Advance Vintage Pattern 3377 - Amazing Wiggle Dress

I have been looking for a really nice 50's style wiggle dress pattern, one that Joan Holloway would rock the halls of Sterling Cooper in, and came across Advance 3377.  This copy of the vintage pattern has been with me for years but I never made anything from it.   Why, I'm not sure, maybe because I have so many other patterns to tempt me. 

The last dress initial caught my eye but the sundress like bodice is a little to casual for an office type atmosphere.  But I pulled the instructions and pattern pieces out to see if I could kluge together bodice 4 and skirt 6.  Well, lo and behold, view 5 is NOT a 3pc suit as I had thought (maybe one should read the pattern envelope descriptions, it might be a time saver) but an amazing wiggle dress with a jacket AND.........all the bodices in this pattern have facings!!!!!  I love facings, makes it a little bit easier to do those necklines and itty bitty armholes.  Usually I draft my own (if I'm not feeling too lazy) but here they have done it for me! 

So I worked up 2 versions.

Evelyn (L) and Veronica (R) were kind enough to be my guinea pigs models.  Veronica's dress is made per the instructions with gathers on the side of the skirt.

Evelyn's was made with inverted pleats at the side of the skirt.

It's not a big difference but I do think the inverted pleat makes a cleaner line.  If I was really industrious I would put darts in at the side, but that involves extra sewing and the invert pleat is soooo easy.  

The Ladies really like this dress, it fits them very well.  They would like to have more of them,,,,,many more, maybe even that little jacket too!  They are so demanding.

Watch out Joan Holloway!

Thanks for stopping by........

50's June Bride

A simple 50's wedding for Midge with
her best friend in attendance as Maid of
Honor and Skipper as the Flower Girl.

Midge's tea length dress is white on white
cotton.  She added hints of her favorite
color yellow.

Her Maid of Honor and Flower girl
wear yellow/white print cotton dresses
with yellow accents.

Everything made by me, except their
shoes!

Jodi and Wendy

We haven't seen Jodi (r) and Wendy (l) in some time.  I

thought they would be the perfect models for these

outfits.

I purchased both of these handmade outfits back in the

early 90's in a little shop in Shipsheewana, Indiana.

Jodi looks lovely in the wrap evening dress.  I love the huge

shawl collar.

Wendy relaxes in this gorgeous tunic with leggings.  The legging

fabric is a little thick though and she can not get any shoes on!

Both outfits are nicely made.

My Birthday......50 years ago

1965, it's your 9th birthday and your aunt, a talented seamstress is also your Godmother.  You might hope for another beautiful gown like you had received one Christmas.  Imagine your surprise when you receive the following:

And this:

And this:

And this:

And finally, this:

Yes, she made all of these for me!  It was little girl's dream.  I have many happy memories playing with these outfits on my dolls.  I can't thank my Aunt Virg enough for making these beautiful outfits for me.  I have cherished them for all these years.  And I must admit that the purple velveteen coat was my favorite, it is just so gorgeous I wish I had this coat for me!

I was finally able to identify and get a copy of the pattern she used:

This pattern was also reissued by Simplicity in recent years as one of their 'retro' patterns.  I think it would be fun to make my own versions of the same outfits.

Though these outfits are 50 years old they are in great condition (unfortunately there is nothing you can do about some fabric fading). I loved my Barbie dolls and took great care with them and their outfits.  They were well played with and well loved......and they still are!

Vintage Handmade: Christmas Past 50 Years Ago

Barbara

Yes, you read that right, I got this gown and stole for Christmas 50 years ago.

It was made by my aunt (and Godmother) Virgie P.  She is a excellent seamstress who made gorgeous wedding and bridesmaid gowns back in the day.  I can't tell you how excited I was when I opened this present.......I can still picture it in the box with all the tissue paper!

It's a little faded, a little stained and a little wrinkled but I am so, so glad that I was able to hang on to it all these years.

Vintage Handmade: Owner Original