V and A Pattern - The Fifties

I was given this lovely book from the V & A on pattern in the 1950's for my birthday. The reason being that one of my New Year's resolutions (and maybe my only one, I like to be realistic) was to have a go at designing some fabric and get it printed up on Spoonflower.

So far, I haven't made much progress with that goal, but I was flicking few the book again today and thought I'd share some of the gorgeous patterns with you.

Marian Mahler / David Whitehead

 

Mary Oliver

  

 Robert Stewart

  

Robert Nicholson

  

 Lucienne Day

 

Jacqueline Groag

Go teen Boden

I suspect I will not be the only thirty-something buying from the new teen Boden range 'Johnnie B'. Infact looking at the reviews on the website, it looks like it is almost entirely bought by the 25 - 44 age range. I do like Boden, I like that they have figured out the mail order clothing concept and made it their own, brilliant customer service, speedy delivery, easy returns, it's something to aspire to. But when I look at their woman's catalogue I always nearly buy something but rarely do unless it's a plain top or trousers.

Along comes 'Johnnie B' for Boden teens. I have to be honest, the name makes me wince a little. But I like the tops, they are pretty and relaxed and have beautiful details. They make me think of sunny days in the park and at the beach, and not dragging myself out on the school run in a hurry with 5 different layers on because it's so, so cold.

So I bought a couple of tops, I bought 'large' as the sizes looked roughly like a size 12, and I'm really pleased with them. The reason I thought I'd write about them is because of the beautiful details.

This top has a lovely flower pattern on the front, which is made from ribbon, twisted round to make the pattern and stitched into place. It's an idea I'd like to use on something I make, it's probably not as easy as it looks, maybe something to do on a smaller scale.

I also really like the little gathering and pin-tucks on the front, they remind me of the details in the Japanese craft books.

I also bought some silver flip slops which are nice, a pair of jeans which were way too small, even in the biggest size, apparently I can't wear a teenager's jeans. The dresses are pretty too, but not for me and the skirts are oh-so-short, definitely not for the 35 - 44 age band.

The reveal...

Finally after a long, long weekend of sewing, I finished my dress late on Monday night and handed it in at the end of my pattern cutting course last night. It's not the best photo, and my attempts to photograph my tired and grumpy self in it were hopeless. I will try and post another when I get it back from being assessed, with me in it.

Am I pleased with the dress? yes and no. I am really pleased with the way it is made, the neckline which was tricky, but the rest was fairly straightforward, it just all took a lot longer than I expected. However, I did take my time, and as a result I enjoyed it more than usual. The blind-stitched hem that I did by hand is a particular joy to me. It looks like one on a dress I bought from Jigsaw a few years back for a wedding, and that makes me feel quite proud.

I loved sewing with the voile, it's such a beautiful fabric to wear. I will definitely make something else from it, especially now I know how to work with it, the French seams and smaller needle turned out well. As did stay stitching the curves to stop any stretch.

I can see problems with the fit, the top and neckline look as I'd hoped, but the idea of having the dress gathering at the waist didn't really work out. There isn't enough gather for it to look pleated and the extra volume I created means that the fit wasn't as snug as I'd hoped from the bust down. I wonder if it was even possible, and maybe I should have created a separate top and skirt. But it is complete, my first garment, designed and made by me. My first evening course completed.

I would definitely recommend an evening course in pattern cutting or anything else for that matter. I really enjoyed the weekly escape to do my own thing, just for me, learning a new skill and meeting new people. Ordinarily being placed in the middle of a group of complete strangers most of whom were 10 years my junior wouldn't be my idea of fun, but guess what - it was! I was quite sad to leave the sewing room last night for the last time.

What next? it will be nice to free up some of my precious spare time, sew at my own pace, start a few new sewing projects that I can finish in less time. I'm collecting pictures of (mostly) dresses as inspiration for when I do decide to have a go at another pattern. As I am no clothes designer, I need an idea to work from, designing a dress from scratch was definitely the hardest part of the course for me.

Is any one else thinking of doing a course? do let me know. I am lucky in Brighton, there are so many to choose from, screen printing is in the back of my mind, maybe in the Autumn...