a 50's style dress

Do you remember the sudden explosion of 50's style dresses a few years back? Okay, more than a few years back. I loved them, and they loved my pear-shapedness back. There were so many pretty variations around that I went a little crazy and virtually filled my wardrobe with them in the summer of 2006. Since then I've always looked for the elusive 50's style dress as my others became too worn and torn or simply didn't fit anymore.

So it was with all this in mind that I decided to go a little out of my depth in the sewing department, and tackle this slightly more complicated fitted waist style. I'd had New Look 6805 (which may be out of print because I was unable to find it on their website) sitting around for longer than I care to admit. An optimistic purchase, that had taken quite a lot of time to even work up the courage to figure out how much fabric I would need.

But as it turns out, I didn't really need to worry too much about the fabric. I happened to find a rather large stash of a lovely cotton or cotton blend at the local op shop. Soft but with a structured, tightly woven feel, perhaps some sewers out there may know more about?

I chose view C, cut out the 12, but ended up with a lot of unpicking and sizing down in some areas. At some stages I wondered if anything would ever come of this mess that was around me. But I find when things get too tough, I'm learning not to press on with it. Leave it and come back. It seems to right itself in the end this way. Sometimes you just need fresh eyes.

I ended up creating a centre seam in the back, as on reading up on the pattern, a gaping back tended to be a fault with the pattern. And my dress certainly did gape. I made it a little shorter than the pattern, following my usual rule of higher neck shorter hemline.

The bodice I lined in vintage sheeting, picking up on the purple in the geometric pattern.

My pleats aren't perfect and I ended up with two broken zippers (I found this company online, finding every type of zipper there, and with quick delivery), and as it is my zipper is a little wonky (my fault) , but I'm overall quite happy with this dress.

I've already worn it several times, and it passes the out and about comfort test with flying colours. Always important for whether I will reach for an outfit or not. Comfort is a little more important these days when you are running around after a toddler.

But it's all a learning progress of trial and error, but I'm actually starting to enjoy the challenge. My only regret is that I didn't attempt it sooner.

 


It's nice to have a new 50's dress.


(Apologies for the grainy, rainy day shots and the smudgy eyes taken at the end of a long day!)