Monday, March 26, 2007

Vintage Forties Housecoat: Simplicity 1778

Remember this fabulous pattern? I made it up in the winter in flannel and have loved it.



But it's time to put the flannel away and get out something a little lighter. I made it up again in a crisp cotton print. I think it is my favorite garment I have ever made! This is a five-star pattern for sure--flattering, stylish, goes together well.



I love this fabric--an unlikely but very successful combination of lavender and bright orange, with some leaf green thrown in for good measure. I punched up the orange with rickrack used as scallops, and a vintage button. And of course, my facings are finished with orange binding!



22 comments:

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

That is beautiful!

I've been reading a book by a famous Charleston, SC gardener who is in her 80s.

She has always made most of her own clothes. She found a pattern she loved around FORTY years ago and makes most of her dresses from that pattern! :)

PeppermintPearl said...

That is just beautiful!

I bought 3 vintage patterns off of ebay recently, totally inspired by your beautiful sewing!

Heather K said...

Very cute.... I love all the dresses you've posted...lovely....so 'ladylike'!
Heather

Anonymous said...

How lovely this is! The fabric is so sweet and the colors cheery.
Thank you for showing us!
Lyn

Melissa said...

I like these posts the best as they inspire me to sew. Mind you, I have very little knowledge in the craft, but I'm going to give it a shot any way! Thanks for the inspiration!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Anna, I thought your son might like to see the bird photos on this blog.

http://sumtingwongphotos.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Hurzeler said...

Is a housedress a dress for regular everyday wear? Or is it only to be a temporary cover over a nightgown? I am from Canada, and I have never heard the word housedress used in conversation.

Anonymous said...

It is a beautiful housecoat. :)

Serena said...

It is beautiful, Anna! Where did you get the fabric? It is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

That is absolutely lovely. The orange details are just the right touch. Thanks for the inspiration.

I wonder why women ever stopped wearing such lovely garments? They are both pretty and practical.

Jenny said...

We'll have to call you Old Mother Ric Rac.I love the fabric and you do that ric rac edging so well. A lovely soft spring dress.

Karen said...

Very pretty, Anna!

Anonymous said...

Your sewing is beautiful! This brings back so many memories of my own mother and her dresses and her work in teaching me to sew. I am fifty-nine...and the mother of the mother@TheDraperHouse! Love your blog!!

Tracy said...

Very crisp looking. I love the ric-rac!

Anonymous said...

Very well done! How do you line up your rick-rack so nicely?

Cindi said...

Those colors and that style look just so sweet together! I would love to have you come help me pick out fabric and patterns!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful creation!
I have a question for you. I notice in all your photos that your home lacks the clutter/toys/stuff/junque which usually resides in 90% of the homes in America. How do you accomplish that? What would you do with an overzealous mother in law like mine who buys an entire store for your kids?!!
I would absolutely love to see a hint here and there how you create such serenity and SANITY in your home, sewing area and children's spaces.
Blessings!!
~KatherineJ

Shannon said...

I went to Wikipedia to see what they defined as a "housecoat" - it automatically redirected to "Robe" and here is the pertinent definition: "One such example is a bathrobe, a garment made of terrycloth or another towel like material and is typically worn at home after a bath or other activities where the wearer is nude to keep warm and/or preserve modesty in times of no immediate need to fully dress. (Also called a dressing gown or house coat.)" Ladies in eras gone by just knew that even a BATHrobe could be attractive! I like vintage patterns for this reason so very much. Since when was a woman's robe supposed to look exactly like a man's? Thank you, Anna, for showing us how very LOVELY a woman can dress herself.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful blog. I've had lots of fun reading here this am.

Thanks for sharing.

AmeliaB said...

How beautiful and elegant. I also love the fabric. Thank you for posting.

~Amelia

Unknown said...

I love the lightweight colorful pattern. It reminds me of springtime.

Mrs. Simonsays said...

Super Fun!

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