Show us what you've made!

Alice Blue · Jul 17, 2013

GHT said:
My wife is just about to finish a rather nice, late 1930's, summer outfit. Just the hem to do. She spent hours on the bow, only to decide that it looked: 'To fussy.' so has decided to leave it off. I am loving the dusky pink material, what do think ladies?

GHT, I was awestruck when you posted that dress, and my admiration has tripled since I've been looking for retro tropical/floral fabric. The attractive prints all seem to be heavier home decor fabrics, and the apparel-weight fabrics lean towards the kitschy side. I'm about at the point of giving up and buying a batik from the local fabric shop which caters to quilters.

wahine · Jul 17, 2013

I made these for my man who is a big fan of classic horror movies. Very simple pillow cases with a lovely R.Kaufman fabric.
(back is plain black)

GHT · Jul 18, 2013

Alice Blue said:
GHT, I was awestruck when you posted that dress, and my admiration has tripled since I've been looking for retro tropical/floral fabric. The attractive prints all seem to be heavier home decor fabrics, and the apparel-weight fabrics lean towards the kitschy side. I'm about at the point of giving up and buying a batik from the local fabric shop which caters to quilters.

Thank you for the compliment Alice, all I could get out of my wife when she saw your comment, was: Aw shucks! The material was definitely bought online, it was one of those purchases where you see a fabulous material but can't quite make your mind up as to what to make with it. For two years it sat in the sewing room, and then, she came across that original pattern, the one I posted, and there the two came together.
What do you think of this summer dress, again, not quite finished, but it so appealing I just had to share it.

Again the pattern is an original. Back then, whenever the ladies wanted something special, they had to make it. Hence the lack of instructions that you would get in a modern pattern. It amazes me how my wife just puts it all together with such a limited guide.

What do you think ladies? Do you like it?

GHT · Jul 20, 2013

wahine,
those pillow covers are amazing, we have a couple of, what I call, bolster pillows, big three foot square things, that I made to enable us to sit up in bed with comfort. Something we tend to do on Sunday mornings, after a late night out. It's about the only time we get to catch up on recorded TV programs. The pillow cases for these oversize back supports, are simply plain, to more or less match whatever bed linen is in current use, but those patterned ones of your's are brilliant. Forgive me for stealing the idea.
My wife stayed up until two am to finish the dress, although she's still not happy with the button positioning. Here's the finished garment, I'll try to get her to pose in it, first time she wears it. Although I expect her shoes will get more attention.

Damn you, photobucket. I went to all the trouble of editing that picture, cropping it, brightening the contrast and replacing it for the original. And good old Photobucket, posts the original, even though the photo in the account, shows the edited version.

GHT · Jul 28, 2013

Had some summery fabric hanging around for some time, then I saw this pattern, and it was crying out for that fabric.

After adjusting the size of each panel, to ensure the minimum waste, I got it cut out, then laid out to match up the panels.
The next day I found that the sewing fairy had paid me a visit. She often comes along if my work is a little slow. All the panels had come together to look like this:

So, as the fairy now seemed to be well into this dress, I left it to see what she would do next. She cut out and completed the bolero. And then she finished the hemline. The fitted zip didn't seem to bother her, so that went in. Then she made the belt, bought the buckle and added one or two notions. And before you knew it, she had finished it. What did it look like? Well, not unlike this.

Ladies, you know that thread about comments you get when you wear vintage? My wife's hair seems to have a fan club of it's own.

dearmrrabbit · Jul 29, 2013

GHT - wowza! I can see why her hair would have it's own fan club.. sign me up! Also that dress is fabulous, so summery and gorgeous, nice work both of you!

I recently made this rather plain sun dress out of a basic 90's pattern I had lying around. I modified it a bit to make it look a little more 50's. Mainly I just wanted to use this fabric which was an old sheet I found at the op shop, it's so pretty!

(probably should have pulled it up at the back there/ironed it..)

The dress isn't 100% perfect, I slightly overestimated my bust size (wishful thinking? heh) and the stitching around the waistband is a bit sloppy but I still consider it my best work because the whole thing is lined which I have never done before

I'm pretty proud of it!

Now all I need is for summer to hurry up and get here so I can wear it!!

HannahJane · Jul 29, 2013

Wow, you girls all look so good in your makings. I think you all might be the ispiration I need to stop dithering and crack one and make lovely things! I've found an adorable cartoon pirate print fabric that I've been thinking about making into a skirt or a dress, you all look so nice in your creations I think it's time I made the plunge! Any sugesstions for an easy pattern for a sewing novice?

GHT · Jul 29, 2013

dearmrrabbit, your dress has got real wow factor. Well done you. Love it.
HannahJane, how much do you know when it comes to making your own clothes? I certainly don't want to insult you if you have much experience, but for the benefit of others, this link to Perri Lewis at The Guardian newspaper, is excellent for inspiration:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/15/how-to-make-perfect-dress

poggleberry · Jul 29, 2013

Tuppence Wahine & Grant Fan thanks for all your lovely comments, these are my first vintage trousers and they are pretty baggy around the bum but it does make them very comfy. I've worn them on many occasions and while at the Hotrod Hayride this weekend one lady recognised them and we had a good chat about her making them.

Emmalia · Aug 2, 2013

Oh my gosh, everyone's making such amazing things!

I just finished Vogue 8789--and that will be it with my dressmaking adventures for a while.

sheeplady · Aug 2, 2013

HannahJane said:
Wow, you girls all look so good in your makings. I think you all might be the ispiration I need to stop dithering and crack one and make lovely things! I've found an adorable cartoon pirate print fabric that I've been thinking about making into a skirt or a dress, you all look so nice in your creations I think it's time I made the plunge! Any sugesstions for an easy pattern for a sewing novice?

Something like an A-line skirt is lovely and quite versatile and easy, probably with a simple closure of a button or hook and eye and a zipper. If you are more into 1950s, the same goes for a circle skirt. For a dress, look at the pattern instructions and see what you can do and pick a pattern by your skill level. You don't need a "vintage" pattern if actual vintage patterns seem intimidating- look for something vintage inspired- plenty of modern patterns borrow vintage lines.

Everyone has their personal favorite for pattern brands, but that is total personal preference. I would recommend staying away from Vogue if you are a first time sewer, just because their patterns tend to be a little more advanced, much more expensive, and I find them much more confusing as far as instructions. If you're interested in a pattern, you can look it up online for reviews (very helpful).

HannahJane · Aug 2, 2013

Thank you for the advice! I have a bit of sewing experience but I don't think I'm up to anything particularly complicated just yet.
I hadn't thought of looking into online reviews for patterns, they will be helpful for working out if I can do it.
I like the idea of an A-line skirt. The fabric I'm planning on using is quite busy so I think a simple skirt/dress shape would be best.

agirlinwinter · Aug 2, 2013

I finished the dress last week. It's a shirt dress made from an original vintage pattern - Hollywood Patterns 1387 (c.1944) http://www.flickr.com/photos/22377692@N03/9376481479/ (sorry I can't work out how to attach the image to this post, other than as a link).

sheeplady · Aug 2, 2013

HannahJane said:
Thank you for the advice! I have a bit of sewing experience but I don't think I'm up to anything particularly complicated just yet.
I hadn't thought of looking into online reviews for patterns, they will be helpful for working out if I can do it.
I like the idea of an A-line skirt. The fabric I'm planning on using is quite busy so I think a simple skirt/dress shape would be best.

Glad to help out! I find online reviews to be very very helpful, I didn't know they existed until one of the members here mentioned them. Now I won't make a pattern without looking at the reviews. It helps save you from the aggravation of a pattern not worth the time because it fits poorly and is confusing or something else. I have little patience to muck with things if it's the fault of the pattern maker.

GHT · Aug 2, 2013

sheeplady said:
Everyone has their personal favorite for pattern brands, but that is total personal preference. I would recommend staying away from Vogue if you are a first time sewer, just because their patterns tend to be a little more advanced, much more expensive, and I find them much more confusing as far as instructions.

You are obviously a lady who knows her patterns. Vogue, the nightmare pattern, who's instruction would be simpler written in Swahili.
And just when you think you have cracked it, they bring out; Vogue advanced. Check out this pattern, it's by designer Guy Laroche

Emmalia, your dress is gorgeous, you can't stop now, don't let your talent collect dust.
agirlinwinter, that dress of your's is just fabulous. Do you have any others to show us?

agirlinwinter · Aug 2, 2013

Thank you very much! I have made other garments, but this is the first one I've mae from an original vintage pattern. I intend to make a lot more.

vintageTink · Aug 16, 2013

Silk tap pants and a cotton dress:

dearmrrabbit · Aug 17, 2013

I posted this on the thread I started looking for help for something to wear to an "old hollywood glamour" themed party, but I figured it sort of belongs here too since I ended up making something myself!
I made a franken-pattern out of the same one I used for the other dress I posted here.. it's just so versatile

Sorry the photos are so big..

Top skirt attaches with hook-and-eyes

lace-covered straps (which were a total pain to do) and flap things (totally the technical word)..

I ended up wearing different shoes, these ones make me look a bit stumpy.
I got a lot of compliments

and I was really happy with how it turned out!

Vera Godfrey · Aug 17, 2013

^^^Looks great!

vintageTink · Aug 17, 2013

Lovely color!

Show us what you've made!

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