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Monday, 24 August 2015

I Made It Monday: 1963 Shirt Dress

If you follow me on IG you would have seen this dress in the making!

I used a 1963 vintage dress pattern which had belonged to my Great Grandma Mabel, with some modifications.  I altered the sleeves slightly, added side seam pockets and modified the collar a little too. 

If you haven't worked with a vintage pattern before, let me tell you they are tricky!  They are unmarked and have a cryptic series of holes punched in them to denote different things.  Made slightly harder was the fact that this pattern had some pieces missing and my Great Grandma's bust measurement was about 33 cm (approx13 inches) larger than mine (I missed out on those genes!).

I wanted to make this dress because I love shirt dresses and my Great Grandma would have worn ones just like this.  I used vintage glass buttons handed down from Nona (my Husbands Grandma) and the belt loop comes from her too.  However, and I hate to say it, I don't love it on me.  I love the dress and the gorgeous Japanese cotton from The Remnant Warehouse, but on me I feel it's... meh.

I hope it grows on me, because I want to love it!  I just think the loose fitting shirt does strange things for my shape.  Is it just me??  Maybe.  I'm sure once it warms up (the east coast of Australia is forecast to have the hottest, or one of the hottest, summers on record) a loose fitting dress will be appreciated!
 
 
Having a bad face day!
 
I added pockets, I just love pockets!

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17 comments:

  1. Beth @ TallFashionAdventures.com24 August 2015 at 19:28

    I bet the dress will grow on you! Like you said, maybe you'll find yourself gravitating toward it in a different season. I love that you added pockets!

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    1. Unknown25 August 2015 at 09:36

      Thanks Beth! I do love me some pockets!! I just need to wear the dress a few times I think. x Allison

      Delete
  2. RuthyAnnie25 August 2015 at 09:37

    FIrst off love the pockets! Maybe breaking up the fabric in the middle with a different color belt would help with the shape of the dress? And maybe because for you it's too cold to wear outside! Nicely done!

    www.mylittlenest.org

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    1. Unknown25 August 2015 at 12:44

      Great idea - thanks Ruth! I will try it with a different belt. x Allison

      Delete
  3. Unknown26 August 2015 at 00:26

    Beautiful dress! I wish that I could sew as well as you can!
    -Margaret
    http://happyinheels.blogspot.com/

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    1. Unknown26 August 2015 at 07:05

      Thank you Margaret! Sewing just takes practice, like anything else. x Allison

      Delete
  4. Jaymie Ashcraft28 August 2015 at 08:45

    I think it looks great on you!! :)
    Jaymie
    www.jaymieashcraft.com
    I'd love for you to join me tomorrow for my Fridays Fashions link up. :)

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    Replies
    1. Unknown28 August 2015 at 11:35

      Thanks Jaymie! I'd love to join your link up - thanks for the invite! x Allison

      Delete
  5. Unknown28 August 2015 at 23:04

    It looks so pretty on you! You could always nip it in a little at the waist or up the hemline by a half-inch to change the shape of it if you're on the fence about it. This style is such a nice one.

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    1. Unknown29 August 2015 at 08:26

      Thank you so much! I think it will grow on me and a different belt will make a difference. x Allison

      Delete
  6. Vale ♥29 August 2015 at 05:59

    I think this dress is adorable and it looks great on your awesome figure. Greetings from Italy

    Fashion and Cookies - fashion blog

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    1. Unknown29 August 2015 at 08:29

      Grazie per le belle parole! (my husband helped me with that!) x Allison

      Delete
  7. Unknown30 August 2015 at 07:04

    Thanks! I'm discovering lots of great bloggers via your linkup - thank you! x Allison

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  8. Unknown30 August 2015 at 10:24

    Beautiful dress! That is so special that you are able to use a pattern that belongs to your grandmother!

    Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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    1. Unknown30 August 2015 at 12:07

      Thank you Alice; that the pattern was my Great Grandma's is what I love most about it! Thank you for inviting me to your awesome link up! x Allison

      Delete
  9. Unknown30 August 2015 at 14:30

    I actually think its really flattering on you! Perhaps you're just not used to the style. Give it a few goes and I am sure you will love it. Bron x

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    1. Unknown30 August 2015 at 16:17

      Thanks Bron, I think you're right! I just need to wear it a couple more times. x Allison

      Delete

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