Tea-Length 1950s Dress - BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern Co...

Added Feb 15, 2013

by Chuleenan Sv...

Berkeley, Califo...

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Description

This dress uses the Elizabeth Gathered-Waist Dress pattern twice – once to make a modified version of the dress and a second time to make a crinoline petticoat (using the skirt pattern as instructed by the book) to wear with the dress.

This entry is using Option 3, making my own variation on a master pattern from the book BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern.

I love the full skirts of dresses from the 1950s. I don’t usually wear petticoats but I thought it would be fun to make one to go with this dress. And now I can wear that crinoline with another dress I made from a 1953 Vogue pattern.

To make this dress, I made a few changes to the Elizabeth pattern:
1.) I changed the neckline from a square neck to a boat neck;
2.) I made the skirt a little longer;
3.) I made a lining for the bodice using bemberg lining fabric, hand sewing it to the seamline at the waist and handsewing the it around the invisible zipper. I attached the facing to the lining to give the sleeves a little more stiffness. It makes the dress appear as if it has cap sleeves.

I found some very helpful tips on lining a sleeveless dress from Blithe Stitches.

Additional Construction details (see photos):
1.) bra strap holders at the shoulders using twill tape and plastic snaps (very useful to keep bra straps in place!).
2.) a waist stay using Petersham ribbon and eye hooks.
3.) seam tape to finish the hem edges before hand-sewing the hem to the dress.

UPDATE!
Here are a few of the posts I’ve written about the making of this dress, finding a photographer, and modeling the dress:
Making a Dress from the Book: BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern
Nitty Gritty Dress Details
Finding a Photographer to Shoot Your Outfit
Preparing for a Fashion Photo Shoot
My First Fashion Photo Shoot for a Dress

Material Notes

Dress: Cotton sateen, fusible interfacing, bemberg lining, 22-inch invisible zipper, petersham ribbon, snaps, hook & eye, seam tape, coordinating thread
Petticoat: Crinoline (nylon), bias tape, coordinating thread

Difficulty

Intermediate

Categories

Season
Spring, Summer
For
Women
Garment Type
Dress
Style
Vintage
Material
Cotton

Credits

Photos

Susie Biehler

5 Comments Sign in to add a post

  • Red_and_white_label_cropped_2_large

    Feb 16, 2013, 08.07 PMby Gjeometry Catja

    I love your dress! Both the fashion fabric and the fact that you made a crinoline. I don’t think people make/wear crinolines enough. They’re so swishy and full, lots of fun! You did a great job, can’t wait till I’m experienced enough to have something turn out like this :).

    1 Reply
    • Square_profile-feather_hat_large

      Feb 16, 2013, 09.39 PMby Chuleenan Svetvilas

      Thank you! I’ve never worn a crinoline before so it was fun to make one and wear it with the dress.

  • Chris_lucas_large

    Feb 16, 2013, 08.21 AMby Chris Lucas

    Looks absolutely gorgeous and totally appropriate for a High Tea too… very classy and very classic love it :)

    1 Reply
  • Image_large

    Feb 15, 2013, 05.57 PMby Inga 888

    beautiful dress inside and out, very well made :)

    1 Reply
    • Square_profile-feather_hat_large

      Feb 15, 2013, 11.07 PMby Chuleenan Svetvilas

      Thank you! I spent many hours on the construction details but it was well worth the effort!

  • Sc20130228-085717_large

    Feb 15, 2013, 04.35 PMby Mary Athey

    This.is a beautiful dress. Good luck x

    1 Reply
  • Carnationbord_large

    Feb 15, 2013, 08.04 AMby MientjiB

    The fit is perfection – your skills are enviable! A beautiful dress :-)

    1 Reply
    • Square_profile-feather_hat_large

      Feb 15, 2013, 11.08 PMby Chuleenan Svetvilas

      Thank you! I made two muslins of the bodice so I could get the neckline right.

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