I’m throwing a party this weekend called the decades party, everyone shows up as the decade they fit into best. Now, you all know me, I should have been born in the 40s. I have the perfect dress, but it needs some love
The dress is a hand made beautiful printed pink silk floor length gown. Unfortunately, time hasn’t been kind to this gown, there are holes where the fabric has worn through, one of the shoulders broke apart last time I wore it, and the hem has fallen. If I am going was going to wear it this weekend I had to bring it to the office for some serious rehab.
First thing Larissa and I did was start with the shoulders. We pulled apart the other, non-broken shoulder, opened up the seams and ironed it all flat. After we saw what we had to work with, we came up with a game plan. Who am I kidding; I followed Larisa in all her wisdom. The fabric was wearing thin, some places already had some holes. To fix the holes and reinforce the straps, we found some (somewhat) matching silk, cut a piece a little bigger than the weak fabric. We attached the new silk to the wrong side of the dress using double sided fusible. Once that is all set, we cut a piece of lightweight fusible a little bigger than the piece we just put down and ironed that on. Once we did that to all the straps, (3 out of the 4 needed this treatment) I was set to work re sewing the finishings (aka the hem part around the arm holes.)
I learned how to do a blind hem and I realized that a big part of me always over sews for fear that is will all come unraveled. Trust in your thread. There is no need to create a huge ugly knot or backstitch a whole inch, only a couple little threads will hold a stitch. This is big for me, I am letting go of my huge ugly knots.
A blind hem is hard to understand at first, but once I got going it was almost fun! I come from an embroidery background, so I enjoy working with my hands.
Though time consuming, the finished product makes it totally worth it
After the top of the dress was all set, I worked on patching up all the holes either with a small layer of fusible or for the really weak parts, the same method we used for the shoulders: double sided fusible and silk, then a light weight fusible on top. This method in not for archiving by any means (my dress looks like it has a lot of band aids) it works wonders if you just want to enjoy the dress.
The whole time I was working on this I couldn’t help but think of the woman who put so much time and effort into this amazing dress, I bet she never expected someone to be wearing it 60 some odd years down the line. I would love to know the story of this dress. What did she make it for? Dancing? Meeting the love of her life? Having an amazing birthday party? Whatever it was it was a special event and she must have looked amazing. I came to the dress through my mom, she wore it for Halloween back in the late 70/early 80s. I actually had the same costume a couple of Halloweens ago, she even helped me paint the same flowers on my face.
I love the history of it and I hope this dress lives on for a long time. Another option I have been toying with is pulling it apart and creating a pattern of it, giving it a new way to live on, what do you guys think?
ps: I will post full length pictures after the party this weekend!
Sep 21, 2009, 09.04 PMby wzrdreams
That dress is so gorgeous. The style lines are perfect for your figure. I totally support the idea of making a rub off. Or if not a rub off, perhaps Larissa or another draper extraordinaire could drape the same style onto a dress form? I think a vintage inspired gown would be a great new Burdastyle pattern. Then it will live on even further!
Sep 19, 2009, 03.14 PMby motozulli
There is no need to pull it apart to make a pattern of it- use the rub-off technique and you can leave it whole.
1 Reply
Sep 21, 2009, 02.22 PMby alden
what is the rub off technique?!?
Sep 19, 2009, 12.39 PMby skwarynia
GReat that you gave a new life in this dress! And congrats the patience. I’m not as patient as you unfortunately I remember that one day, when I was maybe 14-15, and was looking for some dress for a wedding party, my mom find her old dress with stunning puff sleeves some 80s look. And my grandma, proffesional seamstress made out of it beautiful dress just for me! It was the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen and worn:) Since that time, I love looking for some old treasure in my cockloft:) And I;m glad that several days ago I found some old vintage curtain:) It has beautiful flowery print:) I made out of it pencil dress, and now I’m working on a handbag:) If I finish today, I upload some photos of my re born vintage treasures:)
Sep 19, 2009, 09.25 AMby sew4my3
You’re right about this beautiful dress needing to live on! It is wonderful how you took the design on the dress and continued it onto your skin. As for taking the dress apart, I would be tempted to do just that or try the Vintage Fashion Library for a similar pattern. Anyway, enjoy your party and I look forward to reading your next blog!
1 Reply
Sep 21, 2009, 02.22 PMby alden
Ok so i think the vintage fashion library might change just change my life! thanks!
Sep 19, 2009, 08.40 AMby pixelink
a dress like that is a treasure, certainly deserves the care and attention you’ve applied…just beautiful.
Sep 19, 2009, 12.25 AMby reneebeth
This reminds me of a blog (I think it may even be linked somewhere on this site)…something about “a dress a day.” They have pictures of beautiful dresses like yours and either make up or somehow know the stories behind them. I’m pretty sure they make them up, but they’re fun to read. Congrats on patching it up! I can’t imagine being patient enough to hem anything by hand… maybe someday. -RB P.S. Love the painted flowers.