Finished: Liberty at Last Dress for #vintagepledge

Sometimes when I see all the fab garments being made by sewing bloggers using 'hot off the press' patterns from independent pattern companies, I feel a bit left out. I can't keep up with that sewing pace and can't justify buying more patterns either. My sewing output these days is much more focused and considered than it once was - I spend a lot less time sewing and more time thinking about what I want/need to make.

 (Really should have moved that abandoned pushchair, It adds an unintended melancholy edge to the photo...)

All in all I'm happy about that as I've been finally getting around to using some nice fabrics from my stash and breaking out my pattern stash - including the vintage. The great thing about the #vintagepledge challenge is that everyone is united under the banner of sewing vintage together, you have a whole year to do it and you can sew whatever you like. I blogged last year about wanting to sew this dress and so I am delighted that it fits perfectly into the challenge.

This is the first pattern from my pledge:

Simplicity 7578 - "MISSES DRESS OR JUMPER: Top stitch dress or jumper gathered to yoke has collar, armhole bands, tie belt and front snap closing above pleat."

I do love a good vintage pattern. And this 1970s Simplicity number was indeed a good pattern. Let's focus on some of the nice features - the top stitching, short kimono sleeves with band of contrast fabric, the cute rounded collar and the central pleat. I have to admit I hadn't even noticed the pleat and collar shape until I started cutting out the pattern but I was delighted. I love these little features that make the dress stand out.

The name of the dress refers to the fact that I have at long last broken out some precious Liberty fabric which I have had in my stash for a couple of years. I only needed a little bit,and as the bulk of the fabric is intended for another garment, I decided to cut out that project in order first to be sure that cutting a few pieces for this dress wouldn't leave me short.

The navy fabric used I bought during the sewing meet up in Glasgow at the beginning of February. It is a navy cotton with a slight stretch. A nice fabric but it attracts and shows hairs and fluff like you wouldn't believe plus it loves to wrinkle. I wanted to make a classic, basic style dress but was concerned that the navy might look a bit uniform-like. I tackled this by using the Liberty for the sleeve bands and for the reverse of the belt. This way, the belt would show a pop of pattern if worn with the navy side out ir it could be worn pattern side out too.

And of course, there's the top stitching. I threw myself in 100% by using a bright contrasting colour and getting proper top stitching thread. The stitching is so obvious that any little wobbles stand out, and though I do have some, I can live with them. It really sets off the dress.

I didn't make much in terms of changes - added a little to the upper back and then curved in the side seams at the waist by a fair amount is it was previously pretty much sack-like. It would NEVER look like the unbelted illustration on the pattern envelope left as it was, but I was happy with the result of some shaping.

Sans belt

There are no zips on the dress, it's just a 'pull over your head' number and you use snap fasteners on the front placket.

I'm happy with the finished dress and think it will look nice with skin colour tights as well as with black tights. In fact it would probably look good with bright red tights too. I'd definitely make it again, either in a plain colour again or in a fabric with a small pattern, like a polka dot or similar.

And now I've got the first of my 3 #vintagepledge items under my belt too!

K x

Sorry for the quality of photos in this post - I tried on two different days so it's either dull & inside with dress ironed or too bright & outside with dress crumpled