Do you ever surprise yourself by buying a pattern that's out of your usual comfort zone? On a trip to Joann's yesterday, I completely gravitated toward Simplicity 1609, a reissue of a 60s shift dress. It was a "Jiffy" pattern, one of their quick and easy designs. I don't usually go for 6os Mod, or even shift dresses. But this one has some really promising design features.
First: darts! I really can't wear a shift dress that doesn't have any sort of shaping (unless it's a nightgown). This design has both bust darts and French darts for shaping, giving waist emphasis. Secondly, they give you two neckline variations: a bow and a scalloped Peter Pan collar. Adorable.
I plan to make up the bow version in this black and white plaid. Very Peggy Olsen, don't you think?
If you're usually a 40s or 50s girl, the shift (ha!) to mod style can be perplexing. But no reason not to try it, right? If it works out, it could be the perfect "throw on" summer dress!
P.S. The 10% sale in my fabric shop ends at the end of the day today. Enter code ROSESGALORE to get your discount!
I do like that. I am getting into shifts as they work wellish for my shape. I really must watch Mad Men, I seem to have missed out on something!
ReplyDeleteI was drawn to this pattern, too. I thought about placing the center front seam on the fold, but there is some curvature in the bust area which I figure I may need in addition to all the darts. It will be interesting to see how yours turns out.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! I didn't realize the CB and CF seams are slightly curved. Interesting . . . I guess I will keep that in for a better fit and see how it goes!
DeleteI'll be interested to see how it goes! The plaid is gorgeous (I'm a sucker for plaid myself), and it's the kind of pattern you could very easily adapt, by changing up the neckline, using different trims, adding patch pockets; for a really mod look, you could play on the centre seam by using colour blocking; one side black and the other white, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI bought this one too even though I am a 40s and 50s girl. It is a cute one!
ReplyDeleteI made a shift dress last year in black eyelet cotton. I love it, it's cool for the summer, but smart enough to wear for work. I like this pattern though as it's got the extra shaping - I bet it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI loved that pattern when I saw it and have it on my 'to buy' list since it would be comfy, fast and a great way to use some of the crazy prints I've bought that aren't really my style. Look forward to seeing your version!
ReplyDeleteI think this will be a nice variation of silhouette for you. Because it's a looser silhouette, it will be cooler to wear during the summer than a tightly fitted dress. Plus, the darting with flatter your figure.
ReplyDeleteHonestly Gertie I think I made this dress back in junior high as a Home Ec project. Maybe that's why I gravitate to shifts. If you could match your plaid, yest that would be adorable with a white Peter Pan collar.
ReplyDeleteMary
I've always wanted to try a shift dress but I find I look best in shaped styles as well. I can't wait to see you're version of this! Now I must go make up my first portrait blouse :P
ReplyDelete*your
ReplyDeleteLove this pattern, just what I've been looking for. Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm in the middle of sewing this pattern, but I'm finding that the pattern for the collar looks off with the rest of the dress. It just looks too small, and as a result, out of place on the dress. Need to do some adjustments.
ReplyDeleteYes, o yes! I love this dress! Especially the bow version. Just adorable! I wonder: why is there a center front seam anyway? Won't it just look way better without?
ReplyDeleteyou are invited to follow my blog
ReplyDeleteI love this pattern - right up my street. The first dress I ever made was a very similar pattern but I made it in horrible brown embroidered fabric and never wore it...I was seduced by the pattern and didn't stop to wonder if it was something I would actually wear! I love the scallop collar version. L
ReplyDeleteI love this pattern! As soon as I saw this pattern I knew I had to buy it. I even found a great cotton print and added three white buttons. Yes, the darts do make the dress a perfect fit. Here is a link to my version of the dress http://stitchafterstitch88.blogspot.com/2013/05/feelin-groovy-simplicity-1609.html Can't wait to see yours!
ReplyDeleteGertie does 60s! Oh im so excited! i cant wait to see what you do with my most favorite of all decades.
ReplyDeleteThat bow neckline and check pattern combination really does have the Peggy vibe. And Peggy kept with the late 50s look for a lot longer than most. I think her first outfit on mad men was a big circle (?) skirt and twin set.
In a bit baffled as to why they have even included a center seam on this dress? Isn't it obvious that all good dresses are cut on the fold - well the front at least.
I cant wait to see the result!
You know, I surprised myself with that exact one too. It originally wasn't on my to buy list but while I was there I kept going back to it and decided that meant I needed it. I am definitely not a 60's mod shift dress kinda girl. I think it was the bright colors and the unique collars that got me!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I had a dress exactly like this in the 60's. I called it my belly button dress cause, well, my mom put a huge button right where my belly button really was. The dress was denim with red stitching and the button was bone colored. I LOVED that dress! (I dyed red tennis shoes to go with it, as I remember!) What a boy catcher that one was! Hahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI actually bought that same pattern for $1 (!) last week, along with some random fabric from the closeouts redline rack. Pretty sure the fabric amount suggested on the pattern is actually enough for TWO dresses though. Perhaps a Jiffy Dress-Along?
ReplyDeleteOMG! I must buy that pattern now!!! Scalloped Peter Pan collar? SOLD!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this! I was looking at that pattern at Joanns but I didn't buy it because I've been wrestling with the Colette Laurel shift dress. The front looks horrible on me, but to your point, maybe more darts in the front will do the trick on the Laurel. And if that's the case, this pattern could work too!
ReplyDeleteMy aunt just gave me some vintage patterns from when she was young and this jiffy original one was there! I was thinking of adapting it because it's in a teen size. Can't wait to see your version!
ReplyDeleteI love a good shift dress! But I have yet to attempt to sew with a pattern. Maybe I can work my way up to this! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAmanda @ Running In Heels
amandarollo.blogspot.com
I almost bought that pattern the other day! Now I need to go back and get it. I really love it. :)
ReplyDeleteI got this pattern for $1 at Jo Ann a couple of weeks ago! I have a long list of projects to do first but when I get to it I might make it with the scalloped collar. Can't wait to see what you do with it!
ReplyDelete-Melissa
Scavenger Hunt
Wait a minute, the cover says two main pattern pieces - does that mean there are no side seams? Cause otherwise there'd have to be at least 4 pieces as there's no fold...hmmm, no I'm so curious I may have to buy it too. Though in the 80s if my aunt said anything like 'I could make you one of those Jiffy dresses' we would gag with horror....:-)
ReplyDeleteWell, it's rather misleading. They mean it has two main pattern tissue pieces: dress front and dress back. You have to cut two of each. And then there's a front and back facing. A bit of tricky wording on their part!
Delete"Main" being the operative descriptive. So funny, my friends actually wanted me to make them Jiffy dresses in the 70s. :-)
DeleteI love that pattern!
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! I wore this in the 60s! It was my favorite dress. It was a purple flower, very small, with a white Peter Pan collar. It was my uniform because I liked how it fit so much... made my waist seem smaller and my boobs bigger --- hey, I was 16, what did I know??
ReplyDeleteYou will love it! Enjoy wearing it!
Awesome! Thanks for posting this, I've been looking to make something like this for a little while. I'll definitely give it a try now!
ReplyDeleteIt'd work nicely in something like that black and white eyelet you have in your shop, too.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the same thing :-)
DeleteThis looks very similar to the very first dress I ever made! My pattern had several different trim options, but no collar. I made lots of these, out of
ReplyDeleteall sorts of cottons and also some linen blends. I had to trace the pattern onto heavy pellon because it was so used. French darts are very flattering.
I have a Simplicity 6964 (from late '60s)Jiffy Dress from my grandma's stash that's similar but with squared neckline variations and sleeve options. And it was 65 cents back then :-). Haven't seen it in their reissues yet. I need to trace it; it's almost in my size but not quite. Have fun with 1609! Very cute.
ReplyDeleteI love love this pattern! Thank you for this post, now I'm definitely going to go buy it. It's a nice style because you can fit the bodice in a flattering way but then grade it out and let it swing to accommodate a larger booty size. :-) I love the black plaid too! I'd want to see a lemon yellow collar or bow and maybe some lemon yellow rickrack along the bottom hem!
ReplyDeleteI wish Simplicity would reissue some more mod dresses! Gertie, how about some mod fashion design for Butterick?!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually like mod clothes or shift dresses either but the second we got that pattern in stock at Jo-Ann I bought it. There's something about it I just adore!
ReplyDeleteI sewed this one! I was worried about it looking to matronly on me, since I've a larger bust, but it's one of my favorites (especially since I found an amazing printed fabric to use)! I posted about it on my bloggio ;)
ReplyDeleteI am into 60s shifts, myself, so I look forward to seeing you in this silhouette.
ReplyDeleteThis dress is already on my project list. I love 60s mod. I don't know if this would be the best place to ask, but in your fabric shop you had the red fabric with the mums and ribbons which is now gone. What is that fabric called? Is there a designer or manufacturer name? I really wanted some but didn't have money at the time, so I have been searching all over the internet, which is really hard to do without a name. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteForget about the dress the you have sewed Gertie it is the interest you show in each of your project that amazes me. Not many people put their project on display like you and the best part is you try them out and put the pictures on the blog for other enthusiasts to get an idea of how it looks.
ReplyDeleteThis comment is really to appreciate the efforts you have put in to the project.