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Tuesday 8 October 2013

Project Sewn Week 2 - The Era Challenge - Butterick 5747

Thank you so so much to everyone who voted for me last week on Project Sewn. I made it through the first round (hooray!!) and now here is my entry for week two's 'Fashion Era Challenge'.

Once again 50% of the vote is up to the public. So check out the other gorgeous outfits and if mine is your favourite I would be TICKLED PINK if you voted for me. Voting closes Thursday 8pm MDT.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

For this weeks challenge we had to make a dress from an era of our choice and I chose the 60s. Surprised much?

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

The 60s is one of my favourite eras for fashion. The range of styles that were introduced in one decade it incredible. In particular I love the fashion at the beginning of this decade. It still had influences from the 50s but with the attitude and boldness of the new time.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747


The Pattern
To create my look I used Butterick Pattern B5747 which was originally released in the year 1960.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747
Image on far right from the Butterick Patterns website

I made version A of the pattern and cut it in a straight size 14.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

The instructions were pretty straight forward, though they did jump around a bit.

There is a step missing in the instructions! Watch out when you're about to attach the skirt to the bodice/waist band. It skips the step that has you turn in the waist band at the centre front. This will make sense to you if you are making this dress.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

Features of the dress
The dress is closed down the centre front with four buttons.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

Like a lot of vintage patterns, the dress isn't lined but uses facings.

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

The dress has a full pleated skirt, a waist band and a gorgeous boxy collar. I made my dress using a thick quilting cotton and added white trim for contrast. I love how it gives the dress a bit more playfulness.
Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

The dress also features a detachable dickey. I've seen some other bloggers wear this dress without the dickey and it looks gorgeous. Unfortunately my dress doesn't look very 'family friendly' when I wear it without!

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

The beautiful Anna Neah made a similar dress recently but with a different pattern. I'm bananas about her version. It's like we're sewing twins. It freaks me out how much I love everything she makes. If you don't follow her yet you are CRAY CRAY! Check her out!

Changes I made
I'm actually wearing the dickey slightly lower than the pattern design as it overwhelmed my short torso when I was wearing it the original height. It sort of looked like it was choking me!

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

I also omitted the belt and used one that I already had. I raised the hem slightly to a length that flattered my shape and height better. No other alterations were made to the pattern which is such a nice change!

Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747
Styling
I teamed my dress with red lipstick (of course) a beautiful vintage brooch curtesy of the Ruemiraldi store, a red belt and a big bouncy petticoat that I'm a little bit in love with. I love the fullness it adds! I also tucked my hair under to create a sort of faux bob. My hair is a bit long for this era!

Conclusion
That's it, I'm wearing full skirts every day. Just try and change my mind.
Ok so maybe I'm prone to the obsessive, but I feel like a freaking princess in this dress. And the skirt has excellent twirling capabilities. I'm actually a little bit nervous to go out past midnight incase my dress turns to rags and I lose a shoe. It happens.


Julia Bobbin - 1960's dress with Butterick 5747

A special thanks to my parents Beverley and Michelangelo (who totally has The Kinks stuck in his head now) and my sister Angeline who looked after Harry while I sewed like a maniac to get this finished for the deadline. And of course to my wonderful husband/photographer who patiently photographs me even though I inevitably turn into a diva during the process.

Thanks again for all your support! You can vote for me and my dress here.

49 comments:

  1. I hated this pattern when I saw it online at butterick, but good lord thats a nice dress! I may have to go pick this one up now.

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  2. Stop it! This is officially TOO FABULOUS. I can't take anymore! Seriously stunning work, girl!

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  3. Your dress is my favourite of this week, absolutely gorgeous!

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  4. You look stunning in this dress. Wow!

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  5. So beautiful, so nautical, and so you!

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  6. Oh my goodness! I love love love love this! I've had this pattern in my stash for a long time but haven't gotten around to using it yet. Now I will soon! You look totally adorable! And thanks also for mentioning my blog. I have been following you for years and yes, maybe we are sewing twins cause I love everything you make too. Hugs!

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  8. I love all of your creations for the Project Sewn! I can't wait to see your next creation. This dress is lovely, and you look stunning! I like your version more than the model for the pattern. You did great! :)

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  9. What a wonderful dress, it suits you perfectly! and it looks 100 times better than the dress from the Butterick website.

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  10. You got my vote. This is a gorgeous dress and you wear it so well.

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  11. WONDERFUL dress!!

    Kind regards,
    Anna

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  12. You are the cutest everrr! Voted for you! xoxo

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  13. ooooo! This is really pretty on you! I have made this dress and really love it. I was originally going to put the white trim on too - SNAP - but I ended up not doing it so that I could enter it into your Mad Men Challenge. But so glad someone has added the trim - it looks terrific!

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  14. Voted! I LOVE your version of this dress, the red is just killing me! The white adds the perfect touch too. (And pardon me while I also coo over your yellow china and matching scarf. Squee!)

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  15. I've had this pattern for a while now, you've made me want to pull it out and start sewing it immediately! Gorgeous! I love the white trim.

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  16. It's absolutely gorgeous - love the bright red, the sailor style trim and the full skirt! Full skirts really are the best... looking wonderful :)

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  17. Such a gorgeous dress - I have to echo Huff: I have this pattern, now I want to make it!

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  18. You look sensational, Julia! Red is definitely your colour and the white trim is fabulous! You definitely have my vote :)

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  19. you are good! and you make that dress look way better than the pattern cover. wow wow! Love the red. You totally rocked it. :)

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  20. I love the era you chose, and how you interpreted this pattern! The early sixties are such a cool transition period. G'luck for round 2!

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  21. Well don't you just look utterly resplendant in your creation! Fruity tooty, you are just brimming with talent. My vote is all yours! :D x

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  22. The dress you are wearing, is the epitome of why I want to sew my own clothes. THIS is the dress I've had in mind (not THE exact)!!! I love it so much! Plus the black petticoat underneath!! I just found your blog, and I'm so excited! I will definitely vote for you! Nice meeting you, and I can't wait for some time so I can look through your old posts!

    -karrie

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  23. Love the dress, and ou look so much better than the model in hers! Fabulous.

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  24. Much nicer than the pattern illustration. Your red and white version is sensational.

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  25. Absolutely fabulous!!! Congratulations on making it through to the second round; both of your creations have been sensationally lovely :)

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  26. I really like your blog (and btw I love that red dress) but ever since you changed the design, it' nearly impossible to enjoy it. While I can still see the pictures from my smartphone, the whole background is fulp of blue and white question marks which makes it impossible to read what you write. Could you please do something about that?

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  27. For some reason, I like the yellow version better (and really am not a fan of yellow). But you look sooooooooooo cute in this dress. It looks truly adorable -and so well made. Love it!

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  28. I pinned this pattern only the other day. You've done an amazing job. The colour is sublime and I love the contrast band and buttons.

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  29. Hooray! I just vote for you and this time I have been on time! Your dress is really beautiful and you got to give a touch of glamor and sparkle suitable for it. You deserve to win! Happy week, dear Julia.

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  30. I have this pattern! Your version is simply perfect! Love everything about it!

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  31. Just gorgeous - and SO much better than the one on the pattern envelope. I also love the white trim you have added, it really makes the dress from great to fabulous! Hope you win :)

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  32. Gorgeous! I love this sailor look and i think you've answered the brief well! Love it!

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  33. Damn. That's adorable and fabulous and gorgeous and so perfect on you. Good luck!

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  34. I have to tell you how much I adore this dress!! My husband was looking at the outfits this week and said "you should make that!!" ... I love the color of the dress and the cut is amazing. Good job! Can't wait to see what you do next week.

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  35. I love this dress! Gorgeous!
    Bravo Julia!

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  36. El vestido está precioso y el color rojo preciso. Estás guapísima!

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  37. Seriously - you are too cute! What a wowza of a make. Congratulations!

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  38. Julia, this is so lovely! The white trim really takes this from fab to rockstar! And quite frankly, I think crinolines should be back for everyday wear at least twice a week ;D

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  39. I have this pattern too!! You version is gorgeous. Love the contrast buttons and trim. The pattern has been sitting in my drawer for almost a year. Your dress inspires me to starting working on it.

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  40. Dear Julia, would you pretty please do some clothes inspired by The Great Gatsby - I'll bet anything you love that movie for it's fashion

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  41. Gorgeous! And inspiring- I've been looking for a pattern like this! Just one question- what trim do you recommend for something like this- a plain white ribbon? I've used doubled white bias tape but it can be a bit thick...

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  42. I just made this dress and found you when I was googling to find others! I LOVE your dress! It's absolutely gorgeous! I've just posted mine on my blog, but I'd love to swap with yours LOL.

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  43. gerçekten başarılı olmuş başarılar

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