Dresses

Big Vintage Sewing

Sewing and wearing vintage-inspired clothing is something I love to do. I often find these patterns have more interesting construction details and work well in both vintage look and modern fabrics.

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When I heard the line up for McCall’s Big Vintage Sew-along I was really excited. There are so many excellent patterns in there. If you haven’t checked out the full edit head to this foldline summary or see the site www.vintagesewing.co.uk. There are 20 patterns in total, from the 1930s through to the 1960s plus a couple of Gertie’s 50/60s inspired patterns (they’re understandably year-less but stylistically probably just dip into the 60s).

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Over the coming months you’ll see versions of all the patterns cropping up online thanks to the BV Sew-along blogger tour, this will keep the inspiration bubbling and hopefully help you get started.

If you just can’t wait to clock eyes on some vintage dresses, I’m here to help. I realised I’d already sewn four of the patterns from the edit! So take a look at my round up and let me know if you’re tempted to make any of the patterns yourself. I’ve included notes on things to watch out for and as getting the size right with vintage patterns is so important, detailed what size this 5ft4 lady with a 36” bust and 41” hip chose. Right, now you know how bootylicious I am, let’s get started!

(Warning: The pictures in this post were assisted by a professional make up artist and photographer who I coerced into making everything look nice but have not been airbrushed as proof by my sock lines hahaha)

V9127
almond rock v9127 vintage sewing

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When I saw the line art for this dress I knew it had to be mine. I MEAN SWOOOOON! And I can honestly say this dress makes me very proud. I used a berry crepe fabric I bought in Walthamstow market last year and made self covered buttons. I used a coordinating zip and seam binding. I’m not going to fib, this isn’t an easy dress as there are a couple of areas where you really need to focus. The construction is 90% done by pressing under seam allowance and then topstitching the panels together. That much topstitching NEEDS a special foot or you’re going to go insane, unpicking and redoing. The other area to focus on is the pockets at the top of those swan head darts. This is where I had to read the instructions 4 or 5 times. After all my hard work I preferred them basted shut! Go figure.

Notes:
1. I cut two sizes down from my measurements to make a close fitting shirtdress rather than coat dress. This is predominantly a size 6 graded to a 14 at the hip.
2. The skirt was shorted 12cm. I probably should have just shortened by 8cm but too late now.
3. It took three toiles to adjust for my small bust and narrow shoulders, a slight swayback, plus to practice the pockets!
4. My crepe was very light and the dress is unlined so I’d recommend more of a triple crepe or cotton instead.
5. GET A TOP-STITCHING FOOT (I used my stitch in the ditch foot with a right hand needle position).

B5209

almond rock B5209 vintage sewing

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A tea dress can be a wonderful addition to your wardrobe because it easily works for day time and occasions if done right. I liked the effect of B5209 when done in a print even though you lose the beautiful seam lines a little. This dress I’m definitely going to make another plain version. Here I used a Liberty tana lawn from Minerva Crafts (they have some left in multiple colours), white lining with a secret purple side seam zip. With so many intersecting seams, the instructions cleverly direct you to not sew to the end of each seam, but stop and backstitch where each intersection will sit. This allows you to fit each piece together accurately to get the beautiful star at the centre front.

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Notes:
1. The bodice is self lined but I added lining to the skirt to be tights-friendly.
2. There is a BEAUTIFUL underrepresented lip shape curve at the back neckline that is very eye catching when your hair is worn up.
3. A print will help disguise any slightly off alignment seams if you’re feeling the pressure to be accurate but an air erasable fine line marker is invaluable to this pattern.
4. I sewed a 6 around the shoulders and chest but blended out to around a 14 in the ribs and waist I also reduced the gathering on the bust by about 4cm by using the markings for size 6. Finally I lowered the bodice 1cm.

B6582
almond rock B6582 vintage sewing

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This pattern is so lovely because it’s modest but interesting and has a surprise dip in the back. After two years in my wardrobe is comes out for weddings, parties, dinners out, work meetings and events, and once, a trip to the ballet! In a complete disregard for the pattern directions I used a viscose from Minerva Crafts. This makes the gathers at the shoulders very pretty, and the skirt extra swishy, but makes the back facing roll out occasionally. This dress is constructed using a partial front and partial facing to create the wrap effect in the upper chest.

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Notes:
1. I had to do a major hollow chest adjustment and full tummy adjustment, plus make the pattern a little more petite.
2. The outer fabric and facing is joined together BEFORE the shoulder seams are sewn, it’s suspicious but trust me, it leads to a neat finish.
3. While viscose is lovely, I’d definitely suggest something less fluid.
4. If you check out my blog there’s a tutorial for making a coordinating belt which is great to finish the look.

B5748

almond rock B5748 vintage sewing

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OOH this one, I’m excited even introducing it. This pattern is great fun to wear as the bodice is flattering, the front cut out and scoop back are both eye catching, and the circle skirt is amazingly big! I used a 60”-wide Liberty carline poplin, which isn’t as nice quality as tana lawn but has a good weight and the print is so lovely, the fabric base doesn’t matter as much. I used a soft cotton lawn as the bodice lining, hemmed with bias binding and installed a lapped zipper.

Notes:
1. This is an great pattern for a beginner as it’s easy to fit and construct, especially if made in a cotton poplin which handles well, is often the standard 60”-wide and comes in so many prints.
2. Bias tape is an excellent way to hem a circle skirt as it stretches to fit the curves. 99% of the time I machine hem circle skirts as life’s too short to sit and hand sew such a large area.
3. Wouldn’t this look good with a bow made from rouleaux loops!

So if you enjoyed all this vintage craziness from me, look out for my BVSA post on the the 15th!

(32) Comments

  1. Amazing dresses and fab photos, they all really suit you. I love the bottom one, beautiful skirt.

    1. almondrock says:

      Thanks so much Fiona!

  2. I’m the same height and dimensions as you! Love the butterick tea dress in the blue floral, nice to see it made up & modifications

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh dimensions twins! Thanks for the nice comments

  3. Love them all, but no. 4 – is particularly wonderful 🙂

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you its so lovely to wear.

  4. Gorgeous dresses & photos. Thanks for the tips – I have B5209 on my to-make pile at the moment & I want to try & fit-in a few of the sew-along dresses, time permitting!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you!! Good luck with your sewing plans. I’m desperately trying to sneak more in

  5. Gorgeous dresses as always! Might check out the list of patterns and see if I have any of them already. Maternity pay doesn’t really stretch to buying yet more vintage patterns sadly!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! Aww fingers crossed you have some in your stash!

  6. Claire Collie says:

    Thanks for a wonderful post. I’ve pinned many of these patterns, and it is nice to see them sewn up, especially V9127!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! I don’t know many versions of V1927 out there so was happy to share mine

      1. Folks need to go see the inspirational Crooked Arrows…currently tracking 80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It is in its selected city release this weekend and goes national on June 1st. Released completely independent of the studio system.

  7. These are great- thank you for your notes too. I’m also eyeing up your shoes in these- perfect vintage glam! x

    1. almondrock says:

      Ooh thank you! I do love a vintage style shoe to finish off a look.

  8. Some absolutely gorgeous patterns there, love your versions ;o)

    1. almondrock says:

      Aww thank you!

      1. I bought B6582!

  9. Wow what fabulous dresses! They all look fab on you! My only issue with vintage patterns is that amount of adjusting needed I do love the look of them but cower in thought of many adjustments as I’m only petite too 🙂 x

    1. almondrock says:

      Yeah that is a pain. It adds a lot of time to each project

  10. Beautiful! I’ve made 6582 version a (the straight version) for a wedding then hacked the top to add straps and added panels to the skirt. It worked really well! I haven’t seen any other sewn versions so it’s lovely to see! I think I will sew it up again it’s been about six years ago.

    1. almondrock says:

      Ooh that sounds good. I think you should definitely break that pattern out again

  11. Gorgeous dresses they all look beautifully made and perfectly pressed (I love that!) and a really good pattern round up, I like the notes with your fitting comments that’s very useful. Beautiful photography too.

  12. i saw this the day you posted and PASSED OUT BEFORE I COULD COMMENT.

    1. almondrock says:

      Haha thank you! Wish I could look like this every day

  13. Ooo! I LOVE V9127, what a beauty! And the fabric and colour you used is gorgeous. I also love B5748 (even though it refused to fit me), and I have that same Liberty Carline fabric, but can’t make my mind up about what to make with it.

    1. almondrock says:

      Refused to fit you!? Blimey. Did you fancy a day dress or party dress with your Liberty? I vote party dress. Plus it’s so wide I definitely recommend a circle skirt

  14. Amy your dress choices are fabulous and you look amaaaaazing! My fave is the bluey floral tea dress. I’m currently making a Cambie-Anna mash up as you know off Instagram and hopefully that will have a vintage feel…

  15. Oh wow! These are all gorgeous! I’m still a sucker for a fit and flare though so your liberty dress just makes me swoon! B6582 is lovely too though and would be office appropriate so will be added to my imaginary sewing list. (Still not sewing as sleep is still a priority!). Oh, and your disclaimer about the photos did make me giggle! You look lovely; both in these shots and your back garden photos!

  16. Katie says:

    You look so dreamy in these pics! The V9127 is a stunner, love how you made it more casual.

  17. Claire Taylor says:

    Hi Amy, just found your blog! Amazing, I love the dresses, especially B5748 & am glad its suitable for beginers! I also love the fabric & will definately be making one for the summer! I love the idea of the vintage sew along & will be explaining to the ladies at my sewing bee. I live in France in Charente & frequently show the group English sewing mags, especially Love Sewing! Take care & keep up the amazing great sewing xx Claire xx

  18. […] To see my previous version of this dress see this post. […]

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