I’ll be taking a break from the next few Sew Weekly projects so I can finally post some work in progress shots.
This week I’m working on Simplicity 1554 again.
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Check out the painter’s tape and all the adjustments.
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Look how cute those paws are.
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Esteemed Sewing Assistant, assisting.
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Swiss dot lined with cotton batiste.
Front view #1.
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Front view #2.
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Front view #3.
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Closeup view: lucite bracelet and faux bakelite black bracelet. (The bruise is probably from getting beaten up at jiu jitsu.)
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The Facts
Fabric: Navy and white polka-dot rayon, $5/yd 60″ wide
Pattern: Simplicity 1578
Year: 1945
Notions: Navy invisible zipper, $1
Time to complete: 16 hours, maybe more
First worn: Never been worn yet!
Wear again? Yes
Total price: $11
Pattern used:
It’s the middle of winter here and since every week has been 30 degrees and freezing. It’s refreshing to work on a summery rayon polka-dot sundress.
I’ve made this pattern once before unsuccessfully. This time around was different.
Construction details:
Using a fabric with good drape and hand was crucial. The rayon is lightweight and has good drape. This pattern also reminds me why the 40s is my favorite sewing era. I have enough leftover fabric for a skirt, a blouse or shorts and the silhouette is vintage enough to be authentic yet doesn’t look costume-like or overwhelming.
I don’t know how many sleeveless sundresses I’ll be making but this silhouette is definitely a win.
Front view #1.
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Front view #2.
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Closeup of bracelets: lucite root beer colored bracelet with glitter, black faux bakelite.
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Closeup of brooch. I take all my pictures myself so sometimes there are erratic angles.
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Blouse: Simplicity 1554, homemade
Cardigan: H&M
Pants: Hand me down from my mom
Bracelets: Faux lucite and faux bakelite
Shoes: Penny loafers, Hush Puppies
Brooch: Brown thermoset flower brooch, ebay
I’ve been making more of an effort to wear my projects this year and the ones that get the most wear are the blouses. I’ve also wanted to document more of what I wear from a day to day basis to keep track of the projects that I do wear.
It might be the erratic, freezing cold days we’ve been having but lately I’ve been really drawn to casual wear from the 50s (straight cut plain slacks) combined with 40s elements (brooches, lucite bracelets). I walk to and from work so whatever I have to be wearing has to be practical. I’m also allergic to nickel and can’t wear most jewelry that isn’t real. We’re also not allowed to wear jewelry on the mat so I’m constantly taking off my jewelry before going to class (jiu jitsu), and I’d like something I wouldn’t have to worry about losing if I put it in my wallet: hence large lucite bracelets and brooches.
That reminds me: I need to sew more pants.
I recently got this more modern pattern from the 60s and thought it had interesting curved seams and edges. I’ll probably convert the gathers to pleats in the waist area. It has no instructions but hopefully I’ll be able to figure it out.
The Facts:
Fabric: Cotton shirting bought over four years ago that I found while cleaning out my closet, about $4/yard
Pattern: Simplicity 1554
Year: 1945
Notions: black plastic buttons, $1
Time to complete: 6 hours
First worn: Hasn’t been worn yet!
Wear again? Yes!
Total price: $5?
Pattern used:
I found this already-cut plaid cotton shirting wadded up in a ball at the back of my closet. The blouse is surprisingly comfortable and came together pretty quickly (from cutting to stitching) in about an afternoon.
I serged the interfacing so it would be more flat, and double-folded all the edges. I used French seams on the sides. I’ve made this once before but altered it to use facings instead of seam binding, since the seam binding kept flipping up. I also lengthened it to it’ll hit around mid-hip.
Shown here with Wearing History trousers. The shirt is very comfortable and would work well worn casual or dressed-up. The muted color of the plaid makes it feel very 40s.
Btw: I have no idea if I like my hair like this. It makes me feel really self-conscious.
I promised myself no more patterns since my box that holds patterns can’t close anymore and I’ve been getting more into drafting my own patterns, but I was really intrigued by Simplicity 4514. The corset-inspired bodice is interesting, and I haven’t seen this detail yet in many of the 40s patterns that I have.
Simplicity 4298.
There’s another work event coming up next week (!!!) which calls for another project. I started Simplicity 4298 over the weekend. Hopefully I can finish it in time.
We had a work event last week that called for “black tie formal masquerade” and I didn’t have anything to wear.
Pattern used:
Simplicity 4774.
Notes:
I made this dress in about a week, finishing at the eleventh hour at 1 am the night before the event. I made a bodice of the top and used a dirndl skirt for the bottom since I didn’t want to cut into the lace border pattern. I underlined the silver lace with flesh-colored fabric, and it turned out better than I thought.
I’m fine with a dirndl silhouette, as long as there is a belt to hide all the gathering by the waistband. I plan to make this pattern again, making some modifications to the bodice (which is a little too long) and doing the gathering by machine instead of by hand, so it’s more even.
This is just pin-fitted for now since sewing over embroidered lace/tulle is probably irreversible. 48 hours left to finish this and counting.
