I'm on a roll! I made a 50s frock from Simplicity 3505, view 2, a pattern I had been given and was going to sell, but after another look, thought the simple lines would be great for a day dress.  I have far too many ‘going out’ dresses. 

I thought the red 50s border fabric I bought from Etsy over a year ago would be perfect, so made a toile (muslin) of the bodice to check fit and was pleased it fitted great, and was also pleasantly surprised at how little ease the pattern had, pattern was for 26” waist and finished waist measurement was 26 ½ (breathe in).   Only problem was that I didn’t have enough fabric needed for the skirt, so I redrafted my own pleated skirt with these instructions, using 200cm of fabric (plus seam allowance).



I debated if to line it but decided against that as it would involve cutting, marking and sewing up practically another dress, so I’ve resolved (again) to make a waist slip, with just one hem ruffle that I can wear under all my full-skirted dresses instead. 

I used a centre back invisible zip, which was not my intention but as I only realised after I had constructed the dress that a lapped or centred zip would have had to be inserted BEFORE I pleated the skirt section, then it was my only choice.  I like invisible zips, but they are a bit fiddly without a zipper foot (which I don’t have) and they are expensive.  Ideally, I would have inserted it into the side seam, but the skirt was only one piece of fabric with a centre back seam.  I pinked the seam edges, ‘cos I’m lazy and figured I could get away with it with cotton.  I usually line things to avoid finishing a seam edge, which is probably far more time consuming but that’s how much I hate it!

I love the dress, there were no problems, no seam ripping, it went together beautifully and, along with the 70s top, has helped to reignite my sewing enthusiasm.  The only negative is the square neckline, it gapes a bit and doesn’t lay right, I’m annoyed I didn’t tweak it in my toile and I will fold out a diagonal section at each corner  (in the paper pattern) to tighten the neck for when I make it again. 

(Sorry about the photo quality, some were taken with a camera phone so are fairly low resolution.)

Finally, I started and finished something, all in the space of 3 weeks (I know, that’s not exactly speedy, especially as I have had oodles of free time due to the gammy ankle, but c’mon, years of inaction and laziness can’t be overcome instantly…). I wore it today for an outing to Llantwit Major beach as the weather here is glorious, though the pics were taken in my far less picturesque back garden!

It was a straightforward project, I didn’t make a toile and it fits pretty well, though a smidgeon tight on the bust.  I interlined the thin fabric with white lining fabric to make it less see through.  In the past, I would normally leave seams raw, or at best pink them but I flat felled the seams by hand.  By hand!  I did a lot of hand sewing and although at times my mind was screaming with the tedium, I found it bearable and feeling mildly smug afterwards almost makes it worth it.

I made bound buttonholes, as I don’t have a buttonhole foot for my new machine and couldn’t be arsed to get out my old one, and I forgot how simple they are to make, other than getting the lips even. This was made more awkward by my using bias squares I think, which were advised by a 70s sewing book - unless the bias is a design feature, if using stripes for example, then I think straight grain would behave more.  I added a belt too.  Buttons and buckle are vintage from my stash and the pretty, flocked cotton was given to me by a friend’s mum.  The lining was from a charity shop for around 50p, so cost was practically zero.

I am more than halfway through making a dress, as I tend to have several things on the go at once, so if something is going awry, I can switch focus. 

My next project will be a 1970s pattern I won from the lovely Miss W’s giveaway, of The Creative Miss W, as I wrote that if I won, I would make it next! 



Vintage Swimwear

All images from my 1950s Vogues

Tilly posted about finding time to sew, and asked if anyone wanted to join her in a little monitoring of time habits, which is a great idea and as I was mulling it over, I found myself buggaring around in my pictures folder, looking for eye candy to post on here… rather than using my free time to complete the top I’ve been working on. 

At certain points during projects, when the job is fiddly or tedious (um, that’s a LOT of sewing processes, I reckon), I find it very hard to focus and just do it.  I enjoy the end product of sewing, not really the making at all, and I wish I could find it more enjoyable.  I suppose to this, one might say ‘why bother?’ but then there are times when everything is going right and comes together without hitches, that it is a satisfying process.  I just have to learn to endure the many times when it isn’t!

Vintage Shoes

Some shoe ads from my 1950s Vogues (though I lazily didn't note the months and years).  I love the 'Garland of Grace' ankle strap ones and the last cordé ones (I think they may be from a 1948 Vogue) ... and I can't wait until I can wear TWO shoes at a time!

Action

This week, after reading The Sew Weekly challenge, I decided to tackle some UFOs, mostly repairs and alterations, and have managed to shorten 2 dresses and a slip, sew a hook and eye to the neckline of a top that has been waiting… uhhh, 5 years (!) to be done, mend a cardigan, chop the sleeves off a top, make a belt … all in three days!  This is astounding by my standards, I find finishing things as much of a challenge as starting them.  In short, I ain’t a doer.  I still have a HUGE pile of things awaiting transformation, but it’s a start.

Since breaking my ankle over 2 months ago, my online shopping habit has gotten excessive, bolstered by my extra time being utilised by selling stuff on Ebay and swelling my Paypal account.  I was toying with the idea of a ban on buying anything for a month, and instead sewing new things… but I trawl Etsy like a woman possessed, getting a thrill from buying without having to consider if I have the cash, yet not really appreciating each purchase before searching for the next one.

As well as lots of vintage dresses and fabric (plus FOUR pairs of shoes that I can currently only wear one of each at a time), I also bought 3 1939 Marie Claire magazines, which will hopefully provide sewing inspiration (yeah right, like the 1000s of other pretty dress images I gawk at…yes they generate/inspire ideas, but rarely does something get made … are you noticing a pattern?)   I love the late 30s styles, slim lines, 4-gore, slightly flared skirts, fitted midriffs, shirt dresses, all adorable and really flattering.  I’m also partial to 1970s does the 1930s dresses, they’re easier to come by than the originals and cheaper! 

I have also nearly finished the 1970s Maudella top, in a pretty pale blue, flocked fabric, though who knows what I'll pair it with!  Hopefully post about it over the weekend.