Finished Project: Style 4151

A little later than promised but here is my finished dress!

I wore it out for the first time today for work and I love it! I love the wooden buttons! It's definitely one of those dresses that you could just twirl around in with a big grin on your face! (I know I'm not alone!)

I can see this being a regular summer dress pattern for a few years to come, maybe next in a floral print? Or some white eyelet cotton?

I was trying to be as serious as possible in these photos but Milo had other ideas by wanting to give me some high 5's

Hope your Easter was as enjoyable as mine!

Oooh and one last thing, I've been given another blog award by the cleverly creative Anni who blogs at Needles and Roses.

I am going to break the rules slightly on this one and instead of listing 5 blogs I love, I would love you to take a look at my blog roll on the side bar which features some great blogs about vintage fashion, sewing, inspirational photos & general craft!

So once again a big thanks for passing this along :)

Style 4151: Update

I should probably start by saying that by some sort of nasty weather talking karma I have been struck down with a terrible cold. That's what you get for bad mouthing English weather I guess.

So my first summer dress is progressing slowly in between the Lemsip breaks & the coughing fits (anyone hear a little violin playing?). The pattern so far has been a little unconvential in regards to the construction, but that's probably because I haven't really sewn up a shirt-dress before.

I decided to line the skirt with some white polyester crepe due to me being paranoid that everyone will see my knickers as soon as the sun hits me.

This is what I got so far...

I'm loving the way this is looking so far, can't wait to finish it!

Is it Spring Yet?

If you live in the UK like myself, i'm sure you share that same feeling of uncertainty towards the climate when it reaches this time of year. If you live in a place that has definite seasons or guaranteed months of sunshine then I tip my invisible hat to you.

As I write this there is a bright gleam of sunshine streaming through my window, which is wonderful. But I'm still reluctant to leave the house without thick tights & boots. Over the past few years in the UK our seasons seem to have shifted, with our warmest months being in April/May and again in September/October, our typical 'summer' months are usually filled with horrid rain.

Why am I moaning about the weather you ask? Besides it being quite a stereotypical thing for a Brit to do, I'm left wondering if the past few years of English weather have taught me anything, maybe I should reorganise my sewing queue and start sewing things that are typically 'summery'?

With this is in mind & the sunshine as my inspiration, I've decided to sew my first new summer dress for this year.

The pattern I've chosen is something I picked up for £1 in my local charity shop, Style 4151 from 1973.

I'll be sewing up the short sleeve version in some blue polka dot cotton viscose.

Be sure to check back on Wednesday for a little update on it!

My Red Dress

Throughout the week I've been putting together the bodice of this pattern:

I know, I know, it's from 1987 and belongs on Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman'. I had every intention of seeing this through making minor changes along the way to attempt at 'modernizing' it (excluding shoulder pads, shortening the length etc...)  but somewhere between sewing the facings & putting the sleeves together I lost interest. It happens. 

This is as far as I got (sleeves are pinned on), I've already adjusted the armhole to try and get rid of the extra amount there for ridiculous shoulder pads, but it still doesn't look right to me? 

So in an attempt to have not completely wasted my time with this material, i'm using the cut skirt pieces and spare fabric I have left to make this..

I've already made this once here so I know I'm going to love it & get lots of wear from it.

So far half the bodice is done and I'm hopeful that I should have this finished this weekend.

In other news - I ventured out on my own to the next village along from me today, as I discovered there was a fabric shop on the small high street! As excited as I was, I was a little disappointed with the fabric range. They seemed to concentrate more on the home furnishings/curtain making side of fabric rather than dressmaking, however it should come in useful for the essentials. As I wandered along I dipped in and out of the standard charity shops that you get in UK, and wondered in amazement (and let out a small squeal of delight!) when right at the back of one stood a bookshelf FULL of vintage patterns!

JACKPOT!

After sifting through the atrocious 80's/90's patterns I found 2 (in my size) that were hard to say no to at just £1 each.

First up is Vogue 5308 from 1961 - a super cute shift dress shape with princess seams and a box pleated skirt. This was missing one piece however, but it was only the belt facing which isn't hard to replace. This will be perfect for a work dress in either a stiff cotton blend or even wool for the winter?

Then I have Style 4151 from 1973. How amazing does View 2 (Blue Dress) look? I'm a little bit in love with this design, and the instructions look super easy! (famous last words). 

This is going to be perfect for making some summer dresses in some cute cotton prints, or in synthetics like rayon.

I also bought this on Ebay this week

Simplicity 5645 from 1964. How cute are these variations?

I saw this and knew it should be mine!

So now I need to dig around my stash and start deciding what to make with what! 

I've been slowly turning my sewing room into a useable space, trying to de-clutter as much as I can.

I now have a somewhat clear workspace

A place to hang my vintage clothing

To store my jars of buttons

My fabric stash

My dressform, and my art supplies.

There are more things that I want to do with this room (time and money depending) in order to get it looking how I really want, but I have to bear in mind that this room is also supposed to function as a spare room for visitors!

Until next time!