Here at Sew Essential we are proud to be supporting the McCalls Pattern Company Big Vintage Sewalong. We have put together this special blog post to help you find your vintage va va voom and join in the fun! Twenty vintage sewing patterns have been selected for the sewalong and a different sewing blogger will be making their favourite design each week so why not join them?
You can share your creation with others taking part via social media using #bvsewalong. There will even be a vintage tea party taking place at the Knitting & Stitching Shows at the Alexandra Palace and Harrogate in the autumn for participants to attend wearing their very own vintage creation.
Not only will it be a whole lot of fun taking part in the sewalong it is for a great cause too. Money from the sale of each of the featured 20 patterns listed below will be donated to the Eve Appeal - a charity working to achieve better prevention and detection of women's cancers.
So feast your eyes on the twenty featured patterns below and the gorgeous recommended fabrics we've selected from our stash to make them with (this is just a glimpse and there are so many more on the site). We are proud of the high quality fabrics we stock and think they're the perfect match for such a special project - the designs are timeless and the fabric should be too!
Don't forget we've got all the zips, threads, buttons, interfacing and general sewing supplies you need to whip up your vintage number.
Remember we're always available to help with any queries and have a resident dressmaking guru who has been sewing since the 50s!
McCall's 7053
This beautiful 1930s blouse is the perfect accompaniment to a fitted skirt or trousers from any era that takes your fancy. We’ve got plenty of drapey, lightweight fabrics in vintage inspired prints that would be just the ticket.
Why not try our delightful Hermione fabric in dusky pink our Rosaline fabric with it's stunning blue floral print or Rosaline in pretty pastels purples and pinks.
This 1930s skirt epitomises the elegant and demure styles of the time. We think it would look fabulous in any of the colours available in our medium weight double jersey Roanne fabric. Why not go for a striking colour and a crisp white shirt or a neutral tone and a vibrant top?
Alternatively go for a patterned crepe such as our sumptuous John Kaldor French crepe in red and pink, teamed with a plain top and stand out from the crowd.
This 1930s inspired dress is timeless and graceful and simply screams Hollywood glamour! The cutout detail on the back bodice and gathered skirt will certainly help you to stand out from the crowd at that special occasion.
Our finest John Kaldor satin backed crepe has a sumptuous, luxurious feel and is a perfect for such a glamorous gown. It comes in a range of colours to suit any skin tone from muted mink, silver & ivory to bold raspberry, royal blue and amethyst and more!
If you prefer a matt finish simply use the crepe side of the fabric or choose our John Kaldor Prestige crepe also available in a range of colours.
Look smart and stylish in this 1930s pullover dress, which would be just perfect sewn up in our Prestige crepe or Coast linen look fabric, both available in a range of beautiful colours.
We think this Vogue vintage jacket and dress could be just perfect whipped up in time for wedding season! Our Coast linen look fabric or Prestige crepe would be the perfect match, or for a more informal style why not try our denim?
This pretty dress deserves a pretty fabric and we've got plenty! Go for our French crepe, Ohio or Hermione,all available in a range of patterns and colours, and look as pretty as a picture at those forthcoming summer events.
This 1940s vintage dress pattern is simple and sophisticated and will drape beautifully in all the right places. Go plain with our satin backed crepe or Isabella plain wool mix jersey, both available in a range of colours. If you fancy a striking patterned fabric like the one in the picture try our Hermione, Juliet or Olivia fabrics available in a range of designs.
This stunning 1950s dress and coat combo is classic and chic. We love the fit and flare coat design for the ultimately feminine look. Once again our Prestige crepe fabric would be an ideal match and we also stock the brushed cotton iron on interfacing you need for the tailored elements of the coat.
With it's gorgeous flared skirt and cinched in waist this dress could not be more flattering! Hug your figure in all the right places and make it up in our Prestige crepe, taffeta, duchesse satin or Pandora faux silk dupion fabric each available in a range of delightful colours.
Go for that preppy look in this 1950s dress. We love the collar, buttons and belt combination - the details that give this chic little number an interesting twist. Check out our Ohio or Hermione fabrics if you're all about the prints and if you prefer to keep it simple with a plain design choose our Pandora faux silk dupion or Coast linen look fabrics. We've got the Petersham you'll need to give the belt a truly professional finish too.
Work those curves in this sassy little number! We love the ultra feminine, hourglass silhouette it creates. Whip it up in our Prestige crepe, Olivia, Juliet or Hermione fabrics and feel fabulous!
You can't look at this dress without thinking Betty from Mad Men and, let's face it, we'd all kill for her wardrobe! Work it in a pretty print such as our Ohio or French Crepe fabrics or wow with our plain yet luxurious Duchesse satin or Pandora taffeta.
If you want to flaunt it in a fitted, figure hugging frock this pattern is for you. Choose your favourite colour from our range of Prestige crepe and this could be your FFF - favourite frock forever!
This 1950s dress is just so cute! They just don't make them like this any more - well now you can! We think it would look fab in our new chambray fabric with it's pretty little heart print design or perhaps in our Marmaris stretch cotton sateen available in three vibrant colours.
Onto the 60s and we're coming over all Mad Men again, I mean how much does this dress remind you of Joan?! Give it a modern twist with our new multi drops cotton poplin fabric or go retro with a geometric Hermione design. There are plenty of floral fabrics to take your fancy including Juliet, Olivia and Ohio. Alternatively go wild with an animal print Rosaline fabric.
Jackie Kennedy is our next muse with this stylish Vogue jacket, top and dress. Our Coast linen look fabric and Prestige crepe would be ideal for this smart tailored chic.
With it's swishy skirt and sleeveless design this dress is just perfect for those summer events - weddings, garden parties and evenings out. We've got the pretty fabrics you need to do it justice - try our Peaseblossom, French crepe, Olivia, Hermione or Marakech fabrics and you won't be disappointed.
Another perfect summer dress guaranteed to make you feel feminine with it's swishy skirt and low back. Find the perfect pretty fabric from our favourites Peaseblossom, French crepe, Olivia, Hermione or Marakech.
This vintage inspired design certainly has the wow factor with it's full skirt, low back and buttons design. Choose our cute chambray with the heart print for a more casual look or go for full on glamour with our satin backed crepe or Pandora faux silk dupion.
And last but not least this cute vintage inspired blouse with it's adorable bow detail. We've got a versatile range of fabrics to suit every taste - check out our Versailles, Yasmin, Capri and Cassandra fabrics.
We hope we've managed to inspire you to get involved and sewalong for a great cause.
We're more than happy to send out samples of our fabrics, remember this is just a taster of what we have in stock so why not have a browse.
We've got all the habby and sewing supplies you'll need to get you on your way so all that's left to say is have fun sewing!
Lucy
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