You know that I've been on a real vintage kick lately...purchasing vintage "60's mod" and "Jackie Kennedy look" patterns. Mostly I have been using the details or sewing techniques from the patterns on my TNT patterns but this dress is the first made from an actual vintage pattern. The fact that it could be worn today is very kewl and that I got a wonderful garment that works so well in my professional wardrobe is just astounding!
Pattern:
Simplicity 8160 - copyright 1969
Dress with three necklines in half sizes. The princess seamed dress with back zipper may be worn with a purchased belt (why???). Since this is a single size pattern, I purchased the 22.5.
Fabric:
Linen blend border print from Fashions Fabrics Club
Notions:
22" zipper, 1/4 yd fusible interfacing, 3 yards of white piping
Construction Details:
~ I used a cross-wise layout of the pattern pieces (instead of the straight grain/lengthwise layout) to get the perfect match for the border print.
~ I made my standard bicep alteration to the sleeve.
~ I also used smaller seam allowances (3/8") through the abdomen/hip and hem areas when stitching the dress. The 5/8" seam allowance was used for the bust area.
~ White piping was added to the neckline and sleeve hems to bring a pop of color to the top of the dress.
This pattern was very straight forward and easy to construct. There were no surprises or special techniques included in the instruction sheet. I just like the fact that the dress had three neckline variations, sleeveless or short sleeves and a slight flare to the dress hem. The border print fabric I used for this dress is what sets it apart and makes it different from the other dresses I've made this summer. Yet it is that very detail that makes it work in my "Summer of Sophisticated Dressing" theme.
I love this pattern and will use it again. I actually had to stop myself from finding a second piece of linen and making up the v-neck version this afternoon. However, another edition of this dress will find its way into my fall wardrobe. It will make a wonderful addition to my TNT pattern collection as well as become a workhorse in my professional wardrobe.
40 comments:
Ah Carolyn, that dress is fabulous. I love the border, I love the piping, I love the fit, and I love the shape of the neckline. It's a perfectly wonderfully special professional dress.
Magnificent!
This is a beautiful, classic style that will work well into the fall transition.
Really. You continue to blow me away!
this dress is lovely,i must do something with a border like that.Great work on the piping and the colour is a classic!
I love the neckline. The piping takes the dress to a whole 'nother level!
Very beautiful dress...great job! Mary
Wow! Aren't you glad you found vintage patterns? I love the 1/2 sizes and the lines of the older styles, which are being cheaply duplicated today (too much showing when not appropriate for church or work) but the older ones fit better. Save the v neck for fall in a deep color...
Wow, what a lovely dress. The colour is not something I would have chosen, but it is very pretty. I love the border print and the way you've used it to full advantage.
Wow. What a beautiful sophisticated dress; you are going to get 'the eye' when you walk into work for sure. With or without a white jacket, that dress is just great. Working with border prints is definitely on my 'to do' list for this year. You are such an inspiration.
Beautiful! The dress looks great on you. The piping is also such a nice detail.
You've produced another masterpiece! You look gorgeous!
The dress is beautiful! The piping is a perfect finishing touch.
The dress is gorgeous and the border and piping gives it that Wow! factor.
one word - Stunning !
lovely dress - it is interesting that the piping detail, although small looks so fabulous - thank you for the tutorial in your previous post.
A masterpiece! Congratulations on the vintage theme this summer.
Oh my goodness-it is so very very pretty! A super border print - the dress is lovely!
Great dress! And the red one a couple of posts back too. You have been busy while I have been away. So how many dresses now hanging in the wardrobe? So many to choose from....
Carolyn, again with the details, make this dress a stand-out. It would be a nice dinner dress also, the neckline (with the cool pearls) would look very nice close-up! You are inspiring, I've been needing that as I get back into sewing.
OMG - I love that dress! It's perfect. I love the border print - the square neckline - the piping. I swear - I'm gonna come get dressed in your closet! g
Fabulous dress. The neckline and sleeves with piping are such a great detail, and the piping beautifully compliments the border print.
Beautiful dress Carolyn, wow!
I love naming each of the clothes I make. It's part of the creative process to me!
love the fabric for this one, your dresses are all stunning
Oh beautiful dress, love the border print and how the white piping draws attention to it!. I love that you make so many dresses and they surely become you!
Your dress looks very current! I love the trim on the neckline and sleeves - a very classic, subtle embellishment.
That's a lovely dress! I love the color, the border print, the piping, the neckline... What a great vintage find! I look forward to seeing other incarnations of it.
Fabulously done! The white piping is the perfect compliment and the color is very chic and elegant. I think you'll get a lot of mileage out of this pattern especially with the neckline variations.
Oh that looks SO "purty" on you! I love it. Great choice.. again.
I have to say this is possibly my favorite of all the dresses I've seen you make. What a lovely thing! The cool grey is sophisticated and elegant, the border print and piping add exactly the right touch — enough but not too much. Sleek, beautiful. I agree that a string of pearls would set it off gorgeously. Beautiful work, Carolyn!
That border print is so lovely! It goes perfectly with your dress.
Beautiful Carolyn!!!
It's beautiful!!! Love it!
I've just discovered your blog, and love it (bookmarked it already)! I've also just developed a yen for vintage sewing patterns . . . well, patterns from the 50's through the early 70's, which really AREN'T all that vintage (since I was born in '55, perhaps I should refer to them as "well aged"). I picked up a fistful "well aged" patterns at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago and will let you know when I cut into them!! Keep up the fabulous work . . . love the grey dress!
Fabulous dress, and thanks for the piping tutorial!
That dress is seriously rockin'. I think I have that pattern myself. Once I finally start saying "no" to people who ask me to make them things, I'm going to give it a whirl. It's smashing.
Wow, this turned out GREAT! The piping is spot on!
What Sherril and everyone coming after have said.
It's a fabulous dress - one of my fav's in your closet.
Very very nice, truly beautiful. Love the colour on you.
Very pretty! :)
I really, really like this one! The fabric is so lovely and serene. It's quite beautiful on you. The fit is perfect and I love the touch of white at the neckline.
What a great-looking dress! And your shoes are fabulous too.
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