News — dress

I've been away from blogging for some time now, yet the pattern planning and implementation has been going full-steam! For a little background,the year's first multi-size pattern issued was the 1934 Evening Gown with optional Sash Train for sizes 30" to 46" bust.  This was one of the first original 1930's patterns I ever bought back in fall of 2001! For Spring, I finished the 1948 Originator Peplum Dress for sizes 32" to 46" bust.  The ruffles may be finished with lace, or left plain-edged.  This pattern was generously made available by a customer in St. Louis!   I have...

but here is another hidden gem pattern! In 2014, I started adding some single-size patterns I drafted long ago, but for whatever reason hadn't issued.  I call them 'Hidden Gems'.  This is one I pulled from the file drawer and digitally drafted for the set of Gilets, originally by Pictorial Review in the mid-1930's.   The reason I never put it out?  I simply did not make a color reproduction of the envelope art and it was missing a piece I had to create.  Thus, I offer it in black and white, also see last week's post on re-creating a...

I am putting this dress & jacket pattern out in multiple sizes a few months from now.   I began planning the pattern work up last year as I needed to complete the missing jacket back piece to make it available.  Luckily, I had a little something similar (and in the same size) from which to base the missing piece (also a Simplicity), shown below.  Doesn't always happen this way, but definitely make the process smoother.   The key here was to use enough of the jacket back piece from this design to make up what is just a side...

Simplicity originally designated this a dress & coat pattern.  I refer to the coat as a redingote as I feel its single-button-at-waist closing really aids in revealing the dress underneath (would also be smashing with trousers underneath)!   In testing this design, I found much more ease in the redingote sleeve cap than I prefer.  It may be advisable to reduce some of the sleeve cap height no matter what size you are sewing, but see what your muslin says about that (of course).  That goes ditto for the dress sleeve. The collarless redingote is clean, yet brimming with details.  Princess...

A little food for thought as you unwind for the holidays and prepare for the New Year, I have posted my next challenge well in advance as I have largely advertised it in print! Everything 40's fashion is-FABULOUS!  Suits were highly tailored for men AND women, drapery on an evening gown lent luxe details, even the humble and comfortable at-home house dress was loaded with interesting lines; everything was so well fitting. Projects may not be started earlier than 12:01 a.m. EST on February 1, 2017 although a muslin for fitting may be created any time before the challenge kick-off...