Monday, August 5, 2013

50s Swimwear-Inspired Linen Mini Dress


I bought this floral linen fabric for the shop, and the bolt was just calling to me to make something from it. The print reminded me of 50s swimwear and sarong dresses--so why not a swimsuit-inspired dress?



The pattern is Vogue 8849, View B. I just made it mini instead of above-knee length. I was trying to the effect of a skirted bathing suit or playsuit, but in dress form.
The pattern has a lot of ease. I started with a 14, but ended up taking it in quite a bit around the bust, waist, and upper hip. The lower hip had to be let out, though.

(Hey, look how big I can make my photos with my new layout!)

I added ivory bias trim around the waistline, as well as patch pockets with bias trim and decorative buttons. 


Cateye sunglasses seemed mandatory.


The pink clogs came out again! (Yes, they're exactly the same as my green ones that I wear with everything.)
P.S. I'm extending the 10% off promo in my fabric shop. Use code 10off to get the discount on orders $40 and over. 

42 comments:

  1. Fabulous! I love the fabric, the cut, everything.

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  2. I love the dress and fabric also the new Blog design is really fantastic

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  3. Love it! And you're looking so svelte! What's your secret?! ;)

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    1. The dress is amazing, the fabric is stunning, you look awesome, and I love the new blog look!

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  4. Gertie.. you're new blog is perfect!

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  5. I love your new blog design! Really cute. Also, what a very cute dress!

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  6. Love the sundress great job it suits you! Have fun in the sun!

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  7. Gretchen, Love your new hair do, blog re-design and of course....fashion.

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  8. Gertie, you look fabulous!! The short hair, the short dress is werking!!

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  9. Super cute, and you look especially pretty in these pics.

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  10. That is so cute. And I love your hair in that shorter length!

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  11. Super flattering! It's a perfect sunsuit! (As long as you protect your tattoos with sunblock of course.)I love how light and clean the blog header and layout is. It makes it easy to focus on the goodness of the entry(ies) itself!

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  12. Cute! Love the new blog layout!

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  13. That is quite an adorable dress!

    And I agree, the new blog layout is cute!

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  14. Super cute! I've always wanted a playsuit/swimsuit type piece from the 50s and yours looks perfect!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  15. I love black and white prints and the dress looks terrific on you. I like the new layout of your blog.

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  16. Wowee Gertie! I was thinking before i read the post, this is a great swimsuit! but of course it is a dress - you tricky thing! Great job as always

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  17. Fabulous dress and I love your hair short.

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  18. Gosh Gertie you are just soooooo talented, love the dress, love the new look blog and you are looking great! Pity I live in the UK as your fabric would cost more in shipping!!! Boo Hoo
    Thank you for sharing your experience :)

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    1. Hi Kussy!

      I live in Norway (and no, I am not rich, wich is why I want to sew myself), but I have bouhgt fabrics from Gertie's shop - or to be more exact - I have ordered, still impatiently waiting for the fabrics to make it over "the pond".

      From time to time I let myself to things like this. ;-)

      aserandi
      Norway

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  19. This is so adorable! It looks like a playsuit - perfect for summer! And your new blog design is seriously rocking - love it! :)

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  20. Beautiful. You are such a tiny little thing these days!!

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  21. That's adorable, there's a fabulous Bettie Page vibe about it!

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  22. It looks so cool! And I love your hair styled like that!!

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  23. Super cute, Gertie! Perfect for a day at the beach :)

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  24. Goes perfectly with your pink hair! :)

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  25. short and sassy! love the fabric print.
    also love the blog design! sewing, feminism, and kitties -- sounds good to me! :)

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  26. Love the playfulness of this dress. So summery, so poolside chic! Looks great with your hair and sunnies. Also, have to say that the new blog layout is looking soooooooooooo much better than your old one. The photos are so much bigger - so much easier to see detail and it looks a lot less crowded. Definite props lady! Only thing I would say is please get rid of the "recaptchas." I tried to post this three times because I couldn't tell what the letters were!

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  27. So cute! I thought it was a jumpsuit at first. Love the print and the piping on the waist. I have a vintage pair of swimmers I just wear as a jumpsuit. I've never seen how you could swim in cotton fabric. Wouldn't it feel heavy when it got wet?

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  28. Hi Gertie,

    Love the dress and the haircut and the slimmer you :)
    Regarding the new blog layout, I just want to say it's awesome but when I view it on my blackberry, the post (mobile version) has two sets of menu ... The same menu but two instead of one ...nothing wrong with it, just thought you might like to know ... I know I would lol, the little thing that's not "right" always bugs me ...

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  29. I am loving the short curly hair! You look adorable!

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  30. Really cute! This is such a fun, youthful dress-- I love it!

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  31. I'm so sick of maxi's! They are great some of the time, but YAY for a mini in the summer sometime. I love how you sew what you want to wear.

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  32. Lovely!!! You made a great job as usual!

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  33. Hi Gertie!
    This is great! I am working on this pattern at the moment and going all out with fishtail peplum (gulp)! I'm finding the same as you -- there's so much ease, even though I cut a size smaller than usual. The bust seams are correctly placed, but I feel like I need to pinch out at the sides loads.. I'm hoping it won't distort!

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  34. PS: I love the new layout! I've been a long-time reader of your blog and am enjoying the new look! x

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  35. Gertie! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a vintage-inspired swimsuit! Puh-lease!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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