Reissued vs. Vintage

I've always adored fashion from the 50s & 60s. With my body type I think I'd be married to a billionaire right now had I been born just a few decades earlier. And, after working years of retail, I learned quickly and often that one shouldn't just follow trends to follow trends, but look your absolute best. Sadly, I have friends who look good in everything but for the rest of us born with curves and such what not, we have to be a wee bit careful.

In my quest to learn to sew I was quite lucky as Russel picks patterns on the more traditional side for his garment sewing classes. These look good on me so needless to say I signed up for all of his classes. You've already seen my skirt. The next step was the dress.

Now, I knew the dress wouldn't be easy. I had seen students from previous dress classes attend the next session to finish. So, I should have been prepared. But this pattern isn't the friendliest and if I hadn't had Russel, I probably would have tossed the dress half way through. But, with all the compliments I get, I'm glad I stuck with it.

I made some changes to the dress. I did snaps instead of buttons (since it was SCREAMING for a wide belt to go with it) and the sleeves are poofier than the pattern said they would be. That's ok, I love a poofy sleeve so I just went with it.

(This is why I have other people take pictures of my dresses)

Since making this dress I've been on the hunt for patterns with a more vintage feel. So, I'll be curious to see if patterns from the past are easier to work with than the patterns with a vintage feel from the present. I have several reissue patterns in my collection. And, I just ordered my very own vintage patterns from this fabulous Etsy shop thanks to this post on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing. I didn't know I'd be able to. I mean, people from the 50s and 60s are wee little people. I was so excited to find patterns that would fit me! So, I can't wait for the vintage vs. reissue smackdown to commence.

Now I just need a fabulous pattern for a full skirt. I have this idea for some of the fabric I bought in Alaska...I just need the perfect full skirt to pull it off....