Cotton lawn dress from Givenchy 1970’s Vogue Paris Original 1950 pattern
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
Using a 1990’s pattern, details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Fine wool flannel, from a modern Simplicity pattern. Beautiful shirting fabric, even though few use it this way.
Lessons learnt from making a box-pleated midi skirt, in a midweight twill, using a Y2K pattern.
Midi skirt with contour waistband, using a Y2K Style pattern. Experimenting with a robust and stiff fabric for this design.
First time sewing princess seams, first time sewing with proper shirting fabric.
Third make with this pattern, following several refinements on fit and pattern instructions.

