To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

Sunday, July 26, 2015

1950 Cherry Print Dress...I'm So Afraid!!!

I don't think I have ever felt this feeling before in my costuming "career".  Since I started following several vintage dress blogs, I have really started falling in love with vintage dresses.  I even found two fabrics that really made my heart happy and the only eras that would fit them were the 1940s and 1950s.  I am still deciding what pattern to use for the 1940s fabric, but I think I decided what pattern to use with the 1950s-esque fabric.  That decision has taken me quite a while to come to.  By quite a while, I mean I struggled with this decision for 4 days.  I know what you're thinking..."That's not a long time you know".  But for me it is a really long time.  I have spent hours pouring over images on Pinterest, the internet, Facebook, Vintage Blogs, and the fashion books in my collection.  Usually, when thinking of what Victorian-1920s dress to make, I have a ready selection of ones that are on my "Will Make Before I Die" list.  However, this new era and venture is causing me a whole lot of anxiety.  I mean a lot.  I really want this dress to be happy as I am so seriously in love with the fabric!!

I purchased the pattern from Antique World Mall in Boise.  It is dated 1950 and I simply adore the scallops and buttons.  I especially adore the scalloped pockets on the skirt.  A fun bonus:  While I was checking over the pattern pieces, I discovered that a whole different pattern was also included in the envelope (Simplicity 4087)!!  There are just the pattern pieces and no instructions, so I am hoping that it is an easy put together!!

Anyhoo, after looking and rejecting all of my 1950s patterns (reproductions) and the few original ones I have, I decided on the pattern below with the scallops.


I am so thrilled that I found this pattern in my size!!  Whoot!!  I have about 10 patterns from this era that are adorable, but the bust measurement is 32.  I don't think I have ever been a bust measurement 32!!!


A month ago, I was at a local craft store, Crafter's Warehouse, and they had flat fold cottons in their quilting department.  This cherry one literally jumped off the table, tackled me to the floor and screamed, "BUY ME AND TURN ME INTO A 1950S DRESS!!!!!!!"  I'm not even kidding you.  Ask the ladies at the cut counter.  I am sure they see this sort of behavior from their fabrics all the time, but for me it was quite disconcerting.  I did some research on fruit/cherry print dresses from the 50s and found quite a few.  Nothing looked like my fabric, but I just fell in love with it and really want the dress to look good!

I bought some cotton curtains at Goodwill that matched the dark part of the cherries exactly and am wanting to do the accents in that.

Again, I can't express how scared, nervous, anxious I am to start this project.  Ridiculous I know.  I have made over 100 dresses/outfits from the Regency Era to the 1920s, and even made a blue and white polka dot 1950s dress for Coco last year, but this dress...

We shall see how silly I feel after the dress is complete!

Blessings to you all and I hope you have a wonderful week!

g

17 comments:

  1. Hmm, would love to see your "must make before I die" list :) Goog luck with your new era! I'm still strugling with my first (bustle), namely lingeries :D

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    1. Thank you for the good wishes Melinda! Oh bustle era!! I love that era! It's one of my favorites! Good luck to you in your endeavors!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  2. Well being my friend and watching me happily push a project to the back burner for years because it's time has just not come must be absolute torture for you. :) Four days indeed!

    So I recently have been listening to a fun blog called read aloud revival, cause I'm that kind if geek. I will now share her cute wisdom - it's time to put on your brave pants and go for it!

    I, of coarse, have no fears as I know it will be outstanding. I like the fabric, I think people typically think of 50s cherry prints as white (or maybe that's just me) so the back is a fun change.

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    1. Hahahaha!! You are so funny my friend!!! I love the wisdom of put your brave pants on and go for it!!! Good advise! Thank you for your confidence and support! You're the best!
      Blessings!
      g

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  3. That's a great pattern, love the scallop detail! Don't let these vintage patterns scare you! They, normally, go together really well and are not too tricky! I love the clothing from this era because you can wear it on a daily basis and not feel "costume-y".
    I recently added a couple 40s and 50s patterns to my stash that are a 40 bust. (they are for my future line of reproductions to make and sell) If you would like I would be happy to make a copy of one of them for you.
    -Emily

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    1. Thank you Emily!! I am getting more excited about this new project. The pattern is nice and "neat" and hopefully will work well with the pattern of the fabric. And I agree with the wearing on a daily basis...especially with not corset and 7 layers of underwear!!!
      I would love to have a copy of one of your patterns! I will copy you off this pattern if you would like as well! We could totally swap!!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  4. Woohoo!!!! I'm so excited for you!!! :) You're going to be a total vintage-dress-sewing addict once you've made this, I promise! The fabric you picked out is so cute, and it is definitely perfect for that pattern.
    I can't wait to see you in your new dress!!
    I am SO jealous of that pattern by the way! Those 32-inch bust deals don't exactly work for me either. (Although that never stops me from hoarding them.)
    Have fun on your new dress-making endeavor!! :)

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    1. Yay!! Thank you for the encouragement in my new endeavor! I just loved this fabric and am happy that one such as yourself (who really knows this era) approves!!! If you would like a copy of the pattern, let me know!!!
      Blessings!
      g

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    2. You're welcome!! :)
      That would be wonderful if you could send me a copy!! It is such a gorgeous pattern, and I don't have anything like it. Thank you!!
      I have a number of vintage patterns from the 1930s-50s that I'd be glad to trace off for you too - I'll send you an email with pictures of them so you can choose which ones you want.
      My email address is dollycreates(at)gmail(dot)com. If you could drop me a note, I'll send you the pictures and my address.
      Thanks again, Gina!! :)

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  5. I know it will come out beautiful, and I am looking forward to see what you use for the buttons!

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    1. Thank you Deborah! I have some fabulous buttons that would really work, but I am 4 short...and they are vintage ones so can't just go out and purchase any more!! SAD FACE!!!!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  6. Teehee! I'm looking forward to see your work- I'm sure it'll look great and be a blast to wear!! Love the idea of accenting it with the red fabric. :-)

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    1. Thank you Lily!! You are one of the ones to blame for my divergence into this era!! I will look to you for guidance! The red really helps break up the print...
      Blessings!
      g

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  7. Gina calm down! Breathe. Everything is going to be just fine. =) I love how you are cutting up some curtains to make the dress. It's such a great way to get a lot of fabric for cheap. I am working on some petticoats now also using drapery fabric!

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    1. Hahahaha!!! I'm trying Vivien! I love using curtains and sheets for my costuming. Sometimes the colors and patterns work so very well with what I am trying to make! I can't wait to see your petticoats!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  8. Fabric shouting at you? Why, I thought that was just something that happened to me when I had drunk too much tea! Hahaa!

    I do adore this print though, and I can not WAIT to see the cute dress you sew up; I'm sure it will look amazing! Your skills are so masterful, I can't see that the finished results will be anything but epic. ;) ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. Ha!! Silly fabric to abuse us so!! What kind of tea do you drink? Currently I am in love with Irish Breakfastc Tea...
      Thank you for your encouraging words!! They are much appreciated!!
      Blessings!
      g

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