FO- 1947 Dress

By -
Hello All,

I couldn't wait till a decent hour to post my latest almost finished object (FO). Tonight my time has been consumed by my 1947 dress I started last week. I had cut out the pieces and but had been procrastinating on actually starting the sewing. I am glad I did because it only took me one night to sew! I have to say this was one of the easier dresses I have made in a while and it fits PERFECTLY. Below are some pictures of it on my dress form. I still need to hem the bottom, but you can see what it looks like still.

The pattern I used was Butterick's Retro 1947 dress pattern B5209



It is a great pattern. It is wonderful for both those of us with more chest than necessary, and those who wish they had a bit more. The whole pattern consists of about 10 or 11 pieces total! The construction is pretty self explanatory. Just pay attention to the order you sew them together. I have a habit of getting ahead of myself and messing up steps. On this dress I sewed the front midriff together and ended up with a donut of fabric I couldn't turn inside out. If the directions are followed in the right order the first time (blushes) it would have been done in just a couple hours.



There were a couple things that I did differently from the pattern. For one I made a contrasting midriff. The only issue with this is the colors doing meet up but I still think it gives it an interesting look. Also, it asked you to gather the skirts to give it some fullness. I personally prefer using pleating. It gives it a more uniform look and you don't have to deal with a string that may possibly break while gathering. I have to say this is one of the better zipper jobs I have done as well! Pretty happy with it.

The pattern comes in two styles halter and sleeved. I made the sleeved, view B. I am going to try and make the halter, view A out of another fabric I have. We will see if it works. I am worried about bunching and fabric not falling right around the armpit. Wish me luck.

A little FYI. If you have a hard time finding vintage dresses in your size most major pattern companies sell vintage reproductions. This was butterick. Vogue has a vintage vogue section. I believe McCall's and Simplicity carry retro patterns too. They may not be labeled as such but they have the vintage silhouette.

Well I am off to bed now. Just couldn't stop till that zipper was in!
Happy Sewing Everyone!


Enjoy this little video

1950's Silhouette

Comments

  1. Anonymous7/7/10, 9:37 PM

    I really like the contrast midriff! Can't wait to see you in it :D
    ~Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mrs.O7/27/10, 1:57 PM

    Did you line this dress. I am going to be sewing the same pattern this week and I am unsure if I should line or just wear a slip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nikki7/27/10, 3:09 PM

    The dress is self lined. The pattern has you double up the top pieces and the way you sew it it is lined. The skirt isn't lined, so if you are making it out of a sheer fabric you will need a slip or to put in your won lining. The lining in the top half allows you to have nice clean lines when you are finishing it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mrs.O7/27/10, 4:22 PM

    So, when you say self lined...does that mean I will be cutting out 4 pieces of the same fabric like of the sleeves and the rest of the top? Thanks so much, I am completely self taught so I occasionally get into a bind.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Poodle PIeces

By -
Image
Hello All, So I have started a small side project to keep my hands busy while watching the tube. I am making crocheted, poodle, toilet paper covers. Yes, the kind like granny used to have in her bathroom. What can I say, I have always like these kitschy little things. How can you not love them. I got the idea from a book I have mentioned before Kitschy Crafts. I tried going by the directions but to be truthful, it just looked like gibberish to me. So... I went online and started piecing it together for myself. I started off by looking up tutorials of how to crochet a circle. What I found was a tutorial on how to single crochet a circle... Single Crochet Coaster Tutorial Video Because I was new at this I decided to start with just one color of yarn. I followed the instructions just as she has shown. However, I kept having a problem. My circle wasn't laying flat at all. It was ruffling up. The ruffle was neat looking, and filed that away for future use.
Read more

Concept Sketch: Dickens Fair 2010

By -
Image
So I went shopping on Saturday for my Dickens Fair fabric! I am so excited about starting this project. I went a bit crazy with the fabric. I spent most the summer working on a project for my wonderful friend Kelly. But I am happy to be working on a project for myself. I decided to go for less of a traditional fabric for my 1850's dress this year, and go for on that was a bit more my own personal style. Below is the concept sketch for my dress as well as the fabric samples. I will post more tomorrow about the patterns being used and what alterations I plan to make. Happy sewing! Nikki
Read more

Going... to the chapel...

By -
Image
Well perhaps not the chapel but the beautiful back yard.  Saturday was Kelly's wedding.  I have to say it was one of the top 2 weddings I have ever been to.  This was only second to a wedding that cost way to much and was held at the Sheraton. First off lets get it over with.  I know what you all have been checking back for... the DRESS!  Yes I finished it on time and it fit amazingly.  She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen.  A lot of excitement, a little makeup and silk go along way.    My girly Kelly has always been a pretty girl, however I had never seen her look so lit up before. The day started off going to the salon and watching Kelly get her hair down.  Unlike most brides, Kelly went with flowing curls hanging down.  She had been growing out her hair for over a year just for this day (don't expect the long hair to last long!)  The curls just softened her so much.   From there it was time to go back to the prep room and start getting re
Read more