[ click for a larger view. ]
This is the project that distracted me over the weekend from getting much work done on the swimsuit muslin! I tend to do this a lot: cut out two projects at once and end up favoring the one that is quick and easy. lol. (Though now that this dress is safely out of the way, I have no reason not to get back to the swimsuit! I think I’ll get excited about it again once I get past the muslin making/fitting stage…) I partly blame this diversion on Lauren; she emailed me with a link to this vintage pattern she had found on a dealer’s website, saying that it looked a lot like something I’d make and wear. It certainly was! I ended up finding a good price on the pattern at Stitches & Loops and ordering it from there (which was a lovely experience–super fast shipping!).
[ back view of the pattern envelope here. ]
As soon as the pattern arrived I knew which fabric in my stash it was destined for: a pretty, floral rayon that I picked up on clearance at JoAnn’s back in June. I wasn’t sure about it the first time I saw it, and even waited a few weeks to get it, but I rather like the rich colors on the black background–it’s a nice transition print for late summer/early fall. The jacket is made up in a linen-look blend that is lined with the dress material (yes, I can make it reversible if I wish!). This project was also an opportunity for me to break out the buckram belting I had purchased recently to make a self-fabric belt; I love crisp, matching belts on dresses so much! Having the proper foundation material helped the final product quite a bit.
[ click for a larger view. ]
The pattern itself is a fairly basic design, but the bows and jacket are what make it special! Why? Those little bows at the base of the shoulder straps pass through slits on the jacket to secure it in place! Isn’t that genius? Little details like that are what keep me coming back to vintage patterns again and again–you never know what new little novelty details you’ll encounter! I really love how this dress turned out–I’ve already worn it a few days in a row! lol. Sans jacket, of course; it’s been way too hot to even think about wearing more layers than necessary. But I think once the days start to cool down a bit (whenever that will be!), this entire outfit will be getting a lot of use…
[ more pictures here. ]
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Well, aren’t you something!!!! So cute!!
Love,
Mom
Very cute!
Great dress! It’s beautiful on you! Love the hair too!
Such a pretty dress! I wish I had the patience for sewing. There’s still a skirt waiting to be finished someday. :/
You really, really make me wish I’d paid more attention when my mother used to say “let me teach you how to sew, you’ll appreciate it one day!” It’s so inspiring seeing everything you make for yourself, and so frustrating that I can’t sew myself!
I agree ~ it’s those little details that keep you coming back, and those bows are just divine. I do like the fabric you made the dress up with. It looks so lovely!
xox,
b. of Depict This!
I love the dress – and the jacket is too cute as well! I am so impressed by your sewing skills! Lovely.
Hi Casey!
You all, this is the most gorgeous dress and I was able to see it in person. I LOVE the bow detail on the jacket.
Now I want to see more of the swimsuit creating – I love the design! A friend of mine when to the Mercedes Benz fashion week in Miami and saw the Nicoleta show in person. She found a youtube video…some of the tops have a familiar look to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO-53StWAN8
Tobey
I’m in LOVE. And the matching bolero? Swoon!
It’s so beautiful! The bow detail is pure genius!
That dress is amazing! You are such a talented lady!
Just gorgeous. Love that little jacket, too.
This is really beautiful. I love the fabric choices so very much!!
Oh! I love the combination of the green with that print!
The bow detail is BRILLIANT! I’ve never come across that design idea before, and I love it!!!
The fabric is gorgeous too, as are you in it!
Wow, that outfit is gorgeous! And I love how you styled your hair with it!
Wow, that dress is gorgeous!! It looks great on you.
So very cute, and very much “you”.
If you wouldn’t mind a little constructive suggestion…I’d make the bows on the jacket a bit smaller in scale.
This is one of the cutest patterns I’ve ever seen, and I just love the fabric you chose for the dress and the jacket. It’s just perfect, love your hair too
So lovely! The little bows are such a cute detail. It’s just perfect. I love your hair too!
so so cute! love the bows on the jacket, too!
Wow! the outfit is gorgeous!
The jacket detail reminds me of this post by The Selfish Seamstress: http://selfishseamstress.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/hot-trends-of-1957-the-short-cape/ – Capelets that button on the dress being worn underneath. Another blogger The Sew Convert made an outfit based on that idea and I think it’s fab: http://sewconvert.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/50s-inspired-sabrina-cape-dress-part-2/ Just like you said, it’s the little details like that that makes vintage outfits so special.
That dress is so nice, and I love the matching jacket! Your hairstyle is really nice too!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Such a cute dress! Great job! I have this pattern too, and made it in seersucker several years ago. I now want to make it again…and pull out the seersucker version to wear. Thanks for reigniting the sewing fires on my end!
genius!! I love the bow details. Your dress reminds me of a pink dress with a matching jacket in my shop from the 50s…sadly they are too big for me…:( I love your hair as usual:)
Oh my gosh! The fabric and pattern were meant to be! It is perfectly “you”. I’m so glad you got it
I didn’t even realize that the bows hold the jacket to place. Pure genius!
Too pretty!! I love how the green jacket really makes the florals stand out. This is definitely ‘you’!
You are to adorable! Please do a tutorial for the faux bangs?
Erica
danired922.blogspot.com
Very cute! I love how the bolero has two holes for the dresses bows to peek out
You look gorgeous! I especially like your dress and I love that hairstyle!
So cute!
Very cute! Love the bolero bow holes!
I love the dress!! Very beautiful!;-)
Adorable dress & bolero!
~Syd
So cute. The bows, oh the bows! Love the green bolero, looks great with the dress fabric
you look so sassy in these photos, great bangs! awesome dress, I am so jealous
Such a sweet dress Casey!I really like the bow detail, pretty and functional. The faux – bangs look great on you
I love how the bows go through the bolero! Wish they still made clothes with ingenious details like that.
Beautiful!
wow! that bow detail IS great! such a small thing but really adds something else too it.
That dress is so cute … amazing details … and the jacket! Beautifully done … love the fabrics!
Very cute! The details make it amazing. And I love that your mom comments
So RADICAL! I LOVE IT! MUST HAVE IT!
Fantastic job!
i love it – and you whipped it up so quickly, wow!
the print is pretty, wouldn’t expect to find that at joann’s. (don’t you love when that happens?)
Oh, it’s perfect! I still think it’s amazing how much of your wardrobe you’ve made yourself!
I am totally in love with that dress! Just beautiful!
I have to say thet every single one of your posts are just darling!I just cannot get enough!You have such great craft skills, it is just amazing!Please do a tutorial of your faux bangs!Keep up the good job
Your bangs are so awesome! Adorable blog too. I love this dress on you!
That is so cute. I love the way the bows go through the jacket.
(A Joann’s is opening in my area in October).
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