Flamingo Dress - Almost there!

Flamingo Dress

This week I have to admit that I have been putting this blog entry off in the hope that I would have a finished garment to show you.

Unfortunately I have only an...almost finished garment to show you.  Sigh!  

The 'Flamingo 40's dress is almost complete.  The bodice, looks like a bodice and the skirt just needs to be attached to the bodice.  I still have the collar to fully install, the buttons and zip to put in and the hem to do.

Nearly there!

If you look closely you can see the collar is not actually attached yet, but has been basted all around the edges so that when it is sewn into place it will sit correctly.

The skirt was a little narrow for me so we have put these little panels into it, at each side, to give it more room.

Shirley Dress

Unfortunately I have hit a slight snag with my little girl's dress.  The piping I did last week was done with the zipper foot of my sewing machine.  It looked okay in the photos but up close it was very baggy and I was not happy with it.  A friend of mine lent me her piping foot but it didn't fit onto my machine, so, I have ordered a foot of my own and am awaiting its arrival.  It should come in two weeks time.

What is Piping?

I was explaining a dress design to someone the other day, saying, "It has the sweetest piped collar", to which they replied, "What is a piped collar?'

It turned out that they didn't really know what piping was.  I realised that it isn't that common in fashion garments these days, and most people only see it around cushions and upholstery.  So I thought I would explain it briefly here.

Piping is a trim that is used to neatly edge a sewn item.  It is decorative and used as a feature in some garments.  Basically it is a piece of cord, wrapped in fabric which is sewn into a seam so that just the roundness of the cord protrudes from the seam-line.  As I mentioned it is used commonly in upholstery and to edge cushions...

 It also looks great as a boarder or trim for a dress, blouse, jacket etc

Well, that is all for this week.  Short but sweet! 

I hope you all have a dandy week ahead. 

Sew Happy!

History Heroine

xo

Retro Kids!

 I'm back!
                I apologise for keeping you waiting for over a week for this blog entry.  I have no excuse, all I can say is LIFE!  

I now have the time to sit down, listen to Elton John and write for YOU.  

"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words, how wonderful life is, while your in the world" - Elton John 

                        I just sang that for YOU!  

                      You probably didn't hear me but I did! 

Shirley Temple Dress

I have been on the search for a 'Shirley Temple' dress pattern, but it has been a bit challenging to get a pattern that is a replica of any of her dresses, except for this red polka dot dress that is commonly worn as a costume.  

A cute dress but has been a bit overdone by costume companies.

I was hoping to create a dress like the one she wears in 'Bright Eyes'. 

Or this one...

Or this one which is so sweet with its little buttoned detail 

and cravat like collar...

Here are somethings I have been getting together for this project, I just need to get the pattern.

Retro Kids

On my 'Temple' quest, I have stumbled on some delightful childrens' patterns from the 1930's, which has been very exciting.  Retro kids clothes are sooooo cute.  Have a look at these finds and let me know if you agree?

                        

I haven't got my hands on any of the patterns above but a few days ago these lovelies arrived from the US.

Looking forward to the challenge of making this coat, but I am not sold on the leggings. They look a bit scratchy to me. 

I think this is so cute, especially with the little white gloves. 

I always get excited when a parcel arrives from overseas, but was even more pleasantly surprised when I found an envelope inside with this lovely card and treat inside.

The tea was so relaxing!

Will do Rebecca!

I have since ordered a few more retro kids' patterns from the 1930's, 40's, 50's and 60's.  

I have also been studying the fashion of children in the 20th century through old photos.  Here are some priceless images I found.  

Anonymous photographer - Chicago 50's

This is a great picture, as it provides a wide range of styles and designs.  I am guessing these grade 3 children were all wearing their Sunday best for their school photo.  The girls look gorgeous and I love the little boy who is in the top row-far left with his cheeky dicky bow... so cute!

Projects on the go

So, apart from all this exhilarating research, what have I been doing?

Well, I may not have begun my 'Shirley' dress but I have begun another darling little girls frock.  Here is the pattern and the fabric of choice. 

I am working on view 2, and the stripes will be vertical.  

 So far I have cut it all out - including a contrasting white collar and I have started working on the bodice which has piping dividing it from the skirt.  

I thought piping looked quite easy, but I was wrong!  Fortunately I cut two pieces for the piping and ended up having to use both to get it somewhat right.  Here are my attempts. 

I am still working on the 'Flamingo Dress'.  I made a muslin for this dress, as I was concerned about the fit.  I am making this dress at the tailoring class I have been attending, so the process is slow.  It is all cut out now and ready to sew.  Here is the muslin.  It doesn't look like much yet. 

Well that is all for now...

Have a happy week

XOXO

History Heroine