Vintage Sewing Pledge

~ hummingbirdsews

hello, it’s been too long! I’ve been distracted by birthdays and sick children, but I’m now back into the swing of things and the sewing machine is back out.

I’ve a few other items to blog about but I thought I’d start with my ambitions for my vintage pledge. I have pledged to make one item to start off with. I had intended on another pattern, but I realised that it would be far too small and I don’t think I have the skills to upsize! So I looked for a similar pattern on line and found this one McCalls, Misses Two Piece Dress ‘easy to sew’ (I hope!) I LOVE it. It’s my prefect style and if I had my way I would dress up like the lady on the front cover all the time, but I don’t have the life style to suit! So I plan to attempt to update it to fit into my wardrobe.

I do seem to be slightly obsessed with this neckline! I bought this vintage dress 6 years ago and I’ve worn it to some weddings and I still love it. I will fit it in again… I will!

I have also been lusting over this top for work as well and I’m hoping that this top will be a cool version of this top from Boden.

I recently made Tilly and the Button’s ‘Coco‘ which has also has a similar feel about the neckline too. So I think this pattern is the prefect continuation of a steady theme of my wardrobe. 

My plan

So this is my first attempt at sewing a vintage pattern and I am a little nervous about it. I have decided to make a top and not the full dress. The pattern is a 2 piece so this should be easy. I am going to make the long sleeve version. I love the fact the sleeves have darts in them.

I hope that my sewing skills can live up to it! So far I have cut out a muslin so I can see if it fits.  I find fit tricky so I’d like to get this sorted before making my final version. I also need to figure about how much fabric I need and what type to use.

The boden top is made out of a double knit or Ponte de roma. My vintage dress is made from a scuba like fabric. I like the idea of Ponte as it will give structure of the neck line and hold the shape. I will need to do lots of research on how to insert zips into ponte. That saying I like the idea of making the top out if a chambray or another woven structured fabric. Hmmm decisions decisions…

Wish me luck! If you have any suggestions for fabric or advice then please let me know,

Jen x

“The

9 thoughts on “Vintage Sewing Pledge”

  1. I love this pattern too, but that probably not surprising. I also love the collar. I can totally see this in a ponte or scuba. If it was stretchy enough, could you do without the zip, maybe? Good luck! I need to get cracking on mine, since I’ve pledged to make 2!!

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  2. Lovely pattern! I have recently completed my first vintage dress and needed to alter the waist and hips – it wasn’t as bad as I had thought and I can’t wait to make more vintage garments! Good luck with your pledge, I look forward to seeing your finished outfit 🙂

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    1. Hi thanks for the encouragement! I’m hoping I won’t have to alter this one too much. For me it’s always the board shoulders that cause problems. I hope to make more vintage patterns too, it’s quite exciting to think someone might have made the dress in the 60s! X

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  4. I totally love this design, I think it is wearable everyday if you did it in a ponte knit. I have started to look at vintage patterns as everyday wear rather than special occasion and I think it is do-able with separates. Good luck, can’t wait to see it finished!

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    1. I totally agree. I don’t get out enough to make fancy clothes, so my new sewing resolution is wearable clothes and not things that are fancy and beautiful but sit in my wardrobe. Thanks for the luck! 🙂

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