The First Project Out of the Gate--Almost the Last

Leave it to me to take on a project that's over my head in the first round of sewing after getting reacquainted with the whole ball of wax. I was looking on line at a pattern site and came across a retro dress that I immediately fell for hook, line, and sinker. It was a Vintage Vogue 1956 and had every good quality that a dress of that era possesses.

Off to the fabric shop I went to look for the perfect material for the dress. I took my mom along for moral support and guidance--not that I followed it. My eye was entranced by a beautiful splashy pattern--in the slickest, slidingest material ever made. It took both my mom and me to cut out the pattern; one to cut and one to hold the material on the cutting table. We had various pieces weighted down with books all over the large table, in fact. It was quite a sight.


Sewing the pieces together was just as much of a challenge. Stitch and slide; stitch and slide. We finally made it through the large front section, the massive 15 foot circumference skirt, the low-cut back, the insert at the back. Everything was pretty much a success, except for the bodice sides, unique to this era of dress styles. We turned, twisted, flipped, ease stitched--you name it, we tried it. We called in outside seamstresses. We all stood with puzzled expressions and never quite got it; as a result, we finally decided to top-stitch in the offending pieces. The first attempt was now complete.

Later as the fall season approached, I once again looked to the pattern and decided to accept the challenge of the Vintage Vogue 1956 model--this time with long sleeves. I selected a heavy cotton polka-dot pattern--no slippage this time.  I also purchased a dress form in the meantime which meant I'd have a 3-D view and perspective. This made a world of difference as I approached the challenge of the bodice sides. This time they fit right in and perfectly. Mission accomplished!