I love retro pattern…pictures. I admit I buy a lot of the retro reprint patterns that Vogue, Butterick and McCalls put out but have not sewn them…until now. It’s an itch I can’t get rid of as I always wanted to be in a movie like Roman Holiday. I would buy vintage dresses if I could but I am in the modern size 16 sewing size range and there are few dresses out there with those measurements. The only way I can get one is if I sew it. My first attempt at a vintage dress was a modern pattern by Gertie. It has the look of a vintage pattern but the instructions were so well laid out. It was easy to sew and looked fabulous when finished. I would recommend any of her patterns to a beginner wanting a dress like this (you can add a crinoline under it if you like).
This Spring I decided to try one of the retro reprint patterns in my stash, I even let my husband pick the pattern for me out of a few options. Of course he picked the most complex pattern. These retro reprints seem to be resized for the modern women but I am not sure how updated the instructions are. I have sewn average patterns before but the instructions on this one, they were so confusing.
The pattern I/he chose was McCalls 7448, version A.
It took alot of fabric so I used Downtown Abbey print quilting cotton. I don’t usually sew clothes with quilting cotton but the price was right. Actually, I was surprised at how nicely the cotton looks in this dress, the body of the fabric is great for the full skirt.
The skirt for this pattern: easy. The bodice for this pattern: easy. The straps for this pattern….the instructions and pictures are so confusing, I rate that part as difficult. If you sew this pattern, baste those straps when you get confused. It was a bit like a puzzle trying to figure them out. It took me a few months to finish this dress because I would get frustrated and walk away for a month. It can be done in a weekend but you need to be patient and take your time. I never sew a muslin and I never baste….but those straps taught me that basting and muslins have their value.
I did not sew the crinoline because it was cheaper to buy one ready made. Also, having a removable crinoline makes it a less fussy dress if you want to wear it more day to day. Who says you can’t look great buying groceries? I did not sew the cummerbund because I thought it might not be so flattering on me. I am going to look for a belt for the future.
Now to the positive, I love this dress. It is so feminine and it feels great on. I think it’s the perfect dress for a outdoor wedding or a date. Basically all those social occasions we can’t do right now with Covid….so mine is going to hang in the closet for a bit. In the meantime I wore it to the park on the weekend for pictures and felt fabulous. What a wonderful dress to twirl in.
For all the frustrations on this pattern, the end result won me over. I would recommend it to a friend with the kind suggestion of have patience and baste! baste! baste!
Style Sewciety 