This is the Indian Skirt in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Last weekend was hanami, the cherry blossom festival, although the cherry blossoms were just starting to show. Next weekend will probably be a better show, but this weekend had all the "official" festivities. I'm fortunate to live so close to the gardens. They're free on saturday mornings from 10-12, so we can just stop by for a quick stroll on our way out to our saturday activities (7th avenue flea marker, farmers market, running errands, window shopping/shopping).Also note my slightly orthopedic but fantastically comfortable 40s style wedgies from Remix. I can, and have, walked for miles in these. I'm a big fan. Its hard to find a good walking shoe that looks right with skirts and dresses.
3 comments:
Hi,
I found your site via a link on Dress a Day and just love the things you sew! I'd like to start sewing with vintage patterns myself and would like your input on sizing. Do you find that vintage patterns run true to size? Did vanity sizing exist in the 50s and 60s as it does now? I always have to go down a size or 2 with the major pattern companies, typically winding up around an 8. Thanks, Alison
Hi Alison,
Glad you like my stuff so much! I find I go down about 1 size based on my measurements for vintage patterns. The ease is also a little different in them - straight skirts are often cut looser or farther away from the body than modern ones would be, but its pretty simple to correct this by taking an extra quarter or half inch off each side.
Also, if you don't already know this, 40s/early 50s sizing, 50s/60s sizing, and 70s sizing are distinct. For instance, a 14 from the 40s will have a 32" bust, but a 14 from the 50s will have a 34" bust, with the waist and hip being more similar. Just something to look out for.
Good luck sewing! It sounds like you are a very small size and thus will be able to use all of the size 10s and 12s, which seem to be more plentiful (and cheaper) on ebay!
Thanks so much for your input, this really helps! Yes, there are tons of patterns in this size range on ebay, it's all so tempting. I'm glad to see that you wear your dresses to work, that's one of my main goals. I just finished graduate school, am about to enter the workforce, and really need work clothes. I think a lot of vintage dress styles are more appropriate for work than what you find in the mall today. (I'm a psychologist, so don't have to worry about looking super coporate, but can't wear anything too flimsy or suggestive.) Thanks again!
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