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)

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!

                                   

                      

Pattern Review: Colette Sorbetto

I'm going to attempt to do a pattern review for you all every so often, we'll see if I keep this up. 

Y'all, I love this pattern. This will probably end up being a rave. 

The facts:

Pattern name: Sorbetto (Colette 0003)

Size range: 0-18

Size I made: 18

Difficulty: Very easy!

Fit: On the snug side, but I'm on the top end of their measurements, so I expected that. Didn't expect it to be on the short side though. I have adjusted for future versions.

Fabric requirements: I can easily get one out of a yard of 55"-60" fabric. 1.5-2 yards for narrower fabrics though.

Make again?: Absolutely!! This version was a wearable muslin, which I'll probably end up giving to my mom. I have one in the making, and fabric for at least 3 more. I have a feeling I'll be living in Sorbettos all summer.

Recommend to a friend?: Absolutely! I actually have recommended it to a friend.

Overall rating: 4.5/5! I wish the size range was larger, but I'm honestly used to having to adjust patterns, so it really isn't a huge deal. It's also a free download, which is a huge plus!

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.

I'm alive!

I made it through my surgery! I'm currently in a ton of pain, but today should be the worst of it.

I'm making a costume for a production of Dream Girls, which I'm totally excited about. I made sure to cut most everything out before my surgery because I definitely cannot get down on the floor in my current state. I hate poly satin.

I also have 5 lengths of fabric waiting to be made up into Colette Sorbettos. I'm so excited to get them cut out.

Historical Sew Monthly 2016 Planning

I wasn't exactly successful at completing all of the challenges last year, but I'm hoping to do better this year!
The challenges are:

January –  Procrastination – finish a garment you have been putting off finishing (a UFO or PHD) or make something you have been avoiding starting.

I plan on finishing a mid-19th century apron I started a while back!

February – Tucks & Pleating – make a garment that features tucks and pleating for the shape or decoration 

Maybe a chemisette with some pretty tucks. Or a petticoat; petticoats are always a good idea.

March – Protection – make something to protect yourself (from weather or injury) or your clothes (from soiling etc.)

I'm thinking an earlyish 19th cent. chemise (which protects your outer garments from sweat and other gross things)

April – Gender-Bender – make an item for the opposite gender, or make an item with elements inspired by the fashions of the opposite gender

Maybe a shirt for Dylan. I've been wanting to make him one but haven't gotten around to it.

May – Holes – sometimes the spaces between stuff are what makes a garment special.  Make a garment that is about holes, whether it is lace, slashing, eyelets, etc.

Corded stays. I've been wanting to make them forever, and I think I should be recovered and "settled" enough to get a good fit in the bust. (holes would be the eyelets for lacing)

June – Travel – make a garment for travelling, or inspired by travel.

I have no idea, I'll have to research a bit! Maybe a bonnet veil.

July – Monochrome – make a garment in black, white, or any shade of grey in between.

Ooh I don't know!

August – Pattern – make something in pattern, the bolder and wilder the better.

My green 1830s dress! I have sleeves and a skirt cut out and sewn. The pattern is rather bold and wild!

September – Historicism – Make a historical garment that was itself inspired by the fashions of another historical period.

Maybe something regency. Regency drew lots of inspiration from classical greece/rome.

October – Heroes – Make a garment inspired by your historical hero, or your historical costuming hero.

Who knows!

November – Red – Make something in any shade of red.

A dress out of my beautiful pink cotton print, maybe. I think pink counts as a shade of red!

December – Special Occasion: make something for a special event or a specific occasion, or that would have been worn to special event of specific occasion historically

I shall have to find a special occasion for which to make something!

Gold Dotty Skirt progress

I'm actually doing some sewing! I'm making the cutest skirt on earth.

From my Instagram

It's all just pinned up on Phoebe, but it's coming along nicely. I've sewn up the pockets, and they are waiting to be sewn in. I've also used fusible interfacing for the first time! It was surprisingly easy to use.

Once I finish it, I'll be putting it up in my etsy shop as a made to order, if you happen to want your very own! I'm sure it's going to become a staple in my wardobe.
xx,
Kate