Over Christmas I made a couple 1950s frocks I haven't shared with you. In fact, I made this dress, then didn't have opportunity to wear it until yesterday, for my grandmother's 88th birthday.
The pattern was Butterick 8087, size 12. I constructed my version from brown shantung with a brown lace overlay on the bodice. It was another exercise in letting out seam allowances (yay for 5/8"!) and minimizing darts, as I wear a 14 vintage (if I'm lucky), not 12. Tight squeeze.
I'm happy with this dress - I made extensive use of fusible interfacing on select areas inside, to stiffen the thin shantung fabric sufficiently to keep the zipper from warping, or the tight fit through the waist from pulling in funny ways. It has its funkiness - the hem needs re-doing, hangs in a funny way - but all in all I like the end result. :-)
Yesterday I wore the dress with a vintage "mink donut" hat - my dad said it looked like little fuzzy donuts lined up in a crown, lol - and a pair of white gloves I picked up at Sacramento Antiques last weekend.
The End. :-)
V51: 1957 Little Brown Dress
Feb 20, 2012
22 comments
I love the lace overlay! And the hat! Yummy!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is so flattering! I love it when brown looks sophisticated and not drab. I'm envious!
ReplyDeleteBrown can be hard, there are so many different hues. If it has warm tones, it will look alive, but if it is cool it can look like mud. Mud Dress, ew :-\
DeleteOooo, you look so beautiful! The dress turned out so nice, I love the color and texture. And the hat just makes it ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Solanah
Thank you, especially coming from you, I am so flattered. The hat was a $10 find in an antiques store in Alameda. /score
DeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeletethis is GORGEOUS and you are stunning :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!
ReplyDeletelove the dress, so elegant.
ReplyDeleteWow! You re rocking that dress! What a classy style!
ReplyDeleteGreat job; I love it!!! What did your grandmother say?
ReplyDeleteShe didn't say anything, lol. She's not all there...
DeleteLove the dress, especially the cut of the back. Well done!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely dress! My favourite part is the bow. And the V-neck in the back. And... well, you get the idea. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou look fabolous in this! It's really perfect for your figure! And the lace makes all the difference, it adds so much style!
ReplyDeleteI was worried it might look too dowdy, but I'm glad it worked out :-)
DeleteLOVELY!
ReplyDeleteYou look lovely but the hat doesn't look like doughnuts, it looks like a giant mink caterpillar.
ReplyDeleteMink Caterpillar! I LOVE IT!!
DeleteThank you all for your lovely comments! <3
ReplyDeleteYou look like my dearly departed Aunt Dora in your dress. So wonderful!
ReplyDelete