A touch of noir, Advance 6190 and Simplicity 5294

Advance 6190

One of those, OMG patterns, Advance 6190, is a vintage pattern I splashed out on a while back, it is my first in the American Designer range, a pattern by Adele Simpson, came to me complete and in good vintage condition. I had in my stash some pale blue crepe, a wool blend, with the most luscious drape. THE exact colour on the envelope. I had to use it. Only minor issue was I had about 2.5 metres of fabric for a dress that calls for approximately twice that amount….I never let not having enough fabric hold me back though…but I would not be able to give it that ten gore skirt (yes, ten!).

Simplicity 5294

Around the same time a friend passed on to me a load of family patterns (wohooo!) which included some really elegant 70s patterns, like this one above, Simplicity 5294. Which has a really simple, shapely skirt. Perfect. Also I was able to squeeze it into the fabric. Phew.

Austin anxious for me to Sit Down.

I had barely enough fabric for the facings, I would have loved to make a belt to match, alas not this time. I used a cotton/viscose blend as a lining, the crepe is fairly rough, or at least bobbly, and I wanted something smooth against my skin. Here is how I finished the sleeve and skirt hems, a little lace.

Lace hems.

This is one of my preferred finishing techniques, it hides the cut or zig zagged edge and is about the only thing I use all the lovely lace I have in my stash for.

One of those projects that warrants multiple photos, such a beautiful neckline on this baby! It was a little tricky to get it all to sit right, the fabric was fairly bulky, so I needed to carefully trim back more that I would normally.

Finished!

I was really worried that using a different skirt, from a different era, with a reduced fullness would compromise the design and final look of the dress.

But, I don’t think it was worth worrying about, I think it came of very successfully, and I like the slimmer skirt, dare I say, I think it has a very 40s Noir look to it, which I can only credit the 70s skirt for.

And, possibly the hat!

The fabric and shoulders square off nicely too, I don’t usually go for shoulder pads, but I like a the definition that shoulder pads can give. It’s just, you know, the 90s ruined it for me! I also added a side seam zipper for a closuer instead of button down front.

I added a side seam pocket, nice and deep too.

To link the skirt and bodice more, I echoed the three pleats at the collar in three darts at the waist of the skirt.

Nice huh? I think it works well with the three darts in the sleeve elbow too (which I hadn’t thought about..).

So happly!

This is an unplanned Vintage Pledge garment, how are your vintage makes going? Not long now to finish them all off….

#vintagepledge