I know, the last time I was going on and on about dresses it was about little smocks and such.  But you’ll be proud of me because one of these dresses (the above one, actually) is one that I started a year ago, so at least I’m making myself finish what I start!

My intention was to wear this number last Thanksgiving in Texas during our grand “series of fortunate events.”  And while my husband’s family was planning most of the reception activity I was far too frazzled to focus on sewing this dress, especially when the sleeves stopped cooperating.  I finally decided, a year later, to finish it or give it up which was enough motivation to figure out the sleeve issue (ones I drafted myself) and apply the finishing touches.

This is Du Barry 2506B.  Hands down, one of my favorite patterns.  The sleeves in real life were too puffy for me so that’s why I had to change them.  The bow at the neckline was not quite as sweet as the one shown so I used this corally-colored satin ribbon instead.  At first I thought, perhaps, it looked too much like a Girl Scout or pilgrim dress but in these photos I quite like it.  The dark brown dotted swiss is really soft and so comfortable.  I omitted the belt because it looks fine with out it but I can always make one later on.

The next dress is quite different:

I had to blow out the photos because the fabric is so dark; it’s a midnight blue rose-pattern lace.  It’s the kind of lace that has a nice weight and drape and may be a cotton blend (similar to my wedding dress).   I ended up using a slightly darker Petersham (grosgrain) ribbon and kept the look monochromatic.

This style is a departure from my normal look, at least in terms of the sleeves.  I’ve seen them called “wingsleeves” before although I’m not sure if that’s the official term.  Very popular in the 1940s and ’50s they always struck me as being a little bit masculine or angular and therefore was never that appealing.  Over the last few years, however, quite a few vintage patterns with such sleeves have found their way into my stash and I might as well give them a try!

I reduced the width of the sleeves a little but besides that I didn’t have to do much to fit the dress.  The pattern size is too small but even vintage patterns add in a lot of ease and I only had to let out the front darts a little.  The tiny bows at the neckline are something a little extra I wanted to add.  The belt is cut from the pattern; I sewed ribbon along both edges giving it a more finished look while providing extra body.  It closes with a very strong snap and a couple of hooks and bars.  I couldn’t decide how I wanted to finish the belt.  I didn’t have enough fabric to make the belt long enough to accommodate a buckle but I couldn’t find any buttons currently in my stash to decorate it with.  I think it looks OK plain, yes?

Another thing about this dress (that is quite obvious): it’s see through!  I have some pale-colored slips but none would do.   I also have a black one which is suitable enough but I hope to find a navy blue one someday!

I have at least one more holiday dress to share (another one that I started quite a while ago) that I’m finally going to finish.  Stay tuned.

Happy Monday!

Per my statement above, I cut down the armhole ruffles quite a bit.  Even still, I feel like these are very pronounced.  ”Hey everyone, check out my armhole ruffles!”   But I’m sure it’s just me and my desire to be inconspicuous (so says the girl who BLOGS).

Cotton voile, how I love it.  The weight and print are perfect for this vintage style.  Because it’s so floaty, I added a ruffle at the hem to weigh it down and balance the silhouette.  And you may recognize that belt – it’s from my vintage shop.  I decided it went perfectly so out it went, into my closet.

The next dress is a doozy:

It’s bright seafoam green!  And synthetic!  But also really fun and cute.  (Via Clever Nettle’s shop.)  I really wish I had taken a “before” photo (I’ve got to remember to do this!) because I changed out the collar.  It seemed like a trend back in the ’60s to make necklines look like they are backwards: high in the front, low in the back like in this dress.  Personally, I’m not a big fan mostly because I don’t like the feeling on stuff on my neck with the exception of a really soft (and loosely applied) scarf.

Back to the neckline: the front was high and wide with a standing collar that came down in a “v” in the back, tied is a bow.  I really liked the bow idea and wanted to retain that.  Here’s what I did:

• Removed the collar (2 pieces) and bias tape.
• Cut a “v” down the front (I put in the dress and pinned the bottom of the “v” so I’d know where to cut).
• Lined up the collar pieces to the front and cut off the access length; sewed down open ends.
• Restitched the collar pieces on by hand (Doing it this way seemed to leave little room for wonky seams even though it takes longer [but it's better then picking out stitches!]).
• Restitched bias tape to areas of neckline that did not have collar pieces sewn to it.
• Created a loop from left over collar to make the bow in the front.
• Stitched loop to front and fed collar ends through it.

I like it!  It’s just sassy enough.  Now I just need to figure out how to get wrinkles out of this material!  (If anyone knows how to get wrinkles out of stiff, synthetic fabric without melting it, I would love to know.)

I didn’t have to do anything else to the dress, surprisingly.  The skirt doesn’t even need hemming but it looks better if I fluff it up with a proper crinoline.

Now I’m ready for some early fall dresses.  I’ve had more ’60s dresses on my mind but instead of fitted waists and full skirts I’m looking into my stash of patterns for late ’60s a-line mini dresses.  Something that would look cute with leggings or tights and clogs and clog sandals.  (Here is L.A., I wear sandals for as long as humanly possible even when the weather gets chilly and my toes go a little numb.)

Thank you, dears, for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed the dress parade.

I had the most fabulous weekend at my friend Kara’s place, complete with chickens, a new puppy, home-cooked meals (including homemade pasta and shortbread), silly romantic comedies and lots and lots of outside time.  I returned home content but feeling rather under the weather, however.  I’m still a little foggy in the brain but it’s been a while since I posted and I want to share a couple things with you.

Kara and I went to the infamous Alameda Flea Market on Sunday.  It is HUGE.  Almost too big in my opinion as it was a bit overwhelming.  About halfway through the booths (we were bent on walking down every aisle), I looked down the center towards the remaining booths and said “Are you kidding me?”  (Actually, I also used an expletive or two.  What can I say, my feet were killing me!)  That being said, Kara totally scored some house stuff that she needed and I got a few things as well.

The Anthropologie-esque bird and dogwood plate (above) only set me back $1!  Isn’t it pretty?  I’m sure the vendor regretted quoting me the low price since my response was to gasp and then whip out my wallet.

This is not the greatest picture of an adorable granny sweater I also found there.  The color is a little more turquoise-y than in the photo.  Vintage sweaters never fit me but this one does surprisingly.   Plus I’ve been on the lookout for a wool lace cardigan so I had to get it!  I also picked up some silver-plated teaspoons (all with different patterns, naturally) since my husband and I always run out of those first, and a silver-plated cake server that I’ve been “needing” for a while.

Anyway I’m still drinking lots of tea today, trying to take it easy and enjoying the gloom while I get back into work.  I hope you all have a lovely Wednesday!

I have this habit of buying vintage for a bargain (because pieces are damaged, ill-fitting, etc.) and taking forever to getting around to making repairs and thus wearing said items.  But I’ve made the commitment to change this bad habit into a good one and I’m working my way through my to do pile. This is the first post of my vintage dress parade and I’ll detail the fixes and tweaks I’ve made for each one.  I’ll try to remember to include “before” shots next time, hee hee.

The above late 1930s or early ’40s dress was quite the steal as it was falling apart in various places, had a motley crew of ugly buttons and was an unflattering mid-calf length.  My fixes:

• Changed the buttons to clear glass ones with faceted edges; I figured this would work well both in the light-colored printed (and flocked!) fabric as well as the navy blue organdy.  (My camera died before I could get any close up shots.)
• Added bust darts for a better fit.
• Trimmed the flutter sleeves for a little bit more modern look.  (I felt like I would fly away before I narrowed them down!)
• Hemmed the skirt by a few inches.  Each tier in the skirt was a little bit wider (taller?) than the proceeding one, from waist to hem.  Instead of hemming just the bottom tier (and messing up the sequence) or hemming each tier (too much work!), I hemmed the second navy blue tier to match the width of the first one.  This way there is still some order/design to the width of the tiers.
• Used the piece I trimmed off the skirt and turned it into a sash (original belt was missing).  I can see here that the sash could stand to be shortened (that’s the beauty of taking photos of your projects – you see things you might miss in the mirror!).
• Made other minor repairs like loose seams, wonky tiers, etc.

Next: I love wearing this ’50s dress.  I found it soon after seeing (500) Days of Summer and thought it looked like something Zooey’s character might wear.  I bought a pale grey-blue crinoline just for this dress.  I’m also wearing the same pale blue slip I’m wearing under the dress above.  I considered going dark but then you wouldn’t be able to see the print on the sheer fabric very well.  Anyway, here’s what I did:

• Removed the sleeves: this dress had half sleeves with quick and dirty hems that were not so great.  Since I don’t like fixing/sewing sleeves I just took them off and finished the openings by simply folding under the edges (which doesn’t always work due to the curves but luckily it did in this case).
• Let the waist out: the wearer before me had a tiny waist and had taken it in in several spots around the ruched waist panel.
• Hemmed the skirt. (I will almost always do this!)
• Repaired little holes and opened seams.
• (I thought about pinning on that dark blue rose that I’m holding at the waist along with a ribbon sash but the flower is a bit dark and I think the dress looks nice unadorned.)

Hope you enjoyed this little dress tour!

(By the way, thanks for the Lucy love from the last post – it made her blush!)