twila Jean

Good luck Twila!!!

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simplicity 5389

I have been saving this fabric for a while. I knew it could look a little matronly if I didn't pick my pattern wisely.

I was so excited when I found this pattern. It was exactly what I was looking for! I wanted a sheath dress or a wiggle and this is sort of a cross between the two. It doesn't taper like a wiggle normally does but it hugs the bum like one. And now I have a great dress in my wardrobe to wear to weddings and picnics and all other wonderful activities that are going on this summer in the PNW.

I know I have been doing a lot of 60s but the patterns are so dang cute I can't help myself and a lot of my other eras are more appropriate for colder seasons so 60s it is - shucks!!

On to the pictures.

The pattern. You can see the original owner doodled on it it pencil a little. I love that. I also love it when I find notes on how to make the pattern. They are always written in beautiful handwriting that looks like my grandmother's.

Front

Back

kinda showing the "wiggle" aspect

I chose to omit the bows on the shoulders after careful consideration. I couldn't decide if they had the right feel. So I made the whole dress and then decided. I like them without it and I didn't feel like anything was missing.  I still haven't perfected zippers but I am getting a little better. ( I am less scared of them at least.)

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simplicity 3749

Can we say Mad Men? (A show I still haven't seen even though I love vintage clothes and worked in marketing. tsk tsk)

I am in love with this dress. It was the first time I have ever graded or resized a pattern and it went really smoothly. The dress was originally an 18, which has a 38 inch bust. I wear a 34 inch bust or about a 12, so some serious down-sizing was needed.  I used this helpful tutorial and got great results!!

I chose a simple cotton in a coral color. Basic quilters cotton, especially solids, are affordable, easy to work with and drape nicely.

To get started, I needed to trace the original pattern. I also do this when a pattern hasn't been previously cut, so I can preserve the original pattern.

Then, I needed to resize it. You can see I had to shorten the waist by almost an inch.

The results were a great fit and a dress I have worn 3 times already. Check out the cute brooch I got at Treasure House for $2.99!!!

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new book for my birthday

I got this great new book from Bri (my sister-in-law) for my birthday.

Haslam System of Dresscutting - Vintage Pattern Making for 1950s Fashions - Spring and Summer

It has all of these fantastic patterns that you make with your own measurements.

 I have never attempted anything like it! I can't wait to try it. Especially the following - 

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