1960's Style Plaid Shift Dress (Self-drafted Pattern)

vintage 1960s inspired plaid shift dress sewing dressmaking

*wipes the cobwebs off this blog*

Ah! How time has flown once again. I have been so busy with moving and everything else that I haven't had the time to write a blog post. Now that wifi is set up in my new home, I am excited to be back and sharing something again!

Second-best Sleeves

In a previous post, I shared with everyone a shift dress I made a few years ago using a fabric with a Mondrian inspired print. That sleeveless dress was made using a New Look pattern, so this time I thought I oughta challenge myself by putting my amateur pattern-making skills to test and draft a shift dress with sleeves.

I thought it would be easy but I was wrong...

vintage 1960s inspired plaid shift dress sewing dressmaking
Wearing: 1960s inspired plaid shift dress (handmade), black glitter thigh high socks (ASOS), cat eye glasses (ASOS), black purse (won in a giveaway eons ago), vintage white clip-ons (thrifted)

Pattern-drafting Mistakes

vintage 1960s inspired plaid shift dress sewing dressmakingThere are a few pattern-drafting mistakes I made for this project. I am unhappy about. First of all, the collar is a little too high *chokes*. Next, the darts don't lie flat despite my best sewing attempt. Finally, the sleeves took 2 drafts to finally fit. And, when I mean fit, I mean I can just barely move my arms in the dress).

Fortunately, this was just meant to a wearable muslin. I was cheap and I only used the expensive plaid fabric on the front of the dress. If I had to make the plaids match front and back too, I would have died on the sewing table.

vintage 1960s inspired plaid shift dress sewing dressmaking IMG_5780But you know what, I am actually rather pleased with how the contrasting patch pockets turned out! They are a wee tiny but I think I have done a good job at sewing them on.

vintage 1960s inspired plaid shift dress sewing dressmaking As of now, I have worn the dress about twice as part of my current weekend capsule wardrobe. I am still not happy with the way the sleeves are making me use my arms like a T-Rex, and I am seriously thinking about either taking the sleeves off completely, or.... *cue horror music* try drafting the sleeves again for the third time.

We'll see!

Previous
Previous

1950's Inspired Bateau Neckline Blouse (Self-drafted Pattern)

Next
Next

Singapore Mod Swing 2016