My last article touched on how you can reuse and recycle fabrics laying around your house in new ways. Many times we have old slip covers or curtains lying around that we end up throwing away. I am currently working on a project to turn some home decorator fabric my friend had into a vintage-style dress. The two fabrics used were once curtains and slip covers, but a change in taste left my friend with a bunch of leftovers heading for the dump. Thankfully, she thought of me and I gladly took them.

When I looked over the fabric, there were some pieces that were too worn to use. So, I cut away the parts I did not want and saved them in my scrap bag. Normally with all my scraps I do one of two things: they are used to stuff pillows I make, or I donate them to a local group that makes quilts for the SPCA dogs. When I had the fabric that I could use I realized that there was not enough of one print to make the dress, but the two did go nicely together. I decided to use the solid for the bodice, and the print for the skirt.

The pattern I am using is from my vintage pattern collection. I have the original envelope that was used to mail it to a lady in Ohio, in 1962. The pattern is from the Ohio Farmer Pattern Department which was in New York?! The dress originally is meant to have a matching coverlet that attaches by buttons on each side of the collar bone. I decided not to use this because I wanted the dress to look like it would fit in with the current fashion, while keeping its vintage appeal. This is why you do not see the buttons on my bodice.

Vintage patterns can be a challenge to work with because the paper is brittle sometimes and the directions are not as clear as patterns are today. The reason for this is because up until the mid 1960’s most women made their clothes or their children’s clothes. Practically every woman knew how to sew and pattern designers knew this. The directions they gave assumed the sewer knew how to do the basics, so lengthy explanations are not given.

It is extremely helpful to read through the directions and look over the patterns carefully. Many directions and hints are printed on the pattern itself which is also not common today.

The bodice went together easily until I had to turn the facing right-side out. The facing is in the inside and gives structure and support to your fabric. Sometimes, it is a manufactured interfacing which comes in different weights, and other times it will call for using the same fabric as the project, as is the case with my dress. Because of the narrow shoulder openings it was a workout to pull all the fabric through! I am still not happy with how the armholes are laying but I will work on that later.

This week I am going to sew the skirt together and attach it to the bodice. I will then have to insert the zipper, and hem the skirt and then I will be done.

When making clothes from vintage patterns, it is important to remember that the sizing is totally different from what it is today. For example, this pattern says that a person with a bust of 32”, a waist of 25” and hips of 34” would be a size 12. In today’s market these measurements would equate to a size 4 or 6!

Another thing to think about is your underwear. I know it sounds strange, but remember that in the 50s bras were different. They were more structured and pointy. Women wore girdles for support as well as to have something to connect their stockings to. The bust line of a true vintage dress will need to have the appropriate undergarments worn in order to maintain its shape, or you can shorten the darts in the bust to soften this area.

My next article will show the completed dress, and I will also show you what can be done with vintage aprons. Happy sewing!

Barb Stauff is first and foremost a SAHM to three girls, 14, 11, and 7 who keep her laughing and love to help her create. Owning my own business has been a challenge, and it is a lot of hard work, but I have given my daughters a wonderful gift.

links of interest

Barb also wanted to share these websites you can check out that will give you ideas on reusing the things around your home.

Crafting a Green World features some diy projects that incorporate reused, recycled and natural materials. From wallets, to jewelry, and knitting and crochet projects, this site will inspire you to look twice at what you would normally throw away.

Recycle This is a site that shows you creative ideas for reusing random stuff. Even the most innocuous things are used in fun and unique ways.

Rehash Clothes lets you swap clothes and accessories for free! According to the site the average American throws away about 68 pounds of clothes each year.