Wednesday, June 22, 2016

It's Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress

Its Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
Hello all! Seems like just about every time I hunker down to type up one of my piling up posts, something comes up and takes up my free time! So its a wonder to me at all that I even have this particular post to share! You see, I whipped out this darling dress pattern in just one afternoon this past Saturday!

It's Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
So let me give all my sewing friends some of the details of this make! I'd seen this pattern in the vintage collection of Butterick patterns before, but never purchased it till they had one of those grand (aka tempting) dollar per pattern sales a couple months ago.

I really didn't have a good excuse to make the frock, until I remembered the annual Pleasant Hill barn party, (as if you need one for this neat a pattern hehe) especially with all my Civil War clothing I have in the works! But I had in the back of my mind to possibly make this dress up if I felt I was on track enough with those projects (which I am, glory be! Post on that soon!) so I commenced keeping an eye out for the 3ish yards I'd need of fabric.

One grand day of thrift shopping with the fam, I happened upon a big bundle of what looked to be old yardage. Upon further investigation of the tied package, we realized it was actually a king sized duvet cover! It was marked at $10, and with the print, I new I'd found the perfect patterned fabric for my dress! 

It's Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
Like I said, life's been pretty busy. With my work hours changing and the blueberry farm (Pleasant Hill, same place as where the party was at) work soon to ensue, I'm having to find new schedules for everyday life. The couple weeks heading up to the event were especially packed, but the day I had open to work on this dress, it was so nice! And how rewarding that it turned out so well! Don't you just love when you go for something and you don't have to "fix it up later"? I surely do!

After cutting out the four pieces, (the front panel is one, the bodice one piece also, and then the back/front sides have a seam up the back) I put in the darts that are both in the front and back bodices. Made the rest of the necessary middle back, shoulder, and side seams, then French seamed the back/side skirts to the waistband which comes from the back and secures in the front of the middle.

As you can see from the above pictures, I used old old 40's/50's buttons! Yay for a stashes! The front closure I actually put three sets of hooks and eyes under the small square buttons that are mainly decoration, as the little hooks are actually doing all the work, but I adore the result! The panel (under/behind the secured from) actually secures behind you (with a button closure, sorry!- no pic) and then the back/sides wrap around to the front!

Love the design so much! Exited to make it again sometime! As you can see from inspiration pic on the front of the pattern, there is so much you could do with it! I chose to just use red bias on the suggested seams, and then did a narrow hem around the bottom of the dress skirt and also the front panel. So proud of myself for taking my time with all that tiny 1/4" bias though! Golly that stuff can be tricky to catch on both sides! Especially if you like to sew fast like me! ;) But only a couple times I had to go back and resew a few spots that didn't catch the first time. 

Its Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
It's Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
Time to applaud my farmer's tan. ;P 

It's Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
Here you can see the back. I think I'd really like to try and draft a longer sleeve for this pattern at some point! Can't you just see it? Though I'm not sure how it would work with the over-the-head-wrap-around-style, but I'd like to give it a go!

It's Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress
Its Finished! // 1950's Wrap Dress


Have you ever made a dress in a day?
Ever attend a barn party before?

Sunshine & hugs,
Cassie
the elder sister & writer



3 comments:

  1. Beautiful! You did such a nice job, and that fabric is perfect! Love thrifting sheets and curtains for sewing. I have never been to a barn party before, but that's mainly because we don't have too many barns where I live ;)I love the 99 cent pattern days too. I just hit one last week and came home with 5! Oh dear. Anyways, I am really looking forward to your C.W sewing posts.

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