Catja (from Gjeometry.com)

Still Loving the 1920s – Drop Waist Dress


1st photo courtesy of Ar Baurial, Sept. 1929; 2nd photo courtesy of Yours Truly, Aug. 2013

After sewing and researching my Great Gatsby 1920s/30s Beach Pajamas, I really fell in love with 1920s fashions. I wanted to make a drop waist dress this time and found a free online pattern for a Great Gatsby inspired top by Sew Be it Studios here.

When I printed it out in adobe, I shrunk the pages slightly and used the “fit to page” option. I cut the X-Small, and it was still far too big. I had to take off approximately 10 cm (4″) from the back (2″ from each side of the back pieces) and I also made it longer so that I could wear it as a dress, with a slip, or as a top, on its own.
I inserted a centre lapped zipper in the back, but did not lap it very much (on purpose) as I wanted to see the line of navy down the back that the zipper adds. I liked the design element this provided. However, I was not sure how to ‘end’ the zipper at the bottom, since it was not lapped right into the seam allowance, so I just tapered down to nothing on both sides. I need to research how to insert an exposed zipper and next time, will insert it properly.
I also added a vintage gold button and fabric loop closure at the top of the back of the dress. I finished the seams with lace seam binding. I’ve never done this before and really liked the effect, especially with the dainty floral fabric pattern.

Seam Finishing with Lace Seam Binding / Back Zipper and Gold Vintage Button with Fabric Loop Closure

I think it is definitely reminiscent of the 1920s and reminds me of this vintage dress from the 20′s that I found online.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118078022/vintage-1920s-dress-1920s-dress-spirit?ref=usr_faveitems

The pattern called for use of a lace netting in semi-circular shaped pieces on the shoulders, but I thought these would look too costume-y and it would also be difficult to wear a jacket over top of them. So, instead, I sewed the pieces out of the dress fabric, two for each shoulder, then turned them right side out after sewing them together.
I pleated them first, ironed them flat and basted the pleats, then sewed them to both shoulders.

Of course, Kitty became interested in the tree photo shoot and started to stalk the scene.
Cat Bombed UP A TREE!! Who Else Can Say That?


Filed under: Dresses, Projects - Sewing, Shirts / Tops, Updates Tagged: 1920s, 1920s fashions, 1920s Sewing Patterns, drop waist dress, Free Sewing Patterns, Great Gatsby, sewing, sewing 1920s fashions, Vintage Sewing Patterns
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