Burda Style For people who sew

I took up sewing again so that I could make outfits for my new found hobby of Rockabilly dancing. Many Rockabilly fans are full on into the fashion – you go to a gig and are surrounded by all these women wearing gorgeous 1950’s fashions. Whilst there are many websites selling these outfits, the prices are $$, and the sizing, as always, does not often suit me. So I decided to start sewing.

And having just bought a couple of Rockabilly dresses that I found on special, I am even more glad that I can sew. The quality of these garments, for the price you pay, is very poor. If i’d bought them from my local discount dept store (Big W or Target) the quality would be what I’d expect – but it’s certainly not what I would expect for dresses marked down from $145. (AUD) Luckily I only paid $65 each – but even then the quality for that price isn’t great.

Ah, well – yet another good reason to make my own!

Aug 24, 2010, 12.31 AM by redscootergirl

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  Oct 6, 2010, 03.08 AMby sew4my3

  Hello RedScootergirl,

  I agree, “I’m glad I can sew”! Luckily these yesteryear clothing styles are making a come back because they are so flattering for the body. Unfortunately the ready to wear industry produces such poor quality that sewing yourself seems to be the best option and using the old patterns are just as fun too! Where do you find your patterns for your Rockabilly designs? I use several sites for retro/vintage patterns such as:

  1. Colette Patterns

  2. Sew Chic Pattern Co

  3. Wearing History

  4. Vintage Fashion Library

  5. Ebay Patterns

  Happy sewing!
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  Oct 6, 2010, 10.50 AMby redscootergirl

  I’m actually doing a pattern making course so I can learn to draft my own patterns. I seek inspiration fromdifferent Rockabilly clothing websites.

  In the meantime I am selecting ‘mainstream’ patterns that have a ’50’s flavour – I don’t care too much if it’s not strictly authentic. Vogue also have a small range of vintage patterns. But I will definitely chekc out the links you’ve provided!

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    Oct 7, 2010, 02.08 AMby sew4my3

    Oh how I admire you for being able to draft your own patterns! Do you do any other type of sewing? I would love to see your work! Do you have a blog?

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  Oct 7, 2010, 02.26 PMby Sabrina Wharton-Brown

  You’re right — RTW clothes are quite terrible inside. My sister gets Japanese style clothes and the buttonhole on her blue romper is fraying already — she hasn’t had them a month yet! I did look at some RTW skirts the other day on the Internet, but all the nice skirts were either too short or out of stock. My mum bought some skirts for herself but had to send them back. What looked like knee length on the 5’ 8’’ model was nearer to Mum’s ankles than her knees. I said to her, “Making my own clothes seems more and more inevitable!” My next project is going to be a tartan skirt. I got too much fabric on purpose (to make sure I can match up the plaid) and the notions and it still came out cheaper than buying a skirt! There are so many reasons to sew and it’s such a pleasure to be able to go and just make a garment with no instructions (granted, the ones I can draft and sew like that are very basic at the moment, but still, I’m learning)!

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    Oct 7, 2010, 07.21 PMby sew4my3

    Great idea to buy extra fabric when you can! Also, I have been sewing for many, many years and always say I’m still learning. hehe Keep sewing!

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  Oct 7, 2010, 03.18 PMby katexxxxxx

  I too am glad I can sew…

  I have just altered a WRAF uniform skirt for a tiny air cadet… She’s 14, and wears age 10 school trousers… So she was wandering about lost in this MASSIVE skirt – which is the smallest size they make!

  Very nicely factory made: nicely finished, accurately stitched, half lined wool and poly mix Barathea. Just miles too large! Still, because it was nicely made and finished, I could make a decent fist of taking 4" out down the sides and another 4" off the hem! I’m pleased that I managed to do this without cutting the excess off: if she grows, I can just let it all back out again! I even managed to tuck the excess waistband up inside and save it!

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    Oct 7, 2010, 07.19 PMby sew4my3

    You are always so innovative Kate!

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    Oct 8, 2010, 05.59 AMby katexxxxxx

    Nah… It’s a fairly standard alteration. The only finagling I needed to do was hiding that extra 4" of waistband up inside the stitched down bit!

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  Oct 9, 2010, 04.19 AMby pambox

  i’m also glad i sew. i’m built like a twelve year old, so find lots of clothes are swimming on me – sewing means i can make things cut for my body shape.