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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A Peek at My Photography Blog

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Stop by my photography blog to see my latest mini photo shoot!

Leazing

Yep. We did it. We went leazing.

I'm afraid there's a vacancy in the 1890's dress department, however. I still hadn't finalized my plans for the design, and since the field had been harvested, we decided it was time to leaze, dress or no dress. 

I didn't know how much wheat there would be to leaze, if any, but I was in for a nice surprise. There were about 4-5 rows along one side of the field that the farmer didn't harvest, and there was a whole patch of it around a fallen tree. All in all, it was a big success.

I really like how my leazing apron came out. I'll post some pictures of it later on - right now it still has wheat in it!

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I'm working on the jacket from Vogue 8767 for the HSF challenge, which is due later this week. I can't wait to finish it up and share some pictures!

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The Pickin' Apron

Today I'm sharing a past project which I made way back in February. I think the cold, never-endingly wintery weather had gotten to me, so I decided to take revenge, and sew something decidedly springy. This apron is actually my mom's ('cept when I borrow it...). Its original purpose was to be a garden apron, but mostly it just gets used for picking vegetables. 

I got the fabric at Meijer, of all places. We discovered that they had some really nice quality, American-made cotton duck. If that alone wasn't reason enough to buy it, it came in 45x54" pieces, for only $6 or $7. I wanted to buy ALL of it at once. Well, as the story always goes, what does a store do when they sell something awesome? Why, discontinue it, of course! The reason why, I really can't imagine. Long story short, we did end up snagging a bunch of it towards the end of the clearance sale.

So much for words - let's look at pictures!!

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The front has ties, which go through loops at the corners, so that it is....

...folded together, and you can carry veggies! It is reallly handy to pick beans into. I would know.

I'm prodigiously proud of my topstitching. It's kind of hit-and-miss with me when it comes to that, but thankfully, that was one of my good days.

The tie and the loops are made from the selvage, which happened to be really nice and wide. I folded it over several times, then zig-zagged it.

Loops...

The other side is solid green, with a couple of nice, sturdy pockets.

I sewed several lines on the pocket hem for stability.

The ties are opposite colors from the main colors...just 'cause.

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I started my leazing apron - I love how it is looking! I can't wait to see it with the dress. Speaking of which, I need to make it. Now. The farmer started harvesting his wheat, so the clock is tick-tick-ticking.

Aaaannnddd, I need to get my pink paisley dress done before August 1st. I made a mock-up of my Anne Adams pattern, but it ended up being way too big. So, I think I will make Simplicity 1777 instead.

I'll post pictures as I get the things sewn up!

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