I did a little hunting to see if I could find out anything about the fabric that I’m using for these two dresses I’m making right now. Some people referred to this fabric as a variation of Dotted Swiss, others called it Clipped or Clip Dots, and others just said the tufts were embroidered flowers. I’m not sure what I’ll call it, but I do know that it’s definitely vintage. The fabric is 35-36″ wide and is a bit like voile or organdy… not necessarily stiff, but maybe I’d say it has “body.” The pink piece has slightly more “body” than the blue one and I’m wondering if it’s because of the size of the plaid… The blue piece’s plaid is slightly farther apart.
I did a little “Assembly Line Sewing” and got the basic bodice’s finished. When you do ALS sewing, you cut everything out and make sure you have all the same parts for each dress. Then when you begin sewing, you do one, then the same thing on the other, then something else and repeat for the other one. Pressing each part that you do at the same time and the handwork is all done at the same time as well. It’s a pretty quick way to make a dress and two dresses can be made almost as fast as one! I have the skirts cut out but I’m debating about adding a bit more to the width of them. Since the fabric isn’t as wide as the usual 45″ width that I usually use, I’m concerned that these dresses might look on the “skimpy” side and you know I don’t like that. I might add a bit more at the sides and to the back, just to give it a little more fullness. I want these dresses to be from the late 40’s to the 50’s, so I want them to look full.
They will definitely have slips underneath to hold this dainty fabric out.
It has been a dream to sew and pressing it was a snap. They are very crisp looking and I hope you’ll enjoy seeing what I have gotten done so far. When Eden saw me taking pictures of my girls, she hopped down off the shelf and said, “Hey, my dress fits in perfectly with these!”
I might end up with a “modern” set of Little Women.
Well, here are a few pictures for you to see… I decided to use Samantha for the pink dress and Nellie gets the blue. I think they look pretty in the colors so just think of these 2 Edwardian girls taking a trip to the future! :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, these dresses are coming along beautifully!! I love both fabrics, but especially the pink one. I realized, when I enlarged the picture, that the pink fabric has little blue or lavender dots, something I didn’t notice when you showed us the fabrics.
Yes, it might be a good idea to add some extra fabric to the skirt for fullness, if you have enough fabric. Perhaps you can make the skirt so the back is in two pieces (a CB seam and two side seams) by using most of the skirt piece for the front and then part of it (perhaps with a faux seam) for one back and another piece added for the other back. That would give it a balanced and intentional look, I think.
I do assembly-line sewing quite often. Sometimes it can even be done when making only one of something, if you plan it out right. If’ I’ve made, for instance, a particular blouse pattern more than once, I often will rearrange the assembly method so I can sew as many seams in one sitting as possible.
I saw all the comments on yesterday’s post, and will try to get pictures of that dress (and a close-up of the fabric) in the very near future for you. For years I’ve been saying, if I came across that fabric again today, I would buy it all over again, I love it so much!! One of the vendors at Expo had vintage fabrics, and believe me, I Looked! I did find one that was similar, but a different color and not nearly as pretty, so I left it there.
Thank you Charlotte,
I just finished adding some fabric onto the skirt. It is so lightweight and sheer, the gathers around the waist don’t make it look bulky. Yay!
I did do several things at the same time.. the gathering stitches for the sleeves. Sewing around the neckline and down the back etc.
Then all the pressing at the same time…
Whenever you get the dress found and pictures taken, I’ll be waiting to see them.
Blessings ,Jeanne
What perfect model choices. I can’t remember the last time I saw Nellie. Love the vintage fabric. Beautiful colors.
I was going to check out Joann’s as it looks like some patterns are on sale, but when I looked up the ones I wanted, of course, none were in stock at the two stores near us. Oh well, probably didn’t need more anyway.
Looks like a sunny day today. 🙂
Hi Joy,
I’m glad you like seeing Samantha and Nellie as models for this. I think they look cute as 50’s girls!
Oh what a bummer to have patterns in mind, and then the store is out…that drives me crazy… even if I wasn’t planning on making anything from them right away.
Hope your day was sunny…we had rain…
Blessings, Jeanne
I have solved the mystery of filet laces! The table cloth Jeanne photographed IS filet lace. It’s embroidery on a knotted net. The net is purchased pre-made in various sizes much like counted cross stitch and hardanger fabrics. Filet crochet starts with a single thread or yarn and the fabric and design are created row by row with a hook. Hardanger is a specific style of embroidery on pre-made cloth. That research was kind of fun. The mystery method is new craft to me but I don’t think I will be learning how to do it. I sent Jeanne an email with examples of all three from my personal collection.
These dresses are going to be perfect for spring. Are the two fabrics made of cotton? I have some dotted Swiss that is synthetic and ravels like crazy. I started one small doll project but changed to a cotton fabric that was easier to work with.
Oh, so glad you solved The Great Tablecloth Mystery! New best seller I’m sure. I had decided it was filet drawn thread needle lace embroidery or Cluny bobbin filet. I didn’t see any crochet stitches on the tablecloth. Thanks for solving the mystery. When I saw that net background used, I immediately had more appreciation for the work. Can’t wait to see your photos. 🙂
Hi Julia
I received your email with the pictures of the different crochet looks…I’ll share them with everyone. Thanks for your research, Julia!
Yes, the pink and blue fabrics are cotton…and really easy to sew and press.
Thanks so much
Blessings, Jeanne
Very sweet, Jeanne! Looks like something I would have been wearing when little! I love those pretty, puffy sleeves, and hope the dresses turn out as cute as I am envisioning! They will be all ready the the Easter Parade, for sure!
Well, now are Easter bonnets going to be included ?? Even if you don’t make any, you can buy pretty ones with a wide brim fairly cheap and decorate those.
Looks like a gloomy day here, with fog and rain, but spring is around the corner and my bulbs are coming up!
Hi Linda
I’m thinking I would have loved either of these dresses too. They are so dainty and feminine
I’m thinking about Easter bonnets but not sure yet. I’ll keep working on that…
We had rain here too…pretty gloomy!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
These are going to be some really sweet little dresses. And you picked the perfect models. Can’t wait to see the finished product(s). I see you did well on the auction of Emmie’s dress. Congratulations! You did make sure she didn’t “borrow” your debit card and purchase it for herself. She looks so adorable in the outfit I can’t picture it on anyone else.
Thanks Julia on your research. I know about filet crochet and how to do it, but I wasn’t aware of the other choices.
The weather here is warming up much too fast. We have had some years when we didn’t have to put our A/C on until May. This year we’ve had it on off and on during the winter months and now, judging from the weather report, it looks like it will be on all the time for the next several months. No cooler temps in sight at the moment.
Hi Barbara
I’m glad you like my models too..they areboth enjoying being on my cutting table together…
My auction last night was pretty fun! I was thrilled…Emmie…not so much!
I’m working on the dresses tonight so I have something to share with everyone…
Thanks Barbara
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, the dress tops look lovely. I can’t wait to see the finished items.
It is fun to see two dresses being made at the same time and to see the girls sharing the experience. It’s always handy to have a friend in the dressing room to help with things (chuckle).
Hi Dorothy,
I’m getting closer to being finished with the dresses…they are so girlie!!
There are no buttons on the backs yet, so they don’t need each others help…just yet…
Thanks Dorothy
Blessings, Jeanne
The trio does look good together! The bodices are coming right along and yes..adding more fullness to the skirt is a mighty fine idea! When did fabric stop being made in 36 inch width….wasn’t that a really long time ago?…or is it maybe European fabric?
Wherever it is from it is wonderful. I’ll be watching for the next chapter!
Thank you Kathie,
I’m not exactly sure when fabric stopped being manufactured in 35″ widths and went to 45″, but it sure is easier to have that extra 10 or so inches of width.
I’m working on them tonight…in hopes of having something to share…
Thanks Kathie
Blessings, Jeanne