Saturday, August 29, 2015

Vintage Sewing Project | 1950s Halter Sundress

Hello everyone! It has been awhile since I've done a sewing project, or at least finished one. I did start making a 1950s skirt in January of this year, but I haven't finished it yet as I'm showing my sister, Hanne-col how to make skirts with no ready-made sewing patterns, but with just basic math skills.

Let's see here, the story behind the design of this dress has been a long one in the making. I came up with the basic idea of these two fabrics paired together for a sundress last summer, but the design was never really clear in my mind so I pushed the idea to the back of my head. Fast forward to last week, I was working my shift at work when the design for this dress popped into my head -- in-between helping out guests I sketched out the design onto the back of a receipt.


I knew I was going to be having two days off in a row this week, so I scheduled into my calendar to sew this dress on Friday [yesterday]. Especially since I needed to take the time to create something with my hands to refresh my creativity, also I've been suffering with a stiff knee this week so resting was big in my book, and nothing relaxes me more than sewing something for myself.

It took me a couple of hours to decided how exactly I was going to sew my dress, especially since I've never made a halter style dress before [and I really didn't own any strapless dress patterns or halter style patterns for that matter]. After pouring over my sewing books and researching the internet I finally decided on adapting Marie-Madeline Studio's Summer Shade jumper pattern as my basic bodice base, and just winging everything else as I went along.

In the end I ended up doing the following changes to the bodice pattern: rising the neckline slightly, lowering the waist line, and dropping the bodice back piece. I cut out two lengths of fabrics 30" long each for the skirt [cutting one of them in half], used a skirt scrap piece for the halter strap [pleated slightly into place onto the bodice], tacked the front of the bodice down to create a sweetheart shape, lined the entire bodice with muslin, pleated the skirt to fit, put in an invisible zipper down the center back, and machine sewed a simi-deep hem.


I'm in love with my new sundress, especially since I've never worn a halter style dress before. Bathing suits, yes. I can't wait to wear it to church tomorrow with perhaps a jean jacket or cardigan.

~Ashley, xx

35 comments:

  1. I cant say enough about how much I LOVE this dress Ashley!!! As soon as I saw your draft ideas I couldn't wait to see the finished product. Fabulous job! I really want to copy that dress now...hehe:) I absolutely love your choice of color, and fabric and it looks so wonderful on you!!
    -Madison
    www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Madison! You should copy my dress and share it on your blog. :)

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  2. This is beautiful! The gingham pattern + eyelet combo is great. You make me want to learn how to sew!

    ❤ Blaze Ann
    www.p31beauty.blogspot.com

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  3. How cute! I love it!
    -Margaret
    http://happyinheels.blogspot.com/

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  4. I think I have the same shoes. Are they from Payless?

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    Replies
    1. Nope, I actually picked them up during Ruche's Black Friday sale last year.

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  5. I love this so cute, Your a great sewer.
    rebeccafashionandlife.blogspot.com.au
    becci

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  6. You did such a great job! Love the gingham!

    Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.

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  7. Woah woah woah- I can't believe that you made this yourself! Such a pretty dress!

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  8. What a cool piece -- it definitely takes me straight back to the 50's.
    Also so awesome that you made it yourself!

    xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys

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  9. This is so cute! I wish I could sew, I would love to make my own clothes.

    Kayla | kaylablogs.com

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  10. Such a darling retro look! I would love to learn the art of sewing!

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  11. That came out so well! I should learn how to sew!

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  12. How adorable!! I haven't sewn in years- moving away from home meant losing access to a sewing machine for me. I love that you were able to make this by winging it!

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  13. You rocked that dress! You did such a great job making it, I would have thought you bought it!

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  14. Wow I can't believe you made that, you're SO adorable! I love gingham so much!

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  15. This look is so cute & it's amazing that you made it yourself! x Nicole | www.changeanddress.com

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  16. Really, really cute, and the fact that you made it is awesome...I love making my own dresses, I have a machine but do not always have the time, this post inspired me...

    Nancy Laws l Chic Mompreneur

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    Replies
    1. Yay! Hopefully you will pull out your sewing machine and make yourself a dress.

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  17. SOOO COOL! I wish I knew how to sew. I am literally the absolute worst.

    Nicole // Chronicling Home

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  18. This is absolutely adorable! I love this design, and really need to get back to sewing more often soon!

    Courtney// As We Stumble Along

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  19. Um...holy cow. You totally rock. You look AWESOME.

    http://thealwaysblog.com

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  20. What an amazing project! It must feel so great to wear an adorable dress that you created yourself. How rewarding!

    http://www.thepdxbelle.com/

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  21. I can't believe you made this!!! It's so cute and I am in love with that flattering shape!

    xo Ashley

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  22. So cute!! I love your dress and you look awesome in it!!

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  23. This looks so good on you! You are insanely talented! So glad that you were finally able to bring your vision to life.

    xo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise

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  24. Girlfriend, you are SO TALENTED! I love this dress! Do you plan to make things to sell or is this strictly a hobby?

    XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

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    Replies
    1. I used to make things to sell on Etsy, but the shop never took off as people didn't want to pay the prices I had for custom clothing. I was always getting ask to give discounts, but I was already making way less money then I should for my work. So for right now, it is strictly a hobby.

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  25. Loving that dress! It's so amazing that you can make your own clothes! I wish I could do something that talented!

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  26. I cannot believe you made this!! It's stunning! I wish I could do something like this.

    xo // www.thematerialgirl.co

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  27. I can't believe you made it! I could never! It looks so good!

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  28. WOW, you have great sewing skills! This dress turned out amazing!

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  29. What a cute dress! I'm not a huge fan of gingham, but you managed to pull it off quite nicely!
    @ndr@ K.
    www.andrasfinds.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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