Although I made this dress back in October, we just got around to photographing it yesterday! We meant to take pictures of it when we were on vacation last fall, but it was much too cold not to be bundled up in winter coats constantly!
Since then I've made three more renditions of this pattern, the second of which I have posted about here. The others should be up here soon!
I like this pattern quite well (as evidenced by my desire to make it again and again); the details are so cute! I just love the bow and the soft pleats at the neckline.
I found this fabric (polyester crepe) for $1 a yard at our local fabric shop. I bought 5 yards, which turned out to be a very good thing! When I made the dress, I cut the skirt and yoke like the pattern, but due to the "crispness" of the fabric, the gathers did not look well at all. As such, I had to cut a new skirt using Vogue 8767.
Aside from those issues with the fabric, it drapes beautifully in this pattern.
My mom found this lovely belt at a thrift store, and it happened to be the perfect color to match my dress!
I was having trouble sewing in the elastic on the sleeves, so instead I simply gathered them and sewed them down.
I had been having issues sewing this dress from the start; first I carefully marked the pleats on the yoke front pieces with a water-soluble marker and then used a damp press cloth and a steamy iron to press the pieces before I sewed them, causing all of the marks to disappear completely.
There were some other minor foibles as well, but the other main one was that unbeknownst to me, my needle was terribly dull and snaggy, so it kept pulling threads in the fabric as I sewed the sleeves and hem. It's always great when you discover such things after the damage is done, isn't it?
In any case, ever since then this pattern has gone perfectly smooth for me, I'm glad to report!
The old train station wall served as a nice backdrop once again!
Thanks to my mom for the lovely photographs!
P.S. Don't forget to enter Emily's Spring 1940s Photo Contest over at Emily's Vintage Visions! Thursday the 30th is the last day to enter.
What a lovely dress, Esther! That blue suits you very well. I just love your hat! I've made that pattern once, but the fabric I made it from was very cheap {though the print was just perfect}. I managed to rip the sleeve seam whilst wearing it & haven't gotten around to finding a way to salvage it.
ReplyDeleteYou did a terrific job on this pretty dress! I love the background for your photos as well. :D
{hugs}
Michelle ^_^
Delightful Handwork
Thank you so much, Michelle!! Aww, I'm sorry to hear about your dress! I hope you can find a way to fix it soon (and blog about it! hint, hint). ;)
DeleteThanks for commenting as always, my friend!! :)
Your dress is just perfect for springtime! Your necklace and hat look beautiful with the dress too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sarah!! It is indeed a great dress for springtime; winter, not so much. I froze to death in it last winter when we were in MN. I learned my lesson about polyester crepe fabric in below 45 degree weather! ;)
DeleteThe necklace was my Grandma's, and I'm so glad to hear you like it together! :)
Great job Esther! Another lovely creation! And yes, perfect for my photo contest. :) (I moved the deadline back to May 3rd to give everyone a few more days.) Polyester fabric of any kind can certainly be a challenge to work with. I always try to use a fresh needle in my machine if I'm going to be working with fabric that is prone to snag easily. It helps but depending on the fabric doesn't always solve the problem.
ReplyDelete-Emily
Emily's Vintage Visions
Thank you, Emily!! I just can't wait to hear about the outcome of your photo contest and see all of the lovely photos!! :)
DeleteI think that's a wonderful idea to just use a fresh needle - why didn't I think of that?
Such a lovely pattern, and the colour of it is divine!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellie!! :)
DeleteIt's such a flattering, classic pattern. I love it on you and in general. I suspect it would look wonderful on the majority of women, which is a lot rarer for most modern dresses (as us vintage gals know well).
ReplyDeleteYou look as pretty as a springtime garden!
♥ Jessica
Thank you so much, Jessica!! I love the pattern too! That is indeed a rarity to find something that looks lovely on pretty much everyone!
Delete:)
Lovely Dress Esther! And I love your shoes too! So cute!
ReplyDeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Thank you so much, Brigid!! Oh, my poor shoes. They're dying of a giant crack in the sole. *tear*
DeleteThe upside to that is that I get to buy more shoes. :) And that's always a good thing!
Really love the delicate colour of this dress
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kaitlyn! I love the colour too!
DeleteCharming! You look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, OldFashionGirl!!
Deleteso beautiful esther! I love the fabric and that draped bow. And that hat. Lovely :)
ReplyDelete~Theresa
Thank you so much, Theresa!! You're so sweet!
DeleteYou look adorable Esther. I love the neckline detailing and seam placement on thre bodice. vintage patterns are the best. is this an original vintage pattern or a reissued one?
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Justine!! Vintage patterns definitely are the best!! :)
DeleteThis is a reissued pattern - Simplicity 1587.
Thank you so much for commenting!
Foibles aside - the end product turned out great.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Rachel!! :)
DeleteOh that fabric looks so delightfully light and floaty! It suits the pattern so well, and looks lovely on you. ❤
ReplyDeletexox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill