Blue 1950's dress

I finally got a decent picture of my blue 1950’s dress.

It’s a Vintage Vogue pattern and I’m quite pleased with it. I made it when I was bridesmaid for my sister, but I was running out of time and omitted the sleeves for that occasion.

When I wore it first I just have one of those “slimming” bodices underneath and a petticoat. Actually one of my mother’s 50’s petticoats.  Last time I wore it I had an underbust corset underneath, which improved the fit vastly, and I didn’t laced down much. I think that may be because the pattern is from the 50’s and back then women did wear foundation garments and the patterns naturally reflected that.
And here are a few other pics. I felt very pretty that evening and I think the photos reflect that.

I’ve got my sewing mojo back!

Most things in my life go very well at the moment and that spills over to me sewing too. Much appreciated, as I sew pretty slowly. So not only have a finished my 1797’s gown, but I’ve also come quite a bit on my fifties skirt.

It’s made out of rust-coloured wool, a bit browner than the pic. It has a raised front with two darts.


Two panels in front and four in the back, the extra width pleated towards CB.


I really like the back. I need to sew the pleats down now and then it just need waistband, hemming and lining. Yay me!

Almost done

I feel a bit strange. The 1797's gown only need to be hemmed and then I'm done. And it's only Monday! Can it be possible that I won't stay up half night before Friday for the last frantic sewing? I'm sure I have done a big mistake somewhere... And I do still have to make a sash.

I've also sewn my fifties skirt together, next step is to press and put in the waistband. I ended up not doing it in cotton, as I realized I hadn't enough fabric. Instead it's made in rust-coloured wool. Autumn-skirt, anyone?

Fifties skirt

Yesterday I suddenly felt fed up with hemming endless white linen and cut out a skirt instead. I’ve been wanting to make this dress for a while:

http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1084.htm?tab=vintage_vogue&page=1

At the moment I need skirts more than anything else, so I just omitted the top. I like the way the width is collected to the back, and it will be interesting how it turns out in fabric. I’m making it in a printed cotton, rather sturdy. If it turns out to look as nice as I hope for, then I’ll probably make more skirts out of this pattern.