All posts filed under: Sewing

Things I sew – historical and modern

The Historical Sew Fortnightly 2013: The Second Half

Published by The Dreamstress

Halfway through the Historical Sew Fortnightly 2013 I stopped and took stock of what I had accomplished.  It was extremely good for considering what I had done, what I wanted to do, and what I was capable of. I’ll do a review of the full year of accomplishments in a few days (so many end of year posts to write!) but I thought that to preserve the symmetry of my posting I should look at the second half of my HSF challenges, just as I did the first. So, what did I get done in the second half of HSF ’13? #14: Eastern Influence: The ca. 1903 Chinoiserie Skirt After the initial disappointment of the skirt motifs not being perfect, I’m thrilled with it.  I wish I’d been able to finish the bodice as well, but I guess that gives me something to do for HSF ’14! #15: Colour Challenge White: The Polly / Oliver 1880s skirt This one was a real reality check: I thought I could finish both the skirt and jacket for …

The 1930s Bad Plaid Celebration Dress

Published by The Dreamstress

Hurrah!  I have made it through the Historical Sew Fortnightly!  I’ve managed to make at least one item for all 26 challenges! Some were late, some took some time, but I did it! And here, of course, is my item for Challenge #26: Celebration: I’m calling it the ‘Bad Plaid’ dress, because the fabric is so awful it’s awesome, and because, well… I whinged about the pattern a lot as I sewed it up. The pattern is Decades of Style #3007: The 1930s Button Dress. Now, I’ll admit right away that half of the problems with the dress were my fault, at least in that I knew going in that the pattern wasn’t the most flattering style for my shape, and that I wasn’t using the best fabric for the pattern. I’m small busted, with a largish-rectangular ribcage, a sway back, and a full bottom.  I look great in empire waistlines, regular waistlines, and dropped waist – but the 1930s halfway-down-the-ribcage waistline?  Not my friend.  So that was the pattern problem. And this dress needs …