I know this vintage pattern is from 1960, but the style is still very 56, only shorter. I made the skirt longer, over the knee, but still shorter than I would have in 55. I am the type who would read Vogue and as I am making my own clothes, let my hemlines follow some of the newer shorter versions of the ever popular sheath dress.
Here it is with my cardigan and matching vintage pocketbook. I did not wear a hat today, as I wore my hair in a french twist and had a fabric brown flower pinned in to go with the flowers of the dress. 
This is a close up of the fabric. I really love it and it is very vintage, though it is actually a new cotton/linen. It is a bit summery, but with the brown I felt it could wear into Autumn. And I wore it with brown shoes (my white shoes are away until next Memorial Day).I really liked this pattern and am going to make the full skirted version next. What I did, and I will show more up close photos later, was cut out the four pieces of the dress (the front is one piece the little side front strap is another and two back pieces) in both this fabric and a nice white muslin. I cut the dress one size bigger than my own. Then I stitched the muslin and fabric together and flipped it out, ironing it flat. So now I had finished edges on the neckline, armholes, and hem. Then put the darts in (which went in lovely through the two layers of fabric) and put them together. I installed the zipper into the back two pieces BEFORE I sewed it to the front and this made an easier time of it as well. The whole thing went together rather quickly and easily this way and really gives a nice finished look. My friend gave me the nicest compliment in saying that it looked ‘store bought’.
We went to our local high end thrift store, Plush and Plunder, on Main street in Hyannis and my friend found a wonderful 1960 sheath dress in vintage sequins with the original metal zipper! I was envious of it, but she and her hubby of 10 years are going to be renewing their wedding vows in Las Vegas this fall and she wanted something “Rat Pack” and this was it. The bottom half is ice blue and meets the top cream in a very geometric triangular shape, much like the older signs in Vegas. I even helped her talk the ladies down from the original price. It is a very classic piece she can have in her wardrobe for ever.
We also hit Good Will where I found four lovely cardigans, all vintage, for only a few dollars each.
When my friend said, “Hey, do you need a Connie Francis album?” half jokingly, I said, “Yes, I hope Stupid Cupid is on this one” and it was! So, I bought this album for 99 cents mostly for stupid cupid, but it has other good songs as well and I am listening to in on my old record player as I write this.Here is a snippet of the song sung by Connie live. ( I know it doesn’t come out until 1959, but I really love the song. And don’t you love her dress!)
Well, I have had a rather busy day and need to unwind now with hubby. I hope all had a find day and I will see you tomorrow.
Happy Homemaking.
50sGal-this is my favorite dress that you've made so far! It looks smashing on you! And I love Stupid Cupid! Such a great song!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely fit. I didn't know Vogue was making vintage patterns. I remember when there were "rules" for wearing white.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is beautiful, very nice job! I also love the fabric. I have to say I also LOVE Connie Francis. As a child my Mom listened to her while cleaning the house, now I do the same! (I must say most people my age have no idea who she is)I love the song 'Vacation', as well as 'Stupid Cupid'. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteBarb from CNY
Donna that dress looks great on you and I love the shoes and purse also.
ReplyDeleteConnie Frances was neat and I too love the song, "Vacation". It takes me right back to being a kid in the very early 60's.
Julie in WA
That style is so very flattering on you,you look lovely!And the fabric is very pretty:)
ReplyDeleteOh i love Connie Francis,great find for 99 cents!
You-look-FABULOUS!!!! WOW! Lady, that dress is very becoming. You look so lovely and slim, and the colour is wonderful. The wicker purse and the cardigan match perfectly. I’m sure you’ll get lots of compliments on this dress. I’m sure you can wear the dress until Winter with a brown cardigan, brown shoes, handbag, and gloves.
ReplyDeleteConnie Francis is a great singer, you never go wrong with her - not even for 99 cents. What a bargain. It is hard to find vintage records, that is from the fifties and sixties, in Denmark, but I have a small collection now. I love to play real vinyl instead of modern CDs with vintage music. The vinyl has another feel to it, it gives the music the real vintage depth.
Thank you for liking this dress. I definitely get better with each dress. I learn a little more. I was uncertain if the 'sheath' dress was good for a 'fuller figured gal' but was having a fun 'dress up day' with my vintage friend the other day. She tried on my full skirted dress and I her pencil skirt and found it was rather flattering. It is not as easy to hide one's 'flaws's in a pencil skirt, even with a girdle though thank God for girdles, but because it is even more body conscious than a full skirt it tends to actually slim more.So, any fuller gals out there who love vintage but are worried about wearing it, the slim fit curve hugging sheath and pencil skirt is really your friend (especially as it hugs past the knees and doesn't flare out like the A line dresses that will be around in 10 years or so)They are a dream to sew as they take half the material and are so quick. I could easily sew up two sheaths for every full/gathered dress.
ReplyDeleteI love Connie Francis as well. And she was a little fuller in the hip, tummy and arms and was still gorgeous! So, any heavier gals, you want to feel good about yourself and therefore probably loose some weight because of that atitude, get a sewing machine, some vintage or repro vintage patterns and get to sewing! You will feel so good and instead of emotional eating you will be at the fabric store picking out your next dress instead of your next snack! That isn't a proven diet plan, but it is a proven, feel great about your life and yourself plan and that is pretty important too!
Oh, and that repro pattern is Butterick 6582 worth it. I am going to make a full skirted version with the body a patterned material and the skirt and other strap/shoulder the same solid.
ReplyDeleteDress up day sounds so nice, I wish I could join you. In fact I've started wearing pencil skirts and "wiggle dresses" again during the last year, although I've gained about 10 pounds and therefore is bigger than when I earlier wore these items. And the fun thing is, I feel so good wearing it (and DH loves it).
ReplyDeleteI wish I had time to sew like you do. I did before I got son (who is 17 now). Then most of my wardrobe was homemade, but I simply cannot find time nor energy to do it anymore. I hope that I will one day again, I'm addicted to fabrics. But I've started knitting and crocheting and am VERY proud of myself. I've finished my grey cardigan and have started a dark red very classic cardigan, which I cannot wait to finish, it is SO lovely. And - I've bought dark plum-purple yarn, soft and fluffy, for another cardigan to make after my operation (which btw is 13 October). I HATE feeling bored and cannot just sit and watch TV for weeks - I would die if I should do so. I will try to post photos of my finished projects in the forum. Have a lovely day, dear. :)
I wish I could sew well. I can sew straight lines. Patterns confuse me!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely pattern - I'd love to see it made like the one the blonde is wearing - in a lovely satiny material...is that a new pattern?
It is a reproduction of an old pattern. It is butterick 6582 and still readily available today. I also love that look and would like to get a peacock iridescent blue silk taffeta or dupioni silk to make that dress. It would be the perfect cocktail or Holiday party dress.
ReplyDeleteThe new dress is darling! Are there pockets?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous dress -- I love it! And the fabric is beautiful, as well. I think the brown background makes it perfectly appropriate for this time of year, and I completely agree with your choice of brown shoes. I would sooner be caught dead than wearing white shoes after Labor Day. :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous dress you look stunning. Enjoyed the music too.
ReplyDeleteI too love the dress. You wear it proudly!
ReplyDeleteSanne, I don't know that surgery you're referring to but good luck. I hope it's not serious. I've just begun knitting. Your cardigans sound wonderful. I love those colors.
Thank you, Mrs. Tailleur. I'm having my uterus removed, not much fun, but since it always hurts I look forward to getting better after having it removed. Have a nice weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to comment on this one and it is nothing short of WOW! You can realy see and read from your writing that you are getting that proffessional touch. Great job i am very proud of you! That fabric is to die for.
ReplyDeleteA Julie Andrews Christmas album? I need to track down a copy for myself!
ReplyDeleteRachel-I just found the same album I purchased for sale here on ebay. I don't know this person or anything about them, but they do have the record. I only paid 99 cents for mine, but their is 9.99, but free shipping, hope this helps. You gotta love Julie Andrews. I often play her album from the 56 broadway version of My Fair Lady. I love Audre Hebpurn, but Andrew's My Fair Lady is wonderful. Oh, here is the link http://cgi.ebay.com/JULIE-ANDREWS-CHRISTMAS-PRS290RCA-33-RPM-RECORD-ALBUM-/400128002508?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item5d297cc9cc#ht_4532wt_911
ReplyDeleteOh and here is the my fair lady julie andrews album I have and love here it is only 2.99 I tried to get that aplet that allows me to feature ebay seller items and then I would earn a few cents per sale for pin money, but I was turned down when I tried to get it. Silly, I thought ebay would want anyone to advertise their stuff on their site, but I guess not and somehow I don't 'cut the mustard' but still you should get these albums, fun. http://cgi.ebay.com/Rex-Harrison-Julie-Andrews-My-Fair-Lady-LP-Record-album-/270415641869?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item3ef6073d0d