Monday, January 27, 2014

~ Stitching Stories: Talkin’ About My Girl 50’s Dress ~


My new sundress with big patch pockets | Lavender & Twill

Every dress and skirt needs pockets | Lavender & Twill 
A bow belt adds a nice touch | Lavender & Twill

Simplicity 4282, cira 1930 made by me! | Lavender & Twill

Who can resist pink sparkly nail polish? | Lavender & Twill

This dress. It’s my last me-made item of 2013, and {incredibly enough} I actually managed to make it up in four days ~ from cutting, to the buttonholes and belt. The hem took only an hour or two to hand-sew on another day, but I was still so surprised that I got that far in such a short amount of time.

Mind you, I was working on it close to constantly. I wanted to finish it in time to wear for our family Christmas, but had to wear it un-hemmed on the day {please tell me I am not the only one that does this?? (o⌒.⌒o)’ }. Nobody cared though, so I didn’t either. ╮(๑→▽←)╭  It was definitely one of those last minute “I-want-a-new-dress-to-wear” projects!

Simplicity 4282 cira 1953 | Lavender & Twill The finished dress | Lavender & Twill

The pattern is an early 1950’s pattern according to the Vintage Pattern WikiSimplicity Pattern 4282 Vintage One-Piece Dress and Bolero Jacket dated 1953. This includes; The bodice of this sleeveless dress is fitted and has a low cut neckline and front button closing. The skirt is gored. The bolero has kimono sleeves with cuffs and the collar is cut in one with jacket front. View 1 features rounded patch pockets on skirt and saddle stitching trim. View 2 has contrasting bolero.

Invisible zip that isn't quite invisible | Lavender & Twill Close up of the bow belt | Lavender & Twill

I made up the pattern for a belt, and when that turn out to be too small {not quite sure how, but it was one of those fortuitous occurrences} I added the bow to make up for the length. This worked out really well, and as you saw in the outfit pictures above, I quite like it when the bow is turned to the back as it adds a lovely detail.

My invisible zipper turned out, well, not so invisible, but as it’s under the arm I put up with it! (~ ̄▽ ̄)~ The corded {raised} buttonholes are machine done, and as I love how they turned out, I will definitely be using that technique again.

Pockets with lace trim | Lavender & Twill Close up of button and top stitching detail | Lavender & Twill

I used top-stitching detail on the bodice and pockets as the pattern suggested. I didn’t do a saddle stitch, I just set my machine to it’s longest stitch length and used a thick cotton thread to create that top-stitch. It worked ok, but it looks weird at the back. I hope it doesn’t fall out as the tension is all wrong and loopy!

~ Project Details ~

  • Year: 1953
  • Pattern: Simplicity 4282
  • Fabric: 3 meters approx. of thrifted sheet. I think it was a single sheet, but it could have been a double ($9.00)
  • Notions: One 16” invisible zipper and four shank buttons ($8.00)
  • Time to complete: Four days! New Record!
  • Make again? I don’t know that I’ll make this pattern again ~ not because it’s bad; it’s just that I have so many other pretty dress patterns to do still. It was actually quite an easy pattern to sew up, even though I was having troubles. That was due to things like blunt sewing needles and sewing parts of my dress into the waist seam {!!! Frustration!}.
  • Wear again? Absolutely! I really love this dress ~ it’s lovely and light for summer. Add the cute curve detail at the neckline and the wide-cut shape of the shoulder straps with such a sweet pink floral lattice print and dainty carved buttons; these elements really come together to make this dress a complete winner in my books.
  • Total Cost:  $17.00

xox,

bonita

~   ♡  ~

Talkin’ About My Girl 1953 Dress | Me-Made, 2013
Shoes | Modcloth, old

~ ♡ ~

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3 comments:

  1. You are a vision of loveliness here, dear Bonita. I adore the soft, romantic. dreamy hues of that fabric and your elegant parasol.

    ♥ Jessica

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  2. I just found your blog! Love it! Do you have email? Maybe I'm overlooking it on your blog? I'd love to chat with you through an email as it seems like we have so much in common! I too love vintage! Merry from eachlittlebird.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wonderful to connect with you Merry! ♥ No, I don't have my contact details up, that reminds me that I have been rather remiss with that side of my data editing!

      Hope I will see you around here again. :D

      Delete

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