Monday, August 5, 2013

50s Swimwear-Inspired Linen Mini Dress


I bought this floral linen fabric for the shop, and the bolt was just calling to me to make something from it. The print reminded me of 50s swimwear and sarong dresses--so why not a swimsuit-inspired dress?



The pattern is Vogue 8849, View B. I just made it mini instead of above-knee length. I was trying to the effect of a skirted bathing suit or playsuit, but in dress form.
The pattern has a lot of ease. I started with a 14, but ended up taking it in quite a bit around the bust, waist, and upper hip. The lower hip had to be let out, though.

(Hey, look how big I can make my photos with my new layout!)

I added ivory bias trim around the waistline, as well as patch pockets with bias trim and decorative buttons. 


Cateye sunglasses seemed mandatory.


The pink clogs came out again! (Yes, they're exactly the same as my green ones that I wear with everything.)
P.S. I'm extending the 10% off promo in my fabric shop. Use code 10off to get the discount on orders $40 and over. 


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42 comments:

  1. Peter LappinAugust 5, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Fabulous! I love the fabric, the cut, everything.

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  2. UnknownAugust 5, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Adorable!

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  3. JenniferAugust 5, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    I love the dress and fabric also the new Blog design is really fantastic

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  4. AnonymousAugust 5, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Love it! And you're looking so svelte! What's your secret?! ;)

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    Replies
    1. AyanaAugust 5, 2013 at 10:48 PM

      The dress is amazing, the fabric is stunning, you look awesome, and I love the new blog look!

      Delete
  5. CarolinaAugust 5, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    Gertie.. you're new blog is perfect!

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  6. A Puppet OperaAugust 5, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I love your new blog design! Really cute. Also, what a very cute dress!

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  7. SewSassyAugust 5, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Love the sundress great job it suits you! Have fun in the sun!

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  8. La Dee Da DesignAugust 5, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    Gretchen, Love your new hair do, blog re-design and of course....fashion.

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  9. oldjoveAugust 5, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    Gertie, you look fabulous!! The short hair, the short dress is werking!!

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  10. ParisGrrlAugust 5, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    Super cute, and you look especially pretty in these pics.

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  11. MelissaAugust 5, 2013 at 2:00 PM

    That is so cute. And I love your hair in that shorter length!

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  12. UnknownAugust 5, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    Adore your sunglasses!!

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  13. lapAugust 5, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    Super flattering! It's a perfect sunsuit! (As long as you protect your tattoos with sunblock of course.)I love how light and clean the blog header and layout is. It makes it easy to focus on the goodness of the entry(ies) itself!

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  14. AnonymousAugust 5, 2013 at 2:28 PM

    cute!!!!

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  15. JoanneAugust 5, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Cute! Love the new blog layout!

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  16. Abbi JaneAugust 5, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    That is quite an adorable dress!

    And I agree, the new blog layout is cute!

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  17. ChatterBlossomAugust 5, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Super cute! I've always wanted a playsuit/swimsuit type piece from the 50s and yours looks perfect!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  18. CynthiaAugust 5, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    I love black and white prints and the dress looks terrific on you. I like the new layout of your blog.

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  19. Sara RAugust 5, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    I love the new layout! fun :)

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  20. CatherineAugust 5, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Wowee Gertie! I was thinking before i read the post, this is a great swimsuit! but of course it is a dress - you tricky thing! Great job as always

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  21. Vicki HendersonAugust 5, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Fabulous dress and I love your hair short.

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  22. UnknownAugust 5, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    Gosh Gertie you are just soooooo talented, love the dress, love the new look blog and you are looking great! Pity I live in the UK as your fabric would cost more in shipping!!! Boo Hoo
    Thank you for sharing your experience :)

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 6, 2013 at 6:15 AM

      Hi Kussy!

      I live in Norway (and no, I am not rich, wich is why I want to sew myself), but I have bouhgt fabrics from Gertie's shop - or to be more exact - I have ordered, still impatiently waiting for the fabrics to make it over "the pond".

      From time to time I let myself to things like this. ;-)

      aserandi
      Norway

      Delete
  23. BeckyWAugust 5, 2013 at 7:48 PM

    Adorable!!!

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  24. thequirkypeachAugust 5, 2013 at 9:48 PM

    This is so adorable! It looks like a playsuit - perfect for summer! And your new blog design is seriously rocking - love it! :)

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  25. NanAugust 5, 2013 at 10:01 PM

    Beautiful. You are such a tiny little thing these days!!

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  26. AnonymousAugust 5, 2013 at 10:32 PM

    That's adorable, there's a fabulous Bettie Page vibe about it!

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  27. YeshkaAugust 6, 2013 at 2:12 AM

    It looks so cool! And I love your hair styled like that!!

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  28. CarleeAugust 6, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    Super cute, Gertie! Perfect for a day at the beach :)

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  29. AnneAugust 6, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    Goes perfectly with your pink hair! :)

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  30. LLBBAugust 6, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    short and sassy! love the fabric print.
    also love the blog design! sewing, feminism, and kitties -- sounds good to me! :)

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  31. SunniAugust 6, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    Love the playfulness of this dress. So summery, so poolside chic! Looks great with your hair and sunnies. Also, have to say that the new blog layout is looking soooooooooooo much better than your old one. The photos are so much bigger - so much easier to see detail and it looks a lot less crowded. Definite props lady! Only thing I would say is please get rid of the "recaptchas." I tried to post this three times because I couldn't tell what the letters were!

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  32. KatAugust 6, 2013 at 7:26 PM

    So cute! I thought it was a jumpsuit at first. Love the print and the piping on the waist. I have a vintage pair of swimmers I just wear as a jumpsuit. I've never seen how you could swim in cotton fabric. Wouldn't it feel heavy when it got wet?

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  33. jessAugust 7, 2013 at 2:14 AM

    Hi Gertie,

    Love the dress and the haircut and the slimmer you :)
    Regarding the new blog layout, I just want to say it's awesome but when I view it on my blackberry, the post (mobile version) has two sets of menu ... The same menu but two instead of one ...nothing wrong with it, just thought you might like to know ... I know I would lol, the little thing that's not "right" always bugs me ...

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  34. cup + pennyAugust 7, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    I am loving the short curly hair! You look adorable!

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  35. AnonymousAugust 7, 2013 at 8:17 PM

    Really cute! This is such a fun, youthful dress-- I love it!

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  36. BarbaraShowellAugust 8, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    I'm so sick of maxi's! They are great some of the time, but YAY for a mini in the summer sometime. I love how you sew what you want to wear.

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  37. Ally and WoozleAugust 12, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    Lovely!!! You made a great job as usual!

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  38. JoAugust 14, 2013 at 4:24 AM

    Hi Gertie!
    This is great! I am working on this pattern at the moment and going all out with fishtail peplum (gulp)! I'm finding the same as you -- there's so much ease, even though I cut a size smaller than usual. The bust seams are correctly placed, but I feel like I need to pinch out at the sides loads.. I'm hoping it won't distort!

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  39. JoAugust 14, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    PS: I love the new layout! I've been a long-time reader of your blog and am enjoying the new look! x

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  40. Jennifer LaBelleAugust 20, 2013 at 10:57 PM

    Gertie! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a vintage-inspired swimsuit! Puh-lease!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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