Make Do and Mend Gray Suit Project: Trace

The step for this post is actually an optional one, but I thought I'd take full advantage of having to take apart the whole suit in that last step.  While it's all in pieces… I'm going to trace it for a pattern!  Then I can reproduce it like crazy if I want!

After taking apart the suit, I ironed all the pieces so they were nice and flat:


Then, yep, the rest is pretty self explanatory.  I laid out some paper and….. drumroll please….. traced the pieces!  Although this dress didn't have much shaping, I made sure to include the darts and any other such bits for future renditions.



Got them all labeled, and now I have a new-old 1930s pattern!



I know that in the future I'll want to change the shaping and size of this ensemble just slightly, but these paper pattern pieces will give me a good place to start.  (And I also noticed that not only do the shoulders look really sloped when worn, but the pattern pieces were actually very sloped, too!  I think I'll be changing that on the next version. Not very flattering to my already-narrow-as-a-pencil shoulders)

Next up, we'll be DYEING THE DRESS!  (This is the scariest part, to me!)

4 comments

  1. I have had very mixed results with dye. Hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised with your result!

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    1. Ha, yes, I have also heard horror stories... but I've done a lot of research, and I think I've got a good shot at it!

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  2. Hey Emileigh, i was just wanted to ask how long you've been sewing for? I am an aspiring vintage sewer, only just starting out, and i love some of the kinds of things you've made- the blue handkerchief 30's style dress, the gorgeous navy suit, the bright red day dress. They each look beautifully constructed- that's why i'm curious :)

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    1. Well, I started hand sewing projects for a doll when I was a kid, but I never machine sewed until I was about 18 years old. So... about five years now! Most of my learning has been self-taught, trial and error, so if you sign yourself up for a class or four along the way, I'm sure you could learn a lot faster than I could. The more you get into sewing, you'll realize the more there is to learn. I'm really working to make my garments as pretty inside as they are outside right now, so I'm taking a Craftsy class on couture techniques. I'm not an endorser for them or anything, but Craftsy has a lot of good beginner classes!

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