Before and After: Adorable Toddler Dress & Bolero for Valentine's Day

Not too long ago I included a charming toddler dress & bolero pattern in a "Scraps from the Past" post, and now it returns as a "Before and After". Some patterns are just that good! I sold the pattern to an amazing customer who quickly whipped up an adorable ensemble for her toddler daughter. Here are the results.

Before

The pattern: Simplicity 1149 (1950s)

After

The results: It's divine, it's sublime! It's a little dress and bolero, befrilled, beribboned, and perfect for Valentine's Day! The sewist, Beth, made the dress for her daughter, who is the model in all these pictures. Note the lace trim and the addition of the heart shaped pockets on both the dress and bolero. Her accessories (hair bow, marvelous red shoes, and lace-trimmed socks) complete the ensemble perfectly. 

Have you fallen in love with the outfit? Have you fallen in love with this darling toddler? (Move over, Shirley Temple!) Do you love mid-century fashion and style? If you said yes to any of these, you definitely want to check out the marvelous Rosie scarves, Rosie bow barrettes, and fabric bags and purses that Beth sews and sells online. Be sure to visit:

• Her Etsy shop DollyValentine 
• Her website www.dungareedolly.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DungareeDolly
• Instagram: @dungareedolly (where she occasionally sells baby outfits and accessories)
• Instagram: @lovedbylibby (where you can occasionally purchase the handmedowns)

You are in for a treat! And thanks to Beth for sharing her pictures!

Spotted in a Shop Window: Ethnic Prints for Spring!

I was walking past the Antrhropologie store in downtown Seattle recently and spotted these these items that use inspiring, ethnic prints.

This slim pencil skirt features a colorful print that reminds me of the kanga cloth that Emileigh posted about recently on her blog, Flashback Summer. It definitely has an African "flavor"- the warm tones and bright design simply spell summer fun to me.

This cute full skirt features a tropical print in earthy brown tones - very sporty and full of energy. :)

I love the bold colors of this jumpsuit!

A colorful infinity scarf and wide-leg paisley pants are eye-catching.

Be sure to check the Anthropologie website for more great fashion in vibrant colors, as well as items for the home!

Spotted in a Shop Window - Brooks Brothers Separates

I seem to be in "blouse" mode. :) I spotted these fine separates in the shop window of Brooks Brothers in downtown Seattle. I love the neutral colors (very big this fall), and the classic, simple lines of the blouses and skirts. All items can be found on the Brooks Brothers website. Not to mention the patterns for them might also be found in your nearest online vintage pattern shop (ahem!). :)

What's not to love about this simply gray pencil skirt and the soft colors of the lovely silk floral blouse with a unique twisted collar?

This wonderful cotton skirt is pleated around the hips that release into soft, full folds. The simple design of the, dare I say it, foulard blouse tops the skirt perfectly.

Keep Cool!

We are having a "comfortably" hot August here in Seattle - I think this look is perfect for the weather. :)

I hope you are keeping cool with fashion as great as this!

Scraps from the Past and In Search of Style - Mad Men Party Dress!

This is a double jackpot in a pattern envelope: "Scraps from the Past" and a clipping that was "In Search of Style". :D

The Clipping: Found in the pattern was this 1963 clipping for (remarkably) another pattern! The mail order pattern illustrates a lovely full-skirted dress with a snug bodice, short French sleeves, drop-waist points, and a portrait collar.

The Pattern: Simplicity 2413

The Simplicity pattern is very close to the mail order pattern and a wonderful match. It has a snug bodice with extended points, drop waist, full skirt (in this case with soft box pleats), portrait collar (in this case with a notch in front and a pert fixed bow accent), and short French sleeves.

The Scrap: Based on the beautiful blue color of this scrap that was tucked in the envelope, I would venture to say that the sewer was inspired by the color of the illustration on the pattern. The fabric is a soft, winter-weight interlock jersey in a vivid blue color. It's easy to picture!

Spring 1952 - A Study in Crisp Black and White

A full skirt, a doll waist - it's a fabulous silk dress in crisp stripes. That cute boater hat sets it off to perfection.

Very wide, very striking shaped white collar and white wing cuffs for a dark dress.

A black sheer wool dress provides a straight silhouette, broken by a swing of contrasting white wool bolero.

This dress has an overskirt that flips back to reveal a pale, pretty lining.

Strange pose... is this a hallelujah moment? Dotted scarf collar is pulled through the bodice closing to create a large bow at the hip. Now that's dramatic fashion! Pouf!

Scraps from the Past - Elegant, Modern "Pinafore" in Black

The Pattern: Advance 8055
This lovely pattern from 1956 features a modern "pinafore", consisting of a full or slim skirt with detachable bib and shoulder straps, and a handsome blouse with a wing collar and the ever-flattering 3/4-length sleeves. It simply looks like spring and summer fashion to me, and definitely for the afternoon or evening. :D

The Scrap: This scrap was tucked in the pattern. Although they don't show up very well, rows of shiny dots fleck this black rayon scrap. The only pattern pieces cut were the bib, shoulder straps, and waistband. Most likely the original seamstress used a favorite skirt pattern in combination with the bib to create a very special afternoon or evening ensemble. Can you imagine it? :)

The New Look - Then and Now

You all know the iconic dresses of the 1950s and early 1960s known as the "New Look" - the dresses with a snug bodice and a full skirt or a slim skirt. Here are some lovely examples:

 

 

 

 

The current revival of the New Look is fun to see. Generally the dresses are shorter. I spotted a great example in this pair of formal dresses in the window of Luly Yang, Seattle.The full skirt has soft box pleats, while the slim skirt has soft gathers. Note how the display includes matching shoes and purse. :). Perfect!

And I spotted this pert dress in the shop window of Anthropologie - it has a softly box-pleated short skirt and contoured drop-waist.

 Totally fun fashion!

Scraps from the Past: Teen Party Dress With Shimmering Blue Collar & Cuffs

This accessory dress from McCall's and 1957 is versatile and lovely - a dress you can dress up for parties or down for every day.

Here is the scrap that was tucked in the pattern envelope, a beautiful shimmering blue, (alas,  the shimmering aspect doesn't come across in this scan).

From the notes the seamstress wrote on the envelope, she planned to sew view D in a black silky plaid, with detachable blue taffeta collar and cuffs. Can you picture it? :)

Scraps from the Past: 1950s Little Black Dress

Yes, she sewed it in black! She bought this textured, crisp cotton in black:

Not sure if it shows, but the fabric has a texture with tiny diamonds, and has a crisp, slightly shiny quality. And then our mystery seamstress took this beautiful dress pattern from 1958, McCall's 4561, to sew up view B to create a beautiful little black dress!

It's such inspiring style!