Showing posts with label 1940s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1940s. Show all posts

Friday, April 29, 2016

Pattern Review: Wearing History WWII Homefront- 1940s Overalls, Playsuit, Trousers

I'll preface this by saying that I didn't make the overalls or playsuit, just the trousers.

I enjoyed making up this pattern! I used it for my character's (Hostess of the Garter) trousers. I unfortunately don't have pictures other than mirror selfies, but I will edit in if I find any.

The Facts:

Pattern name: WWII Homefront- 1940s Overalls, Playsuit, Trousers

Size range: 30" 24" 33"-  46" 40" 49" in 3 different size groups

Size I made: Size 46 (46" 40" 49"), but I graded up a bit to accommodate my very generous hips

Difficulty: Pretty easy! Of course, I only made the trousers, but they were still pretty easy. They were my first pair of pants/trousers, and it was a good pattern to start out with, imo. I didn't use the instructions because I'm me, so I can't comment on them.

Fit: I graded up the hips (and maybe the waist, since I wanted the "waist" at my high hip)

Fabric requirments: 2 yards- 2-1/2 yards for the trousers

Make again?: Probably not, at least for a while. But I may make some tap pants using this pattern as a base

Recommend to a friend?: Most likely!

Overall rating: 4/5! All in all, this is a great pattern, though I do wish there was a larger size range.


(This review consists of my own unbiased opinions; I was not compensated by, nor am I affiliated with Wearing History)

Friday, April 8, 2016

Merry Wives Progress

I've been meaning to update more for you all, but I've basically been sewing my ass off for this show. We had the photoshoot last Friday, and I had such a blast styling Mistress Page (red silk) and Mistress Ford (blue velvet). The hair and makeup were just quick-and-dirty 1940s, but I think my girls looked absolutely fabulous.
I'll make a post about the construction of the costumes after the show!
                                   
                      



Monday, March 14, 2016

You are the worst, Burr

I'm the worst blogger ever, I'm so sorry! Life has been wild. I made two gowns that transformed from sheath dresses to mermaid gowns for a production of Dreamgirls (while in the early stages of recovering from my breast reduction), ended a 2 year long relationship, and started costuming a production of Merry Wives of Windsor, which I'm also acting in.
Here's some Merry Wives progress! This costume is for Mistress Quickly, and I'm using a great vintage flannel from The Tin Thimble on etsy, and a (poly/silk blend??) taffeta my grandmother gave to me a while back. Our concept is post-WWII film noir.
Just pinned on Phoebe, minus sleeves
That back-bodice plaid matching tho
Also to make is a royal blue stretch velvet dress for Mistress Ford, a red silk dupioni dress for Mistress Page, an emerald green rayon challis dress for Anne Page, and slacks and a blouse for myself (Hostess of the Garter). I'm nervous about making my slacks because I've never made pants before. But the director wants my character to be a Lauren Bacall/Katharine Hepburn kind of woman, so fabulous pants are a must.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

HSM: June: Out of Your Comfort Zone

Finished, except for the hem, which was done after the picture was taken.
I made a 1940s dress for my best friend Abigail! It was definitely a challenge for me and out of my comfort zone because I'd never done "vintage" sewing, but I really enjoyed making it! I'll try to get a picture of her wearing it and edit it in this post.

Challenge: June- Out of Your Comfort Zone
Fabric: 2 or 3 yards of blue and white gingham, probably a poly/cotton blend (originally bought for a Dorothy Gale costume that never happened).
Pattern: Sensibility 1940s "Swing" Dress
Year: The pattern says 1942!
Notions: Cotton thread, snaps, blue ricrac
How historically accurate is it? I'd say mostly. Good pattern, but I'm not sure about the fabric and the ricrac.
Hours to complete: I have no idea. Not that long though.
First worn: Not yet!
Total Cost: About $10 for the pattern, maybe $1-$2 for the amount of snaps I used, and the fabric, ricrac, and thread were in my stash. Total cost was about $20-$25, including stash materials.