Size: size 8
Fabric: Sand poly blend micro-basketweave suiting from Fabric Mart.
Project Photo:
Comments: Ah, the 70s...I was but a young child during the 70s, but I do remember a few things: Donny & Marie, Sonny & Cher, disco, Wonder Woman and hairy men. But, the one overwhelming thing that pops to mind when I think about the 70s is the horrible, cheesy fashions.
Now, before you cry foul, take a look at my evidence: polyester leisure suits, athletic shorts and striped knee high socks a la The White Shadow, bell bottoms, spandex jumpsuits (holy camel toe Batman!) and the always appropriate pimp look. Fashion took a serious bitch slap in the 70s.
However, it is possible to unearth a few nuggets of sanity from the wasteland that is 70s fashion. Case in point, B5754. I can't believe this dress is so normal and classic.
This dress went together smoothly. Ever noticed how excellent the drafting is in vintage patterns? They are always a dream to use.
There is nothing I don't like about this dress. Comfortable style - check. Cute whether belted or not - check. Pockets - check. Adorable yoke and collar - check. No zipper or buttons to mess with - check. Looks great alone or with a cardigan - check. Compliments from colleagues and students when I wear it - check. Heck, what's not to like?
Conclusion: I will most certainly make this dress again. I can see it in a soft wool for winter (worn with a lightweight top underneath).
25 comments:
Very cute dress.
It is a perfect dress for a warm fall day!
love it! i've seen a couple of trends from the 70s that I think I'd like to try to pull-off. It's those crazy 80s boyfriend jackets that are scaring me!
yeah, the 70's were not a great time for fashion. sadly, i was a young teen in the 70's. my formative years, fashionably speaking. the 80's weren't a lot better...
however, your dress is adorable.
I can testify to the bad fashion. I was in my twenties and yeah, I should burn any pictures of myself from those years. This is however lovely.
You've pulled off another great dress. I love the 60s fashions, skip 70s and 80s. The 80s with those huge shoulder pads-what were we thinking?
I agree this is a wonderful dress and you must make it again! :)
I agree with you about the 70s fashions. But this one is a classic and so normal, as you say. It looks very nice. I think I prefer the eras of the 40s to the 60s overall, a few things from the 70s; and I really don't get too excited about 80s' and 90s' fashions.
I would *never* suspect this is vintage! I love it!
Hey! What's wrong with bell bottoms? :-) I vaguely remember them as being the precursor to boot cut pants. Although, yes, there were extremely wide ones. I think the worst part of the 70s fashion "scene" were the colors! Didn't like them then, don't like them now. Very nice dress!
I love that dress. Still laughing about the 70s. Thankfully I was still a kid and could get away with my knit patterned pants, gauchos, chuck taylors and stupid poly shirts. I have no such excuse for the 80s. None at all.
Yeah the 70s, in that decade I was so busy with nursing school then 12 hour shifts, got married, had two kids, bought a house. I can't even remember getting dressed let alone what I wore. You came up with a great dress from that era though. Definitely one to do again.
Pretty dress! It's a classic
Very, very pretty!
Love the dress! and loved your "other pics"!!! hahaha, I think my favorites are the camel toes and that foxy Tom Jones! grrrrr!
I have that same pattern and a few more See and Sews that I've collected over the years. I agree about the drafting and have found that if I ignore the awful fabrics they have sometimes used and concentrate on the actual garment, there is something that is really wonderful, just as you have said. I really like the fabric in your dress. I think it's great to have a dress in your wardrobe that is clean and simple and can be styled in so many ways, plus its easy to wear!
Shannon, I always agree with you on the vintage pattern virtues. You can not beat the fit, directions and drafting. Actually though, concerning the 70's styles if you look at some of the Vogue Patterns Magazines from that decade ( I have quite a few) some of the styles were very classic. I think we sometimes remember the most garish designs as defining an era rather than the more subtle trends. And the "Love Story" wardrobe of Ali MacGraw influenced the early part of the 70's decade with the total preppy look. Think pea coats, pleated skirts and boots. I'm with Trudy not getting excited about 80's and 90's fashion. I think at that time designers were already starting looking to earlier eras for inspiration. There was more flexibility with things like hemlines and pant legs so it's harder to catagorize those decades like we do earlier ones. As to your dress...fab of course. You seem to do well with the vintage Buttericks.
I love this dress on you. I actually quite like the 70's look because it's so funny - I guess it's a sense of humour thing which not everyone gets..
I do find the fit less forgiving though - the garments are fitted, with less wearable ease, and the waist is drafted an inch smaller.
Long live modern vanity sizing! No seriously, it's nice when the fit is so predictable. That's why I love sewing Burda, who use similar principles of drafting as those 70's patterns so I can usually predict very closely how it's going to fit.
ROTFL! You just injected some humor into my day...loved the trip down memory lane. I teach also and I particularly needed a laugh at the end of today. Great dress - it makes me want to start sewing a lot more vintage.
Vintage patterns are great - I think we would be more excited about current day patterns if they were drafted as well. Looks a really versatile and attractive dress!
Love it. I'm too young to have been tormented with those 70's styles, but I do tease my hubbie about his school photos with the bell bottoms.
LOL. My sentiments exactly on 70's fashions. Every once in a while, like your lovely dress here, a pattern or two will strike me as doable. You look great in this one!
This is lovely. I myself is in real love with the dressing style of 70s. I love their way of living and their way of thinking, their music and their DISCO. Whenever I see something related to 70s I really go through that passionately.
Bwahahaaha!! I love you!! All your 70s memories are MY memories too. Great dress though.
Hi Shannon! What a lovely little number this dress is. As you said, it doesn't scream 70's at all - unless in a good way.
You've been super busy over the past few months! I love all the variations on McCall 5042 that you've been making.
Enjoyed looking at your Lacquer Lundis, too.
Have a good week!
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