My new outfit.
black and white and lime green all over
It started off with the fabric.
The print is the same pique-like textured stretch poly knit that my Target dress was made out of
I saw the fabric at Fabric Fix and decided the two fabrics worked together and even though the green in the print was different from the solid green, I thought there was potential. The lime solid was a woven polyester (satin? not sure) that had this interesting square texture to it, like a grid, an almost quilted appearance. It’s hard to explain but it does not drape well, is on the stiff side and is pretty dense for a woven material.
When I bought it the lady asked what I was using it for and when I said I wasn’t sure, that I just liked it, she said “you know, this is a really great Mod print, just like we wore in the 60’s. You should make a little shift dress out of the print and then make a long coat out of the green. Then wear it with white knee socks and black Mary Janes.
Hmm…I only own sparkly silver glitter Mary Janes (horribly uncomfortably from Sam&Libby, I got them at a second hand shop and have never worn them). But I liked where she was going with this. Being under 5′ tall meant the knee socks were out (I don’t mind looking young but I have to draw the line at knee socks).
So I sat around going through my patterns, and I had a few A line dresses in there but nothing that really caught my eye. I thought of using this print for the Tennis dress but when I laid out the pattern on the fabric I realized that I would inevitably lose a lot of the lime circles, since they are sparse throughout the print. I needed a dress pattern that had only two main pattern pieces and not a lot of darts that might mess with the print. I also had a long coat pattern in my collection but it is more of a trench coat and I was saving that for a wool material as a fall coat project.
Then one day I saw this pattern on Momspatterns.com and said “that’s it!” and bought it. It certainly helped that it was in what I thought was my size (5 Junior Petite).
Simplicity 6412 from 1966
I made the dress two weeks ago, in between hoodie projects and Andy’s shirt. The dress went together really quickly and was easy, but the fit was way off. There was way too much wearing ease. I ended up taking it in at the side seams, the front and back darts, and the seams between the armhole and neckline facings. This brought everything back into proportion for me.
I love the deep diagonal darts from waist to bust - these really helped preserve the print of the fabric and create a nice line
The dress has a very shallow neckline and the armholes are not cut-away/raglan style. I prefer lower, wider necklines and raglan armholes. Yet, this works and I like it.
Back of dress
I took a week off from sewing for myself to do Andy’s shirt, then I got back to working on this coat. I decided to grade the coat pattern down after realizing that the dress was really too big. I took 2″ out of the overall fit (1/2″ out of each pattern piece, I traced them onto brown paper and then slashed and overlapped and taped back together). I wanted to make this jacket unlined because the fabric was quite thick and had literally no right or wrong side, so the inside would look ok. I decided to do French seams where possible to eliminate the need to finish seam edges. I did this on the front/back side seams and the sleeve side seams. Eventually I am going to use bias tape to cover the other seams, since the fabric basically unravels if you look at it too long. I did use black bias tape on the facing edge, and then tacked the facing down at the hem line.
I deliberately hemmed the coat shorter than the dress so that the dress hemline would be visible
As usual, I have trouble with interfacing. I think I need to start using better quality interfacing. I used the same stuff I used for Andy’s Shirt collar and placket, and although it worked great on his shirt it did not sit smoothly on this fabric so you can see wrinkling on the front.
I have issues with interfacing, I know. Working on that.
Collar and Cuffs; Andy picked out the pearly buttons (I wanted green and couldn't find any, he suggested white instead of black)
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I am fully aware that I have absolutely no place to wear this outfit. I don't care.
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Side view
June 25th, 2009 | 
It came out cute. For interfacing, on vintage patterns, fusible was not available, sew-in suggestions are usually given. Summerset (Pins & Needles) explained this in a post a while back, I don’t remember where. At least, I think it was Summerset. Anyhow, SOMEONE did. Or maybe she answered a question to me about it when I had a problem. But sewing in interfacing that has more drapeability may be the answer to losing the wrinkles, I don’t know. That may be a question you may post on Sew Retro to see if you get an answer. I think the fabric combo is great.
WOW! I’d make up an event to wear that out. I’d go to the grocery store in that outfit and wear gloves! It’s beautiful on you. And the fit of the dress is just perfect. Wonderful execution.
Wow! The ensemble looks great!
I am so tempted to pick up that pattern now, not that I have time to sew it… but it just looks super cute.
Sweet lord, that’s adorable! You were made for those mod prints. And like Elizabeth, I think the grocery store is a fine suggestion for a place to wear it.
I had to de-lurk to tell you how I love what you did with these fabrics! Great vision, adorable outfit. I think black ballet slippers would be great with this! If you go to a mall, you’ll end up with all those teen-age boys trailing after you!
Very cute outfit
As for interfacing… I’m not a fan of sew-in interfacings (in most cases) because it’s extra work, but fusible weft interfacing is terrific. Maybe give it a try if that’s not what you’re using already?
Totally LOVE the outfit!!
Love it!!!
The two fabrics really work well! Yay! And blonde’s look great in green!
You’ve got to try Pam’s interfacing : http://off-the-cuff-style.blogspot.com/ . No affiliation, it’s just great stuff. BTW, I love your style and your blog.
This is a fabulous outfit! And don’t say you don’t have anywhere to wear it to. You should wear it EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE.
Like your outfit, it’s beautiful on you
)
Lovely!!! Your choices in fabrics are perfect. It looks great together. I think Andy should take you to a nice fancy restaurant and then to the theater so you can wear this outfit. But if he doesn’t, the grocery store sounds like a good place to go too!!!! : )
Utterly inspiring! Lovely! You have a wonderful spirit about you, you truely wear the dress, not the reverse! I hope you find all the support motivating to wear it out any time! I would. Thanks for sharing your excitement about this project! Wynne B. Rhode Island
You know, it’s posts like these that make me wish I didn’t live in the Caribbean, LOL!
I love the mod print and you did a great job on the dress.
I second the recommendation for Pam/Sew Exciting fusible interfacing, it’s really awesome. You can fuse layers to add stiffness, as both (for woven and for knits) are kind of thin.
also delurking. it turned out great & the coat is *fabulous*!
Wow, you have found your era! The dress/coat is just great. The 60’s is my personal favorite and I’m about your size (with a few more pounds) and love the a-lines and clean lines of the clothes from that decade. You will be able to find tons of 60′a patterns on line. Can’t wait to see your next project.
What a fantastic dress and coat! I love the print and the colour and the buttons are a perfect choice. Fantastic job.
I don’t know if you’re still looking for fabric for the KOM podium dress; I found the perfect print at one of my regular online shops, but it’s in the UK and you won’t get in time for this year’s TDF. Maybe next year? The link is here:
http://www.abakhan.co.uk/acatalog/Spots_Print_Fabrics.html
Chapeau!
If you got no where to wear it…mail it to me!
I love it! It is so awesome! I am *green* with jealousy!
Completely unrelated to this post, but I think I spotted you out on the roads on thursday morning. Out on Brookline Street in pepperell, hammering with some gent.
I was the silver Subaru that waved, maybe some day they will finish repaving that stretch and make the 122/130/101 loop nice again.
AO