A 1938 Ensemble in Paisley

I absolutely love sewing for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenges. It gives me just the incentive I need to get going and sew! This fortnight's challenge was Paisley & (or) Plaid. I knew I would be making something out of my beautiful pink paisley, but I was at a loss for what to do with it. I searched and searched through our pattern stash, looking for something that was 1945 or earlier, and only took 4 yards or less. I finally decided on this jacket, made a successful mock-up, and then started in on the real deal!

I really like my new jacket. It's comfy, and such a cute print! The sleeves are very comfortable, and have plenty of room in the shoulders (amazingly enough!)

The Challenge: Paisley & Plaid
Fabric:  Rose Garden Jaipur Paisley by April Cornell
Pattern: Vogue V8767
Year: 1938
Notions: Buttons, Thread
How historically accurate is it? About 98%. I serged around the hems of the sleeves. Other than that, I think it is quite accurate.
Hours to complete: 6-8 hours (?)
First worn: Today for pictures
Total cost: $35, approximately. I don't know the exact original cost of the fabric.

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I also made a new skirt to go with the jacket. I wanted something kind of 1938-ish, so I used Butterick 3134, lengthening it by 10 (!) inches, and replacing the waistband with a facing. I'll definitely be using that pattern again. It is very easy to sew, looks good on, and is comfortable!

Inside view of the facing

The fabric I used is a really annoying, sort of stretchy, iron-resistant polyester. It isn't easy to get a nice flat hem, but I think I managed it.

I love that peplum! It's not super full, so it doesn't accentuate the hip area.

Sleeve

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All in all, I'm really happy to have a whole vintage outfit to add to my wardrobe. It feels amazing to have made something!

I am starting a 1950's polka dot nautical dress from Vogue V9000. I can. not. wait. to have that done!

Special thanks to my mom for the loan of her hat! :)

All photos copyright © Dolly Creates.

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Vintage-Inspired Patriotic Blouse + A Milestone

Yayy!! It's my 100th blog post! You may have noticed my completely new blog design. I'm still messing around with the header, so it may be totally different next time you look. I want a vintage-style design, rather than modern chevron.

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All that aside, here's my new blouse!!

I haven't had a chance to take pictures of myself in it, so those will have to wait until I find a coordinating vintage hat.

I used Butterick B5890, adding a button closure instead of a zipper. I also took it in approximately an inch on each of the front tucks.

I absolutely love this pattern, and I can't wait to make more of these blouses!

I adore the row of shiny red buttons down the back.

The sleeves are self-lined, giving them a very nice, neat, finished look.

My first collar ever!! It is sewed onto a band, rather than directly onto the blouse.

Ahhh...buttons.

Up next is a post about my Regency chemise.

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Preview // Vintage-Style Patriotic Blouse

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You never thought I'd actually get a blouse finished in time, did you? 

Well, neither did I. It did happen, however, and I can't wait to share some more pictures with you.

But for now, have a wonderful 4th of July. Thank God for our freedom, our independence, and those who have fought for our country.

~Vintage Blouse Chronicles

Well, well, well....I decided to try whipping up a vintage blouse, because I didn't have one. I got some blue gingham (*swoon*) and red ricrac the other day so I could make a 4th of July-inspired blouse.

 I pulled out Simplicity 1590 - it's cute and retro-y, right? I knew there was a very good chance that it would n-o-t look good, so of course I made a toile (aka muslin aka "fake top") first. You know how they say that everyone can look good in a peplum top?

 Uh, yeah, that's not true. At all. It wasn't slimming in the bodice, and the peplum made my hips look like a freight train. (definition: not good)

It looks lovely on Thelma Lou...I guess it'll have to be her shirt from now on.

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Well, I was still determined to have a vintage blouse, so next I pulled out Simplicity 1692.

This is cute, easy, and ought to look pretty decent, right?

Wrong. 

This blouse didn't even look good on Thelma Lou, much less on me. It pretty much looked like a gunny sack with sleeves. I tried taking it in, but that didn't help a bit. 

So here I am with no vintage blouse pattern that works, and July 4th is only a few days away. I'll have to put on the ol' thinkin' cap, and see if there are any other patterns I can try. 

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So what have I been up to, anyway???

-attending orchestra concerts and recitals at a local classical music festival (LOVE it!!)

-picking and canning green beans

-drafting a pattern for and making a regency chemise (next up is a bodiced petticoat - *groan*)

-starting a 1890s "leazing dress," reminiscent of Emma Timmins' outfit on Lark Rise to Candleford

-hand sewing another chemise for a nightgown

....amongst other things.

~Happy Independence Day!!~

Pearl Harbor Pillbox Hat

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I have been looking everywhere for vintage dress patterns, so I happened to go to Sense and Sensibility Patterns' website. Whilst browsing through the 40s and 50s categories, I saw the pattern for the Pearl Harbor Pillbox Hat. I of course fell in love with it immediately. I mean, a vintage hat that you can crochet? What could be better? I got the pattern and went to making it. It comes together surprisingly fast. Since I didn't have any wool yarn (imagine it - no wool yarn. simply horrifying!), I just grabbed some Red Heart worsted in brown, and started crocheting. Since it isn't wool, it isn't so "relaxed" as the one in the picture, but I actually like it this way.

I sewed up a lil' bow out of my dress fabric to dress it up. It is just pinned on so I can switch it out with other outfits. 

Long story short; I love my new hat. I can't wait to make one in every color!

Currently working on:

hemming my green plaid circle skirt

planning a regency gown (I have exactly 25 days to have it d-o-n-e)

Butterick Walk-Away Dress

**NOTE**

I have remade this dress since posting this review; see the new version here.

The dress is Butterick B4790, a wrap dress that is very simple to make, having no buttonholes, interfacing, zippers, or lining. It was a bit time-consuming, because I sewed the hem and the seam binding by hand.

I ended up finishing it at about 12:30 Saturday night (aka Sunday morning). I was determined to wear it to church Sunday morning, even if I had to stay up all night to do so. Overall, this was a pretty easy dress to make. I'm very much of an amateur at following patterns, but this was a breeze. And, I am no longer scared to death of seam binding! (hurray!)

Here's a few pics.

Front view

Back view

The front wraps around to the back and closes with a button and loop.

The back wraps around to the front and closes with snaps...

Topped off with cute vintage buttons. I nabbed 10 of them at a local antique store for $4.

I sewed the long edge of the seam binding on with the machine, then sewed the short edge down by hand with a whip stitch. I love the effect - you don't end up with skewed, uneven seams this way.

I serged the hem and whipstitched it, turning under by hand as I went along.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you're enjoying the (almost) spring weather.

Check out my Vintage Sewing Link Party!

Vintage Wardrobe Challenge: Butterick B4790

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Welcome to my first Vintage Wardrobe Challenge post! My goal is to have a wardrobe that consists mainly of handmade, vintage style clothing, so I thought a sew-along would be just the thing to do! You can sew your own version of the dress, then show it off at the VWC link party (starting next week).Vintage style clothing is so pretty, and there are alot of patterns available in modern sizes. 

Today's VWC project is Butterick B4790. It is called the "Walk-Away" dress, because ideally, you could start the dress after breakfast, and walk away wearing it by lunchtime. That isn't really going to happen because you have to let it hang for 24 hours before hemming. In any case, it is pretty much the easiest dress you'll ever make. No interfacing, no buttonholes, no zippers. What could be better? 

So grab your pattern, some fabric and start sewing! You can purchase the pattern at your local fabric store. I bought 7 yards of a floral cotton. There is about 33" leftover. I did, however lengthen the dress 6" to make it long enough for me (keep in mind I'm 6‘)

I currently have my dress hanging up to set the hem. Next I will be serging and hand stitching the hem. The directions say to hem it on the machine, but I like the hand-stitched effect. It is going to take forever, I realize that, but I don't mind it.

Link up your project at my Vintage Sewing Link Party!

Happy sewing!

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