Verity Vintage Studio

1950s Adjustable Dress for Thanksgiving

I hadn't done any personal sewing since July, but when I got a fun new vintage pattern from an Instagram seller I wanted to try to make it up right away and see if it would work for maternity, since it was adjustable. Thanksgiving Day was a good deadline to aim for.

 

I was missing the back piece, but since front and back panel looked identical, I just used the front panel again. It worked perfectly except I should have lengthened it since the back yoke is shorter.

 

I used a textured solid cotton basic called Shades from Riley Blake Designs. I love using quilting basics when I can, because they have a much larger color selection and availability. This one has a subtle textured print and looks kind of like linen.

 

I liked that the pleats would show up on it better than on a print, then at the last minute decided to dress it up even more by doing some a fancy sewing machine stitch to embroider yokes and down the front. I love tone on tone embroidery, and the depth it gives to a solid fabric.

 

There was lots of folding and pressing pleats, but really that was the longest part (and taking care to get them right paid off with no frustration). Otherwise assembly was super simple; I just had a few long seams before sewing to the yoke.

 

I also added a hidden closure under each edge pleat to allow for nursing access. We'll see how well it works in real life - but I do love how it's a different opening than just a regular button front.

The final dress shape turned out like a long tube, but as you can see it still fit over my 8 month bump. I'm curious to see how it looks once I have a waist, but since it was intended to be worn simply belted as non-maternity wear, I'm sure it will both look nice and be comfortable.

 

The pattern was for a sleeveless dress, but since I don't wear sleeveless, I looked through my patterns for a suitable sleeve, and settled on these cute tulip sleeves. It's been a while since I made them, but I really like them and how easy and unusual they are. I should have remembered to cut the sleeve holes a bit bigger before I set the sleeves, but now I know for next time!

 

It was fun to sew for myself again, taking my time, with something both unusual and simple. Plus I have another adjustable dress pattern to add to my non-maternity-but-maternity-friendly collection!

 

We had an incredible midday feast with family, then watched a classic movie. It was a lovely holiday. I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving too!

Brown Floral 1930s Style Adjustable Dress

Finally catching up with the last personal sewing project I made, way back in the summer when the world was still smoky. 

 

And...it was the first trial of a new adjustable dress pattern. It needed to be adjustable because we are expecting Baby 3 here in a few months!

 

Actually, this was a 1940s nightgown pattern. I studied it for a while and decided if I made it dress length, in a cotton fabric, it wouldn't look too nightgown-y. Hopefully that was successful!

 

I did heighten the V neckline a bit, and intended to do some decorative trim around the V. But after looking at it on the mannequin I decided it needed a collar. Being short on time, I hunted through my vintage linens stash. Didn't find a V collar that would work, but I went a bit more creative than my normal rut and used a delicate vintage hankie instead. 

 

I like how it looks, plus it was so easy. No collar to cut and interface and press, all the pretty hand work already done. Plus it helps the dress look more like a dress and not a nightgown. 

 

This was my first time making a neck with a V in the back too, and it took me a bit to get used to having my hair against my back!

 

The front is shaped by closely spaced darts. The loose back adjusts with ties (bonus for no closures needed!) Here you can see on the mannequin something of how it would look on a normal-sized waist. 

 

Even though it's a 1940s pattern, the collar and print really gave it a 1930s feel, so that's how I styled it - including some new summer shoes from BAIT footwear.

 

This is the first maternity-suitable sewing I've done so far this pregnancy, once I outgrew regular patterns. It was a fun quick and easy project, and used some long-stashed quilting cotton. Also, being brown, it's a nice color variety in my wardrobe. 

 

I haven't done any personal sewing since, being busy with a lot of other projects, but I'm starting to feel the itch again. I may have to try one or two more adjustable dress patterns before I don't need them anymore.