1952!
And here it is: The blouse from this pattern from Bella magazine from 1952!
When I asked, most commenters preferred this multicoloured, kind-of-ethnic print. Some of you thought this type of print was not very 1950's but I think I have seen enough "souvenir-skirts" and embroidered central European peasant blouses in 1950's magazines to think that it isn't far off the mark. And I thought the scale of this print would suit this design better.
As I explained in the previous post, I made the pattern up without any alteration except to the collar and neckline. Even the length of the blouse looked OK when I held up the paper pattern to my body. And it is. Especially if worn in a proper 50's way: Tucked into a high waistband (here made even higher by a wide tie-on belt).
Without tucking in, the blouse is rather loose fitting. The back simple doesn't have waist darts and at the front, the bust darts have been turned to close and their width has made the bottom of the front pattern piece flare out in a kind of A-line shape. If I were making a pattern like this, I might have tried to hide the bust darts in those yoke seams but, of course, that would remove the option of making the blouse without a yoke.
Interestingly, even when worn loose, the blouse doesn't become a tent. That more fitted back keeps the sides fairly close to the body and allows only the front itself to flare out, as you can see in this picture (the blouse looks better on me than on the dummy).
The sleeves are fine too. The openings may not be very wide but they are wide enough and there is enough ease in the blouse itself to allow me a proper range of movement.
All in all, I'm pretty impressed. I didn't have very high hopes for this type of pattern. I thought any pattern would have to be simplified very far to allow the reading to draft it according to the very limited instructions. Of course this is a simple design and a simple pattern but all its proportions are right and so is the size. Oh, and it is also my fourth item for this year's Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge!
I think the blouse looks spot on! Love that colourful yoke, it's a very original take on 1950s fashions.
ReplyDeleteI have some patterns of this type and need to try my hand at making them, I feel inspired after seeing what you made :).
I have a question, too. How do you finish the raw egdes of the underarm seams in kimono sleeves? I find the fabric tends to pull if I don't trim the edges which in turn makes me unable to sew bias binding on. What would you recommend to someone without a serger? I use french seams where I can but not every fabric is suitable for that. Thanks!
I think the blouse looks spot on! Love that colourful yoke, it's a very original take on 1950s fashions.
ReplyDeleteI have some patterns of this type and need to try my hand at making them, I feel inspired after seeing what you made :).
I have a question, too. How do you finish the raw egdes of the underarm seams in kimono sleeves? I find the fabric tends to pull if I don't trim the edges which in turn makes me unable to sew bias binding on. What would you recommend to someone without a serger? I use french seams where I can but not every fabric is suitable for that. Thanks!