Summer 1964–Now THAT’S A UFO

In one of the recent house cleanouts, I found a lovely bundle of fabric–Linen and butterflies.  How could I leave it?  It was so very pretty I set it aside, hoping there would be enough there to make something.

This last week I got the bundle out and unrolled it.  It had been cut, but the pattern pieces (not the pattern package) were still there.

A brief internet search showed me that Simplicity 5409 was this dress. Publication date 1964.

It was in a size I was certain would fit Daughter.  So, nothing to do but sew it up.

Ta-dah!  A lovely summer shift.

Only 51 years in the making.

We had to add some darts to better fit Daughter’s shape, but overall I think the effect is lovely.

UFO no more!

Refashion Runway: Plaid

Refashion Runway Season Two is underway,  and the challenge is plaid.

Emma, a baby of my acquaintance, needed a new outfit and I had this shirt that came in a hand me down bag, but it didn’t quite fit.

Please, can’t you do something about this?

She might have a point, it is a little big.

Time to alter-with-scissors. I liked the idea of a short play dress using the front of the shirt for the back.

The yoke became the bodice,  and the back of the shirt became the front of the dress.  Using the natural cut of the shirt gave a nice curved shape to the skirt. It seemed a bit plain, so I dug through my big pile of junk (odds and ends that I keep in a dresser drawer) and came up with eyelet.  A sweet, feminine touch.

So, Emma, what do you think now?

Time for the runway!

She likes it!  And that is what matters.

Before….

After….

Refashioning is FUN!

You can visit the Renegade Seamstress to see the other plaid refashions and, if you like, to VOTE on your favorite.  I am off to address the next challenge–Emerald Green.