Sewing, knitting, crocheting... handicrafts run in my family. This dress was made by my grandmother on my mother's side of the family. It had been hanging in the far corner of my mum's closet for many many years, until I now decided to try and rescue it and put it to good use again.
The fabric is so soft and drapey, which makes the dress lovely to wear. I didn't want to change too much, just enough to make it wearable for me.
Originally, there was a metal zip inserted in the front, going all the way to the waist. The zip had been unpicked at some point, so I stitched the front center seam closed to an appropriate height.
It's difficult to detect any seams in this busy print, but instead of side seams the dress has side panels. I took in the back panel seams quite a bit at the waist to make the dress just a bit more fitted.
Pockets need to be added to every single thing, am I right?
The finishing on the sleeves had ripped, so I re-did that, but otherwise I didn't want to mess with the original construction or finishing.
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| The inside of the hem |
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| The finishing of the seams |
Damn, just think of the time and effort that went into this dress! No serger or sophisticated sewing machine, just a whole lot of patience and skill. Makes me feel bad about blaming my sewing machine for my own shortcomings...
Too bad the print is so busy, because I love the shape of this dress and feel tempted to recreate it sometime. I don't know if I'll be wearing it despite the changes because the busy print really isn't my style. Still, it feels good to pay homage to the incredible skills of those who have now passed, and be grateful to the ladies (and men!) in my family who have passed on their knowledge and love for all things handmade. I know I'll be devastated if one day my own children won't know the difference between a knitting needle and a pair of scissors.
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Here I'm explaining to my sister ,who's behind the camera, how my cheeks look stupid from a certain angle.
She didn't buy it. |
Have you ever rescued anything worth saving just for the time that went into making it?
What a wonderful idea Nilla! Passing crafts from a generation to the next ensures they do not get lost! Handicrafts do not run in my family as opposed to my fiancee's... his grandma used to be a really good seamstress and since she recently passed I started collecting things sewn by her to see how she made them and with the hope to be able one day to give them new life...
ReplyDeleteI hope you find joy in admiring her work. It took me a long time to get around to this dress, but it feels good now that it's done.
DeleteThis dress looks great on you! I love the print. It's so cool to revitalize an old piece of clothing, especially one that's been passed down to you by family.
ReplyDeleteI love the shape and even the short sleeves (which I usually avoid), but the print just feels too much... feels too retro I guess. But the colors are great for fall :)
DeleteI like how you saved the dress! The shape looks modern, but I get why you don't like the print so much.. I've been saving some dresses from my grandma, but I cannot say if she made them.. It's always fun to look how old clothes are constructed :D I found a couple of my mom's unfinished projects, that I plan to bring to life :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you finished your mom's UFOs!
DeleteIt looks beautiful! The print is gorgeous. I would love that kind of hand-me-down!
ReplyDeleteThe fabric is so soft to wear that it would be a shame to let it sit in the closet. Maybe I could tone it down a bit with some black pieces...?
DeleteI think this dress is lively Nilla! I love vintage clothes but you are right some things are more difficult to wear. I would still wear this one though!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the shape and the drape of the fabric. I'm not really a vintage kind of gal, even though I really admire anyone who can pull off that look :)
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