There are plenty of reviews of the latest Kate Winslet film ‘The Dressmaker’ written by film critics who are really good at that sort of thing. We, on the other hand, probably are not! So rather than attempt a review of this film we thought we would talk about what our followers and customers are really interested in - the clothes, clothes, clothes and the sewing patterns and fabrics you can use to make them!
Whether you’ve seen the film or not, loved it or hated it, surely to goodness we are all agreed that the costumes Kate Winslet and the cast wear are to die for! 1950s vintage style at it’s best from smouldering, sassy dresses to cute sailor looks and beautifully pretty chiffon blouses, it really is a feast for the sewist’s eyes. Here are our top picks from the film and the sewing patterns and fabrics you can use to recreate the look of ‘The Dressmaker’.
If you’re feeling inspired and are left wanting more of that 1950s vintage chic view our dress patterns and use the ‘vintage’ filter - there are plenty of designs to keep you sewing through the decades!
First up ‘that’ red dress Kate wears and wows us at a football game! Anyone fancy causing a stir and following suit at their local club?! Probably not, but it would make a fantastic Christmas party dress or formal dinner dress.
Get the look with our Butterick 5814 sewing pattern and our gorgeous crushed taffeta fabric available in scarlet and a range of other colours. Our John Kaldor Mistique plain satin backed crepe would also be perfect for this dress and is available in burgundy, fuschia or raspberry. We recommend using a fine size 80 needle to work with satin and using a walking foot on your sewing machine will help to prevent the fabric from slipping.
If you fancy something less formal we just loved the cute sailor dress Kate wears to play golf - sport really was so much more stylish in the 50s hey?! The shape of this dress is incredibly flattering and it would be so wearable! Can you imagine sauntering into the office for an important meeting or lunch with friends in this little beauty?!
Well why not make it with our Butterick 6055 sewing pattern and our prestige medium weight crepe or our John Kaldor coast fabric?
If ever you needed an excuse to make a super stylish coat the fact that the one Kate wears in the film is mistaken for Dior is probably a good starting point. Granted it was by the guard at the tin pot outback train station who probably didn’t have the best fashion credentials, but certainly (and weirdly) knew his stuff. Regardless we agree with him...this coat is delightful...
...and it can be yours with our Butterick 5824 sewing pattern. We just love the lapels and the full skirt for a smart yet ultra feminine look. Invest in a good pressing ham, a sleeve roll and some speed tailoring brushed cotton interfacing to give your tailoring the professional edge.
And one last super glamorous dress for good measure - the sweetheart neckline, figure hugging knock out number Kate wears whilst draping herself in a deckchair...I can just see myself draped on a deckchair in the back garden surrounded by muddy children, sandpits and trampolines rocking this look. On second thoughts maybe it’s another Christmas party frock by today’s standards!
Rustle this super sexy show stopper up using our Butterick 6019 sewing pattern and our classique satin available in a range of colours plus batting or bra cups for the bra padding (I might add some extra here!)
Well there you have it a run down of those ‘to die for outfits’ and the patterns and fabrics to sew them for yourself. We’ve even suggested the modern day occasions you could wear them to just in case you’re not one for playing golf in a dress or attending the footie in your best frock! Now what are you waiting for...1950s glamour is calling you!