The Greensleeves Dress

Simplicity asked me to participate in the 'Get a Vintage Look' blog hop, making a dress from one of three vintage-inspired patterns they'd sent me. I chose 1913, a princess seamed dress with multiple options for creating squillions of looks depending on which skirt, sleeve, collar and belt you choose. The pattern includes a croquis kit which you can play around with to decide what style to go for - nice idea.

 

I made a couple of alterations of my own to the pattern. Firstly, I adapted the sleeve length to one I thought would be more practical for British weather. Secondly, I changed the gathers in the skirt to pleats in order to get a cleaner look, extending and accentuating the style lines of the bodice princess seams. Turns out Sunni had the same idea - great minds! Having redrawn the pattern lines to my measurements before cutting, my toile fit perfectly - hurrah! I did find a potential issue with the pattern though, which was that the back bodice pieces didn't match up, but I managed to fix this easily without distorting the dress.

This is definitely one of my cheaper makes. The linen-look cotton was £2/m from Simply Fabrics in Brixton, "You can't argue with that," I commented to the shop owner. "Oh but they do!" she sighed. The gorgeous Deco-style buttons were 20p each from Kleins trimmings shop in Soho. The lining was the most expensive part, a candy cane green silk blend from a shop in San Francisco.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about this pattern is that it's part of the Pattern Runway line. Now, I've only ever seen about five minutes of Pattern Runway and it's not easily available in the UK. Would I like it? Do you think it's worth me seeking it out?

The other stitchers participating in the Get a Vintage Look blog hop have made some lovely things - do take a peek at these gorgeous makes by Suzannah, Sunni, Lavender and Zoe. Also, Simplicity are giving away the three patterns on their website so hop on over if you fancy getting your mitts on your own copies...

[Soundtrack: 'Baltimore' by Nina Simone]