1950s does 1930s Green & Pink Dress

My latest sewing project was a mail order pattern that I'm sure from the graphics is from the 1950s, but it looked very 1930s to me with its asymmetrical button closure and details, so I decided to pair it with a 1930s repro print from a cute vintage style new Riley Blake Designs quilting cotton line called Basin Feedsacks. 

 

The pattern is too big for me, so I knew it would need some adjusting. I took a big pinch out of the back when I cut it out, in hopes that would take care of it, and forged ahead.

The skirt came together easily and was quickly tweaked to fit me, though it took me a minute to realize that it actually doesn't open from the buttons on the skirt - it has a side zipper just like most vintage patterns, and the faux opening is all for show. 

 

I hit a snag with the bodice. I'm not sure if this particular pattern or style just wasn't a good fit for me, or if they left out a piece of the instructions, but I had to play around with the front fit for a long time - and even now you can see it's not a perfect fit, but was the best I could come up with. 

 

I substituted sleeves from a 1930s pattern, so they would have a bit more of that decade's detail. 

 

I do like the idea of adding slanted trim like this to the neckline - it was super easy (just a folded rectangle) and could be attached to a lot of other patterns, if I wish. 

 

I maybe should have called this First Draft, because I'm pretty sure I will end up reworking the bodice. I had very little fabric leftover, so I would have to recut it from what I have here, but with the overlap it shouldn't be too hard to have enough fabric for a Second Draft. I'm thinking all I would have to do is take out the sleeves and recut the front as a regular shirt front with shoulder yokes, leaving the back and skirt intact.

Or at the very least, revamp it to make a stand-alone skirt, since I am pleased with that part of it.

 

So it's still a work in progress, instead of a finished item crossed off my list - but it's good to remember that not everything I try or envision comes perfectly to fruition the first time around! (But does that inspire me to make a muslin first? No, it does not. :-) I'm put in mind of my pink dotted dress makeover that was so much more successful as its new version.

 

And anyway, this springish floral repro fabric is too good to leave as an unsatisfactory dress that won't get worn!

Comments

[Carla]

I grew up in the 50s and yes, I remember the ladies wearing dresses like that. Mother always hated those side zippers. Really sweet dress in the green and pink!