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....

Best 4th of July Dress Ever

I've been itching to post about all the sewing I've been doing but the pictures I take of myself are dreadful. So, I brought all of my creations onto my cruise in order to have a fabulous backdrop and a great excuse to take pictures of myself.

What says July 4th more than red, white and blue? A red, white and blue Obama dress on the Diamond Princess in Vancouver!

This dress is Eclair from Colette Patterns. If you sew and you like these designs, buy them all immediately. Her patterns are clear and accurate. Love, love, love.

I did make it a touch big for two reasons: 1) I didn't know that she was the only pattern maker who doesn't lie when she gives final measurements and 2) I didn't know how the fabric would behave when washed. So, I wanted to give myself a bit of room.

Even with the dress a wee bit big, it stayed up all day. And, when I say all day, I mean, all day, through customs, with all of my luggage, dashing around the ship...all day.

I love this dress. I'll definitely make it again. The only change I made to the pattern was that I didn't stitch the lining to the waist. I skipped that because I haven't washed this yet and I think the 2 fabrics might shrink a bit differently.


The main fabric is President Obama Circle Blue (though I refer to it as Obama heads) found at Joann's in Monroeville, PA but you can find it at fabrics.com. The lining is a light blue kona cotton, the ties are a red kona cotton, both bought at Michael Levine, downtown Los Angeles.

I had a ridiculous amount of fun wearing this dress, best 4th of July dress ever.