Hello all, we hope you’ve had a good week? Here at Sew Essential we’ve been beavering away adding new products to our website and promoting our new indie sewing pattern range - we hope you like it as much as we do?!
We also couldn’t help but notice the news story on Mom’s wearing pyjamas on the school run. How is this relevant to a sewing blog you might ask, but I think any debate around fashion and clothing is relevant and interesting to those of us who like to sew their own clothes. In this article we briefly ponder how our attitudes to dress code have been revolutionised in recent decades and indulge in celebrating the glamour of yesteryear with our six most iconic vintage dress patterns.
In relation to sewing your own clothes, if anyone ever asks you the question ‘why do you do it, isn’t it cheaper to just buy them?!’ how do you answer? I would hazard a guess that for most of us it is nothing to do with a cost saving (in fact it can actually cost us more to make our own) but rather to do with the wonderful sense of achievement you experience throughout the whole process of making your latest masterpiece. Skills you learn along the way, new techniques you try out, tips you share with others and of course the finished article you can wear with a whole other level of pride to that you would ever gain from something you purchased off the peg.
But what really lies behind all of this? I would argue it is the desire to look nice and be well presented. I would also argue that, sometimes, in a world where some of us are now comfortable to be seen in public in our pyjamas, others may feel self conscious or vain for taking pride in their appearance and 'dressing up'. Over the decades we seem to have swung from one end of the spectrum to the other in the ‘is it better to be overdressed or underdressed?’ debate.
On a personal level in my younger, more self conscious years I much preferred to be underdressed for fear of looking ‘showy’ or overconfident. In recent years I’m glad to say I’ve reached the point where I don’t give two hoots what anyone else thinks! In this respect I probably have a lot in common with the PJ Mom’s, the only difference being what our preference is in terms of dress code.
So whatever your thoughts on the pyjama school run debate we here at Sew Essential thought it was a good excuse to celebrate a bit of good old fashioned glamour (NOT the FHM type, but the Hollywood vintage type!) We’ve picked our six favourite iconic vintage dresses from the 20th century and have selected the sewing patterns you can use to recreate the look. Why not treat yourself and proudly glam it up?! Alternatively, if you do prefer pyjamas we’ve got plenty of patterns for those too!
#1 Audrey Hepburn’s Little Black Dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s 1961
French designer Givenchy, a close friend of Audrey Hepburn, designed the original dress for the romantic comedy, however, the leg revealing slit was deemed a little too racy at the time and a more modest version was created!
Fast forward to 2016 and a leg revealing slit is perfectly acceptable in our book so why not use this Butterick 4343 sewing pattern in a nod of respect to Givenchy’s original design?! We think it would look fabulous in our Prestige crepe or Mystique satin backed crepe (both available in a range of colours). If you’re not quite ready to glam it up to the full length version there are knee length versions which would be perfect for a spring or summer wedding, christening, special night out or even a dress to impress day at the office.
#2 Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress in ‘The Seven Year Itch’ 1955
Ok so maybe you don’t fancy flashing your knickers over a subway grate like Marilyn, but there’s no denying this dress is a show stopper and can actually look incredibly stylish, flattering and demure (just avoid said grates if you happen to be walking down a street in NYC!)
Another dress perfect for those special summer occasions or evenings out. We love this Simplicity 1154 pattern, which comes with multiple options for the bodice and skirt length giving you a fabulous look whatever your body shape. Make it up in either our plain lightweight cotton jersey or our plain soft jersey knit (both available in a range of colours) for stunning results every time. To create a different look choose from our fabulous range of patterned jersey fabrics.
#3 Grace Kelly as Lisa Fremont in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 thriller, “Rear Window.”
We simply love, love, love this beautiful 1950s style dress with the extremely flattering full skirt and fitted, scooped back bodice. It also reminds us of the incredible costumes the character Betty wore in the hit TV series Mad Men - I’m sure all of us will agree many an evening were spent drooling over the clothes in that show!
Look as graceful as Grace in this Vogue 2960 design, which would look perfect in our John Kaldor Ohio fabric available in a range of beautiful vintage floral prints for the ultimate wow factor.
#4 The Mary Quant Dress 1960s
Ok so this isn’t one particular dress worn by one particular star, but Mary Quant the designer did revolutionise the way we dress forever! Mary was at the centre of the mod movement in the 1960s and encouraged people to dress for fun with her hot pant and mini skirt designs.
We love this Simplicity 1012 pattern which allows you to recreate a range of mod styles that will transport you straight back to the swinging 60s! Our John Kaldor Prestige crepe, Coast or Roanne jersey fabrics would be an excellent fabric choice for these designs just choose the colours to suit your mood!
#5 Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit 1960s
We’re bending the rules again slightly here in that it was a suit not a dress, but my oh my was this outfit iconic?! Jackie Kennedy was idolised for her dedication to fashion and style and this is arguably her most referenced outfit and her trademark. Super sophisticated and ultra chic you just can’t beat a tailored suit for a bit of timeless glamour.
With it’s boxy shape and stylish cut we think this Burda 6465 pattern is just the ticket to inspire your inner Jackie! Boucle fabrics are perfect for this pattern giving you that authentic look or choose our John Kaldor Coast fabric as a stylish alternative!
#6 Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8 in 1960
Liz set hearts racing in appearances in ‘Butterfield 8’ and ‘A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ wearing nothing but a sexy slip. In an interview with the famous actress for Harpers Bazaar magazine designer Michael Kors reflected on the fact she ‘invented that look’ and that ‘every designer does a slipdress in every collection now’. The negligee dress is certainly tipped to be a big trend for SS16 and was very prominent in the new season’s designer catwalk shows late last year.
If you’re feeling brave, you’re ready to flaunt it and are happy to ‘sort of’ wear your PJs in public you could use this classic Butterick 6031 pattern or one of our other gorgeous slip patterns to recreate Liz’s sexy look. Not so brave? Perhaps just wear it in the bedroom! We have a lovely range of satin and satin backed crepe available in a variety of colours and a selection of lace trimmings for you to choose from (just check the pattern packet for fabric recommendations). For the featured Butterick pattern any of our jersey fabrics would be ideal.
So that’s how you get from pyjamas on the school run to a Hollywood siren in a slip! Go forth and get glamorous, we dare you!
Have fun sewing!
Lucy
For more tips and tricks on how to make sewing easy you can follow our blog via Bloglovin and receive updates via email each time a new post is added.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news, tutorials, special offers, sales and more.