Scraps from the Past: 70s Designer Sundress

The pattern: Vogue 1638, a flowing sundress or evening gown from 1977 and Diane Von Furstenberg.

The scrap: This piece of charming cotton floral print was left in the envelope, giving the hint that the original sewist took her inspiration from the pattern photo, and sewed the sundress version on the left.

Scraps from the Past: Cute 1950s Toddler Dresses

With the end of January, my thoughts are turning to spring and what better time to think about sewing a sunny party or play dress for a toddler? Two recent listings in my shop are the patterns listed below for toddlers, and each pattern had a fabric scrap! Each is from the early 1950s.

The pattern: Simplicity 1149 (size 1 is in my shop)

The scrap: The fabric scrap is the collar for view 2 and is a charming soft cotton, with teal polka dots. I can envision this fabric for view 3, myself - so cute with those scalloped edges.

The pattern: Simplicity 4136

The scrap: The fabric scrap looks like it might have been intended for the sash tie. It is a beautiful sateen cotton in soft aqua blue. I don't think the scan captures the shiny quality of the sateen, but it is lovely. I can visualize it for both views.

Are you inspired yet?

Before and After: Double Duty from a Single Remnant!

It has been a while since I last posted a "Before and After", and this is a marvelous one! My customer Mark McNulty (Irish fashion designer and illustrator extraordinaire!) got great mileage from two patterns and a single remnant of fabric for 4 Euro!

The Pattern: Simplicity 2895 (1940s)

The Results: With this pattern and the fabric remnant, Mark made a beautiful dress for his younger sister. I love it! The swirly, twirly ballerina length is perfect.

It wasn't a perfect fit, though, for his sister, who is 6'1" (and looks like a fashion model, don't you think?). So he took a pattern from the 1960s and was determined to re-purpose the fabric into a jacket! 


The Pattern: McCall's 7593 (1960s)

The Results: He says, "I absolutely fried my brain trying to lay out the pieces of the fabric and trying to get the patterns to match for this sprig little blazer. After a lot of pulling hair, it worked and i even got two cute little bias cut pockets into it too!" I love the lapel pin - adds a dash of class!

Pocket close-up (I think making the pockets bias-cut was totally inspired):

Neat use of hooks-and-eyes make for a slim closing:

Mark, as always, is inspired by fashion. You can see a post about a recent winning illustration of his here. And if you are on Instagram, you can follow him here.

1930s - Back Wrap Sun Dress

I don't know about you, but I want this sun dress. Make it sleeveless with bows on the shoulders or add cap sleeves and accent the front with buttons. Either way, it looks super to me!

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!

1950s Tent Dress - It's a Sunny Trend!

Read the fine print: This dress cost less than $9.00 to make from Advance Pattern 5960. :) This wonderful sundress was featured in Woman's Home Companion in March 1952. And a popular style it was!

The following examples of the versatile flowing tent-style dress, cinched in with a belt, are from 1953:

 

McCall's 9385

 

Butterick 6747

Celebrate Summer Solstice Day with Dresses from June 1950!

Whether you have some real sun or not on this longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, you can imagine yourself wrapped up in these delightful dresses, straight from June 1950 and Women's Home Companion. Wrap and button, double-breasted button, or tie!

Vintage Resort Fashions 2013 - My Favorites

Over the past month I have posted in my shop a number of wonderful swimsuits, playsuits, sundresses, and ensembles for sunny days. They span from the 1930s to the 1970s, for all ages.

My particular favorites include the following, many of which "flew off the shelves". :D My top pick? The Pictorial Review "dressmaker" swimming suit and dress from 1931 - what a rare treasure. Enjoy this view of summer fashion through the decades!

Playsuits

 

Sundresses and resort ensembles

Swimsuits, Beach Coats, Beach Dresses

 

 

  

 

Playsuits and Beach Ensembles for the Kids

Fashion from January 1951: Around-the-Clock Delicious Fashion

All day and evening too - it's round-the-clock fashion from January 1951 and McCall! And these lovely sundresses with jackets have superb style. Gosh, I wish had these gorgeous patterns!

 McCall 8345

The sleeveless topless dress with its own jacket is in for another big season. The dress that can go anywhere at all with propriety as long as one keeps the jacket on. The dress - jacketless - that can be a short evening gown or a bare-top sports dress, depending only on the fabric used. Fitted heart-shape bodice, 4-panel flared skirt, simple bolero. Sizes 12-20. 50 cents.
 

 McCall 8346

This around-the-clock ensemble is an investment, paying dividends in good looks. You can wear it for daytime, for afternoon and, without the jacket, for evening. In the south, it is both a street costume and a play dress. Note the jacket - cape-like. Note the dress - buttoned over at the side, with soft pleats centered at the back. Sizes 12-20. $1.00.