The pattern is vintage Simplicity 4565 with two adjustments. The first was that I lowered the neckline. I've realized with my full bust and short waist, a lower neckline is better on me. The second is the width of the pleats. Mine are about 1" wider than the pattern calls for, so I also have slightly less of them. I just didn't have wide enough fabric. I'll have to make this one again in a fancier fabric with those narrow pleats, because I am quite taken with the pattern envelope illustration.
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This pattern called for a nifty little technique for the skirt opening, which saved me having to put in an invisible zipper as I've done for other half-shirtwaist dresses. You cut a dart, which is concealed in a pleat. The pattern recommended finishing with bias tape, but I decided I'd rather use my fabric. This is similar to what I did on my Dapper Day dress (vintage Butterick 8404), which had you put in a dart for the zipper.
I wore this dress out for the first time to see a live radio broadcast of "Miracle on 34th Street," and I felt so wonderfully festive. Doesn't my house look festive, too?! I love to decorate for Christmas, and this year I managed three trees in my little house. My dear Papa made the Christmas dollhouse, and also collected the Kiddie Kars. My grandma also made the Christmas tree skirt that's beneath my big tree. Lots of makers in my family, and lots of wonderful memories with these decorations. I just love this time of the year, and it was such fun to sew up a dress just for the season.
I love it, dear Rosie !!! Especially the pleats of the skirt, so elegant. Wonderful fabric!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosy! I like the pleats, too, but man, they are a bear to iron.
DeleteThat's the perfect dress for Christmas, how fun! I like the little dart trick of the pattern. I completely agree about the slightly lower neckline due to a short waist/full bust, I've definitely reached that same conclusion myself. Your house looks magical! And unrelated to Christmas or sewing, but those pumps look absolutely amazing. :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you! The pumps are from Modcloth if you fancy a set. Merry Christmas to you, too, Tasha!
DeleteSuch a cute dress! I've never heard of the dart-zipper trick. What are the perks of it? The zipper is hidden by the pleat? (I can't totally picture how it all works... I'll have to research...)
ReplyDeleteIn the case of that Butterick 8404, it meant that I didn't need a full side seam in order to get a zip in. However, that skirt was so full I think it had four seams total on it to get the full width, so I felt like those could have been adjusted a bit to put one at the side!
Deleteyou always come up with cutest fabric! I recently went on a hunt for somethign that would jsut jump out at me "nothing" lol! love the dress! Merry Christmas sewing buddy!
ReplyDeleteHelen
Thanks, Helen! I do love a good hunt. Merry Christmas to you, too!
DeleteGah, Lauren, you are just too cute. I love that last picture of you and Oxford.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! He's such a sweet boy, and good at posing!
DeleteI ADORE your holiday decor! The dollhouse and car really complete the scene! The dress is really fantastic also! I like the modification you made to the neckline, and I couldn't tell you had changed the pleats until you pointed it out. :-D Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! My house will look so empty after it all comes down, but I love all the colorfulness and jolliness now!
DeleteAh this is gorgeous! And your fitting skills are, well, exceptional. I'm not sure I get the dart/zip thing either though
ReplyDeleteI have just realised that I wanted to make a Christmas dress, but haven't made any plans for one (and probably don't have suitable fabric, either). Poo!
Thank you so much, Sophie-Lee! I've found the trick on fitting is to work really hard to get your sloper right, and then it pays off in dividends on every project after.
DeleteAs far as the dart/zip thing, let me try to explain a bit more. Hopefully this helps. So you've got a triangle on your pattern, that looks like a dart.
1. Cut a rectangle of fabric to cover the triangle.
2. Place the skirt fabric and rectangle right sides to right sides. Stitch the triangle lines.
3. Split open the triangle by cutting down the center, stopping just before the point.
4. Flip the rectangle to the wrong side and iron.
5. If inserting a zip, now you've got a finished side to put it into. If leaving open (like in this dress), hand tack down the rectangle in a few places.
I love this post so much - so many pretty handmade festive goodies! Your new dress is lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo cute and festive! I love the idea of avoiding the invisible zipper, how clever.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Vintage patterns are always great for little tricks like that.
DeleteOh my goodness, the fit on this gorgeous dress is perfect! I also like those wider pleats! Have a Merry Christmas in your pretty house!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cherie!
DeleteI think your dress is perfect and your lovely home looks just right for the Holidays. I hope you have a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann! We will!
DeleteLove the decorations, the cars and the trees, love, love your dress you look gorgeous. Sorry but most of all love Oxford! Happy christmas
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you! He's always the most lovable.
DeleteYou look beautiful, and isn't Oxford just adorable!!!!? What a dear wee happy face xxxx
ReplyDeleteI will pass on your compliments! He loves to be adored. :0)
DeleteI'll have to try the dart zipper, too, and I was also salivating about those pumps . . .
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty nifty technique, which I think vintage patterns are always good for. They got so much more creative than a lot of patterns do today. The pumps are from Modcloth if you fancy a pair!
DeleteOMG! Cute dress and oh so cute décor!
ReplyDeleteThank ya, Summer!
DeleteThis is awesome!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather!
DeleteOooh! That is just perfect! I love a novelty print dress, and this one is so good: print suits the design, the colors are great and your maximizing your yardage just puts it right over the top! Going to have a big smile on my face thinking about this! Thanks and happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteThank you, SJ! Happy Holidays to you, too!
DeleteOh my, this is such a great fabric, I can really get lost in the print and feel like I'm a kid out with parents, shopping for the perfect gift... so cute and deliciously retro! Also love how you seem really comfortable in this dress, just look at that broad smile :). It looks terrific on you, so hey, I'd be smiling the same!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas by the way!
Thank you, Klara! I hope you had a great Christmas! It is a super comfortable dress. One of the benefits of using a quilting cotton!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and Oxford!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful dress pattern and fabric! Your fit is perfect and the dress and your tress and toys light up your home!
Trees
DeleteThank you so much, JKW! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
DeleteI'm back lol! is this your fabric? yours looks more orange , is it orange or showing up orange?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinterest.com/pin/251849804134863141/
Helen
Yes, that's it! There are characters in orange, and some in more of a true red.
DeleteSO MUCH CHRISTMAS HERE!!!! can i come over? we have one lone color coordinated tree. le sigh. (and, i love your dress.)
ReplyDeleteCome on over! The trees are still up, and probably will be for at least a week! :0) I hope you had a very merry Christmas Oona!
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