Thursday, June 21, 2012

Might As Well Jump

What can I say...I just saw "Rock of Ages" and have hair metal on the brain! Thank you all so much for your well-wishes and advice regarding my horrendous case of poison ivy! I've been doing almost nothing but fighting with it for the last few months, and have actually contracted it twice more, though not as severely, thank goodness! In addition, despite our research and safety precautions, two family members who came to help me have also gotten mild cases; this stuff is virulent, but I'm determined to beat it!
I've also been following my healthier eating plan and trying to walk every day, and I've lost five of my holiday pounds; three more to go! Woo hoo! In the meantime, I made this jumper utilizing another friend to the fluctuating waistline (or hip-line, as the case may be!): the bias cut. Cutting a garment on the bias allows the fabric to flow fluidly across the lines of the body while also allowing for some stretch.


Bias-cut dresses were immensely popular in the 1930s. Here are some beautiful images, which I borrowed from here.


As we all know, Jean Harlow was a big fan of the style:



My fabric has quite a bit of stretch on the bias, which allowed me to eliminate a zipper. It is a beautiful soft wool that I got on clearance at Hancock. The shirt was made with a cream cotton, with fabric-covered buttons, of course! I made it using this pattern:


I did make a few changes, but only to the shirt: I moved the buttons from the back to the front, and I shortened the sleeves slightly. The navy and cream crochet gloves were a recent gift from my mother. The matching buckle and button are vintage; I love the subtle plaid print impressed on them.


Jumpers were also a staple of 1930s fashions. This post from Baroness Von Vintage has some lovely images of jumper patterns, along with a link to a very cute one sewn by SuperHeidi. Below are some patterns from my own collection, at least a few of which I hope to make up someday!


The jabot came to be after I attempted to make a tie while following the print of the plaid. It turned out to be much too large; the ends overlapped the neckline of the jumper, which made the entire outfit look messy to me. So I chopped off the ends, made a loop at the top, and ran a grosgrain ribbon through the loop. The button is purely decorative.


See all of that stretch? I'm thinking that I can skip my walk tomorrow....thank you, bias-cut dresses!

42 comments:

  1. Oh, so happy to see that you're back! I was just thinking about you yesterday, wondering if you had battled the poison ivy. When I was younger, I got it at least twice per summer. It really is terrible!! I hope you fight it off completely very soon. As for the outfit, you look amazing as always. I just got my sewing mojo back and am determined to whip up some 30's outfits this year. x

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    1. Thanks so much! I'm excited to see what you'll be sewing!

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  2. I love your entire outfit - just beautiful! :o)

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  3. This is incredible, I really need to learn to sew. And your hair- perfection.

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  4. Gorgeous - I love it- I am going to link to this as an inspiration piece. Great job!

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  5. Oh I've lost my heart- such an adorable outfit and as always you look stunning! I'm quite envious of all your lovely patterns too! FAB :)

    Tupney x

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  6. Glad you're better! Your posts are always such a treat, and this one is no exception. Love the plaid, and you made it once again into the perfect outfit!

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  7. I just love your style. I love the bias cut dresses, but it would be unflattering for my body shape. :-(

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  8. Well done on the healthy eating and loosing weight - Hurrah! I am so loving this dress and am all inspired by you (yet AGAIN!)

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  9. Just stunning. Sorry to hear you've been ill, and glad you're better. I have GOT to learn to sew properly--goodness knows I have the patterns, and even some of the fabrics! Thanks for the inspiration. :-)

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  10. Love your outfit. Hope you get through the poison ivy soon. The only way I know to get rid of it was to use is Zanfel. It's expensive but works. My son gets it every year in the forest.

    http://dividingmoments.blogspot.com/

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  11. Just stumbled across your blog last night, and absolutely fell in LOVE with your wardrobe (and your son's outfits too). I love vintage inspired looks, and my own style is a somewhat mash of 20s through to 50s, depending in my mood; a mix of original vintage pieces and vintage-inspired.

    There's not as easy access to vintage materials in New Zealand (where I live) unless you use the internet and pay (sometimes exorbitant) shipping costs to get it here.

    How hard did you find it, learning to sew these outfits? I'm an ok seamstress, although I am competent only in very basic things, and haven't plucked up the courage yet to try making my own clothes from original patterns...but you're inspiring me to give it a try!

    P.S. How do you set your hair? Mine is so fine, anytime I try to put it in waves or curls it falls straight out!

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  12. Gorgeous, and glad your'e feeling better too! X

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  13. That's one gorgeous dress! And the jabot puts the dot on it!

    I' sorry to hear about yourillness- I had missed it previously. As I've spent the spring and early summer battling pneumonia and bronchitis I know how wearisome it is with a prolonged illness. I hope summer will see the last of yours!

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  14. You look just like Irene Dunne in this one! (one of the highest compliments I have to give...smart and soignee at the same time). The navy and creme gloves are a nice touch! I love hearing about your creative process and the ways you work yourself out of those pesky problems as they arise. Now *I* want a jumper!

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  15. What beastly stuff, poison ivy, I always thought the effect was similar to when nettles sting - clearly I was very much mistaken.

    I love this jumper. I've been thinking of making a couple for the coming winter - or right now as the weather here is cold! I think with woolly tights or leggings they would be warm and cool at the same time!

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  16. I just found you through WeSewRetro. I'm a beginners to sewing, and have decided to dedicate my sewing to vintage patterns. I never thought that it will unlock the door to another world of beautiful ladies and their vintage sewing!

    This dress is ah-ma-zing. It seems pretty difficult to do, you've made it looks completely professional. I do love the sleeves a lot, and you are cute as a button! Definitely will be following your blog now!

    Nora
    Nora Finds

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  17. LOVE this!! Oh my gosh, how I love this. The plaid, how you styled it, the whole shebang is utterly fabulous. :)

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  18. Ok, seriously it is ridiculous how amazingly talented you are. I just joined your blog and now I'm going to have to go through all the older post to see more fabulousness! From Trina at

    http://retrofashionismypassion.blogspot.com

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  19. I just found your blog and I really love it! I'm a 50s girl myself but I think the style of the 30s is so beautiful! I have a couple things for sale on my blog that I thought you might be interested in. Vintage from the 30s and in perfect condition. A blouse and pair of shoes. See them here http://temperamentalbroad.blogspot.com/2012/06/vintage-for-sale.html
    No pressure. Just thought they'd look good on you. They need to go to a good home with someone who loves the 30s :-)

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  20. Stunning! What a beautiful ensemble.

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  21. So wonderful! You are very clever!

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  22. As usual I'm envious of your skill and outfit...it's beautiful!

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  23. It's beyond amazing and I love the fabric.

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  24. I am SO in love with your outfit! Amazing!

    By the way, I've moved my blog to www.porcelinasworld.blogspot.com - do pay a visit!

    Miss P xx

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  25. Can I just say that I think you're a total badass mama? I hope you update soon, I miss your posts!

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  26. I do hope you are feeling up to posting again soon.I find your posts are inspiring if the cause of a lot of envy:)

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  27. Oh, my stars! What a gorgeous day gown! Lovely work!

    xo Coco
    Frou Frou Fashionista

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  28. Came back to drool over your blog once again. When I'm feeling flat and uninspired it always perks me up! It's such a treat for the eyes-you're a talented lady!
    Hope you come back soon...I'm hanging for your next post haha!

    Candi

    http://bettiehousewife.blogspot.com.au/

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  29. The jumper is gorgeous! I love them but don't have any. Yours is most inspiring. I see a bias jumper in my future....

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  30. I've nominated you for an Inspiring Blogger Award.

    http://lacouturieredimanche.blogspot.com/2012/12/very-inspiring-blogger-award.html

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  31. Wow! This outfit is so incredible and beautiful! I've just discovered your blog and have been swooning over all your 30's outfits! Love the amazing detail you put into each one!
    ~Sarah~
    http://allthingsvintage-sc.blogspot.com/

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  32. I thought you and your readers would love to read the interview I did with the editor of Vintage Life magazine, Rachel Eggleston-Evans who said when I asked her about her influences, "There isn't really one answer. As a designer, I like to take ideas from here, there and everywhere. But if I had to pick one – my mum." Read more at http://retroladyland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-very-vintage-life-indeed-interview.html

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