I'm so excited today, readers! Two new designs have been released in my "Patterns by Gertie" line with Butterick. The first one is
B5882, a flirty 50s style dress. How cute does the model look?!
The major design feature is the "shelf bust," a vintage element I have long admired (and blogged
here). It's so hard to find a great shelf bust dress pattern in my size! So I made one, thanks to my friends at Butterick. The "shelf" is a pleated bust inset that's framed by a bias strap. (Interesting tidbit: I had intended the straps to be worn with a twist at the edge of the bodice, but they're straight in these pictures and look great that way too!)
The bodice is steel boned and has a waist stay for support. The skirt is a 3/4 circle with gores at the princess lines. The fabric is divine--an embroidered shantung from
B&J. It looks like strawberries, but they're actually little rose buds. The red contrast is silk taffeta.
They also show it illustrated in one fabric, which gives a more modern look.
I would love to see this in white on a retro bride!
The next one,
B5895, is totally different: casual separates. The perfect thing to wear to a picnic or on a camping trip!
This model is totally doing it for me, by the way. Love that wicked grin.
The shirt has kimono sleeves, a wing collar, and a tie waist. (It wasn't actually intended to be midriff-baring, so I'm guessing the model is especially statuesque. It's also easy to length the bodice a bit if you like.) The jeans are capri length, have side pockets and a back zipper, and red contrast top stitching.
I made the shirt in Liberty of London cotton lawn, and the jeans in a stretch denim.
What do you think? I so hope you like the new patterns. I can't wait to make them in my size (sewing in a sample size is no fun at all!) so I'm sure I'll be writing about them more very soon.
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I saw these today on another blog, that was super excited for them to be released.. everyone's comments were pretty much like this..
ReplyDeleteAHHHHHHHHH they are adorable!! Can't wait to sew these.. so Cute!! haha :)
Good work
How cute...I love the red-white dress! Makes us feel like a little girl again ;)
ReplyDeleteWow Gertie. These are adorable!
ReplyDeleteCute! I detect a Marilyn Monroe inspiration on both these designs!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful designs love them both.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is just gorgeous! I really like the shelf bust look, but I'm afraid it might look absurd on someone who (like me) is fairly well endowed. I guess I'll have to make it up to find out :)
ReplyDeleteI love the dress and the jeans. BUT I wish there was a good front view of the jeans (not a drawing) because I'd really like to see the fit!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! your ideas are amazing!
I love the dress!!!!!! It is simply amazing-such great details. That dress already motivates me to get back behind the machine and try to improve my skills..hope is always there
ReplyDeleteHow did you know I've been trolling ebay for a dress with a shelf bust in my size that isn't $1,000,000,000,000.00?!
ReplyDeleteI saw these yesterday, too, and nearly DIED!!! That dress is a stunner!! And the casual outfit is just precious, and just perfect for my skill level.. I can't wait to buy them!!
ReplyDeleteCan I just say, thank you so much for all the hard work that you're doing to contribute to the sewing community. :) Your designs are so inspiring, and they're what make sewing fun for the rest of us!
Congratulations, Gertie!
xo ~ Amanda
Must.Have.Them.Now :D
ReplyDeleteAll these patterns are awesome!I absolutely love the dress, but I was especially on the hunt for a capri/pedal pushers pattern...and this one totally fits the bill! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteLove them and can't wait to give them a try!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so in love with both of these.
ReplyDeleteI'm def going to snag them both. I'm interested to see what pants that high waisted will look like on a more "ample" lady like myself.
I love both! I am 21 weeks pregnant so I can't justify making the self bust dress at the moment, but that top with a high waisted pencil skirt?! I think it has to happen. It might not be perfect but it sure will be cute.
ReplyDeleteI got the email from Butterick about their new patterns this morning, and the moment I saw your patterns I came immediately to your blog to let you know that this dress is AMAZING and I can't wait to sew it up.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I've been this excited about a Big 4 pattern. You are awesome!
Oh Gertie, they are beautiful! Scrumptious, too!
ReplyDeleteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee [deep breath] eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ....
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I'm with the other folks, I haven't been this excited about Big 4 patterns in a long time.
LOVE these! Congratulations Gretchen! I'm totes making those pedal pushers, I love them so much. In the last comment I left on your blog I think I mentioned Dorothy Malone in Written By the Wind, and this is EXACTLY the look I was talking about - and you'd already done it, brills!!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a good shelf bust too (ahem), shame I don't wear sleeveless tops, but maybe I could add some sleeves if I need a posh dress... xx
I love the retro pants. The model reminds me of Marianne from Gilligan's Island. And the dress - fabulous. When is the next Butterick sale?
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be getting the dress pattern, maybe for my brother's wedding.
ReplyDeleteThey are both fab patterns...congratulations!
Both are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteA sew along for the dress would be awesome! :)
Love from Vienna
I agree! I'm sure you had a hand in the directions as well, but Gertie, would you be willing to do a sew-along for people who are beginners and haven't done boning, etc.?
DeleteI would love a sew along too! Especially for the capris. I've never made pants before. Even some awesome Gertie tips would be great!
DeleteOH GOD I'M DYING.
ReplyDeleteYou know, because they're great and I want them now.
DeleteYaba Diba Dam Pam Pam! That's my original uncensored reaction of excitement.. I love the jeans! And the bust shelf.. That's a good one!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be making both separates from B5895, I LOVE them! Good to know the bodice of the blouse can be lengthened too! Congratulations on what I'm sure will be another two successful patterns. x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your success! The patterns are fun! The shirt is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous dress! Somehow I don't think wearing it around the house to vacuum would do it justice, but who cares? It's too cute not to make!
ReplyDeleteOh! I wanted to make a dress just like that!!!!! :D You're making my life so much easier now that I don't have to try to figure out how to draft a pattern like that!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see what this dress looks like on a fuller chest as it is a little difficult to imagine.
ReplyDeleteI've made dresses and tops with similar styles before. I would say you might want to muslin the bodice and raise the height of the contrast piece. Otherwise I think that style is great on a bigger bust. It's a sexy look so I think it works if you're comfortable with that.
DeleteAww Gertie yay! I love the dress so pretty but I think I have got to rush out and get B 8595 I have desperately been looking around for a cute pants pattern and tops for myself! Adorable and congrats on your successes!!!!
ReplyDeleteZOMG I LOVE THAT DRESS FABRIC! But I can't find it on the BJ site :-(
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be making this once I find the perfect fabric :-)
As you probably guessed from your Twitter feed, we love!
ReplyDeleteLove that dress pattern! I see they give finished measurements for the bust, hip and back length, but I was curious if you know what the width of the lower edge of the dress is? Vintage skirt/dress patterns always seem to note this measurement which I find really useful, as it let's me determine if the skirt will be too full around the bottom or not. As much as I love me some full skirts, I have learned that TOO full is not flattering on me, and that measurement really helps!
ReplyDeleteLove the separates!! Those capris, swoon!
ReplyDeleteAmazing patterns!! I love the dress! I think the shelf is a lot smaller than your examples in the blogpost you mentioned but I think that is far more better and much more in time. The separates are lovely. I made a jeans pattern similar to yours by copying my favourite trousers with a raised waist and making jeans of them :)
ReplyDeleteYES!!! I have been longing for a pattern with a 'shelf bust' since seeing Suki in a fab dress in True Blood years ago. Not having the skills to draft it myself I have been searching high and low for a suitable pattern - so thank you for reading my mind!!!! Cannot wait to get my hands on this. But I have just started making a hybrid of your B5813 so the shelf bust dress will have to wait for now.
ReplyDeleteSO cute, Gretchen! Both patterns are sure to be a hit. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI am loving the capris so much!! I saw some great polka dot denim the other day that would be great for these!
ReplyDeleteOh my word, these are even more beautiful than the first lot!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it all!!! I really need to get cracking on some simpler patterns before I tackle something like this, but I NEED all of those garments! :) Thank you, Gertie!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is awesome. I was looking for a similar neckline and all I could find was a free pattern that seems risky. I´m so glad you designed that pattern, this is so beautiful. And knowing you, I'm sure the instruction are easy to follow! This is perfect for this summer :)
ReplyDeleteThe dress is awesome! And comically, I was a bit surprised when I opened this post in my RSS feed this morning to see a girl I went to high school with. Made my day!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have outdone yourself--these are terrific! Both styles are long overdue in the pattern world, and I can't wait to give them a try. Thanks Gertie, for getting out there and making this happen!
ReplyDeleteI very much covet both patterns. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I clicked through to B&J Fabrics, when you mentioned the source for the embroidered shantung for the shelf bust dress - and now I am coveting numerous Liberty fabrics and mourning the prices. Alas.
There's a couple that would be exquisite for the shirtdress pattern in your book, so I guess I'll just have to save up. ^_^
Gertie, they are lovely. But they stop at size 20, which is much too small for me. I'll probably pass on these. But congrats!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you're like, famous! The dress is uh-mazing!
ReplyDeleteLOOOOVE the new patterns and the new book topic! You are on a roll, indeed :-). I'll add these to my list, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe shirt is officially on my need to sew list! Love it!
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, I am LOVING how they have photos of the models standing straight. Makes it so much easier to see how the garment will look when it isn't over "modeled".
ReplyDeleteOooh...I hope this separates pattern is a taste of what we'll be seeing in your Vintage Casual book! LOVE both of these patterns! LOVE!
ReplyDeleteAAHH!! I am so excited! That dress is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteAdore the dress! The shelf bust is amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou did good Gertie :)
ReplyDeleteThe dress is gorgeous! It reminds me a lot of what I love about dirndls. However, I can't get away with wearing them much outside of Bavaria (except on Halloween). I can't wait to make this
ReplyDeleteLove the jeans and shirt absolutely fabulous can't wait to make them
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! I was JUST thinking I Was going to have to try my hand at dreafting that EXACT DRESS!!! I'm headed to Viva las Vegas at the end of the March and have to make up both the dress and the pants for that!!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!!!!
I love the shelf bust!!! I will absolutely be getting that pattern!
ReplyDeleteOne question, actually - How would you alter the shelf bust dress for a full bust? That model is very slim up top.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts as well. That dress is absolutely to die for!!!
DeleteTotes amazeballs!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is divine... Will so be making this one up.
Love the top and jeans as well (unfortunately my little pear shape won't work with the jeans but the shirt. mmmm)
As always Gretchen... Your the best.
Stephanie
wwww.steffykat.com
They are amazing! I love the dress with the steel boning and the separates are tres cute!! Great design work!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't wait to share the pic of that fabulous dress with my vintage sewing group friends on facebook today (most of whom are already big fans of yours!). How soon will it be available in the UK? There's rather a large queue forming for it!
ReplyDeleteGertie,
ReplyDeleteYou have excelled yourself! That dress is truly divine! I had promised myself that I had enough dress patterns but for this I will happily break my promise!
Luv Linda xx
They look FAB!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello, first time commenting here! Just want to say I love that little top and jeans - too cute. Dress is fantastic too!
ReplyDeleteI Love that neckline- so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure those separates are calling my name... perhaps closer to summer when I have more time!
ReplyDeleteOMG SUPER CUTE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGives me more reason to practice sewing so I can get these! Love, love, LOVE!!!
Congratulations Gertie, I just saw them last night on the Butterick site and was super excited. Both patterns are so cute and playful, can't wait to sew them!
ReplyDeleteI never wear trousers so will be giving the Capri pants a miss, but I'm definitely getting that dress pattern. Gorgeous, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteLove love love! Question: Do you think a woman in her 50s with a bit of a tummy can wear a cute flirty dress like that? I love these retro dresses but worry that they are only for young skinny girls and would look silly on me (the 51 year old woman in question). Would love your opinion on it. I wouldn't wear a tummy-baring top, but I do like those capris. They look slimming.
ReplyDeleteYou're waiting to hear from Gertie I realise, but I say go for it! xx
DeleteI agree, go for it! Look at Helen Mirren, she's in her 60s and she wears some fab dresses and remember her famous bikini photo!
DeleteLinda xx
I want those capri pants now!!! Though since losing weight and my butt along with it, I am not sure how they would sit on a flat bum. The model has a cute little butt.
ReplyDeletehttp://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
i adore both
ReplyDeleteSo love your idea for the dress in white for a retro bride!!!! I've been looking for a dress for a while that I adore that could be done in two colors! This is it! Now me and my husband just need to be able to be able to plan our ceremony. Now for just a few muslims..... hehehe!
ReplyDeleteI coincidentally was browsing the BMV website today and I spied these 2 patterns. Just gorgeous! I'm certainly adding both to my stash.
ReplyDeleteI saw them somewhere yesterday and totally loved them. Especially the pants and top. Didn't realize they were yours, but I'm sure not surprised. DARLING!!!
ReplyDeletecongratulations and I LOVE both patterns!! These are defintely both something my middle daughter would make and wear! She designs her own clothing and loves these styles. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteSomething for you to ponder. Do you think there is a growing interest in apparel sewing nationally? Has sewing interest shifted from quilting back to apparel? Will corporate fabric stores re-adjust materials offered? OR, is the insular world of sewing blogs clouding my view? Hmmmmmm? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering the same thing. If you go onto the True Up fabric blog, you see more and more fabric stands presenting their textiles in clothing form rather than quilts at fairs, and several of the manufacturers seem to be expanding their range with voiles, velveteens, lawns, etc. I'm certainly hoping it's the way forwards!
DeleteYES! these are both darling. x
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love both patterns. The dress is especially gorgeous. I clicked through to the pattern to see if it came with separate pieces for different cup sizes, but alas it does not. Please consider posting about how to alter this dress for bustier women. So many of us are posting asking about it.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress! One of my co-workers just bought a wedding dress with a bodice very similar, and it made me think of your hand draped yellow dress right away :). Now I can make my own, woo!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited! Just ordered the casual look, thank you Gertie for including us not so dressy, but very girly girls! I am going to blog about your new stuff when I make my vintage jeans and top. I will let you know when I do, but my blog is geniknits.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete~Ciao
ok i wrote a huge long comment and it disappeared ?. i was saying i lvoe these! but am worried about that bust treament on a very large bust so dont know if ill go there or not. that said i wont be making abything til i finsih this coat! taht i started on day one of your SAL! :/
ReplyDeleteLike? I am SO in LOVE with these 2 patterns! I want to make both like now.
ReplyDeleteWow! you truly are amazing! Thank you so very much for sharing your talent with the world!
ReplyDeleteI have to have the pattern with the capris! I love the dress, but it's not for my shape.
ReplyDeleteOh wow I love these patterns - gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! They're both going straight on order!
ReplyDeleteLove these! Especially the dress.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that dress! does anyone know if it work well for a larger size? (my measurements are 44" 34" 46")
ReplyDeleteYay! Trousers!!! They look fab, and the shirt too, this will be perfect for summer. Must have!
ReplyDeletethose pants are everything i've been dreaming of. perfect!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been DYING for a great pants pattern! When you mentioned that you are working on a casual vintage book and that it wouldn't be out for a couple of years, I was simultaneously delighted and devastated. These patterns make the blow a bit less severe ;) Already on my way to my house. WOOHOO!!
ReplyDeleteA.MAZ.ING. Both of them will definitely be added to my Spring/Summer sewing list! Thank you Gertie!! :o) Xxx
ReplyDeleteThese are both so cute! I don't know which I like better, the dress or the jeans/shirt combo. These are both going on my pattern wishlist!
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous Gertie. I adore the dress and might have a go in a year or so when hopefully my sewing skills will be up to it. I love the picnic outfit and was admiring a similar outfit worn by your name-sake Gretchen Mol in The Notorious Bettie Page, which coincidentally I watched earlier this week. Great film with gorgeous outfits.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to sew the capri outfit!!!
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled about this dress. I love the bodice. Incredible. So excited!
ReplyDeleteOoooooh. That dress is lovely! I usually draft my patterns but I may have to indulge in this one.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely getting the separates!!!! love it
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the top of the first dress, I was after that look too :D
ReplyDeleteI love the top and capris pattern! Definitely on my to sew list for this year :)
ReplyDeleteI have spent YEARS lusting after a berry speckled wedding dress and now here it is in a customizable way! So excited for the dress pattern! http://pinterest.com/pin/49680402111861052/
ReplyDelete(sorry for the pinterest link... the MSL link goes to a slide show)
Great job. I like the dress and the top and pedal pushers. I'm going to look out for these too. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteOh such beautiful patterns. I was thinking of the dress as a wedding dress when i saw it. Since im getting married next summer. Ill have to snatch up the pattern. The seperates are beauitful too. Your so talented.
ReplyDeleteCongrats
I need a good pair of capris! I'll definitely be getting some. I don't suppose there is a download version available? Shipping to Australia can take weeks and weeks
ReplyDeleteOh my!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE these 2 patterns.. I saw them 15min ago and have already ordered both patterns. Hope they hurry up and get to germany quickly!!!
ReplyDeleteThe patterns are beautiful, but I liked your blog better when you were showing us what you are sewing. This is non-stop promotion. Sad.
ReplyDeleteAlready bought both of these. I'm excited for new summer projects!
ReplyDeletexoxo Lorelai
Seams Unbiased
Loving this dress, absolutely gorgeous
ReplyDeleteThey are just beautiful. Especially the dress.
ReplyDeleteI love these! Will this be available as a printable pattern? :)
ReplyDeleteI keep giggling to myself about these gorgeous patterns - when I was browsing all the new company patterns online (prior to Gertie posting this) I only found two that I liked. I didn't look closely at WHAT they were and WHO they were from until after I had already chosen them ... then I realized they were Gertie's patterns ... of course! Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I can't wait to get them. I absolutely love the dress, and have been looking for some comfort clothes for summer — the blouse and pedal pushers. Perfect! I love that you are designing for real women.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is lovely! I just bought it online, I'm just waiting for the postal service to give it me!!! I'll link you to pictures when it's done if that's okay?
ReplyDeleteI love those pants! I have been poring over pant fit books for weeks and trying to tweak a homemade pattern for months. So glad I popped over here! Great work! Will have to get those.
ReplyDeleteSo excited, the patterns have finally reached the UK and mine is winging it's way to me now. :o) I have just bought the perfect shoes for it too, yaay!!
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie, I'm currently on the Butterick website and about to buy the jeans+blouse patterns...but I don't understand how the sizing works. I mean, on most patterns I've seen, you choose your size according to your bust, waist and hips measurement but I can't see these on the website. My measurements are something like this : bust 38 inches, waist more or less 28-29, hips 38-39. As I have once been "between sizes" with one particular pattern brand, I don't know if I should choose size AX5 ou D5. What would you advise me to do?
ReplyDeleteJust purchased the dress pattern!! Can't wait :)))
ReplyDelete