It is ALWAYS tough to evaluate the entries in any EvaDress Patterns Challenge.
Heide from Wisonsin has the finalist spot in the EvaDress Patterns 'It's the 20's Again' Challenge. Congratulations, Heide!
Heide had the 1929 Ensemble pattern in her stash. Enamoured of the blouse in that set, she was motivated to make it come to life (in blush sanded silk) once she learned of this challenge. She also had blue wool blend suiting on hand from which she made the skirt and coat. She also fashioned a cloche-style hat from the suiting and a floral-print scarf of great length for grand effect!
Below are her words to describe how she executed the project:
'I choose the 1929 Skirt, Blouse and Coat Ensemble because I have always loved the blouse. So when the challenge was announced I decided it was the time to make one! I also happened to have the blue wool blend suiting fabric in my stash!
The pattern wasn't too hard to put together, though there is plenty of vintage techniques that I don't use often. The skirt is assembled using lapped seams, which I hand basted before top-stitching to make sure they were accurate. I also tried out pad stitching on the collar!
The coat is unlined, but all seams are bound with rayon seam tape. Unfortunately, I ran out of seam binding so ended up whip stitching all the skirt seams.
For the blouse I used a poly sanded silk that has a wonderful feel. But ravels like crazy! I French seamed most of the seams, with a few whipped stitched seams around the armholes and waist. I choose to face the collar and cuffs with self fabric and instead of button holes used snaps hidden by vintage mother-of-pearl buttons.
I love the blouse and am looking forward to making another for everyday wear!'
Charisty Armstead was the guest-juror this time around. Charity is Assistant Professor, Fashion Merchandising Program Director at Brenau University who studied Historic/Cultural Dress & Textiles at the University of Georgia. For her Doctorate, she presented her dissertation, “Presenting a Retro Appearance Through Sewing for Oneself”.
A couple other stellar projects submitted for this challenge were Susan's (Florida) Robe de Style in a modern twist of fabrics. We admired her attention to detail in crafting the flower and leaf embellishment for her gown.
and Susan in New Jersey created the 1929 Evening Frock with Handkerchief Hem with amazing quality construction and she attached a slip lining to help with drape and cover all the internal stitching!
