Verity Vintage Studio

1930s Geometric Dress

Finally catching up on the last of my backlog of blog projects! When I made my Liberty floral dress a while ago, I liked it so much and was intrigued by the design possibilities if I did not make it all in one fabric, so before I even put the pattern away again, I cut out a second dress. This is it. 

 

Thankfully in the world of modern quilting cotton, while some prints work well for vintage sewing and some not so much, there are always geometric prints to be counted on. They are classic and universal throughout the decades of fashion. Out of one of Riley Blake Designs mostly modern new lines this spring, Tea with Bea, I picked out a geometric that would work perfect for Art Deco sewing.

 

It works so well with this quite classic 1930s dress pattern, and I love the different look changing up a few things gave to the dress compared to the all-over floral version shown earlier. 

 

 

I made it exactly like the other, since I was so pleased with that one's fit - but this time I made the V insert and the collar in a contrast.

 

I picked out the diamond motif in a appliqué on each collar corner, just for fun, using the EPP technique I use for appliqués on quilts.

 

The only other changes were to add an extra row of buttons on the front, and to make the sleeves differently just for variety.

 

I wanted a V sleeve, so I was going to use the same sleeves from my Easter dress pattern. But when I started sewing the tucks, I realized the geometric pattern would not work well for that. The lines went all wonky and drove my eyes crazy. So I cheated and simply bound the edge with 2 small faceted black buttons to create the V. 

Not surprisingly, I ended up liking plan B even better than the original idea!

 

Because of how very 1930s the dress looked, I paired it with some of my more flamboyant and obviously Art Deco accessories - my favorite exaggerated gauntlets, and a new to me wool tilt hat that I added a touch of color to by pinning a vintage corsage to the side.

 

It's interesting to me how a simple change in fabric style, color placement, and accessories can make this version much more formal than the first floral one.

 

Also I wore a new pair of shoes which I had recently gotten on clearance, Romona from BAIT footwear in black. A lot of their styles are not quite vintage-suitable to a purist like me, but this one works well and was comfortable to wear all day on their first outing. I already owned them in blue, and knew I needed to size up a half size for these.

 

I actually made this dress back in June, and got to photograph it at a lovely park when we did a family outing for Father's Day. I wore another hat with it part of the day, so here's a slightly different look in the lovely rose garden at the park.

 

I don't often make the same pattern twice in a row, but since this was the second time everything went quite quickly since I knew what I was doing. And I have to say it's my favorite make so far this year.

Quick & Simple Pillowcase Tutorial

Riley Blake Designs came out with the cutest woodsy kids fabric line this summer called Camp Woodland. I had to snag a few prints to use for my little boy's room. I debated what to do with it, but ended up deciding to make pillowcases!

 

My small son is very enamored of the bears, and loves to pick out the animal kinds on the blue toile print (my personal favorite). And pillowcases like this are so easy to make, you can sew them with very little sewing experience. Everything is worked flat, so it is super simple!

 

There is minimal cutting too, since the fabric width is the right width for a pillowcase.

You will need 3/4 yard main fabric, 1/4 yard contrast for the band, and if you choose an extra top stitched band, a few inches of fabric for that as well.

 

1. Cut the main fabric piece to 27 inches long x fabric width, and trim off the selvedge.

2. Cut the band fabric 9 inches long x the fabric width. (If you get a half yard of this print, you have enough to cut it in half and do 2 pillowcases.)

3. Cut the contrast narrow band 2 inches long x the fabric width. Here are all 3 pieces ready to sew.

 

You can also line them up ahead of time to get a feel for what the finished product will look like.

 

Lay out your main piece of fabric, and place the wide band fabric at one end, right sides together. If you are using a direction print, make sure the direction will go the way you want it to when this seam is sewn. (My son is talking to the bears on this picture.)

 

4. Sew the wide band to the main piece (1/2 or 5/8" seam is fine), then press it with the seam toward the band.

 

You could totally leave it with just a simple contrast band like this, but adding a narrow extra band is a fun trim and a good way to tie in a different color or print.

 

5. Take your narrow band. Fold the sides toward the center and press them.

 

6. Center over the band seam, and top stitch close to each edge.

 

Here is your finished piece.

 

7. Now fold it in half lengthwise, and sew the L shaped seam at the top and side, leaving the band edge open.

 

I serged this seam to finish it. You can leave it unfinished or finish it with your favorite method instead.

 

I also serged the band edge, but you could also use seam binding to finish it or just fold it over a half inch and press.

 

Last step - fold the band in half and pin the finished edge to the inside just under your seam.

 

8. Prop up your feet and do a quick hand stitch to keep the band in place. This will create a lovely finish on the inside.

 

Give it a good press and you're done! 

I didn't time myself, but I think you could make this start to finish in a half hour.

 

It's the perfect way to incorporate some fun fabrics into a child's or adult room. Think how fun it would be to have coordinating pillowcases to a quilt you made!

 

So there's a quick sewing fix to use some cute prints and freshen up a bedroom. Let me know if you try making one!

Baby Sailor Dress

This dress has been long on my list and I realized that with summer coming to a close, I needed to hurry up and make it! So I cut it out Wednesday and put the bodice together, finished it yesterday, and so here we are. 

(Baby dresses are SO much more instant gratification than other sewing projects!)

 

The print fabric is too adorable. It's from Set Sail America by Riley Blake Designs, the same collection I made my 1950s sailboat dress from, and I loved the vintage style novelty sailor print. Perfect for a little girl's dress! My three-year-old son is deeply interested in the fact that the men are holding flags.

I paired it with some of their Swiss Dot fabric for the collar, and some Confetti Cotton in navy for the contrast.

 

I used the same 1950s baby pattern as the pink goose dress I made for her earlier this year, but of course I added some changes since I rarely make exactly the same thing twice. I used the scalloped collar view, and instead of a sash added a decorative band to the waist. It gives the same definition and contrast as a sash, but no ends to fuss over and tie.

 

I took a pinch out of the front bodice to help it fit better, but otherwise hoped she had grown into the pattern size a bit more now that she's two - and it fits her very well.

 

The skirt is supposed to be twice this wide! But I thought the width of the fabric would be quite enough for such a small girl, so only cut one panel. It was definitely easier to gather than the original skirt. 

 

I debated on what to add to the collar. There were so many options! But I ended up opting for some hand embroidery, with tiny bows at each scallop point. 

 

The sailor theme is also picked up with the vintage anchor buttons I had in my stash, which both add decoration and help keep the waist band in place. 

 

I have been so busy this past month with quilt and crochet deadlines, as well as getting a small local business outfitted and running, that I have had no time at all for fun sewing. After piecing 3 of my 6 upcoming quilt deadlines, plus another for myself, I was tired of making quilts and ready for a quick garment. This was the perfect fix!

 

And the fact that my baby girl is old enough to love pretty clothes and get excited over new dresses makes it even more fun for me to make her something. 

 

I suppose technically a sailor dress should have a square collar. But this fabric was nautical enough that I decided to call it a sailor dress anyway. The main thing is that she loves it!