Sewing a cotton lawn dress from Givenchy 1970’s Vogue Paris Original 1950 pattern

DressmakingSpringStyle
Written By Frances Lawrence

TOTAL TIME COMMITMENT: 20.5 hours

Cut out & transfer all pattern markings: 5 hours

Main construction: 10 hours

Lining construction: none

Finishings (buttons, hem): 5.5 hours

ADDITIONAL SEAM FINISHING, CONSTRUCTION NOTES & EXTRAS

  • 4x side seams, armscye & pocket bags – bias bind together

  • Pocket-to-dress seam – French seam

  • Underarm – French seam

  • Shoulder seam – bias bind each side separately

  • Sleeve seam – French seam

VERDICT & LESSONS LEARNT

I find this fabric a bit ‘busy’ for my liking though I can’t pinpoint why………..I also think it really needs to be made in a plain fabric to really see those beautiful released tucks down the bodice.

VARIATION IDEAS FOR ANOTHER MAKE

  • Add a collar, turning the original mandarin collar into a collar stand?

  • Make in teal single wool crepe

  • Turn the sleeve into a half sleeve

Sewing Other Springwear

Featured
Sewing an A-line skirt in bright red serge wool twill from 1990’s Style 2571 pattern
Sewing an A-line skirt in bright red serge wool twill from 1990’s Style 2571 pattern

Sewing a midi skirt with waistband, in bright red serge wool twill, using a 1990’s Style pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.

Sewing a man’s shirt in grey wool flannel from Simplicity 8753
Sewing a man’s shirt in grey wool flannel from Simplicity 8753

Sewing a man’s shirt, in wool flannel, using a modern Simplicity pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.

Sewing a button-up box-pleat skirt in electric blue cotton twill from McCalls 7906
Sewing a button-up box-pleat skirt in electric blue cotton twill from McCalls 7906

Sewing a box-pleated midi skirt, in electric blue cotton twill, using a Y2K McCall’s pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.

Sewing an A-line skirt in electric blue cotton twill from Vogue 7210
Sewing an A-line skirt in electric blue cotton twill from Vogue 7210

Sewing a midi skirt with contour waistband, in electric blue cotton twill, using a Y2K Style pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.

Sewing a princess seamed dress with short puff-sleeves and collar from 1980’s Style 4603 pattern
Sewing a princess seamed dress with short puff-sleeves and collar from 1980’s Style 4603 pattern

First time sewing princess seams, first time sewing with proper shirting fabric. Starting from a 1980’s Style pattern, how long I took, adjustments made and lessons learn from my sky blue button-up midi dress with contrasting white collar and pearl buttons.

Sewing a floral needlecord dress from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Sewing a floral needlecord dress from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern

Third make with this pattern, following several refinements on fit and pattern instructions. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes for square neck, puff sleeve, tiered maxi dress in a delicate blue rose needlecord.

Frances Lawrence
Previous

Manchester to Donostia–San Sebastián - 4 nights in Spring
Next

Mavala purple polish, Black Cherry