A 1940's outfit (for sew for victory sewalong)

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As part of the above sewalong I decided to make a complete 1940's ensemble.

Starting with butterick 5209 for the dress. I chose view 'b'. Its a 1947 pattern so after the war but still in rationing (in the UK) so it was cut with a mind not to waste fabric. It left me with a nice long strip of fabric to make bias binding and some accessories from. I plan to make a bag/hat and fabric 'flower' for my hair.

The Dress

As you can see I added an inch to the bottom of the front halterneck peice. This allowed for a bit more ease or else it would have come up a little high. I also cut the waistband peices on the fold to illuminate the seam. I did not cut out any lining.

I found the bodice was quite quick to sew.  About 12hours by hand just for the general construction.

here is dress with hat pinned to it.

The Accessories

Inspired by the newsreels and this image from a 1947 pattern.

Source: vintagepatterns.wikia.com via Lady on Pinterest

The Bag

The bag with be based on the instructions given in a 1940's newsreel. But with a few modifications.

The Hat

The hat will be based on the instructions in a 1940's newsreel. I'm using felt as the base fabric with cotton bias binding for the hat band.

Because I used felt I didn't need 'stiffening' added to the hat. It was a very simple process sewn in one evening.

Rosette

For my hair.

Now the complete ensemble in the mode of the moment that moment being 1947....

Challenge 5 - Peasants & Pioneers

For challenge 5 of the historical sew a long I kept it simple. Working from what I had in my stash I decided to create an apron. I started with a 45" width of fabric marked dots an inch apart and then counterpane 'smocked' the waist area. I then used some left over bias binding to neaten the top edge and create the waist ties.

The Challenge: 5 - peasants and pioneers

Fabric: white polycotton 45" wide

Pattern: I didn't use a pattern it was freehand.
I was inspired by this apron.

Year: I'm not sure. It could probably pass for most eras I think (if you ignore the fabric content).

Notions: from my stash left over bias binding. embroidery thread.

How historically accurate is it? As its not tied to a particular year I'll let you tell me that.

Hours to complete: It was very quick I'd say roughly 15hours

First worn: erm...ages ago. I've forgotten.

Total cost: free as I used everything from my leftover stash

1940's Dress for sew-a-long (planning post)

 

Now I've had the fabric and the pattern ready for this dress for quite a while....just not quite got round to it before. My original inspiration I think was the dress Mrs Bee made. I saw it in person and thought I want one like that.

Butterick 5209. Took me ages to find a fabric I thought looked 40's enough.

Source: flickr.com via Lady on Pinterest

Source: yeoldefashion.tumblr.com via Lady on Pinterest

It reminds me a bit of the dresses above. If this works out I will make it again in a polkadot but with solid colour waistband. See about changing the closure position and adding sleeves. I like to do it exactly as the pattern the first time, and only change stuff second time through.

I'm hoping to do some matching accessories. A hat and purse.

Petticoats and Ruffles (HSAL) challenge 3

So for the historical sew a long challenge no.3 'under it all' I chose to make a petticoat. After spending ages umming and aahring about what era it should be made for...I decided to go for a generic one that incorporated historical techniques but could be used for both modern and historical.

Firstly I used a basic A-line skirt pattern for my petticoat waistline then I cut two 45" strips of fabric, sewed them together. I then pintucked that strip of fabric to stop the petticoat wrapping round my legs or collapsing with weight. Then added them to the top half by pleating to fit.

Then having run out of white material used some of the pink to make a ruffle. As I sew by hand I used a technique I'd heard about where you sew over a chord to gather before attaching to the petticoat.

I then tried the petticoat on and pinned the waist darts I needed. Sewed them, pressed. Then sewed down the lapped seam at the side.

Finished the top edge with bias binding. Made a loop and button and a hook and eye.

The Challenge: Under it all No.3

Fabric: polycotton

Pattern:  Self drafted.

Year: No particular year although originally basing it on a shortened 'edwardian' inspired petticoat.

Notions: Self bias (stash) button (stash) hook n eye (stash) cotton (stash) string (stash).

How historically accurate is it? I'm not sure (you'll have to tell me). But I tried to make it as a historically inspired rather than commit to one era.

Hours to complete: not sure about hours only took me 4 days to complete by hand.

First worn: When I took the photo's on Sunday....found it comfortable and useful in the snow to keep me warm.

Total cost: I made it from my stash so technically it was free. But the polly cotton is £3.50 per metre and I think I used just over 2 metres.

Doctor Who Sew-a-Long 2013

sew a long badge

I'll probably be the only one doing it but as 2013 will be the 50th anniversary for Doctor Who I thought I'd have a little sew-a-long. Well...create-a-long. lol!

As I won't just be sewing whole outfits or garments...I'll be making accessories and embellishing existing items. The only rule being it has to be inspired by each of the eleven Doctor's. I might not get them all done but I'll give it a go.

My initial ideas are:
1st Doctor - Cloak/Cape. Now I need some seal of rassilon buttons.   [planning post]  [completed garment post]
2nd Doctor - Tartan Skirt - to reflect his tartan trousers  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
3rd Doctor - Frilly shirt  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
4th Doctor - Will attempt to finish my knitted scarf. lol!  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
5th Doctor - Embroider collar with question marks  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
6th Doctor - Something inspired by the colours and patterns (initial thought is a 'patchwork' bag)  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
7th Doctor - Take the straw hat I used as a bonnet and refashion it -back to original shape to trim to look like the 7th Doctor's hat.  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
8th Doctor - Waistcoat with pocket so I can wear my pocket watch  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
9th Doctor - (Can't think of anything presently)  [planning post]  [completed garment post]
10th Doctor - Upcycle pinstripe jacket into something else. [planning post]  [completed garment post]
11th Doctor - Bow tie & trousers with braces [planning post] [completed garment construction post]

If you want to join in (more the merrier!) just blog about your creation or put a photo with a few details or what you made on something like flikr or pinterest then post a link in reply to this thread and I'll do a 'wall of fame' post at the end of the year.

Here is my pinterest board for inspiration!

1950's dress - update 4 - the crinoline

Dress so far

So this morning I made my petticoat/crinoline to make the skirt stick out. I did originally intend to use the online pattern...but in a sort out I came across an old white linen tiered skirt with elastic waist and thought Ii might cannibalize the material to save me work.

You can see I even left the little loops on for hanging it on a coathanger.

 And Here it Is at work..not quite sticky outy enough but I'm working on that....

Needs another ruffle at the bottom of skirt

1950's 'crinoline' petticoat

Will be attempting to sew the petticoat which will make the 1950's dress stick out soon.

Find instructions here.

Looking at finished product made me think of a skirt I already have...

It has a attached petticoat and has a similar sort of design with the material then netting at very bottom.

Although the net is 'softer' than the netting I bought.

1950's dress update 3

SO I've managed to attach the skirt and hem the dress (well part of it*)...although not without some difficulty. I found hemming the circle skirt part very tricky as the material kept rucking up under the sewing machine foot. Not sure if it was because my tension was wrong? (I also burnt myself twice iron pressing the hems. Ouch.)

*Then when I tried to hem the under dress part my silly machine decided that it wasn't going to sew properly and the top thread kept coming out of the needle and trying to eat my fabric. I gave up and decided I would hand sew that bit instead.

You can see problems I had with the hem

 I've got the bias binding to do next. Will do neck area by hand but rest by machine. Hopefully by then it will decide to like me or I'll have to use the big machine (one of those that is part of a table) to do it. I find the bigger machines a little scary.

1950's Dress - Update 2

So with help from mum I have:

Cut out the fabric

Tacked and sewn the darts

Sewn the skirt

Attached the shoulders of main dress

Had a little trouble with getting the tension on the skirt right.

So here is the dress as it stands.

(I decided I'd prefer the round rather than 'V' shaped wrap round.

If I do the dress again, I'll try the 'V' shape)

Will just need to do bias binding, attach skirt add snaps and hem. Then I'll be finished.
But that's for another weekend.

Making a start...trouble with fitting

Well I made a start now I have the material. Went for red gingham and navy blue. Cut out the pattern.

Problem is I'm sure I've done something wrong already. It's just not fitting right. I went to do the adjustments suggested here but if I did that it would cut across chest rather than going under it or am I getting confused here?

 Its really hard to judge when I'm doing it all by myself it feels like the fits wrong but does it look like the fit wrong?
This is why I hate patterns. Argggg! They make me want to scream!

Help!?!

1950's dress....looking for inspiration

Been looking at the V&A website for inspiration and what kind of pattern/color combinations look good.
Dress fabric - Rose pompom - Victoria & Albert Museum - Search the Collections

I like this blue material too
Dress - Victoria & Albert Museum - Search the Collections

This material is gorgeous
Evening ensemble (dress & coat) - 'Perou' (Peru); La Ligne H - Victoria & Albert Museum - Search the Collections 

And this is intresting image as you can see the petticoats that make it stick out.
Evening dress and petticoat - Tuileries - Victoria & Albert Museum - Search the Collections

1950's dress pattern (update 1)

The pattern arrived yesterday. As usual read through instructions and got all angry and fustrated that I couldn't understand what the jargon was going on about. (Why when it explains jargon it just uses more bemuses me). And the black and white pictures I find hard to interpret. I might throw the instructions away and just work with the pattern and make educated guesses or else there will be tantrums and another pattern going in the bin.
Mum says its coz I don't like being told what to do. lol! But its not that its just I don't think in 'patten-ish' language.

Also I have a problem. My measurements don't fit entirely into any of the sizes. And I'm not sure which to picture. This is always my problem. It seems I'm not to scale/in proportions of the average person.

I think a toile will definitely be needed.

Fabric...

Regency
I've always wanted to go to the Jane Austen Festival. Its always 'next year I'll go' then something spoils it. This time I really do home to go. I have the sense & Sensibility pattern.
http://sensibility.com/category/patterns/regency-era/
This is the fabric I have for the regency dress I eventually plan to make.

I have the bonnet, shoes already....and I think I could make a reticule quite quickly.


1950's

I have some lovely gingham fabric.... and some burgandy lining fabric.

Will probably use the burgandy for making the crinoline.

Misc
I couldn't resist this lovely trim....

I have some green fabric left from my disastrous first attempt at making a dress with no help.

wondering what I can make with it...

1950's dress sew-a-long

I hope to take part belatedly in this. Have some of the material already just waiting for pattern to arrive so I can purchase more material and start.
Can't decide on A)

Or B)

And of course then there's the notions. Bias binding....What colour?