My latest makings - 60's Shift dress!

Whilst in my local vintage shop the other week, I found a lovely 'psychedelic' print dress-top,
which I then tried on, and noticed a rather large hole in the side! It was a bit too short, so I took it it to the lady who owned the shop to let her know, and she ended up giving it to me for free as a little sewing project!

This = Happy Sophie :)

This is what it looked like to start off with:



...and this was one of the many holes that was in it (although they were all mendable!)



After mending those, I went out and bought half a meter of dark brown fabric, and 3 of what I call Grandad buttons
(cause they're the weaved leather ones that you get on Grandad cardigans!)




So, to start off with, I cut into the roll neck to create a base for the peter pan collar that I was going to add.



I then pinned some calico around the collar and cut it to shape whilst it was on the mannequin - I always find it easier to do it this way,
because it can be taken off and used as a pattern piece, and it gets the collar to be the exact shape you want!



I then used this as a pattern piece and cut out 4 of the collar shapes,
front and back for each side, pinned together and leaving 1cm seam allowance:



I did the same for the cuffs, to make them longer, and also made a 10cm band to go at the bottom of the dress to lengthen it!

I then sewed on the collar, and added the 3 Grandad buttons down the center front of the dress:



... and here is the final outcome!



Here's a close-up of the bottom and cuffs:



From the back:





I'm quite pleased with it!

:)



I'm very happy, because it only cost me the £2.25 for the fabric and 30p or so for the buttons!


I hope you had a lovely Christmas!

:)

More of my makings are on the way...