Fifties Fail

I just finished a sort of toile of this wiggle dress from the 1950s (the slim fit version of this 'Style' pattern):

I hoped that it would be a miracle toile that would fit me perfectly straight away and look amazing so I used a printed fabric from my stash. This was a mistake.

I'm not impressed. 

I wanted to throw it straight in the bin... 

but decided it would be more productive to critique the pros and cons of this project.

The pictures are on the stand because I am too embarassed to show my face!

So...

Cons:

1. Curtain fabric is not good for toiles. It has no give and no life.
2. I really need to master the art of sewing in zippers pronto.
3. This print looked cute on the roll and yet looks sickeningly 1980s when made into a dress. I am so distracted by it that I can barely see the shape of the dress. Next time I'm reverting back to using calico.

Pros: 

1. I am starting to see now what the difference in pattern cutting is that gives the 1950s dresses the stylised and more pronounced hourglass shape - the dress is very wide at the shoulder and bust - thus making the angle of the bodice very sharp and quite different to a modern dress that has a much smoother curve here.
2. I love the skirt of this pattern - again the curve is over-exaggerated and the straight line of the pleats on the front also makes this more pronounced. I like that there is a pleat rather than a slit at the back - the modesty is somehow more sexy than having loads of flesh on show.

Thirties Love

Has anyone else watched the recent BBC drama 'South Riding'?

 I was absolutely enthralled by it. I thought that the costumes were delightful - each character beautifully captured in the nuances and idiosyncracies of their style.

Anna Maxwell-Martin was fabulous in the lead role - as always - and I could just dive into her character (Sarah Burton)'s wardrobe and live there! Mostly for the hats!

I particularly loved the opening sequence of the series that cast her character perfectly as a vibrant, sophisticated, alluring yet simultaneously naive young woman come straight from the colourful and modern city of london, against the gloomy, grey and claustrophobic small community in Yorkshire. 

 That red suit. The hat. The gloves. The suitcase. Perfect.

 

It has reminded me how much I love other heroines of dramas set in the 1930s era .

Kristen Scott Thomas in Gosford Park: The chicest woman ever

Androgony has never looked so cool...

 

Keeley Hawes in Upstairs Downstairs 

(Actually I'd happily look like any of the cast of this, all beautiful in different ways):

Emily Mortimer in 'Bright Young Things'

And, I could go on... I just love 1930s costumes... sigh...

I just wish I had the slinky silhouette needed to carry them off!

But the BBC is spoiling me it would seem! A new thirties one-off drama this week; 'Christopher and His Kind'. Woohoo! 

I need this

I'm obsessed with vintage sewing patterns at the moment. I've been buying them compulsively on eBay for the last few months. This is the best Dior New Look style I've seen but way out of my price range at the moment unfortunately. I could cut the pattern myself but I really like the authenticity that using a vintage pattern provides.... sigh...
If anyone wants to buy it for me (hint, hint!!) it's from the Blue Gardenia website who have a beautiful selection of patterns.

In the beginning

You've got to start a blog somewhere right? I thought I would take the plunge and face that big empty screen tonight so that when I actually have a fully formed post ready to go it won't be quite so daunting!
So... here goes....
I decided to start this blog to keep a record of what I am doing, creatively speaking, with my time. To chart what is inspiring me and moving me and what I am learning day by day. If no-one else reads it but me, that's fine, but I want to stay motivated and driven to perfect my skills for my quest to become a costume maker extraordinaire!