Fall for Cotton Thirties Dress

This was my first go at a sewing challenge and I chose one hosted by the lovely Rochelle (love her blog).  It was a pretty easy one for a first timer, 1 month to sew a vintage pattern in 100% cotton.  I had some cotton deco print fabric in my stash and this seemed perfect to try a 1930s pattern.  I decided I wanted an original pattern and managed to find one on Etsy.  Unfortunately it was in the USA again but delivery was quick and this time no customs to pay.

 

The condition was fab.  I had to unstick it to get in and it was still factory folded (I actually prefer used patterns, they make me less nervous and I like to think of who might have made the dress and when they might have worn it all those years ago - in this case 80 years ago).

I made a rough muslin (and that is the only kind of muslin I do make!) and the size 36" bust seemed almost perfect, I just put a bit of extra room in the sleeve and took a bit out of the waist. (As you can see I don't bother with all the skirt, just in case you thought I was making a very mini mini!).

One thing which  went well was the collar.  This is the first time I have tried making the under-collar piece 1mm smaller all round than the top and this produced the desire curl (which you can just see below) which has made the collar lie nice and flat.

|This was the first zip I had put a zip inside a side seam and although it was fiddly (I used an invisible zip because I like that look the best) I am very proud how invisible it is (yes I know the pattern doesn't match it was impossible - but the waist seam does).

There is a little inverted pleat at the front and I used this fab tutorial from Sherry which really worked to sort out the hem issues.

I also edged the hem with some stretchy cotton lace to make a nice (whilst flat) edge.

 

Are you desperate to see the dress yet.... I just finished on time but had to put in the zip, join the side seams, put in the sleeves, make the cuffs and hem it on Saturday .... a bit of an epic sewing day!  So here it is on my dummy

And on Sunday I thought a little trip to Carnforth train station (famous for being the setting for the film  Brief Encounter) would be a fitting backdrop.

I shortened the length by a couple of inches, because I wanted a dress I could wear rather than one which was slavishly authentic.  Its not my favourite because really I like a tight bodice and full skirt style which is the opposite of this, but it is wearable, even for work.  And here are a couple of  more piccies.  Just need a handsome leading man to whisk me away on a steam train!

 

Next projects the Anna dress sew-along and the Hetty cardigan knit along.  So watch this space for more.  What projects have you on the go?

Finally we have finally  been loving a bit of September sun