Groovy checkered dress from 1965's Ladies' Home Journal
This is officially the first time I wore this dress that I made a year ago. I did not feel comfortable wearing it last year because the dress was tight at the waist, emphasizing more than I intended. After losing a few pounds, I was able to get into the dress. However, this stretch knit is not as flattering and forgiving as those wonderful knits (i.e. ITY) that really can hide figure flaws. I don't think I will ever fit into a size 3/4 as I did twenty years ago. Please excuse me for being the average sized woman and not being like the very cute Jessica Alba who miraculously got back her pre-pregnancy figure.
post preggy Jessica Alba in gown
Jessica Alba in bikini after baby
I found my pattern picture in somebody's blog post paying tribute to the hits of 1968, after scrolling down. The Bee Gees were adorable back in the day!
Pattern Description
"Misses' dress in two lengths, with two neckline interests: The A-line dress has extended neckline and back zipper. V. 1 and 3 have scalloped neckline. Regular-length V. 1 has short set-in sleeves. V. 2 & 3 are sleeveless. Regular-length V. 2 has button trim. Above knee-length V. 3 has scalloped hemline." I sewed V. 2
Suggested fabric types:
Cottons and blends; pique, linen, silks, synthetics and blends; matelasse, cotton sateen, crepe, gabardine. View 1 and 2 also in lightweight wools and blends, wool crepe, wool gabardine, knits.
Size
Misses' 14
Fabric
Left-over fabric from a previous sewing projects: checkered printed spandex-type knit for my first version for only a buckeroo a yard at le Wal Marche! My daughter said the fabric reminded her of Pixar's "Cars" animated movie. I would achieve a different fit with a drapier knit.
Features
* One size, 14
* Slight aline style
* Few pattern pieces to work with: front, back, front and back neck facings, and armhole, optional sleeves)
* Bust darts
* Front center seam
* Back zipper
* Long vertical darts at the back.
* Facings for the neckline (front, back) and armholes
* Hand sewed the hem.
* Retro chic, but so "in" right now!
Directions
They were printed entirely on one page in an easy to read format, organized by units, which seemed to be typical in the 60's/70's patterns that I have encountered. The illustrations were very easy to decipher and I also liked that there were arrows connecting particular steps the corresponding parts of the illustrations.
Units 1-3 are common to all views.
Unit 1
*Staystitch shoulders and neck edges, make darts,
*Stitch center front seam
Unit 2
*Make back shoulder darts and vertical waistline darts
*Stitch center back seam and stop at a large notch
*Insert zipper (assuming you know how to sew one)
Unit 3
*Stitch back and front neck facings together at shoulder and center front seams. Finish edges.
*Stitch facing to neck line of dress, matching centers and small dots. Trim and clip curves for a smoother finish before turning the facing to the inside.
*Stitch front to back ast side seams.
Unit 4 (sleeveless version)
*Finish armhole facing edges
*Stitch ends of facing (underarm seam)
*Stitch each facing, right sides together to the armhole edges using a 5/8" seam.
*Understitch facing close to seam line
*Press facing to inside and slip-stitch
Unit 5 belongs to the dress with the scalloped bottom. It shows how to construct the facing to be attached at the lower edge.
By just a quick overview of the directions, this dress is really easy to construct!
Modifications
*I fused interfacing to the neck facing pieces instead of basting interfacing to the neck edges as illustrated (typical method used in vintage patterns).
*I omitted the zipper due to using a stretch fabric.
Would you recommend this pattern?
Yes, I definitely recommend this pattern if you can get ahold of it. The dress has a style that would look great on anyone. This pattern seems to be one of those hidden treasures that retro/vintage sewing freaks like me want to get. I have placed bids on this pattern on e*ay and lost. I found this pattern on etsy.
Conclusion
This is one of the easiest dresses that I have sewn! I'm planning to make the dress with the scalloped neck and in a non-knit material.
No comments:
Post a Comment