Dress of the Century 1990-1999

Ah! The final chapter! Did 2000-now even HAVE a style? I don't know -- clothing I have from 2003 still seems wearable today. Anyway, here's the 90s!

1990 Gotta love those polygamy farm, couch cushion dresses!

1991

1992. Yes, I had stirrup pants in high school!

1993. I graduated high school in 1993 and I like to think I never wore stuff like this. I didn't. I wore "skinny" stretch jeans in weird colors and Metallica t-shirts.

1994. Never dressed like this.

1995

1996

1997. Yes, I did dress like this in the later 90s. The wider the pant legs, the cooler you were! lol

1998

1999

I admit, I went into my "vintage coma" in late 1998 (although it began slowly in early 1997) and I have no idea about 1999. 1999 was the year I tuned out.

Dress #7 -- McCall's 7184 (1958 repro)

It was super quick and easy to make. I HAD to make it in Dalmatian fabric because it's got that "big little girl" thing going on. This pattern came out a year too late for me to have a matching pup (RIP Lola 1999-2015). The only complaint I have about this pattern is that it was too short. At 5'7", it came to my knee unhemmed. So as not to lose any inches, I bias-banded the hem. If you're taller like I am, and want that classic 1950s length, add inches to the bottom!

Dress #6 -- Butterick 5435 (1954 repro)

Just a quick apron I made for my grandmother. She requested it be made of scraps and "nothing fancy", but that's not going to happen with me, lol.

Very quick and easy. The hardest part was turning the band/straps right side out. I TRIED to sew the flowers on, but it looked like ass so I ended up gluing them on.

Dress #5 -- VPLL 2830 (ca. 1927)

I am beginning to be on a roll with my sewing. FINALLY after such a terrible year. My latest creation is from the Vintage Pattern Lending Library:

This is my second attempt at a 1920s drop-waist dress. My first attempt was when I began sewing in 2008 and it wasn't very good, lol. THIS ONE, though, is a success. I chose it because I thought it would challenge me, but it really wasn't that difficult -- despite how fancy it may appear. I would say the Decades Of Style 1930s Button Dress is more difficult.

I used fabric my grandmother gave me before I left Philadelphia. It's a classic "plastic-y" polyester, but I am ok with it. The red is kona cotton I had in my stash. Right now, I have to work with what I already have ;) When I was making the dress, my serging happened to be yellow. Blue + Red + Yellow =

LOL. Once the dress came together and the serging was neatly sewn away inside, it began to look more like a flapper dress and I started to "unsee" the Flying Monkeys. While making it, though, I kinda thought it had a nice look going with no sleeves. It works and is era appropriate:

As for the actual paper pattern, there were no flaws or bad drafting. Everything came together and stayed where it was supposed to. The instructions were fine and the illustrations were very helpful (I mostly use these when I'm sewing!) VPLL patterns are always very good. I might even make this one again someday.

1935 Knitted "Simple Jumper"

I can knit, but nothing intricate and I usually end up abandoning projects because I think knitting is boring. With that said, my grandmother KNITS LIKE THE WORLD IS GOING TO END. One day she'll have a couple rows of something and the next day it will be this large, intricate sweater that is 80% complete, lol. She told me to send any sweater pattern I like and she will have a go at it. Lo and behold:

Please excuse the fabric pile and the TP!(!!)

I found the pattern online at the fabulous blog The Vintage Pattern Files that has a pattern for pretty much everything you could imagine from Victorian to the 1970s. Browsing the "1930s" tab, I decided on this 1935 Simple Jumper because I loved the art deco-ish neckline.

Paired with a self-made (no pattern used) 1930s-style skirt I made, the sweater goes perfectly. Added a belt for that extra 1930s touch! I am very happy with it. My grandmother knows my favorite colors are pink and red so I'm extra happy. I'm scared to wear it, though, lol.

Dress #4 -- Butterick 6217 (2015)

I MADE SOMETHING!!! It's been 10 months so I don't think it's the best, but I still have my sewing mojo.

There are a few crooked lines and I actually temporarily forgot what some of the stitches were on my machine, but it kept me busy of the last few days and I'm really excited I'm sewing again.

Unfortunately, I could not find my soft apparel interfacing so I used a stiffer type I use for handbags. That is one thing I don't like as it makes the top stick out a bit at the neckline. It doesn't EXPOSE anything (lol), but I'd prefer it to sit flatter. Oh well. I'm also excited to show off my slimmer figure. I made this top out of a size 12 instead of a 14:

There were a few things "wrong" with the pattern. First, the facing didn't match the bodice. Mine was too short. I took out the shoulder seams and that helped. Also, the petal sleeves didn't fit in the armholes. If you match the big O's and baste like the pattern says, they will be way too large. Just keep them unbasted and wrap them into the sleeve hole. Then stitch. They'll fit then! I also do not like pre-clipping corners. It always looks like shit. I prefer to clip them once everything is in place. Having forgot this, I pre-clipped and they didn't match up with the stitch line.

Despite it's issues, it's a cute top and the tie is almost like a built-in bra, lol. I don't know if I would ever actually wear this shirt anywhere, but it was perfect to get my sewing creativity and skills back.

Dress of the Century 1980-1989

Continuing my series! My sewing machines and possessions arrived this week. Sewing will resume tomorrow! Until then...

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

That long knit skirt from 1987 -- I wore those so hard from 1986-1988! With Converse sneakers and DIY t-shirts of bands I liked!