Making a Dress for a 1960 Vogue Pattern

For those of you who are artists, have you ever found a certain supply that made you think, “I’m going to have to save this for something special”? Maybe you hold onto it much longer than necessary, waiting until the perfect inspiration comes along? Or waiting for your skill to be perfected to do justice to the inspiration in your head? I felt that way about this fabric.

It had it all, absolutely gorgeous, lightweight vintage cotton, the sweetest shade of blush pink with just a bit of dusky tone, the thin white pinstripe, the little motif that looks like sailboats. Even better, I had almost 6 yards of it, which was enough for a 1950s style dress with a full skirt!

I finally did it this year. I picked a pattern and made it…but first, I had to play a little with the drape of the fabric after washing it. It is just so gorgeous!

After much deliberation (and I do mean much), I chose Vogue 5038, from 1960. I usually would make a mock-up, but the pattern was in my size, and I was lured by the enticing instruction to lay the uncut pattern sheet over the folded fabric and cut that way. This was something I’d never seen on another pattern before! Most vintage patterns came with the pieces already cut out individually for a single size. Most modern patterns come with the pattern pieces in sheets with options for 3-5 sizes. You cut out the correct pieces for your size but still have to arrange them on the fabric correctly to go with the grain. This method of cutting the pattern tissue and fabric together simplified the process tremendously (though it felt a little risky). Fortunately, I only had to make minor adjustments for the fit!

Because the fabric was so light and thin, I decided to line it. I went back and forth a while about this and honestly, I might regret it in the future. The reason I chose to line it was because I wasn’t sure what underlayers I could wear to keep the garment from being completely see through.

The reasons for not lining it would be that the cotton fabric was so light weight and breathable, it really seemed a shame that the lining fabric I had available was synthetic and defeated the breathability factor. Additionally, I am not sure how well the lining will hold up to ironing (if the cotton needs that). I did wash both the fashion fabric and lining fabric before assembling to prevent the lining from shrinking. I have handwashed it once since assembling with no issues, but I don’t think I’ll risk it in the washing machine.

Few projects have made me this giddy! Once the project was far enough along that it could hang on my mannequin in between sewing times, I would catch myself just staring at it through the open door if I passed the room. Even unfinished it was pretty!

After finishing all the details, I got to wear it a few times before the cold weather came, including once to swing dancing. Let me tell you, it swings and spins like a dream. 😉

I’m so glad I risked cutting into this fabric. What’s a dream project for you?