Advanced Pattern 7012: COMPLETE!

ALAS! the dress I worked so hard on for a week. I am unbelievably proud of this dress and bolero. It's comfortable, cute, versatile, and my favorite, from a vintage pattern. So like I mentioned in my last post the pattern is a 14 1/2 which is listed for a 29 inch waist. WELL, good news the pattern fit me perfectly! The waist and bust is a perfect fit which means I can continue using vintage patterns...as long as i can find them in a 14 1/2 size, either that or I can just resize them. so the fun thing about this dress, the Advance Pattern 7012, was that this was the first time I had gotten to work with a perforated pattern. that was an experience in itself but I didn't run into any problems so I can't be too upset with that. so here is a look at the (nearly) finished product.

I apologize for the lack of ironing in the photo, this was before I set the hem and did any finishing touches. so the best part about working in the costume shop is access to fun tools. my manger let me use the hem chalk puffer thing to set the hem so it is beautiful and straight (unlike this photo). but now it has a beautiful hand sewn hem that is firmly present place. Also there is a lack of belt because I have yet to get the supplies for it. but it will be made out of the navy fabric.

so the next step is another project. what is it? ya know I'm not quite sure. I have a yard of this beautiful gray wool fabric that I've been dying to use. maybe I'll make another Bolero? or maybe I'll pattern hunt? who knows but I've been eyeing it for weeks.

Post NYC and a new project

So it's been a few weeks since my trip to NYC, it was THE best time of my life. I was out and about from 10am to 10pm every night just exploring and enjoying the city. My audition went well, by my standards, so I'm proud of that! I can't believe I had my first New York audition! far from scary which was such a relief. I explored Central park like no bodies business, so much beauty. I also visited the garment district, but it was so overwhelming, I didn't end up buying any fabric :-/.

Now that i'm back and getting into the swing of things I'm working on a new project. Unfortunately my Singer Athena 2000 is out of order so no sewing at home. Luckily I work in a costume shop on campus and am allowed to go in and sew when ever I have free time....between 8-5. so I spent Tuesday cutting out the fabric pieces and yesterday I got to work with sewing the dress. I'm VERY excited about this project because it's the oldest pattern I've ever worked with. The pattern I'm working with is Advance Pattern 7012, from 1955.

A few weeks ago, before I went to NYC I went to an antique mall near Findlay, Ohio. Got a Dress, a hat and a pattern. the pattern was only $3 so I couldn't pass it up. what I worried about is sizing which is obviously always going to be an issue when it comes to vintage patterns because they don't have multi-sized packaging. So the dress that i got is a 14 1/2 which is a 29in waist, unfortunately I'm a 30.5in waist. however, after constructing the bodice I tried it on and I am having no problems with the size. not too snug, which is a really nice find.

so since starting the dress yesterday I have gotten the bodice sewn together complete with lace accents. the skirt is about 75% sew together and the other parts are at least pinned. one thing that I'm finding very interesting about this pattern is the sewn in 1/8 inch pleats in the skirts. It's gives it just a unique look and I like that the seams and the pleats are not easy to tell apart. once I get back to work on the project I desperately need to Iron the skirt. that will come once I finish the skirt of course. just 2 more panels to sew on. I also need to finish all the raw edges...I have a love hate relationship with edges, I don't like the look of serging, especially on a dress like this i don't want to turn it inside out and see woven thread holding the inside together. however, seam binding and bias tape is such an extensive process. such a conundrum...but today I shall decide. maybe I'll just roll the edges under to prevent any fraying...Who knows! maybe I'll post a picture of a finished dress later or maybe I'll even get to start working on the Bolero jacket later! very excited.