Burda Style For people who sew
Description
My stories always have the same beginning: trudging through op-shops for fabric fabric fabric! On one occasion, I found a mini houndstooth treasure, in lightweight wool. A lovely browny-grey colour too. There was only thing for it: a delicious 1940’s dress…
I used an old Anne Adams pattern for this dress, altering the skirt length and the waist and bust widths. The woollen fabric turned out to be tricky to use, shifting around quite a bit, especially for the bodice, where pieces were cut on the bias. Luckily, the print wasn’t too large, or we may have had some issues with matching lines perfectly.. phew!
The bodice of the dress has several 40’s features which are hard to go past: rouched waist, peplum, bow on the back. One thing that threw me a little bit was the unexpected circumference of the finished neckline – it was rather tight! I ended up lowering my button placement, which gave the back neck opening a delightful little keyhole effect.
To finish the ensemble, I put on my 1940’s beaded pearl collar (this is a removable collar, which closes with a hook and eye), and a thin black belt.
Material Notes
lightweight wool
Difficulty
Intermediate
Categories
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Jan 11, 2011, 10.15 PMby Testosterone
Had to join the on-line commotion your dress is causing.
Take a bow! It’s flirty, seductive, professional, and fun!
1 Reply
Jan 21, 2011, 09.25 AMby olystyrene
thank you so very much! online commotion, eh? i like it!
Jan 11, 2011, 04.40 PMby Sathishkumar Damodaran
It is very nice……so nice……….
1 Reply
Jan 21, 2011, 09.24 AMby olystyrene
thank you very much!
Dec 14, 2010, 02.40 PMby carlekoe
wow, don`t know what to say. What a dress, what a body!!!! what a style…wowowowow. i am comletely jealous!
1 Reply
Jan 21, 2011, 09.24 AMby olystyrene
aah jealous shmealous ;P thank you for your comment!
Oct 25, 2010, 09.40 PMby harrietbazley
Now that’s what I call sharp dressing….
Is that a hint of lace-trimmed petticoat peeping out there? ;)
1 Reply
Nov 2, 2010, 03.59 AMby olystyrene
Thank you! And yes yes, it just might be… ;)
Oct 17, 2010, 11.59 AMby anniekmcn
I’m joining the petition for you to post up a version of htis pattern – it is so beautiful! Flattering and gorgeous!
1 Reply
Nov 2, 2010, 03.59 AMby olystyrene
Sorry, it’s still under copyright as far as I know.. :( I’m glad you likely the dress – I would try looking online for another Anne Adams pattern. You can’t go wrong!
Oct 16, 2010, 09.32 PMby smartalex999
This is amazing! I must have one! Is there any way you can upload a pattern! I would do anything for it!!! <3
3 Replies
Nov 2, 2010, 03.58 AMby olystyrene
The original is still under copyright, as far as I am aware… but have a look online for other Anne Adams patterns – they’re all really iconic!
Nov 3, 2010, 06.03 AMby smartalex999
Thanks for the tip!
Nov 10, 2010, 12.06 AMby olystyrene
No probs :)
Oct 16, 2010, 08.48 PMby Liz Orlandini
Oh my god, I love this! Can you upload a pattern? Pretty please?
1 Reply
Nov 2, 2010, 03.57 AMby olystyrene
Sorry, the pattern is still under copyright, but there are plenty of Anne Adams patterns still available for sale online. Many of them are very similar in style too, so even if you don’t find the exact same one, it’s very likely to be pretty close ;)
Oct 16, 2010, 07.48 PMby Jenny Wren
Some little white gloves would go really well with it, too. Thanks for sharing!
1 Reply
Nov 2, 2010, 03.56 AMby olystyrene
I wholeheartedly agree!
Oct 16, 2010, 11.31 AMby tinybows
i want a dress like this in red. thanks for the inspiration, beautiful job!
1 Reply
Nov 2, 2010, 03.55 AMby olystyrene
You’re welcome! I hope you make one – I’d love to see it!
Oct 16, 2010, 08.57 AMby gray
This is such a super classy paterrn and it looks fab!! Well done!!
1 Reply
Nov 2, 2010, 03.55 AMby olystyrene
Thanks so much! PS. what a cute avatar photo!!!
Oct 16, 2010, 04.05 AMby lilritefoot
Just beautiful. Classy & chic!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.44 AMby olystyrene
Thank you very much!
Oct 15, 2010, 08.24 PMby kristykat
Oh my gosh I can’t tell you how much I love this. Genius.
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.43 AMby olystyrene
Hahaha! Thanks :)
Oct 15, 2010, 02.08 PMby integerclub
Well done, Oly! And on the front page too, woo!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.41 AMby olystyrene
Thanks Doycey! That was so unexpected!!!
Oct 15, 2010, 03.56 AMby sofasewgood
Absolutely Gorgeous! Love everything about the project. The dress, the styling, the model herself, the photos – awesome!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.40 AMby olystyrene
Thanks!
Oct 14, 2010, 12.26 PMby jhurienesling
Very well done, it looks great on you!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.40 AMby olystyrene
Thanks alot!
Oct 14, 2010, 12.01 PMby sallyleigh
Amaaaaazzzing. You look so divine in this! It is perfection.
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.40 AMby olystyrene
Thaaaaaaannnkkkksssss!
Oct 14, 2010, 10.02 AMby robygiup
So lovely!!! It looks great and it fits you perfectly! WELL DONE! :D
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.39 AMby olystyrene
Thank you! I’m really happy with the fit, it’s really comfortable :)
Oct 14, 2010, 07.59 AMby Susan Donnelly
This dress is adorable and I’m now temped to create one of my own.
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.39 AMby olystyrene
Please do! You won’t be disappointed
Oct 14, 2010, 07.39 AMby colometa25lina
BRAVO!!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.38 AMby olystyrene
Thanks!
Oct 14, 2010, 03.29 AMby fifuzz
A-Dorable! You look fab, great to see an Aussie girl on the front page. I too have been dreaming of peplums. That’s it – I must make one now!
Well done dear!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.38 AMby olystyrene
Yay! You must, and I’d love to see the finished product!
Oct 14, 2010, 03.10 AMby momsgotanewhobby
Incredible dress, your photos are really professionally done and that collar is icing on the cake. Superb!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.38 AMby olystyrene
Thank you! The collar was a pretty awesome find :)
Oct 14, 2010, 02.43 AMby nicaban
absolutely beautiful! well done!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.37 AMby olystyrene
Aaw thanks ;)
Oct 14, 2010, 12.15 AMby corinneski
Wow! This is an absolutely fabulous dress. I’m sitting blown away by this fab dress and then I discover olystyrene is a Sydney girl like me! YAY!!
You mention op shops and discount fabric shops – can you give me a clue to which suburbs I should be looking in?
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.37 AMby olystyrene
Hi, thanks for your comment! To be honest, there’s not really one particular op shop to try. They’re often fairly random finds. But I do look through the manchester sections – there’s always something good you can find there. Old bedsheets are always safe – I’ve made alot of different things from bedhsheets and pillowcases, the prints are great and there lots of fabric types to play with.. Good luck!
Oct 13, 2010, 11.20 PMby strawberrypancakesbykim
SO gorgeous!!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.32 AMby olystyrene
Thank YOU!!
Oct 13, 2010, 09.22 PMby annbazona
hi i like it soooo much would u plz send me the pattren for it. plz
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.46 AMby olystyrene
Hi, it’s Anne Adam 4881 – you should be able to find it or something very similar on ebay or etsy. Many of the Anne Adams patterns from that era had very similar design features. Good luck!
Oct 13, 2010, 07.21 PMby sweetskye
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.32 AMby olystyrene
Yay!
Oct 13, 2010, 06.09 PMby popbabe7
Amazing dress- it lloks fantastic.
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.32 AMby olystyrene
Thaaaanks!
Oct 13, 2010, 05.47 PMby seasidelaundry
So worth your efforts! That is a Vogue cover quality photo!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.31 AMby olystyrene
Hahahah! That’s very nice if you to say!
Oct 13, 2010, 05.36 PMby carottesauvage
Absolutely flattering! I love the your beaded collar!
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.31 AMby olystyrene
Thanks! The collar was a pretty good find :)
Oct 13, 2010, 05.03 PMby kaitiek
Which Anne Adams pattern is this?
1 Reply
Oct 16, 2010, 08.45 AMby olystyrene
It’s Anne Adam 4881