A modern take on a vintage frock - Simplicity 3774

I've been sitting on this awesome vintage pattern for a few months now.

It was given to me by my husband's Nana. One of only a handful of vintage patterns that survived being thrown out!! This dress, complete with puffed sleeves, was made in the early 60's for my mother in law and aunty. I made the version without puffed sleeves (of course) and I am so in love with the result.

What do you think? Pretty cute right.

Clearly, I modified the pattern quite significantly to modernise the look. Here's the first muslin of the bodice. While I'm not wearing it for you, it sits very high on the chest. A little too high for my liking.

So I modified the bodice by folding it where I wanted it to sit, then re-drew the pattern with this change, waist modifications and a slight change to the darts. So with that in mind, it's really not too much like the original pattern, except for the full skirt.

I also fully lined the bodice, treating the two layers of fabric as one. I loved that in referring to my Reader Digest Complete Guide to Sewing (I have a version from the 70's), I learnt about stitching the fabric and lining together along the darts to get ensure the fabric sits together. So clever! I also fully lined the skirt and installed an invisible zipper.

I intentionally chose a black fabric for my first full skirted dress. It's so far from my usual style, I didn't want a bold fabric to draw attention to me. I'm also terribly aware that my friends all know that I sew and some of my bolder fabric choices scream 'different', or worse, 'handmade!'

I'm still getting used to the full skirt. It does poof quite a bit.


The fabric is a lovely, soft voile by Anna Maria Horner (yep again!! it's almost all gone now though!)

Now, I know you're all dying to know if I trimmed the skirt lining with lace, right?

 Well, yes I did!