June 14, 2012

Retro Bubblegum Dress

I was bored last sunday, and wanted to sew something, but I didn't have a specific project planned, and still didn't feel like making another big project, too. But I still had the pink poplin I had used to line my bag (I actually had bought it to make some piping, but didn't do it in the end). I wasn't sure at all if the color would be nice for a dress, since it is very... well, pink! But when I was browsing through my vintage patterns, I found this one from 1968, with a very pink dress on the envelope:


I was not sure about the pattern as well. Although I like the illustration on the envelope, I thought it might be too girly for me. So as there was nothing to lose, I decided I would make an experiment and try the pattern with the pink poplin and see what happens. 



And I still can barely believe what I did: as the pattern came in my size, and I assumed that it would not be too "fit sensitive", I used directly the old vintage pattern, without tracing it before (which I normally do). I did use a smooth copying wheel instead of the serrated one, though. 


I fitted the dress while sewing, which means there was quite some basting (and ripping), but this time I managed to make the armholes not too small, phew!

As I didn't have any matching zipper in my stash, I used the next best, a white one, which I put in with a center lapped zipper so that it is not visible when I'm wearing the dress. I also stitched the back darts only at the upper part and left the lower dart parts as a kind of pleat. (Excuse the wrinkles on the dress, please, I stupidly took the photo after I was wearing it.)


The dress was finished very quickly, so I put it in my suitcase to go to Vienna last week, and wore it there, and I have to say that I like it a lot!



I think I'll make a dress again later from this pattern (after tracing it, as it somehow felt wrong and rude to use it directly on the fabric, doesn't that sound stupid?). For the moment I'm glad to have another summer dress. The photos were taken in Vienna when we went to the castle to listen to a concert, by my friend and colleague Gieri (thanks, Gieri, you're the best!)

And of course I took my gala evening dress out! The event took place in Schönbrunn Castle, it was a nice evening, and I felt comfortable and dressed appropriate in my black dress. I even found some long black gloves to go with it over there (try to find them in Zurich, it's hopeless)!


Here I am posing for photos with my friend Evelyn, we had so much fun!

13 comments:

  1. Pink suits you and you look adorable in your new dress! I didn´t understand very well about the pattern and using it directly on the fabric... that´s what I normally do. What do you do then?

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    1. Thank you! It is just the fact that it is a vintage pattern, something that is rare and therefore valuable in my eyes and should be handled with a lot of care. Maybe I should have added the fact that I usually cut through my patterns and put them together with sticky tape to make the altations I need before I cut out the fabric (which, in this case, was not necessary).

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    2. Usually I trace vintage patterns to keep the original pattern intact, and then do my slashing and spreading for alterations on my copy!

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  2. I love the pink dress! It's such a great counterpoint to the formal black one.. but the both fit perfectly in your wardrobe! I'm glad the gala went well and you had a good trip!

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  3. Hola Marie,
    Acabo de conocerte, por Merche, del blog aventuras de costuras. Me encanta tu estilo y tus vestidos. El vestido rosa muy bonito y el vestido negro muy elegante.
    Besitos

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    Replies
    1. Hola Sonia!
      Unfortunately I don't speak any Spanish (I always read the english part at Merche's blog), but with my small french knowledge I was able to understand your nice comment. Thank you very much, I am happy you like the stuff I make!

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  4. The pink looks so cute on you - also I have that pattern!

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    1. Thanks! You should try it, it's a very quick and easy pattern!

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  5. Hi Marie,
    I have awarded you the Sunshine Award which you can read about on my blog The Sewcratic Method. I hope you don't mind. :)

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  6. Sweet dress!! Incredible job, and that pink is perfection. Glad you had a nice trip to Vienna. It's a beautiful place. The black gloves were an awesome find. They look great with your gala dress.

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  7. Thanks for checking out my blog. Your blog is great and you have made such cute garments! I love this and your red dots summer dress! I'll be following you! :)

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  8. I literally squealed when I saw this pattern. SO FREAKING CUTE. I had to Pin it. And I love your version! Just girly enough!

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