Burda Style For people who sew

Description

Simplicity Vintage Shift Pattern 4429. Two piece pattern shift ‘wiggle’ dress with ‘v’ back and self fabric belt.

Material Notes

I have been totally hooked on Mad Men since Season 1 and adore the dresses and accessories worn by all the characters, but mainly Betty. Sewing has been a passion of mine since I was in my teens (a very long time ago) and many of the outfits in Mad Men remind me of those my Mum wore in the late 50’s and 60’s. I based my dress on Simplicity Jiffy 4429 from the early 60’s – the pattern was an EBay bargain and being a UK 12 I thought I’d be safe with a US 16, or Bust 36". I purchased the fabric about 2 years ago in an Edinburgh fabric store called Mandors. I fell in love with the pattern and colours and the fabric is probably viscose but I thought it has a beautiful vintage quality. Sadly the store only had about 2 yards left so my plans to make a full skirted dress were shot, but I bought the fabric anyway because I loved it so much and it has been in my stash ever since, waiting for a project to come along.

The pattern was really easy, with only two pieces, but I misjudged the sizing badly as the sides needed taken in by about 4 inches total. This was also a pattern for a tall lady so 4 inches also came off the hem length. I french seamed the dress and fully lined it with cream habutai (also french seamed). I used a concealed zip and it went slightly wonky at the back v neck so I disguised the problem with a self covered button. I then decided to go all out and make a self covered belt and buckle. The buckle kit and belt backing came all the way from ‘A Fashionable Stitch’ in the USA.

Difficulty

Novice

Categories

For

Women

Garment Type

Dress