We’ve had some sunshine and warm weather the last few days that make it feel like summer is definitely on it’s way, and I can think of no better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than with this sunny outfit!
I sewed the outfit from vintage reproduction patterns from the 1950’s – Simplicity 1426 and Simplicity 1166. The fabric was provided by Minerva Crafts for being a part of their blogging network. I made the top from a lovely polka dot print cotton poplin. The poplin isn’t opaque, so I lined it with a white muslin since if I self-lined it, the polka dots would have showed through. I made the skirt from a solid cotton poplin. The color was called “claret” which I think is a good description of the true color, although I was hoping it would turn out a bit more true red like the polka-dots since that’s what it looks like on their website. Although I was admittedly a tiny bit disappointed by the fact that they didn’t match perfectly when they arrived, I think that when I wear the finished garments they coordinate nicely and don’t read as “un-matching” at all.
Unfortunately, the buttons for the skirt came from my stash. I say unfortunately because Minerva sent me the most fabulous little skull buttons to use, but I discovered (after sewing most of them on) that the shank is vertical and doesn’t play nicely with the horizontal buttonholes. After finishing the skirt I decided to add a little piece of decorative white trim to the waistband so that it coordinated even more with the top.
I love the back of the top and how it perfectly frames my tattoo. I love the skirt and how it emphasizes my narrow waist. I love how the two pieces combine to be flirty and fun and show some skin while still remaining surprisingly modest. Seriously, I love everything about this outfit so much so that I started sewing it again in different fabric from my stash as soon as I sewed the last seam of this go round!
The skirt fit nicely the first time around. The top is very wearable as it, although a close examination shows that the side seam is a bit far back and the center back overlaps quite a bit more than intended, so I’ll go down a size the next time around. I’m really quite a fan of how the front of the bodice is constructed – it clearly accommodates a wide range of bust sizes without requiring much fitting (compare me to the envelope model). Although I could grade out some of the fullness, I’m actually quite happy with how it looks. On my frame it’s modest (well, modest for a tiny halter top) and I like it that way.
Comments 11
oh! I love this outfit! This is the sort of thing I aspire to wear all summer while sunbathing and sailing and drinking lemonade by the pool and all those things I wish I did…
Author
Thanks! I can’t sunbathe because my skin burns too easily and I don’t particularly like sailing or swimming pools, but I promise that I will be drinking lemonade in this outfit this summer!
I’ve been looking for another vintage pattern to sew and I’m tempted to give this a go but I’ve not as slim as you…but thinking about it as it looks so fab on you. My last dress was a 50’s Vogue pattern and it sewed up quite well. And it fits (always a plus). So, do I stick with what I know or do I try something new? Oh decisions, decisions!Great photos by the way!
You look gorgeous! It’s a great combination of colours, and beautifully sewn. (Although I’d never be game to bare my midriff.)
Please wear this to your 4th of July party? It’s so perfect!
Oooohhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I love this outfit so much! It’s just perfect on you. I have the top pattern and have been dying to make it. This might push it up in my sewing queue.
That’s a beautiful look on you! It seems to me to be carefree and innocent :) Enjoy the lemonade!
I’m almost a year late on this, but I just put these 2 pieces down for a sew along I’m doing. I’m very glad I paired them because yours is simply GORGEOUS! I’ll be using a Hawaiian print for mine, and I can only hope it turns out half as stunning as this.
Author
Thanks so much! I bet they will look fabulous in a Hawaiian print. I’d love to see your when you’re done!!
I just picked up both of these for $.99, and I always like to search for other completed projects to see variations. :)
Bear in mind, the envelope model may have had some digital help in the bust department–at the very least, there are probably some molded cups in her top ;) [which you could also add, if you felt like it]. Either way, it’s darling, and having very fair skin myself, I hope you wear it with a glamorous portrait hat!
Author
Thanks so much! I did find that I wore the top a ton (and the repeat of the top and skirt that I made in yellow). I’m hoping I fit back into them by next summer (I had a baby at the beginning of this summer) because I really want to wear them again! Hope yours works well for you. And yes, there was definitely a hat involved (although not nearly glamorous enough of a hat. That’s something to find for next summer.)