News — EvaDress Patterns
Dec. 19 - Dec. 23 The Week in Patterning - 54, EvaDress fabulous 40's Pattern Challenge!
Alexandra Reynolds 1940's coat dress EvaDress Patterns Pattern Challenge redingote The Week in Patterning Storyboard
A little food for thought as you unwind for the holidays and prepare for the New Year, I have posted my next challenge well in advance as I have largely advertised it in print! Everything 40's fashion is-FABULOUS! Suits were highly tailored for men AND women, drapery on an evening gown lent luxe details, even the humble and comfortable at-home house dress was loaded with interesting lines; everything was so well fitting. Projects may not be started earlier than 12:01 a.m. EST on February 1, 2017 although a muslin for fitting may be created any time before the challenge kick-off...
Dec. 12 - Dec. 16 The Week in Patterning - 53, Developing a Raven
Alexandra Reynolds 1930's costume crinoline EvaDress Patterns faux fur raven The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns
...an 18th Century-esque raven, that is. Actually, a costume pattern from the 30's as a retrospective on a crinoline costume per The DuBarry Pattern Co. I modified this design to come up with a raven costume and now it is in the finishing stretch! Just a few 'teaser' (throwback process) photos until I have it all together and share it for The New Year! I plan to make the pattern available in multi-sizes in 2017. (Funny enough, my muse perched atop a pine outside my window and 'sang' as I worked up the costume!)
Dec. 5 - Dec. 9 The Week in Patterning - 52, Balancing Patterns
Alexandra Reynolds 1940's EvaDress Patterns The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns
As everything in life, sewing patterns are a balancing act-especially VINTAGE patterns! After being folded for who-knows-how-long after having been treated who-knows-how by the one(s) who previously owned it and after warping the ease in the fragile tissue paper to create as careful a draft as possible, chances are a vintage pattern will be un-balanced at best. When I first started drafting from vintage originals back in the 90's, I did so verbatim. That is, I drafted each piece as it lay on my table (after CAREFUL iron pressing) without matching the balance between front and back, side seams, etc....
Nov. 21 - Nov. 25 The Week in Patterning - 50, Everything is coming up Poppies!!
Alexandra Reynolds 1940's Apron EvaDress Patterns The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns
I fashioned an apron from View B of my pattern A40-3250 (originally a 1945 Butterick). I did so thinking that upon entering a vintage apron challenge that we had to actually sew from the apron pattern we were posting (this was not the case). Understand that I was in the sewing challenge frame of mind at the time just having concluded my EvaDress Pattern Challenge. Regardless, I have a fabulous apron in fabric I have been drawn to for a few months! As I posted in the challenge: 'Had I been able to source the contrast fabric I wanted for...
Nov. 14 - Nov. 18 The Week in Patterning - 49, The Flirty 50's Pattern Challenge Finalist is...
Alexandra Reynolds 1950s Claire McCardell EvaDress Pattern Challenge EvaDress Patterns Sp50-4310 The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns
Eszter from Australia! She put together a fantastic three-piece ensemble from one of my more recent patterns. Guest juror Emily Stringham of Emily's Vintage Visions joined me once again in reviewing submissions for what was the first 1950's EvaDress pattern challenge. We both admired the texture and color scheme Eszter put to use in her shorts, bra and shirt. Eszter used a very 50's vintage texture in her waffled cotton shorts and what says vintage 50's like polka dots (the bra)! As well, she fashioned her tie-at-front kimono shirt in good old fashioned gingham, both prints being in blue...