Following a 1920's Dress Pattern
I liked following this pattern - but this is another one where I immediately wanted to remake it after I finished!
I think a lighter, yet still crisp would have made a big difference. And I wish I hand stitched more elements. It wasn't until I started following other patterns which have more thorough instructions that I realized the quantity of hand sewing used for finishing work.
I'm not sure it is worth the effort of remaking it since this style really doesn't flatter me (I'm not sure if any changes will fix that).
But I think once I finish the project I'll do a poll and let patrons vote for what I remake, because it would be fun to see how much I've learned and how my methods have changed by the end of this!
Also I have a little vlog with some behind the scenes content about this project and the two earlier pieces. So anyone in the $6+ tiers should keep an eye out!
Following a 1920's Dress Pattern : Sewing Through the Decades (YouTube)
Comments (17)
Selfie = awful
I love the fabric but the pattern is selfie. Please don’t redo this one.
You did an excellent job of recreating the 20's frock, look, especially with the hat, hair, and makeup. However, there is no way any one person will EVER look good in one of those shapeless dresses, lol! Your height will be the advantage in looking better than most, savvy? Thank you for sharing your process, though. You teach all of us to not be so OCD about certain aspects of patterns....Thank you!
I really like the dress! I find that '20s silhouettes look odd unless they're styled with the '20s hair/makeup/etc, and I think that your styling makes it look quite period-accurate.
Love the fabrics used. A lighter weight fabric may help but to me the 1920's are shapeless and it is what it is. You may see a little shaping with a light weight but since all but the sleeve is a basic square you wont get much , I think. ..... I agree with the style not looking so good on a vass majority . Square peg in a round hole lol Ypu did a great job!
I actually think this looks good on you, and the hat is perfect! Thank you for the video.
Lovely video : ) Though unfortunately the discoloured electrical cord in the background of your intro is beginning to bug me. Perhaps it can be hidden? Sorry to bother you about something so minor, hope you don't mind!
This seemed like a really fun and easy project! The fact that all the pleat markings on the pattern were all there is really cool and actually worked out. In terms of 20's fashions and feeling like they're unflattering on you.....I think the drapey-er designs that are done without any waist of any kind are a bit kinder; as you move, you get the idea that there's some shape in there, and it won't emphasize the hips. The idea of stripes for this design seems like it might have worked in your favor, but I think the belt contradicted any distracting element it might have added.
I have learned so much from watching your videos, there are so many times I'm like, "you can do that??" Thanks again for keeping it up
I dont think this looks that bad. I really like the way you did the yoke.
We did a show last year requiring a cast of @ 18 to be in 1920's "working girls" dresses (we also did Thoroughly Modern Millie that year, and believe me, the girls liked those flapper dresses in Millie much better than the plainer dresses). Found the One-Hour Dress pattern, which has been re-printed but still had the original instructions. Thankful it also included tips and a translation of the instructions. It took a little more than an hour for each, and we still had to make lots of adjustments for arms and the "waist" area. Wish I'd had this video then- you did a great job on that dress!
I'm really impressed you could make them in an hour or two! I've always thought those patterns were LIES! haha. I've seen a few originals floating around and been tempted by them...maybe I'll have to get one now!
Good job!! I assume the dress was toward the modest end of the spectrum or perhaps was made to embody a woman of expert professionalism.
I think moving the belt even lower might help. And definitely lighter weight fabric. I'm a fan of the 20s silhouette though I think it looks great.
This is great! I was also kind of disappointed with the result the first time I tried making a pattern from the 1920s. I realized I actually needed proper foundation garments, espcially a brassiere that would make my chest look flatter, and I also saw some kind of restraining garments would have been used to reduce the hips-butt area to make a more slender silhouette (like here <a href="https://carmelitecathare.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dc3a9tail-corset-la-mode-du-jour-4-avril-1925.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://carmelitecathare.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dc3a9tail-corset-la-mode-du-jour-4-avril-1925.jpg</a> ). When I saw that, I remeber that complicated a lot of my assumptions about the 1920s being an era of liberation of women's bodies!
I think the standards for beauty in the 20's were more strict than the prior decades, since the style was so specific and suited to a single body type. And there was (literally) less to hide behind! I tried this piece on over my edwardian corset, a girdle from the 30s, with 1920s foundations I made, and duct tape used for compression purposes....and it all looked pretty much the same! I've just got wide hip bones and shoulders, all those garments do is compress my waist, which doesn't help much with the 20's!
I am almost sure I wouldn't be able to follow this with my sewing knowledge, And I am sure I couldn't do this with my patience.