Anyway, some of you would know that I am a self-taught sewer. Started off reconstructing clothes by hand-sewing, then "graduating" on to reconstructing clothes using a machine. Since then I've just kinda winged things but I've always always wanted to learn how to sew from a pattern. Unfortunately the very first pattern I bought (a supposed "easy to sew one"), I opened it and couldn't understand a lot of the terms!! So I got scared and have not really tried another one since.
Then last month, I found this pattern at the op shop for 50c:
I've always admired vintage styles like this and this one looked fairly easy, so I thought I'd give it a shot. At the same op shop, I also found this vintage tablecloth ($5) that I thought would do as the fabric.
So with the help of this book (also bought at another Op shop - $2):
I managed to decipher all of the terms and worked out what to do!! And here's the result:
(Sorry for the blurry photo, I had to get my 5 yr old daughter to take it for me).
Some other firsts with this project:
1. Darts! Never realised how easy they were.
2. Tailor's Tacks! Basically they're like very very loose running stitches (that you do by hand). You use them instead of pins. Now bear in mind that this is an old pattern and so they told me to use tailor's tacks for everything (and my encyclopaedia of course showed me how to do it). It wasn't until I was halfway through the garment (so made the front and was starting on the back) when I realised that I could use pins instead of tailor's tacks! (D'er me). Still I have to say, I found it easier to do the darts using tailor's tacks than using pins. Namely 'cause I could line it up so much more accurately. Pins are a lot easier (and not to mention, faster) though.
3. Working with 'inches'! The pattern used the empirical measuring rather than metric. Lucky for me, my friend K had given me a tape measure with inches in it so it wasn't too hard. (Thanks K!)
Anyway, I love love this pattern and no doubt I'll be making another one soon (just have to find more vintage fabric).
14 comments:
It looks great! Well done!
Eilleen - that is so fabulous! I love it!
WOW - LOVE the dress E!
Cant' wait to see what else you've been up to :D
Oh nice work Eilleen!
that is awesome E!!
Welcome back too, I have missed your posts :)
Good job with the dress - it looks really good. Good to see you back blogging again, welcome back!
Wow... that's amazing if you're self taught. I had the luxury of choosing 'Textiles and Design' in grade 8 and 9 (good housewifely subjects I guess) and was taught all this. I'm impressed.
I find the using of a vintage table cloth fascinating. One, because my Mum always often to describe some of my favourite clothes as 'blankets or table cloths!' and two, because what food are you eating in that dress compared to what food was eaten off it?! Cool.
beautiful i love it!!:)
Great dress. I love the soft green of the fabric. what is the pattern number?
Love the dress! If you want cheap vintage fabric off the bolt, there's a regular op shop sale at the church in Chifley, one Saturday a month. Just can't remember which Saturday it is.
Thanks again all.
Chris - the pattern number is S36 Australia.
Em - thanks for the tip!
I'm laughing about the inches because I have the opposite problem in trying to figure out what to do with European-based patterns *coughBurdacough* -- Americans don't think in metric by default!
The dress looks great, by the way!
That is incredibly cute! I love the fabric and style.
I'm so glad you're posting again, E.
That looks great E! You've done a wonderful job and you look great in it!
I normally do my darts with pins because of the time factor, but if it needs to be well fitted and accurate I will tailor tack or thread tack (run a line of handstitching along the seam line) so I can get it perfect.
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