more dark florals and my cole haan pumps…
It\’s old news at this point, but how phenomenal is the Rifle Paper Co. fabric line? I\’m a very lucky duck with lengths of the Fleurs in navy AND a bunch of the flamingo print! I wanted to showcase the lovely print of this one so I turned to a tried and true dress with as few seams as possible.
I don\’t have much to say about the pattern: it\’s the same one I used here, Simplicity 6820 from 1966. They are both in rayon, and I made the same slight changes I made to the first one. I also omitted the zipper, instead using a little keyhole and a button. Since there\’s no zipper needed, I\’ll have to see next time if I can cut both front and back on the fold–the less seaming the better, but I guess that would take more fabric. (Also, I hacked it this time but y\’all, how does one do a keyhole on a seam? I know I\’m just an idiot but I can\’t for the life of me figure it out–my spatial relations are totally failing me.)
Amazing how a print can change the feel of a pattern, though, isn\’t it? I think my leopard one has a bit of a late 60\’s sexy-secretary vibe, and this one is totally different! I think I\’ll get a lot of wear out of this dress year round. The floaty rayon makes it perfectly appropriate for summer, and the darker navy background helps it transition into the colder months paired with a tights and a coat (in this case, my pink Simplicity 1197).
I actually have another Simplicity 6820 planned, but haven\’t made some final decisions. I have a black rayon crepe and a navy mystery silk that are both potential fabrics, and I want to switch it up a little and add a little ruffle at the bottom, a bit like this or this (but longer). I\’m thinking it will be the perfect New Year\’s Eve dress…
Do you have party sewing coming up? What are you making? Are you using tried and trues, or trying something new and hoping for the best? I like to do a little bit of both–that way there\’s always a backup!
xoxo,
Very cute dress!
Gorgeous fabric, Allie! And what a perfect match with your coat!
A friend of mine, who is well versed in fashion history, told me that dark florals always come into fashion in periods of war and upheaval. Starting with the Napoleonic era. Amazing how we all collectively migrate to them when the world feels unsettled.
So cute! I can really see the capsule wardrobe pieces and colors shining through in your makes. You inspire me to try and have more focus in my wardrobe and sewing…this dress looks so nice with your coat.
Yes, I love their new fabric line. I love everything they do! Great dress 🙂
Pretty, pretty! Nice work, Allie!
Awesome dress, love the fabric and it's the perfect dress to show it off
Thank you for the PJ love 🙂 I can't wait to see your flamingo ones! Short or full length?
Shorts and a long-sleeved top! my preferred combination 🙂
This is so fascinating!! I'm not surprised we're seeing so many dark florals now, I guess…
Thank you!! This coat looks good with everything 😉
I want it all!! 🙂
Thank you, Emily!
Thanks so much!
Thank you! You'd be amazed how much of my closet matches this coat haha
Thank you!!
Hello and I am a new reader! Found you by way of the Vintage Pledge 😀 For keyholes – the way I have seen them done is just as a facing like you would do for a bound buttonhole or similar. You can pretty much make any shape you want as long as you clip to any corners and turn it in neatly. If you want less bulk you could do a bias facing and by the time you've turned in your raw edges, it becomes quite small and tidy. I don't know how many vintage patterns you sew, but for most of mine that are early 40s or older, the instruction for a lot of finishing is to use a bias facing and there is rarely a pattern piece for it. In the mid 40's and onwards I see a lot less of this so I guess it was 'phased out' from patterns from then.