Vogue Vintage… in nylon?
So, as you would have seen, the good news is that Suki’s fine. However, while that drama is out of the way for the time being, I now have to deal with being unemployed. Yes, that also happened last week, and through no fault of my own (basically the big bosses decided to get rid of all the casual workers… including me). So it’s back to pondering the irksome subject of what I want to do with my life, which I’ve been doing for the past few years as it seems that anything I actually enjoy makes NO money whatsoever. (This is one of my pondering poses).
In the meantime though, a friend has asked me to make a dress for her to wear to her sister’s wedding in December, which gave me an excuse to try out this pattern which I bought a few years ago.
Gorgeous, elegant, 30s style, yes? As I’d never used it (like the other hundred or so patterns I own.. aggh) I decided to do a trial using some fabric that I got at the Salvos recently for a few dollars and is most likely 70s nylon and therefore completely inappropriate for this sort of style. It’s also VERY see-through so it’s lucky there’s a fair bit of dapple in this area of the garden!!
Even if it’s made in non-see-through stuff though, the back is still very open, so the ladies who wore this style originally must have gone completely bra-less. It’s not like they had those silicon stick-on things back then! (speaking of which, has anyone else had a giggle over those horrible fake nipple silicon things that are sold at Lincraft!? The other day when I went, there was a whole rack of ..um.. breast enhancing products, including some silicon things that you wear to make you look like you’ve just stepped out of a freezer or something…you know, what guys would refer to as high beam…)
Um, anyway, back to the dress… it was interesting making it as I’ve never sewn anything bias-cut before. Has anyone ever used the vintage re-issue patterns like this one? I’m wondering whether they are direct replicas of vintage patterns or whether they have been rejigged for today, the main reason being that nothing on the inside of the pattern was finished off neatly. There are no allowances given for seams to be overlocked, neatly edged or anything like that so the inside looks really rough (well, it would if you could see anything properly, as this material has a pretty loud print which hides a lot of flaws!)
The dress is not quite finished as I still have to make a belt and the strap tubey-thing details, but it was such a beautiful day that I wanted to capture it while I could. Again, let me stress that this was a TRIAL so the actual dress I’m making for my friend will be in a different fabric, although still patterned rather than plain. I’ll try to butter up the said friend so she can model it for you once it’s finished.
Looks pretty good!
I came over from the OPshop blog to see what you've done with the pink fabric, and I think it is gorgeous! Is it only strictly an experiment, or will you wear it? You look great in the photos. I wish I had a friend who could make me clothes from some of the fabrics I've found in opshops lately…I used to make my own clothes using Simplicity patterns – 40 years ago! Now I prefer to do embroidery and cross stitch, and buy my clothes ready made at opshops, LOL!Sorry to hear you have lost your job. I hated most of the (office) work I did for 35 years, but the bills had to be paid. Good luck with finding something you like.
"those horrible fake nipple silicon things that are sold at Lincraft"YES!!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! they are vile!! although… um… I bought a pair to see exactly what they're supposed to do!! they were drastically reduced and for good reason. they are vile AND useless!! …even though I fluctuate between a B and C cup, I like being braless sometimes but I do use stick and lifts! AND also picked up a backless bra from Kmart last year! uh-huh. backless. The straps are around the armpits. very clever but obviously didn't sell. I bought mine for $4….I think women were not as well endowed in the 30s hence the popularity and ease of wear of backless dresses. I'm sorry I haven't been commenting. You are one of my MOST favourite blogs / bloggers but I've just been chasing time you know and sometimes, commenting can just take more time than I currently have to give… which sounds totally selfish… I am still 'here' though, reading and admiring and lurking!I am also very sorry to hear about your job. From my vantage point anyone would be lucky to have you working for and with them so I am sure your talents will get snapped up soon.How about freelance visual merchandising? Personal shopper / stylist? Maker of vintage inspired clothing? Designer of capsule one off pieces? Sell items through the blog. …also… stop thinking "not/no" thoughts. You should be thinking… what I enjoy making, makes me money… Also happy to hear about Suki.
I am getting back into the awing of my home life after camping…and just now saw that Juki was ill. I am so glad things turned out better than expected. It is hard when pets get older. Good luck in sorting out your job situation-I am sure you will find something that will be enjoyable or at least financially rewarding!Oh, and that is a nice dress π
beautifullll dress!i hope you find a job soon darling :)i commend you on being such a strong person <3<3 dennica pearl– through the eyes of a pearl– vintage shop
Lovely dress! Glad to hear your kitty is better, and very sorry to hear about your job π¦ Hope you find something you love doing that pays well soon π
Wow! You are a great sewer! Is this your Melbourne Cup piece for next year??Hope you find a new job soon!
Oooh such a pretty dress!!and oyy on being unemployed, I'm sure everything will work out though πhttp://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/
What an incredible back that dress has! It's gorgeous. I guess the ladies of the 1930s would have worn some special sort of corsetage under that.
*pretty* *pretty* *pretty*
Thanks ladies (and gent!)… so many thoughtful and interesting comments … I don't know if I'll get to actually wear this dress as it is VERY see-through. Maybe Kmart will have a sale of nude bodysuits too… Dusk??!
Gorgeous dress even if it is only a trial run -the pattern is just so glamorous isn't it? Glad to hear that Suki is well but sorry to hear that you're out of a job – still they say when a door closes a window opens so I'm sure someone with your talent will find that window pretty quickly.
What a gorgeous pattern … and the trial dress looks great!I'm sure the perfect job will show itself to you very soon! :)Take care.
In answer to your question about vintage patterns- I am a costumer, and I use them all the time. I have a collection of real vintage patterns, even some of the independent pattern maker mail order type. I use the reprinted vintage and the "revised for modern sewers" vintage as well. The older patterns are very different in that there is less information pertaining to general sewing, and usually there are less directions in general. Sewing is a skill that was once universal, so I am guessing that they did not bother to state what was, then, obvious to most women. Things like seam finishes were up to you. Pinking shears were often the tool of choice for finishing seams in the 30's, 40's, and 50's.
I have been eyeing that pattern for a few months now. Seeing it sewnup is quite inspiring. I will definetley have to get it! The dress is lovely- even if it is a bit loud! It looks fantastic on you!
Thanks NJTS, I wish you had a blog, I'd visit all the time as costume is so interesting. I had thought fairly much as you said, that sewing was taken for granted, but it's not any more, which is why I would have thought they might have updated things a bit. Especially seam finishes – not that I am a neat freak, but these days unfinished seams just look unprofessional and they fray, I'm sure even if pinking shears are used (ashamed to say I don't even own a pair!)
Just wanted to let you know that we really like your version of V2241 and have posted a link from the Vogue Patterns facebook page.
It's a beaut – lovely!
Oh wow, I love that pattern, it's beautiful! No good about the job situation π¦ Hopefully something will come up soon!
Oooh fab job! Love the elegance of this dress.