I have had this Vintage Simplicity pattern for a very long time. I am sure it is at least 20 years old or close to it. How do I know? It calls for shoulder pads!!! LOL, I didn't include them in my finished version, and honestly, I'm not sure I will be keeping the dress. It is a lot of print and feels old-fashioned, not vintage. Ah well, you live and learn. I have always admired this pattern, so I am glad I made it regardless. Perhaps in a different print it would be a winner.
As you can see, the dress has flutter sleeves, the option of a straight skirt or flared skirt (I made view 2 with the flared skirt), pullover styling with a center back button and loop closure, and elastic encased in the waistband. The waist tie is sewn into the waist seam. I changed a couple of things in the design. I made the neck wider and finished it with self-fabric bias binding instead of facing. I made the dress out of rayon purchased from Fashion Fabrics Club. I was attracted to the print, because I thought it looked a little "art deco", and I was thinking it would look nice with the antique necklace I am wearing.
Without further ado, here is the final dress with some close-up shots of the details. If you are interested in making the dress, beware, because it requires an amazing amount of fabric due to the skirt flare, (4 5/8 - 5 7/8 yds.).
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| Waist Tie Detail |
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| Self-Fabric Bias Binding on Neckline Narrow Hem on Sleeves and Dress |
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| Button and Loop Closure |
In other Maui news, the fair is this weekend! We took our boys on Thursday night. It was a humid drizzly evening, but we had lots of fun. Here are a couple of photos. As you can see, I do wear my creations!
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| Kwik Sew 3533 |
29 comments:
Mushy I love those sleeves, the length of the dress and the print. What a pretty retroish look.
I actually like this style! It might look a bit more modern at knee-length? Just a thought.
Love the colour combo in the fabric - you can't push this dress to the back of the wardrobe! What do you feel you need to change with it? I think it would be worth fiddling with so that you are happier wearing it - too much pretty fabric not to wear this...
The style is pretty and the fabric is great.
Are you thinking of working on it a bit more?
The fabric looks much better close up and I agree the length is what makes it a bit daggy. I love the wrap at the front and the beautiful sleeves.
I agree with you on your thoughts about the dress/fabric :O). Super cute outfit you wore to the fair.
That fabric is so lovely, such a shame you don't love this dress, when I saw the pattern image on my blog roll I thought oh she's done vintage, how pretty!
There is something here that seems not quite right, and I don't mean that in a negative way, perhaps that midi length? Well I still like it and I hope you will come to like it more than you do now since you put all that time and effort and pretty fabric into this project!
I think it is very pretty - perhaps a trip to the magic wardrobe or shortening it as others have suggested and you may feel more comfortable wearing it.
It's beautiful, and you did a great job on it. I agree with some others that it is too long as sewn and would suit *you* better if it were hemmed quite a bit shorter. What does it look like with your hair pinned up? I sometimes have to change my makeup and hair when wearing some styles.
A very pretty, feminine dress. Just the style I associate with you! I swishy skirt is a wonderful thing, even for grown-up girls!
It is a lovely dress but I don't think that it is you. Maybe a gift to someone else since the fabric does look nice?
Juliet
The dress is lovely. Perhaps it will "grow on you".
Beautiful dress and fabric, but too much fabric for your tiny frame. It seems to overwhelm you. Maybe if you took in the fullness of the skirt and shortened it a bit....
It is a pretty fabric and the dress is pretty too, but when I saw it on you I thought it did nothing to highlight your nice figure The blousan top is too big and baggy. Below the waist looks fine and I like the length. I agree with Deb's comment about too much fabric...
I agree with others, that it is too much fabric for your body. You are so tiny, show it off! :)
I like your dress at the fair and love the photo of the swings.
I agree that it is a very pretty dress that might look better in a shorter length. It would be a shame to give up on it. The fabric is so great.
fantastic!
The fabric is great, but you accessorize with those rocking shoes so it all works IMO.
I *love* that print. Gorgeous! Have you tried pinning up the skirt to a more modern length? It's amazing the difference hem length makes. It is a fun vintage look. though, 20s interpreted through the 80s.
I love the work you put into this dress! and the fabric is beautiful! However, I agree with you on the style...it doesn't have that "stylish you" look. I think "matronly" was the word you may have been looking for. The dress doesn't look bad, it just doesn't compliment you like everything else you've made. Maybe, if you removed some of the full skirt and made it more fitted...that may change the "matronly" look and make it more fashion forward. Now that's my two cents and hope it doesn't get me into trouble! :)
maybe with a cardigan and a contrasting belt to break up the print a bit? It is a pretty dress. I always love full skirts, but they do require amazing amounts of fabric.
What if you cut the skirt off and wore the top as a peplum shirt over jeans?
It would be a shame to waste such beautiful fabric. If you don't love it maybe you could alter it a little as others have suggested or just hang it for a while and ponder!
That dress is soooo beautiful! You should give it another try, maybe changing the sleeves and shortening the hem ...
I think it's a pretty dress but a shorter length, perhaps kept slim over the hips and then flared quite dramatically at the hem (with the hem being about knee height or just below).
I'm not a fan of shoulder pads and I think the bodice could have some extra fabric taken out - not sure how that could be worked though.
The basic style is lovely it just needs a lot less length and less fabric in the bodice. :)
And that's only my opinion.
The fabric is very pretty. I think maybe this dress wants to be a top.
What a shame that you put all that effort into the dress and then not entirely happy with the end result. You can see how much fabric has gone into the dress. I think the dress pattern is lovely, but perhaps in a plain fabric (my opinion for what its worth). However I am sure you will pull something out of the the hat so to speak, or some lucky recipient will get the dress.
I must be the only one who likes the length of the dress! :) My first thought was that you should change it to be sleeveless (if that's possible with those flutter sleeves). That would make the top look much lighter and younger and you could keep the wonderful swishy skirt.
Justiina (long-time follower, first-time commenter...)
This is a beautiful fabric and I love the sleeves. I think the issue with this dress is something really minor - and I can't quite put my finger on it. I think the length is very elegant on you, and I like the neckline and the waist tie. Can you maybe try pinning it for a narrower fit in the bodice and through to the hips?
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