Inspirations: Do I hear Laurence Harvey calling my name? June 30, 2008 17:45 5 Comments
Vogue Special Design S-4544, circa 1950s
Now, this, this is a dress for dancing. The godets — four of them, four, four, four! — will make this skirt float across the dance floor like a downy feather in a balmy wind. And what a graceful neckline — provocative but in a ladylike way — wives and girlfriends won’t be knotted with anger because it's too low. It’s very Liz, but more Father of the Bride than Butterfield 8 (which is perhaps my favorite Liz movie, but that, as the ubiquitous they says, is neither here nor there). And, of course, the fact that this exquisite frock is sleeveless will make it very cool, very comfortable on those nights when Carter doesn’t turn the AC down, despite my courteous pleas. Oh, yes, I do love this dress. I do. I see it before me, calling, beckoning, urging me onward. Sew. Stitch. Or, as the athletic shoe company says, just do it!
Do I have fear of sewing? Or is it fear of failure? Mmmmmm. What do you think?
Comments
Lisa on May 20, 2015 12:08
Love, love, love this dress. It would be beautiful for dancing and would look wonderful on you. Do you have a specific fabric in mind?
My mother-in-law sewed beautifully and was a hard to fit, tiny woman. I sometimes bought her fabulous fabric and buttons for special occasion gifts. Button shopping is really fun, espcially when you don’t have to make the button holes! You make me want to wander the fabric stores again.
Pattern_Nut on May 20, 2015 12:08
Gorgeous dress. A classic you could make up again and again, so worth perfecting the fit and construction. I have a 1955 Vogue dress pattern similar to this—V neckline, fitted in the waist, full skirt—but with princess lines. My patternmaker/sewing teacher perfected the fit, and sewing it is a cinch. The dresses (I’ve made three) are delights to wear.
Could you show us the back of the pattern envelope for the description and line drawing?
Carole Passenger on May 20, 2015 12:08
this is a great dress and you won’t find it too diffcult. Pretty in both summer and winter fabrics. Keep up the good work!!! Carole
jdk on May 20, 2015 12:08
From what you have said about your favorite things, you will love this dress! Never mind if you feel insecure or why you think it is such a big deal—“Just do it!” means feel the fear and do it anyway.
I know the lure of gorgeous fabric and the thought of couture results is a heady thing, but consider starting with some $1-$2 a yard cotton calico that would be nice for summer if it works, and no big deal if you threw it away (don’t overlook the $1 a yard sale tables at Wal-Mart for practice fabric). Yes, I know the philosophy about putting good effort only into quality materials, but that is not the most efficient way to learn from the beginning and overcome insecurities quickly. To overcome insecurities quickly there needs to be an element of not caring too much if there are big mistakes when trying out the basics— easier if you don’t care too much about the fabric and what happens to it.
If things get difficult, remember hardly any sewing class for beginners ever assigns a Couture Vogue dress or formal gown out of couture fabric for a learner’s very first trip to the sewing machine. My first trip to the fabric store, the cutting table, and the sewing machine was a simple 1950s McCalls apron— just waistband and skirt. Not a bad place to start. The first trips to the sewing machine are not about the item, they are about reading the pattern, laying it out, cutting the pieces, making it through the pattern directions and doing the basic things on the machine needed to sew it up.
Wash and dry the fabric. Iron it if you like. Spread it out on the table, pin the pieces (or tracings of the pieces to maintain the vintage value if it is unused) to the fabric according to the diagram given. Take a deep breath. Cut the pieces out just worrying about staying on the cutting lines for one piece at a time. If you cut the cutting lines with pinking shears for cotton you won’t even have to worry about additional seam finishes. Do step one of the instructions, then step 2 etc. just being concerned with only one step of the instructions at a time. Ask for specific help at any step that isn’t obvious before you go on to the next one. If you accidently cut on the front centerline fold or other cutting unfixable it is only $1 a yard stuff and you can go get more of it. If you get mixed up and accidently sew the sleeve seam to the hemline instead of the sleeve curve to the armscye just rip it out and put it where it belongs. Everyone who sews eventually finds a need to rip stuff out—it is not a failure to have to do that.
If you can wear a vintage 38 with few alterations and you have access to a 38 to use, it will be hard to fail on fit. Wear the dress. Dream about gorgeous fabric and couture techniques you will have learned by the next time you make it. Twirl around the room. Wear a lovely shawl or belt or gorgeous piece of vintage jewelry to cover up or draw attention away from any imperfections you are self-conscious about. Watch how few people notice or even see the flaws. Watch your fears melt away!
Denise Calhoun on May 20, 2015 12:08
That sounds like excellent advice! Thank you so much.