Sunny Side Up

Early 1960s Butterick 2145

I loved this pattern when I first saw it.  The little jacket has a look I adore & with this sheath dress it’s quite an ensemble.  I made the jacket from some white linen from my stash back in January & planned to make the dress in a white & yellow gingham that had come to me with the pattern.  The whole thing is like a bit of sunshine in this dull, wet & windy week we’ve had.  Roll on summer!

Butterick 2145 in yellow gingham

I had to line the skirt part of the dress, as the fabric was too fine.  I used a lovely white cotton that should also provide some shape support to the skirt.  The gathers on the front skirt & back panels cut slightly flared give room for movement, but do not take away from the fitted waist.

I love the bows!

I love the square neckline, and instead of making the bows in a self fabric, I opted for a plain white ribbon to add a little contrast.  The seams are all finished with a clean finish technique which is time consuming, but totally worth it in the end.  I also hand stitched the double turned hem.  I was worried that as the fabric is so fine, the stitching would be visible from the right side, but thankfully they are invisible!

Dreaming of a bright sunshiney day!

The little cap Kimono-type sleeve is perfect on this style of dress, I finished the hems with a white cotton bias, hand stitched in place.

Bias bound sleeve hems

I do love this style, so if it sells quickly I will make another!  I can already see one in this print from Ditto Fabrics with a plain colour jacket – perhaps a fuchsia or emerald – or even teal!  Then again, this dragonfly print is pretty cool too!

The dress & white linen jacket

I leave you with a glimpse of my next project, Simplicity 2195, a 1950’s pattern without a definite year date.  Isn’t it weird how some patterns are dated & others not.  I like the dates.

Simplicity 2195 in pink & white cotton gingham

I’m making version 2 with the short sleeves & deep turn-back cuffs in pink & white gingham.  Too cute!  Janene from Ooobop made a drop dead version in red last year, check it out here.   This one in the gingham will look absolutely fabulous with a pair of jeans or even shorts in the summer.  Fingers crossed we get a summer here in the UK this year.  It’s a size 38, so another cute pattern that won’t fit either Belle or myself, so it will be heading for Etsy once it’s done.

My task of making one of every vintage pattern I have is going to be a long haul – but I’m definitely going to be having a lot of fun along the way!  You can help me to keep my fabrics in stock & feed my vintage pattern addiction by popping into the Etsy store & purchasing what I’ve made.  I need the help, otherwise Husband is going to get churlish about the dresses hanging in his study!  🙂