My favorite vintage dress is beyond repair! The previous owner had made several attempts to fix rips and holes and so have I but the fabric is so delicate that it rips and shreds too easily and must be retired. Instead of throwing it away, I've decided to re-make it! It's rare to find that perfect dress with all of the right details. This one had it for me. Flowing skirt, pleats in the right spot, scoop neck, cute collar, 3/4 sleeves, even pockets!
I disassembled the dress with a seam ripper, leaving some of the pleats and darts intact as a reference and traced the pieces out on a big roll of paper. Just as I had finished taking it apart, the mail lady delivered 4 beautiful yards of rayon challis fabric in reproduction 1940s Melody print from Wearing History! I wasn't sure if I'd have enough fabric but I laid it all out and I do!!
I am so in love with this print! The drape is beautiful and you can't find novelty prints like this in apparel fabrics so easily or affordably. I have a tiny bit left over so I'm hoping to make a little skirt or hat for Olivia to match.
The fabric is designed and printed in the US and is available exclusively through Wearing History. If you're not a sewing girl, they have several pieces in their ready-to-wear line in the same print on sale including the Maisie dress, Norma Jean blouse and melody turban/scarf! (The Maisie dress is 50% off right now!)
I'm hoping to get this dress finished soon so I can show it off....and so I can get the dress form out of my living room because it has been terrifying my poor husband all week!
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| my favorite dress, worn to my first blogging conference |
I disassembled the dress with a seam ripper, leaving some of the pleats and darts intact as a reference and traced the pieces out on a big roll of paper. Just as I had finished taking it apart, the mail lady delivered 4 beautiful yards of rayon challis fabric in reproduction 1940s Melody print from Wearing History! I wasn't sure if I'd have enough fabric but I laid it all out and I do!!
I am so in love with this print! The drape is beautiful and you can't find novelty prints like this in apparel fabrics so easily or affordably. I have a tiny bit left over so I'm hoping to make a little skirt or hat for Olivia to match.
The fabric is designed and printed in the US and is available exclusively through Wearing History. If you're not a sewing girl, they have several pieces in their ready-to-wear line in the same print on sale including the Maisie dress, Norma Jean blouse and melody turban/scarf! (The Maisie dress is 50% off right now!)
I'm hoping to get this dress finished soon so I can show it off....and so I can get the dress form out of my living room because it has been terrifying my poor husband all week!
*fabric provided for review c/o Wearing History*
Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be so wonderful!!! I'm glad you can keep the old dress alive by recreating it.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dress (the original and the new) :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea - this is truly best way to carry on a vintage garment's legacy.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
What a great idea to use the dress as a pattern. Very "make-do and mend"! Both the fabric of the original dress and the new dress look lovely. I wish I could get such fabrics here in Germany..
ReplyDeleteJip
Love the fabric! Great idea ti remake your dress:)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely idea. I am planning on reproducing some old dresses that are past the "out of the house" stage. Laughing about the dress form. Mine often watches us sleep. It was rather off putting for my husband at first!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! It's such a smart idea to reuse the dress as a pattern. I hadn't realized how inexpensive this lovely fabric is, I may have to make a dress of my own from it :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to make a pattern and recreate it. I cannot wait to see you wearing the finieshed dress. :)
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. AND I do love that musical print!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. AND I do love that musical print!
ReplyDelete