Before and After "Hit Parade" - 1950s Dress with Bonny Details

 The Seamstress: Jennifer Gough
The Pattern: Vintage 1959 McCall's 4951 Misses' Dress with Slim and Full Skirt

Jennifer picked this particularly adorable dress with its wonderful neckline and collar details.

The Result: A fabulous dress with charm to spare! Jennifer chose a beautiful yellow and black tartan to sew the full-skirted version. Jennifer states: "As far as construction; the measurements were pretty spot on, but I added some length to the bodice and I recall that I had to play around with the skirt pleats quite a bit because of the plaid fabric, but since the pattern pieces there were just big rectangles it wasn't a big deal."

Jennifer has since made this pattern up again in the teal with white collar like on the pattern envelope, too, though she doesn't have photos of it on the web. Be sure to check out more photos of this first version of the dress on Jennifer's Photo Bucket album. Wonderful results, Jennifer - the dress and you look so lovely! Winning style, all the way around. :)

Before and After "Hit Parade" - Fresh 40s Frocks!

The Seamstress: Elisabeth

Today you get "two-for-one"! My customer Elisabeth sent me great pictures of two dresses she created using patterns from my shop. Both dresses are late 1940s, have such wonderful, graceful style, and Elisabeth's photos are fashion-model fabulous! You can follow Elisabeth's sewing adventures on her blog: Sewing Fairytales.

The Pattern: Vintage 1940s Simplicity 2907 Misses' One-Piece Dress
 

The Result: Isn't the result sunny and adorable?! I love the choice of fabric, it has a very vintage-style motif. And those cute matching shoes are perfect! Elisabeth shortened the dress to a charming just-above-the-knees length. And if you visit Elisabeth's blog, you will see the back of this dress in the blog header image - awesome!

 Here are her comments on the sewing of the dress:

"I loved the pattern as soon as I saw it. The front and the back of this dress are so elegant and feminine. I used a polyester fabric. This was not the best choice, but I loved the print. Sewing the dress was a bit more complicated. The pattern is not so easy, but the fabric added some difficulties as well. But all in all I really like it. I really have to make another one out of some better fabric (maybe in a nice solid color?)."

The Pattern: Vintage 1940s Simplicity 2842 Misses' One-Piece Wrap-Around House Dress and Housecoat
 

 

The Result: Elisabeth sewed this in its original graceful, beautiful tea length, complete with cap sleeves. Even the fabric looks very much like the view on the right (view 2). 

Here are Elisabeth's comments on the sewing of this dress:

"I made this dress out of 40s fabric I got at eBay. Sewing was easy,  except maybe the finishing. The fabric was not the best for the dress, because it is a bit stiff. All in all I am pleased with the dress. Unfortunately it really is better suited as a house dress, because if the wind blows, it´s a bit difficult to wear. Maybe I will sew another one out of another more suitable fabric one day."

Kudos on a lovely pair of dresses, Elisabeth!

Before and After "Hit Parade" - 40s Refashionista Beauty

The Seamstress: Vicki Muise
The Pattern: Vintage 1948 McCall 7286 Sewing Pattern Misses' Dress

Vicki chose the view on the right to sew up a graceful late 40s summer dress in a luscious tea length.

The Result: I love this dress - it's garden party-perfect! And the story behind this dress is a delight - a story of  preparing muslin-turned refashionista. :D

Here is Vicki's story of this dress:

"I sewed a muslin from this flowery $1 sheet because I had to make a few routine changes (SBA, increase the waist, shorten the skirt). Then everyone who visited me saw this muslin hanging up in my sewing corner and said that they would wear it as is! I had already cut out some vintage polyester with a nicer drape, to make a final version, but decided to put the finishing touches on the muslin just to see how it would turn out.

I posted the dress on The Sew Weekly and another member wanted to try it as well. Since I had already traced the pattern to make my adjustments, I shared it with her and she will post her version soon too."

Is that not awesome? And that's a self-fabric buckled belt, too! I can't wait to see the other member's version of this dress on The Sew Weekly. This is such a great story, Vicki. Thanks for letting me share your wonderful result. :)

Oh, and you can follow Vicki's sewing experiences on her blog: Another Sewing Scientist.

Before and After "Hit Parade" - Idyllic 50s Dress

The Seamstress: Kellie Falconer
The Pattern: Vintage 1957 McCall's 4251 Sewing Pattern Misses' Dress

The Result: It's dreamy!! Kellie says "I purchased this darling pattern [from Midvale Cottage], and wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying it! I thought you might like to see the first dress I created from the pattern - I am hoping to make a custom listing for it in my Etsy shop." Kellie's shop on Etsy is Kellie Falconer Design. Be sure to check out all her fine creations. This dress is adorable with exquisite details. It's such an inspiring creation, hopefully it will a listing in her shop soon!

 

Before and After "Hit Parade" - 50s Wiggle Dress is Sleek in Latex!

The Seamstress: "Essential Latex"
The Pattern: Vintage 1959 McCall's 4617 Misses' Dress, Skirt, and Jacket

Essential Latex used this fabulous late 50s pattern as inspiration for a recent fashion show! Note the view I've circled, which inspired her to create a stunning dress sewn out of latex!

The Result: Essential Latex says "My model loves this style and it completely suited her!" Isn't it gorgeous? This seamstress is located in Copenhagen, Denmark and has her own line of fabulous latex clothes. Be sure to check out her shop on Etsy: Essential Latex.

 

Before and After "Hit Parade" - A 5-Star Salute to the 50s Sailor Dress

The Seamstress: "Polly Esther"
The Pattern: Vintage 1950s McCall's 4395 Sailor Dress

Who doesn't love that timeless sailor style? Well, Polly Esther took this great pattern from the 1950s and McCall's that she purchased from my shop to sew up an absolutely fabulous version of the slim-skirted view.

  
The Result:  And here is just one view of the chic results. Needless to say, she drew compliments and raves! For more pix and details of all the construction decisions and successes of this sophisticated sailor dress, see Polly Ester - A Sewing Obsession.

Before and After "Hit Parade" - Picture-Perfect Sisters Dress Up 50s Style

The Seamstress: Stephanie Youngs

The Pattern: Vintage 1957 Butterick 8245 Girls Dress, Jumper, and Blouse

Stephanie chose this pattern to sew matching dresses for her daughters, Aubrey and Olive. 

The Result: Two adorable sisters looking picture-perfect in their beautiful 50s party dresses! 

 

In Stephanie's own words:

"Aubrey and Olive love their 50s style dresses! I love using older patterns because they are so simple and sew up quickly. I did, as many of us sewers do, make some changes to the pattern. Because my material was so light in color and weight I cut extra pieces and lined the top of the dress. My grandmothers especially loved the dresses because it took them back to the dresses their girls used to wear!"

The result shows true inspiration on the part of the Stephanie, when you compare it with the pattern illustration. The matching cummerbunds add the perfect finishing touch. Such cuteness - makes me want to hug these two!

Before and After "Hit Parade" - 40s Pinafore and Pinafter

The Seamstress: "Good Twin. Bad Twin."
The Pattern: Vintage 1940s Marian Martin 9378 Misses' Sundress

To see how super cute 40s fashions can be, I have to point you to the blog of one of my customers. She started with this pattern for a pinafore-style sundress from Marian Martin and the war years:

The Result:  And here is just one view of the absolutely adorable results. For more pix and details of all the construction challenges, decisions, and successes, see Good Twin. Bad Twin. :Sewfisticated.

Before and After "Hit Parade" - Marvy Mod 70s

The Seamstress: Prefers to remain anonymous
 The Pattern: Vintage 1970 Simplicity 8889

The Result: In her own words: "I'm only an occasional seamstress but the pattern was very easy and I love the result. I bought some pretty vintage fabric as well as vintage seam binding lace to make a real job of this and I'm so pleased, I'm going to make others from it as well. I varied the sleeve length to a three quarter and used the scoop neck option and the fabric is a slightly heavy weave cotton."

Did you notice those fab hoop earrings? They're perfect with the dress! Altogether it's classically wonderful, delightful fashion straight from 1970!:D

Before and After "Hit Parade" - Chic Asymmetry

 The Seamstress: "Polly Esther"

 The Pattern: Vintage 1952 Butterick 6063

The Results: Polly Esther, who is keen on the fashions of the 40s and 50s, loved the asymmetrical bodice of this pattern, but chose a slim skirt over the full one.

Isn't it beautiful? What a gorgeous blue fabric. And check out those fabulous vintage buttons. To read the details of her adventures with this pattern, go to Polly Esther - a Sewing Obsession.

Before and After "Hit Parade" - Wedding Bliss

I just love it when my customers share with me the results of a pattern they have sewn up. Sometimes they post about it in their blog, others simply convo me with a photo or two, and some post me "appreciation photos". So here is the most recent, a perfect ending to June, the favorite month for weddings.

The Seamstress: Cristine, with an Etsy shop of her own (please check it out!): cheariefearie
Cristine sewed this beautiful wedding gown for her niece.
The Pattern: Classic 1996 McCall's 8563 Sewing Pattern

The Result: Note the exquisite floral details on the skirt. She changed the bodice slightly to add petal sleeves. Gorgeous!

 

Cristine used a pearl seed bead trim for the vine, and hand-sewed all the vines on by hand with fishing line. This was to make sure that you couldn't see how it was attached because it was sewn on a sheer overlay. She also used silk flowers and glued rhinestones in the center of each and then hand-stitched those on as well. She and the bride then decided it would look awesome to have some floating rhinestones as well randomly on the dress. Stunning results!

Perfection, Cristine. Thank you! And be watching for future postings of "Before and After" Hit Parade. :)