sew passé: 1950s

Showing posts with label 1950s. Show all posts

butterick b4513

>> Thursday, March 31, 2011

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays - second only to Halloween. I always wear one of two green vintage dresses that I own. This year I thought I would change it up and make one instead!

This is a reproduction pattern and even though it makes me feel like a traitor, it is by far one of my favorites! It was so easy and it came out so well. I have spent the week since thinking about how I can modify it. Get ready to see a lot of variations on a theme this year.

Normally I start with a pic of the pattern but I wanted to show you why you won't see me modeling the dress first. Well it is because my St. Patrick's Day went something like this -

For some reason, we didn't get a good picture that night...

So here is a better showing of the dress.

Pattern -

Dress -

Details -

Love a good circle skirt.

This is the perfect dress for spring and summer and it seriously looks good on everyone. I can't wait to make a million of them!

butterick 6492

>> Thursday, September 9, 2010

Fall is here. Well, not officially, but it has hit the PNW, so a cardigan seemed appropriate. I had a little trouble with sizing this one. I took in the bust but I also took in the waist which was a mistake. The button holes also gave me hell, which sort of surprised me. So the fact that they are crooked was a little upsetting.

Truth be told, I will not be wearing the adorable cardigan much. It is so tight in the waist that I had to wear a corset to get it on. That is why you can't see my face in these pics....it was turning blue.

The pattern (c.1953) -

Front -

Back -

I love the sleeve detail -

And to prove that it is a functional piece of clothing -

Not too bad for my first time working with this fabric. I actually really enjoyed this little project and learned a few things for next time.

new book for my birthday

>> Wednesday, July 7, 2010

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 -

1953 coat for cora

>> Monday, June 28, 2010

I found this pattern at a local estate sale. I am in love with the fact that the pants have a cuff. This is basically the 1953 version of a snow suit.

Since snow is not common here, I decided to use a vinyl coated fabric and make Cora a rain coat. This is one of the most challenging pieces I have ever made. First, working with vinyl is tricky. It doesn't like to go through your machine with ease since it is slick. Second, there are a million pieces to a coat.

All of that aside, I am really happy with the way it turned out. And it will be just the right size for Cora when fall rolls around. Or when summer decides to dump two weeks of rain on us just for kicks!

Front (the tiara rarely comes off her head)

Back

Some twirling pictures

I love that Cora has the ever popular toddler scab under her nose. At least we know she plays hard!!

a little sewing date

>> Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Last week I had my wonderful friend from The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife over, along with her two adorable little kiddos.

The goal was to sew one 50s tank top with 3 children ages 4 and under running around. I would have to say we were very successful. Not only did everyone survive (just a cat scratch, finger smoosh and major melt down) we were able to half way finish our project!!

I did actually complete my tank top a few days later and will post pics later. The top is going to my lovely friend Jessica. While I am madly in love with it, I sadly don't have the goods to fill it out. And to take it in as much as I would need to would really change the final look. I want you to see it at it's finest so until then these shots will have to do! I can't help but think how smokin' Joan Holloway would look in this!!

The Pattern