NoNewSewMo Project 1: “Blue Bateau” V8789 1957

Hi lovelies!

Again later than promised (erk) I have for you a finished project! 

This is a Vogue Vintage reprint of pattern V8789. There were 2 styles included in this pattern; the one I’m showing to you tonight is  dress “B”. The pattern description reads “MISSES’ PETITE DRESS AND CUMMERBUND: Pullover dresses A, B have fitted bodice, skirt front and back cut-in-one, no right side seam and left side zipper. A: Bias bodice. B: Button and loop shoulder closing, dress cut on crosswise grain of fabric.” It is clearly a “New Look” style!

 

Vogue Vintage Model Patterns V8789 (1957)

 

When I shopped for fabric for this dress I couldn’t find anything with a border print. It’s a shame, since I think the border print is really charming on the envelope sketch, but I had to shop within my means. I settled on a sweet and inoffensive quilting cotton in a blue floral print. 

The dress has been designed to be worn with a cummerbund. I don’t think they’re particularly practical so I’ve retained enough fabric to make a self-covered belt as soon as I can find some fabric belt kits. If you have a source, in Australia OR overseas, please do let me know!

As usual, I cut the pattern in some scrap fabric (actually an old bed sheet) and fitted a toile. It was so many months ago that I can’t find a photo even if I did take one; I’m sorry for that and I’ll be more careful to make sure I document these things more accurately in the future.

Here is the finished dress!

 

Dress front

Dress back

 

Shoulder detail: pearl stud buttons

Dress front – worn with a soft petticoat of 2 layers

It’s not super exciting but it looks quite lovely with a petticoat ! This is just a simple layered petticoat made from nylon organza. The pattern can be downloaded for free at http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/the-50s-petticoat. 

And here are a couple of not-very-well-lit action shots. It’s the only place in my house with a full-length mirror at the moment. (When I’m in Tassie after next week (!) I’m hoping to harangue my lovely partner to photograph me instead. Selfies are a bit lame and awkward… sorry.

Weird downward-perspective shot 1

Weird downward-perspective shot 2

The hem was only just finished and hadn’t been properly pressed in these photos – I’ll have himself take one for me at a later time. In these photos I’m wearing the same soft, two-layered chiffon petticoat over a full-length, bias-cut cotton slip (stops the annoying chiffon from getting caught between your legs when you walk and stops me from getting a rash, as I’m allergic to polyester). The skirt is a true tea-length (at the widest point of my calf), however I am rather short (5’5″), and the flare of the skirt makes it difficult to judge.

I hope you enjoyed having a look at this project. Luckily, I also have dress “A” to show to you very shortly as well!

P.S. the incredibly lovely Em of Retro Glam (http://retroglam.wordpress.com/) has agreed to send me a copy of the excellent everyday blouse and 1/2 circle skirt pattern she is currently working on. I’m thrilled and will definitely be making some sweet cotton blouses and skirts for everyday as soon as I am able! I really look forward to showing them to you in time. Please take a look at Em’s blog if you are at all interested in dressmaking techniques. At the moment she is blogging an extremely helpful series of tutorials on how to draft the blouse and skirt, including fitting the toile (with those pesky darts!). I guarantee you’ll enjoy it!

Thanks for stopping by!

R xx

NoNewSewMo update the First

Hi there!

This is just a quick note to say that I’ve been making progress on my NoNewSewMo projects however I’ve also been sick for all of today so haven’t gotten around to doing a proper post.

I have been busy doing some sewing for the past few days and I’ve managed to finish one dress, which just needs a wash and press, and get mostly through another one. Both are Vintage Vogue repro patterns and I’m excited to see how they look. Both dresses are very New Look in style, from 1956-57. 

Unfortunately, I fell into the trap of whipping up my Yellow Batiste Sundress without checking the fit using a toile. Unless you’ve made the pattern before and know your shape hasn’t changed I have to stress that making a toile is entirely worth the time and effort. Basically, I trusted the sizing on the back because I’d used patterns in the same series with no problem. I’m going to have a dress that fits far too small because this one basically lacked the ease of the other dresses I’ve made from the same series. I didn’t even measure the pattern because it’s got tucks across the front that made measuring it a bit of a buggerance. Sigh.

I’ll post pictures tomorrow to show you what I mean and if there is anyone out there with a 34″ bust and 24″ waist I’d be happy to hear from you if you’re interested in it. In the meantime I managed to find what I think is the same lemon-coloured batiste on eBay for $3m with free shipping so… I’ll just make a replacement! It’s a false economy since I spent ages mucking about with the tucks to get them right but hey, it was a learning experience (if I say it often enough then maybe it’ll be true…).

In other news I move in 10 days. Have I mentioned that I’m moving about as far across Australia as I actually can without needing a passport… in 10 days. I haven’t even confirmed my removals yet. Wups. Well I have that in hand and hopefully the men with the arms and hands will turn up next week and load my very meagre possessions onto a truck so they can make their slow progress over to Tasmania. I also have to move my horse, but thank goodness one of my close and lovely friends is heading interstate at the end of the month and can fit my girl on the float.

Well, I think I’ll finish right there on that garbled and frantic note. Proper post of postiness tomorrow when I’m home from work and feeling a bit less sick.

Good night!

R xx

NO MORE THESIS!!!!!

Hello lovelies!

Okaaaay, well, it feels like a bazillion years since I last posted. Yesterday I submitted my thesis – I’ve finally finished my degree!

I move from Perth across the country to Tasmania in 2 weeks! Despite, and a little because of that, I’m taking on “NoNewSewMo”‘. It’s one of those silly NaNoWriMo spinoffs, but the basic premise is that November becomes a month dedicated to completing projects that you’ve started, rather than starting any new ones!

…at least until I’ve finished the ones I have going.

So I have a bunch of things to finish, and I plan on getting started as early as tomorrow, if I can! Hopefully by doing that I can minimise the enormous bunch of bags and baskets of projects that I would otherwise be lugging with me. Woo!

Anyway, more updates soon! 😀

FREEDOM!