Dress Making Sew Along - Part 3: Fabric Choice - Finally!!

I am so excited I was able to find this navy blue poplin twill in the family fabric stash! This blue will be great for all season wear. I can brighten the color up in the Spring and Summer wearing a printed scarf around the waist or around the neck. I am so excited to be able to start the process of tracing my vintage pattern. I purchased it like new, so I do not want to ruin the thin crepe paper.

I did some thinking. I am toying still with the button choice. Because of my narrow shoulders, instead of putting buttons along the shoulders of this dress, I am going to perhaps place two buttons on either side of the points at the corner of the neckline. This way a sweater will not get caught up in the buttons. I am not sure what type of buttons I will use. I surely need some eye-popping designs! And not just round, either. I do have a box labeled "buttons" somewhere in my personal stash of sewing supplies; will have to dig it out. If I can't find any suitable, it will be an evening hunt on eBay.

Dress Making Part 2

All right. I'm back to the fabric drawing board. My green fabric, although very pretty, is too thick for this type of dress. I had an inkling that it was, but I was so happy to have found green fabric that I didn't want to face the facts of the thickness of fabric.... sigh.... Here are a few more fabric selections.

 I am thinking that this will come acros as  too "grandma-ish" and perhaps look like it should be an apron! This fabric is hard to find  coordinating skirt fabric because the "brown" in the fabric isn't really brown nor is it purple. Almost like a taupe, but do not want a lighter skirt color. Any suggestions?

Does this look too '70s? I want the fabric choice to be '40s-style but without large floral patterns. I do not have enough of this fabric to make a skirt, so it would have to be the bodice. Let me know what you think of this fabric.

This fabric is a soft cotton feel. Looks like flannel but it is not. The tiny dark centers of the flowers are blue, so i could have a blue skirt.









I am still not sure if these three fabric choices are the best for the pattern I am trying to make. I am in love with the first option, however, trying to find a coordinate a n d buttons to match will be difficult. If anyone has a place they shop for nice vintage-repro or even '40s dated fabric, let me know -- I would appreciate it so very much! Have a marvelous rest of the Sunday.

Vintage Dress Making

I am preparing to make my first dress from a vintage 40s pattern. This Anne Adams pattern looks very simple. The pattern requires 6 buttons across the shoulders and 4 buttons down the side of the dress. Across the shoulders, I would like to use the yellow geometric buttons, but can't decide which buttons to use down the side. Which buttons do you think look best with this lovely 50s-60s green fabric? (Fabric is true to its color in the first six photos; almost an olive green.)

 1949 Anne Adams Pattern

 Green Fabric and Buttons to Choose From

 Geometric/Thumbprint Yellow Buttons Across the Shoulders/Side

 Clear Swirl Buttons Down the Side/Across Shoulders

 Perhaps a unique collection down the side?

 Yet another collection down the side?

 I wonder if this is too "rough" looking?

 Tiny buttons down the side...does it work?

Woven leather/type buttons down the side: Brown & Black

Antique Lovlies : 1860s-1900s

 A simple collection of the Victorian Era: spectacles, photographs, jewelry box, lace, doilies, mini perfume bottles, fountain pens, address books, shoe button hook, stamps, & my favorite: a book titled "The Spinster Book."

 This book has spinster-wise sayings, hints, ideas, opinions of the failures of courtship and encouragements of solitude as a spinster.

MOD Fashion: Brighten Your Day!

  
 these outfits are in exceptional condition!









70s Dress : geometric & triangles
       (for sale; post if interested)

late 60s early 70s Sailor : blue/white striped w/ red sash tie
                     (for sale; post if you are interested)

70s Jean Romper : rickrack design
    (for sale; post if you are interested)

Rickie Tickie Stickies : mod flower & paisley
               (not available for purchase)

Vintage Hats 1940s WWII Era

1940s WWII Era Military Style

1940s Floral Topper w/ Face Netting

 

 Unique Floral Topper Bandeau

late 40s hat box

                 40s Fantastic Round Topper;

                          Sunnyland Label

Sunnyland Label; 40s Dramatic Tilt Brown w/ Bows; my ultimate favorite hat; wearable all seasons

Black 40s Straw w/ Large Brim, and Velvet Bows

 

Very Dramatic 40s Straw; Super Large Brim; Another Favorite!

                                          


                        late 30s early 40s Wine Velvet w/ Sequins; Dreamy!

Unique Side Clamp Hat w/ head scarf and wrap

late 30s - 40s crocheted Everitt Label; 

Green Cloche w/ circle decoration; another ultimate favorite

A 1950s 60s Hat Collection

These hats are from the 1950s -1960s. An accumulation over the last few years. I wonder - do any of you have any favorite hat that you like to wear or enjoy looking at from your collection?

50s Sculpted Edge Hat w/ summer fabric flowers

50s or 60s winter pill box - white felt w/ decadent rose accent

50s Lucy Era - black velvet w/ sequins and side feather

50s topper - raffia with sheer material and dramatic side feather

The sweetest 50s summer topper!

late 50s early 60s Jackie O - Crown Circle Hat

My Favorite - 50s green cloche

50s cocktail - black velvet - collection only

50s Cocktail - Red Velvet Topper with Feather Accents

 

- Collection Only

Black 50s 60s Cloche - ribbon edging 

 

No Collection Would be Complete without a 50s 60s Child's Rain Hat!