Dress Parade {Grass Green}
05 April 2012 | by Jen in Sewing
While letting the 1930s dress I’m working on “grow” on the hanger, I made this dress from Simplicity pattern 2360. (Last summer I made this dress from the same pattern except with a collar instead of the flounce.) I’m not a fan of polyester or poly blends but grass green and white gingham at $2.50/yd was too tempting to pass up.
Even though I’m between an 8 and a 10, I cut out the size 4 after seeing how much ease was in the finished garment. This worked out really well (about 2″ of positive ease). I’m not sure everyone should go down that many sizes–especially if you have boobs: remember this is a pullover style so you must be able to slip it on!–but as many of you know there is often too much ease in commercial patterns. If the pattern gives you finished garment measurements (often written on one of the main pattern pieces, or sometimes on the envelope) I would check them out and compare them to a similar garment you own that fits well. I find, as a petite person with my particular build, loose-fitting styles make me look like a shapeless brick if there is too much fabric.
I did not have to make any alterations except I took up the waist 1/4″ and cut down the flounce quite a bit; it’s half as wide at its widest point (at the shoulders). If this has been silk (like georgette) or a a cotton-silk blend (like voile) I could have gotten away with trimming down the flounce just a 1/2″ or so (to scale it down for my frame) but the fabric, while thin, has enough body to make it stick out. Plus in this print the wider flounce was looking a little too ’70s country pinafore to me (and not in a good way).
I made the sash too but it also would look nice with a skinny tan leather belt. I highly recommend this pattern–and it’s still in print!
Edited to add:
Oh, I can’t believe I forgot! One more thing I did differently in this pattern: instead of sewing on the elastic per the instructions I created a felled seam inside the waist using the seam allowances. Then thread 1/4″ elastic through the casing and sewed it up. Much neater.
What are your thoughts, dears? | ♥ 7 Comments
O to the M and G. Once again, you made something that I would have fainted over if I saw it in a store. It’s so perfect and cute but not “cutesy”. I definitely am going to get that pattern. I’m going back up to NYC in two weeks, so will have ample fabric shopping opportunities. I read the back of the pattern and it recommended “laundered cotton” or “laundered silk rayon”. What is “laundered” fabric? Never heard that term before. Thanks for the tips on the ease and the waist as well.
Aw, thanks J! At first I was concerned that it was “too young” for me but then I remembered that I don’t care.
I love fabric shopping on trips, I’m sure you’ll see loads of good stuff in NYC!! I think laundered literally means it was washed. You know how when you wash silk charmeuse or linen it changes? Usually it gets more floppy (and in this case, washing takes off some of the sheen). The fabrics best suited for this are nice and drapey.
Looking at the photo again reminded me that I did not do a hem on the flounce but instead zigzagged the edge. I can usually do a tiny hem but the poly-blend fabric was not cooperating. But lots of ’20s and ’30s dresses have zigzagged hems so I figured it was fine.
If you make this dress send me pics!
This is so cute! I love it!
Thanks, Ginger!
Beautiful bias work on the neck and armscye! It’s a perfect summer dress. ^_^
This dress is really sweet. Nice sewing work and I always love to hear about the alterations. I have a similar vintage girls style pattern that I have worked up twice in linen.
I recently bought this pattern on Ebay and I can’t wait for it to arrive! I have some lovely blue gingham that would be perfect for Summer too. I’m excited to make this dress. Yours is just so lovely!