Friday 16 September 2011

Vintage Simplicity 4175 finished!

In my last post I mentioned that I have been working on a dress made from a vintage Simplicity pattern so, without further ado, here it is, finished!

Vintage Simplicity 4175

I used a Liberty of London silk fabric. The busy flower print makes it a little difficult to see all the details in a photograph so here’s how Simplicity describes it:

This “Simple to Make” dress is styled with soft pleats at the shoulder and at waistline of skirt front. A forward shoulder seam is featured and both views are sleeveless.

The pattern envelope is a bit worn and torn but the pattern pieces were in perfect condition.

No, my bust isn't 32" - this needed some grading up!
 
When I first started on this project I thought that I would make the view on the left with the tie at the neckline. However, as the work progressed, it became clear to me that a bow on top of everything else going on with this dress was going to be just a bit more than my short frame could carry. But, of course, I did put the buttons down the front.

Yes, that's 12 buttons!

These are also vintage (I blogged about their purchase here) and they are purely decorative. The pattern instructions tell you to use a lapped zipper or snap fasteners for the side opening but I used an invisible zipper. As is often the case with vintage patterns the armholes are supposed to be faced. However, as I was suspicious that the facings would flip out and annoy me, I decided to bind the armholes with bias strips from the dress fabric. Another change I made was to add a lining to the skirt.

Inside the dress - the skirt is lined

The unlined silk worked beautifully for the bodice because it needs a soft fabric for the pleats to drape nicely but I wanted the skirt part to be a little more robust. I think it worked well. Also, as you may have noticed, I chopped a good few inches off the length.

One design feature of the pattern that I did stick to is the self-made matching belt. This was my first attempt at belt making and I must credit Casey from Elegant Musings for her very excellent tutorial which helped me enormously.

Fabric belt made with purchased buckle

So, although I think my 1952 dress is in keeping with the intended style I have to confess that it is not perfectly authentic because I have given it a few modern updates in the construction – I hope you don’t find that too shocking? I enjoyed working with this pattern and love many of the styles from past eras. I do plan to make some more vintage patterns but I could never see myself going exclusively vintage - I am way too tempted by the latest fashions and relative ease of use of the modern, multi-sized patterns. How about you? Is vintage your thing or is it the 21st century all the way for you?

53 comments:

  1. I think you made the right decision to leave the tie off. Your dress looks fabulous and I'm sure it feels great too. I love the buttons.

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  2. I love that dress. It is very faltering and feminine. Great fabric.

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  3. The details are fantastic. It looks very much "of the period" without being costum-y. I think your belt worked out really well.

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  4. Your dress looks modern with a vintage twist. I love it! Once again you've done excellent work! And I absolutely love the fabric. So lovely.

    And to answer your question, I'm all about modern patterns, but I love hints of vintage mixed in. I'm not so much into going all vintage because like you I'm tempted by modern fashions, and I love LOVE how easy modern patterns are to use.

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  5. Doesn't look simple especially the buttons! I absolutely love it! And the fabric is perfect.

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  6. First - may I say that the dress is lovely! I love the neckline and the buttons and the fabric belt is just the icing on top of the cake.

    Second - I've adapted a couple of vintage patterns from 60's eras garments and while I like the look, I agree with you about modern looks and patterns.

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  7. Eugenia you have surpassed yourself. I love your beautiful dress. I especially love those vintage buttons down the front.

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  8. Beautiful dress, Eugenia! I like the way that you combined vintage and modern. I have some vintage patterns that I'd like sew, but that hasn't happened yet. There's always tomorrow and next week. :)

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  9. It looks beautiful! I love all the pretty buttons.

    I can't say I have tried making a vintage pattern. I am still trying to figure out the modern stuff :)

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  10. This is just gorgeous, Eugenia. Well done!

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  11. I love this dress! What a perfect use for the vintage buttons. I think the dress looks very modern rather than vintagey. And, I am simply jealous of your belt.

    I have purchased lots of modern patterns but have only sewed with vintage patterns. However, I do try to mix vintage with modern. I find this works for me. I would not be able to wear a vintage style all the time; but the combination of modern and vintage works for my sensibilities.

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  12. I think this dress is so fabulous. I just love everything about it. Well done you!

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  13. Beautiful! The buttons are such a lovely detail - belt too! I applaud your updating of some of the construction - it's a great way to breathe new life into a vintage pattern.

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  14. Beautiful, great fabric choice. Also shows that a great dress style is timeless, if you said that was a new pattern I would believe it as well.

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  15. That's very pretty. I like that you made a matching belt.

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  16. The dress is lovely and I don't think there is anything wrong with moderninizing the construction, after all we are in 2011 not 1952. The dress has a timeless look. Enjoy!

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  17. It's beautiful and suits you well. The pattern front and details are meant to be suggestions. If there is a way to do things that works better for you, use it.

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  18. great use of the liberty print on a fantastic dress...if it feels half as good as it looks, you're all set! :-)

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  19. Fantastic dress! I love the little buttons, I think with the busy print it gives your eye something to focus on. Very nice indeed.
    Closest I get to vintage is taking patterns from my mom's stash that are mostly 70's. The problem is that she was much smaller than I am, the non-multisized patterns aren't always interesting enough for me to grade them.

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  20. I think this is my favorite dress on you! Congratulations! I love it - Really, I think this is brilliant!

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  21. Well I really like vintage Eugenia! This dress looks simply beautiful with a touch of class. I also like the matching belt you made, and the row of buttons on the front. All of the little touches add up to a beautiful dress!

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  22. Another perfect fit! Good call on omitting the necktie, although I do think that view is darling.

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  23. Absolutely beautiful! I think you were right to leave the bow off, it's so elegant without. The inside view looks immaculate too. I really could learn from your finishing!

    In answer to your question, Some vintage patterns look lovely, but I'm not sure they turn out like the designs. Plus I fear I have a 21st century shape which makes vintage quite challenging! I'll stick to modern patterns methinks!

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  24. Fabulous! It looks very current for a 1950 pattern.

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  25. I love everything about this dress,and I think it's one of my favorites out of all the ones I have seen you make! Kudos!

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  26. Gorgeous!! At first glance I thought it was lace, but then I enlarged the photo to discover that my eyes were playing tricks on me. It's just as lovelyas I first thought, though.

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  27. Beautiful dress, everything is perfect.

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  28. Your dress is lovely and as always looks perfect on you.

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  29. I'm not really into vintage apparel...but you have managed to changed that thought with this beautiful dress! Fabulous!

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  30. Perfect early fall dress. Transition colors, great silhouette. Lovely.

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  31. I love that dress and the buttons are so pretty!!! It looks great with your shoes, too.

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  32. Gorgeous! I absolutely love that Liberty fabric. I don't think I've ever seen Liberty silk- bet its delightful. I like vintage patterns but I don't think I could ever go exclusively vintage either. I like adding modern details, too.

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  33. Your dress is beautiful. I'm not a purist when I make vintage patterns either and I enjoy the challenge of adapting them to modern style, and making them feel not costume-y, but wearable. And why are they always SO long?

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  34. Oooh, what perfect use of that divine fabric! I'll bet it feels just gorgeous to wear... These shades of soft grey and pink are beautiful for you! The dress has a lovely ladylike and elegant silhouette too, and I think the row of buttons down the front just the right focal point. Lovely!

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  35. What a lovely dress that is, you've made it so beautifully with so much care with the details - and it's so interesting to see the line drawing of the pattern made real.

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  36. What beautiful construction! And the pattern is fantastic...

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  37. I have been sewing a lot of vintage patterns lately but like you, I update them a bit because some of the patterns tend to be a little frumpy if I don't. Mid calf is not too flattering in my opinion.I also find forties bodices to be too boxy fitting. I never make a pattern without changes anyway. It's part of making a garment with a personal touch.

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  38. Your dress is fantastic - it looks so contemporary for a vintage pattern. I love the Liberty silk and the details - the covered belt and vintage buttons. It looks beautiful on you. I can't wait to see your next vintage make.

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  39. Beautiful! I just love the row of buttons.

    I love working with vintage patterns, but like you I always update them, for length if nothing else. They are always drafted to be lower- to mid-calf on me, which is my least attractive hemline.

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  40. Oh! Beautiful dress on you! I totally agree to use current techniques for all items, either vintage or not. Current techniques are more resilient and better finish so you have to build on the progress of our times. Another great dress ... I could die for a look sneaky at your wardrobe!

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  41. You look fabulous. Great dress.

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  42. This is a great looking dress! Love the fabric. I like the idea of lining the skirt. Great job!

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  43. Wow - the perfect design for your Liberty print. I love the fabric covered belt and the little buttons. I like it more because it is not slavishly vintage.

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  44. What a gorgeous dress! I love the multiple buttons down the front and the matching belt looks superb. I think you had good instincts to leave off the bow. Lately I have been perusing vintage patterns. I haven't purchased any yet, but I am intrigued by some of the designs. Overall, I'm with you. I don't think I will give up modern patterns!

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  45. What a beautiful dress - it doesn't look dated at all! I'm sure the vintage button vendor would be pleased if she knew how they were used.

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  46. This is a stunning dress! I'm struck by how modern it looks while still having a vintage vibe to it. It truly is a classic! Very lovely and nicely sewn. I really like the fabric belt, too

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  50. Wow, the 1952 Vintage Simplicity clothing patterns turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous dress! The Liberty of London silk fabric and the pleats create such an elegant look. The modern updates you made to the construction make it even more wearable. Amazing job!

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  51. Sexy bitch, love jacking off to the picture of you in that pretty dress

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