This might be like opening a can of worms for me and I might be more confused than I am right now. Then again, maybe you’ll all agree and it will be an easy fix.
Here’s my problem… when I got Maryellen, I thought, “Oh, I know the 50’s styles… I was a 50’s baby and have lots of pictures of the dresses from the 50’s.” How hard could it be to figure out how to make Maryellen’s debut dress? So I looked on Ebay at 1950’s girls dress patterns and got LOTS of ideas… and put together this idea from all the things I had looked at.
This was actually my inspiration picture…
…and this was my basic dress without any embellishing…
Yep, that’s how I wanted my dress for Maryellen to look… trouble is…when I tried making a pattern for the capelet, it was a BEAR!! Trying to get the scallops to come out even and then lay over her shoulders was harder than I thought…I tried patterns with paper towels, with denim, just paper…
…and then finally decided to just go for it out of the fabric… and this is what it looked like…
The fabric and felt are beautiful together…
(Now, I must tell you, all my buttons and ribbons and ties and belts and embellishments are just pinned on and aren’t tied in perfect bows or laid straight or cut off, but are just there to give you a hint of what it would look like. The close up pictures are much lighter than the full view ones. The fabric and wool felt goes together beautifully!)
I was questioning it myself, so I asked for Rebecca’s opinion…and she said, “Uh…no…) so I was deflated…and wanted to give up and throw it in the trash…but I didn’t.
So I came back and looked at more pictures and saw a few more little capelets…and wondered if mine was just wrong because it was a different color than the fabric of the dress… or maybe it was too long? or maybe it needed to be edge stitched along the edges…
I was so confused, I decided to make Maryellen’s slip and socks and find her some shoes…
Then it was back to the dress again… here are some ideas I thought “might” work…
Just put a piece of trim from side hip to side hip and tie a bow at the end…
Or maybe make a belt out of some brown Ultrasuede and add a little buckle to it…
I could add an orangish rayon ribbon and tie it in a bow around her waist…
…or a taupe-like rayon ribbon…
I found a cute picture of how I could make a vest from the wool felt. My picture just shows the wool felt turned like a vest would be, but I didn’t actually cut out a vest…
Maybe it just needed buttons on the midriff section like this dress…
…or maybe it needed a ribbon tie under the collar along with the buttons on the mid section…
My cutting table was a disaster as I had just about every piece of trim that might possibly work on the table…
Anyone have any suggestions? I could use some help…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
This fabric is really beautiful on Maryellen–good choice!
The thing that jumped out at me immediately is that, although they are very cute, with the little ruffle, the sleeves are simply Too Long for the 1950s!! In every picture (pattern) you showed us, the sleeves are really short, ABOVE the half-way point between shoulder and elbow. It was either that, or all the way down to the wrist.
The second thing that jumped out at me was that your dress has a dropped waist. It was about 1959 when we started wearing drop-waist dresses. My mom made my Christmas dress in that style while we still lived in Michigan (and we moved from there Sept. 1960); I have a picture of me wearing it at Christmas, 1959. It had an unpressed-pleated, but fairly Straight (not poufy) skirt. I would suggest using the dark brown for a belt, to give that “waisted” look that was all about the 50s. Rather than a bow at the neck, a narrow matching trim could be added near the edge of the capelet, as shown in the picture of the girl in the gray check outfit (not a pattern envelope).
The capelet is a cute idea, but if you look at that first pattern (Simp. 1701, I think), the capelet is at least as long as the sleeves–in other words, Short!! So, shortening the sleeves may help the scalloped-edge capelet to work better for the dress.
I did have a suit with a capelet in the 1950s–I’m thinking about 1956 or 57, maybe 58. The suit was gray, and the capelet was the same fabric, lined–and, again, Short (even though, in this case, the jacket did have long sleeves, but it was a suit, not a dress). I remember I really loved that outfit, made me feel more grown up!!
Hope those ideas help. Definitely way shorter sleeves and and a defined waist, though–those would be my main suggestions.
So far, I like the vest idea best. The tight waist and the full skirt produce a very ladylike look. All of the pattern pictures are quite plain, letting the silhouette do the work of carrying out the new look. However, a delightfully simple dress won’t sell.
You probably need to take Charlotte’s advice and shorten the sleeves. Instead of a capelet, consider a round under collar, probably white, possibly trimmed with narrow lace, and maybe removable. Think about a cumberbund-like sash, possibly with buttons , like the one on the blue dress with white flowers and big lace collar that I have from some years ago.
Or, since I like the vest, maybe a bolero and a ribbon belt or a cumberbund.
Now I thinking of removable parts that keep the basic pretty silhouette but give the dress 2 different looks.
Time to get ready for PT.
Of the ribbon colors, I like the brown best.
Oh boy, you’re asking for it. I’ll start with the capelet. With that bright orange, it reminds me of a jester costume. If, it were cut much smaller with the scallops as in the first pattern which are straight across, maybe. I would like a capelet made of the same dress fabric though. And I wouldn’t go with a vest or anything like that in the orange. I’m having trouble seeing the defined waist. It doesn’t look like the waist was topstitched. Maybe with that, it would show up more as the waist. I would go with the buttons in a slightly darker chocolate color. No ribbon belt or belt of any kind. Nothing in orange at all. Also, I don’t think that beige lace trim, the orange, or any other color works at all except chocolate. I would go with a darker chocolate button choice, maybe even slightly larger, and a matching thin velvet ribbon which could be tied at the neck with a small heart dangling charm. Would be very demure. If you don’t have any thinner chocolate ribbon, use the ribbon in the last photo, but tied smaller and again, with a small delicate charm. I wouldn’t mess with the sleeves. There were lots of bracelet length sleeves back then. 🙂 I think without the orange accent, this dress will be a lovely fall/Thanksgiving ensemble. Maybe Mary Ellen walking in the fallen leaves outside gathering acorns and pine cones in a basket to make table decorations. She wants everything special because her grandparents are coming to share the day. 🙂
I agree that the sleeves seem out of place for this time frame. I’m not a fan of using the natural waistline foe embellishment with a dropped waist. Maybe larger buttons. Weren’t lucite and plastic decoration and buttons a thing back then? Did you try larger and not like them? The bow at the neck always works for me.
While it’s a really sweet dress, and your work is always so impeccable, the long fitted sleeves and the drop waist look really throws it off of a 50’s look. I really think that makes it hard to put finishing touches. No matter what you’re trying it just isn’t the 50’s and that’s why it isn’t coming together to your eye. The fabric color/print looks more 40’s. I looked close at each option and you’re right that they’re just not pulling it together. Try changing the buttons to a high contrast cream so they would show. But I think this style is the wrong decade.
I have no suggestions really, but now I know why I don’t do period attire. My encounter with the clothes of the 1950s involved me wearing hand-me-downs from an older cousin and they were always out of style. Probably why I haven’t a clue on this one. But then I’m a bit of an eclectic person anyway so when I put something together it’s more about what I like or don’t like rather than what is suitable to a timeframe. Good luck on this one. Can of worms is putting it mildly.
I like Charlotte’s suggestions of shorter sleeves. I noticed the contrast, too. All the examples were shorter than the ones you used. I still like the capelet in gold felt.
I see how you tried to fix her bangs. The wonky bangs didn’t bother me. They are part of her story and added to her charm.
Love it that you ask for ideas. I think it’s a cute little dress. The only thing I can suggest is to add a white or ivory cuff to a shorter sleeve and make another collar…a bigger one . Then there would be a double collar, the bigger one white under the existing collar. White pique is what I can see using. My sister and I had matching dropped waist dresses about that time and we thought we were just so special. I like the waist the way it is….it fits so well.
Good luck…hope all the ideas don’t give you a headache🥰🤪
The sleeve length and ruffle are perfect… for Felicity. Why don’t you lengthen the skirt and change the neckline and put in on her?? Just kidding, but I do think the fabric would be lovely.
Seriously, the 1950’s is not an era I represent, and apart from movies really haven’t scrutinized the clothing as much. Were dropped waists in? I know they were… for Samantha. I’m way better with Colonial, Edwardian, Civil War and late 1970’s -1980’s… either things I liked or lived through. It’s seems it was Charlotte’s and Joy’s era, so they are probably your best source of information.
I think the girl in the gray and white check holding the spinning top is the cutest. I love the scalloped capelet. I much prefer a capelet over a vest, more feminine IMO. I would make the capelet the same fabric as the dress though. Mimic the gray checked dress, but with a scalloped capelet.
My memories of my dresses in the 50’s are a bit hazy and, like Barbara, my dresses were mostly hand-me-downs from an older cousin but I don’t remember ever having a dropped waist dress or three quarter sleeves. Most of my dresses were sleeveless or had short puffed sleeves and they all had a sash that was sewn into the sides and tied at the back. Having said that, I grew up in UK and rationing of clothes didn’t end till 1955 I think it was, so there wasn’t a lot of dresses in the shops that I remember seeing. Mum was more of a knitter than a sewer so I wore lots of jumpers (sweaters) and skirts, it didn’t often get too hot for short sleeved sweaters in UK! I’ll send a picture of me as a bridesmaid with my cousins in one of the few dresses Mum made for me (she made all the little girls dresses and our head dresses, Auntie Sylvia was her baby sister and she would do anything for her even sewing that she hated). (Just had an aftershock ugh I am shaking like a leaf now. It was quite a big jolt just checked 4.52 but only 10kms down. I hate earthquakes!!!!!)
To get back to what I was saying, I can’t remember how old I was but guess it was about 1953 so I was about 8 at the time. Our dresses were pink and the older girls were in blue. (Mum didn’t make the older girls dresses).
My opinion of the dress, well, I don’t think the sleeves work. In all the pictures you showed the sleeves were mostly puff sleeves and either short or wrist length (or not there at all). I didn’t like the belt or the ribbon around the waist. It might work better with a sash sewn in at the sides and tied at the back. I’m reluctant to say too much about the capelet as you have already spent so much time and effort on it but it seems to me it is slightly too curved, I think it would be better if it was shaped to the shoulder a little more and long enough to cover a short sleeve. I think the scallops are too big as well.
Having said all that, I really hate criticising your outfits as they are so lovely and so well made. Good luck hope our opinions help.
The earthquake sounds frightening. I forgot to ask earlier if there was any damage. How often do you get them? You said you were shaking — and then you got right back to writing. That sounds amazingly calm to me.
Your post and pictures started me thinking about the 50’s and what we wore, especially underneath lol. Your pretty slip was not part of my world Jeanne. I never wore a slip till the can can petticoats of the late 50’s early 60’s. I did wear (always) a vest (probably what you would call a singlet?) and I wore one of those until I was 15 and went to work, and for many years I wore a liberty bodice. I have no idea what it was for! I don’t think my mum knew but everybody wore one so I did too. Underwear, oh my!!! Our knickers were huge! wide legs with elastic. And it could be embarrassing if the elastic broke in the waist! I went to High School at 11 so that was 1956, and for sport we had to play in our navy blue knickers! Thank goodness for modern underwear! And shorts. The modern generation have no idea what we went through!!!
Anne, I think what you call a vest/singlet is what we called an undershirt. Most of mine had short sleeves and lapped shoulders, and we wore them all winter long, as it gets cold in Upper Michigan! Now that I’m an old lady, I am wearing undershirts again–usually sleeveless, and silk if I can find them with a neckline that doesn’t dip too low. (I’m short, so low necklines are just that much lower on me–and don’t keep me warm! LOL) They do help me stay warmer, though, even here in the Pacific NW, where we only get a week or two of “winter” every year (and an anemic version of it, at that, compared to Michigan!).
Jeanine, maybe things are getting a bit clearer to you with all these suggestions you have been getting. I actually wrote something early this morning, but when I reread it, it seemed like I was contradicting myself and it made no sense, so I never entered it.
On of the reasons I thought Maryellen was Felicity, was those sleeves! I was 10 in 1953 and don’t remember wearing sleeves like that. I thought the big cape made the dress look like a Halloween costume, but I did like the vest.
Also, like someone else said, I would make the buttons brown or bigger or something. They seem to fade away into the material. A pretty white pique collar under the one you have now who’d be cute too, with a brown bow in the center.
To make it simple, what I am suggesting, brown buttons, a double collar with a brown bow at the center. A short vest if you desire, that could be worn or not worn. I guess the sleeves are OK the length they are at least to me.
I think I’m going to stop before I get too confusing!
Carefully remove the sleeves and add them to a Felicity bodice. If you have the fabric, add a matching overskirt. Make a chocolate brown underskirt. Add lace and brown ribbon, a lace cap, and a big hat. That takes care of the sleeves.
Make Maryellen some short puffed sleeves with white cuffs to go with the undercollar. I am definitely a fan of the princess seams you’ve used. Can you open the side seams and add Anne’s sashes. You didn’t live in the 50’s without having to ask someone to help with your buttons and tie your sash evenly.
Linda is right about the brown buttons, which would draw attention to the princess seams, and Joy’s charm is a nice finishing touch. Your style is about details, and that would add some.
If the undercollar was removable and there was an optional gold vest, that might be interesting.
I like the Thanksgiving theme and the idea that the dress could have a Sunday/holiday look and a school day look. I remember walking to school in 1955 in the cold with one of those heavily starched petticoats scratching my legs. Not fun, but the petticoats were a must.