Contrast Collars and Cuffs

The use of contrast collars and cuffs to add drama and eye-appeal to a dress or ensemble has been popular throughout the decades, but especially popular in the 1950s. White was (and still is) the most popular and the most compelling contrast.

Feast your eyes on these examples from print sources and vintage patterns. Note the popular wing cuffs, which add extra flair.

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You can't deny that even this Vogue designer dress from the 1990s is more dramatic and striking with contrast collar and cuffs.

Have you ever sewn a dress with contrast collar and cuffs?

Scraps from the Past: 50s Shirtwaist is Festive in Plaid

This beautiful shirtwaist dress is soft and graceful. Butterick 5346 and the 1950s really could delivery gorgeous style!

Tucked into this particular pattern was this small scrap of soft, thin fabric. Can you visualize the dress in a dreamy swirl of plaid? So festive!

Scraps from the Past: War Time Blouse Goes Bold & Sporty

This set of four blouses from 1944 and Simplicity 1093 is so versatile, that almost any type of fabric and print would look terrific!

Here is the fabric that the seamstress left with the pattern -a very abstract, bold pattern! I can imagine it for view 3 or 4, perfect for a sporty, casual blouse. It is such an interesting fabric, with the look and feel of a lightweight linen. Totally cool!

Scraps from the Past: Summer Jammies in Blue Seersucker

This adorable pattern for one-piece jammies from McCall and 1942 can be warm for winter or cool for summer. The original seamstress left a square of fabric that left no doubt she sewed up these pajamas for summer.

 

Here is the light-weight, soft seersucker in a bright blue that was left in the envelope. It's easy to picture, isn't it? And do you think it was for a boy? :)