The Facts:

Fabric: Cotton shirting bought over four years ago that I found while cleaning out my closet, about $4/yard
Pattern: Simplicity 1554
Year: 1945
Notions: black plastic buttons, $1
Time to complete: 6 hours
First worn: Hasn’t been worn yet!
Wear again? Yes!
Total price: $5?

Pattern used:

I found this already-cut plaid cotton shirting wadded up in a ball at the back of my closet. The blouse is very comfortable and came together pretty quickly (from cutting to stitching) in about an afternoon.

More construction details can be found on my blog.

Thanks ever so much!!

Even though I’m not a ‘shorts’ girl, with the onset of summer I figured it would be a good time to try making a pair (coz lets face it – going camping in a 1950′s style dress just isn’t nearly as practical as I’d like it to be).

These were made using Simplicity 6946 from 1975. The pattern promised to be able to make a pair of shorts using only 1 metre or less of fabric, and I had a bit of scrap red cotton drill that was the perfect amount. Clearly, the fabric and the pattern were destined to be together.

I made up version 1, the “hip hugger” version, designed to sit 1.5″ below the natural waistline.

The pattern was very quick and easy to put together, and I’m contemplating trying it again sometime very soon….

There are some more details over on my blog.

These are a mid-weight dark denim, and I’ve been wearing them weekly! They wash and wear just like jeans. Although unfortunately they also shrink like jeans as well: the first time I washed them I had to let out the hem a whole 1-1/2″!

The first pair of these I inserted a zipper, but decided to try buttons on this round. They turned out great! Although they kind of like to come part way unbuttoned as I wear them.

The pattern doesn’t call for it, but I added a lap to support the buttons.

I finished this pair just in time for the Husband’s office party last night.

I used a red poly gabardine and they drape so nicely. Hope they end up being as easy to care for as the denim ones.

Used some contrasting buttons and changed the direction of the buttonholes, so hopefully they won’t try to undress me as I’m wearing them like the others.

I have more of this gabardine in black and a sort of dark purpley-navish color, and originally thought I’d turn them out assembly line style, but have gotten kind of bored, lol! Will have to sew up some fun & quick projects before I get back to them.

Summer’s coming up, so I made this little top from Butterick 9808, circa early 1960′s. It’s made from part of an old cotton duvet cover, my take on the Home Sweet Home weekly challenge over on the Sew Weekly.

This pattern was quick and easy to make up – it only took two hours. (Admittedly I left out the boning and simply interfaced the top of the bodice, rather than fully lining it.) It fits wonderfully over the waist and hips – perfect for wearing under circle skirts for summer.

There are more details over on my blog if you’re interested.

Apples and a 1950′s style dress – perfect combination for the upcoming summer!

The bodice is made from a BurdaStyle website pattern, and the skirt is from McCall’s 3411 from 1955.

More details are over on my blog.

I recently finished this late 50s/early 60s dress for a work event using Simplicity 4774.

Pattern used:

More information can be found on my blog.

I recently finished this blouse using Simplicity 1554.

Pattern used:

More information can be found on my blog.

This pattern lists itself as ‘Advanced’, and yes, it pretty much is that! I think it’ll be easier the second time it gets made up, but those points on the neckline are pretty hard to get nice and crisp with the instructions they gave. I made a couple of alterations – taking it in at the centre front where the base of the neckline cut-out is (probably only necessary as I have a small bust), and also adding a 1.5 inch band at the base of the shirt, as it’s a very high cut otherwise. With the added length, it sits pretty much perfectly for natural-waisted skirts.

There are some more details over on my blog.

For this week’s challenge over on the Sew Weekly, I made up the skirt pattern from McCall’s 3411, from 1955.

There are some more details over on my blog.