The diary of Butterick Retro1956

This is my Minerva Kit for June. All of the blogger network were challenged to pick a pattern and fabric to wear to the Minerva meet up on the 14th June, post a little preview but keep the finale a secret...I think I am the last of the bunch to blog but I have loved looking at the other dresses, so many vintage choices take a look here.

28th April
HELP! I am cutting out this dress and it is going to be hard to construct if the cutting out is anything to go by. Honestly, this is the centre back piece!

I have been very good and cut out all the notches, marked all the dots with tailor tacks and pressed each piece - Like my mum showed me years ago.

There has been one alteration, the fabric was 58" wide and the pattern called for 60" wide and because the skirt is full it would not fit the width so I had to take a bit of fullness out of the skirt.

2nd May 
Mum came round to help me with a fitting today. I tacked the bodice outer together. Slightly unfortunate nipple placements but I shall just keep moving and chatting!!

9th May
Today I prepared the skirt pieces. I added the pockets and back box pleats to the skirt. The pockets are huge, you could smuggle a whole buffet in them.

10th May
Today I tacked and sewed up the lining, it took a long time because there is a crucial feature on the back that means both outer and inner have to be exactly the same size. I joined the front to the back (accurately, phew!) and have given it a press. It is really substantial because the lining is the rose fabric too.

12th May
Time to join the top to the bottom and have a long hard think about the zip.

19th May
Louise from There she sews calls round to discuss armpits! I can't work out how to sew the inner lining and the outer fabric together and still turn it the right way. Yep...I have read it properly now, got it, thanks Louise. I put in the zip today but the top is too big so it falls away from my back...Grrr!

31st May
A week off to clear my head and back to it. Mum came round for a post holiday catch up and a dress fitting. Put in zip, again. Hand sewed lining to dress. Nearly there...

1st June 

Today I cut the hem to match the length of my 1950's petticoat and finally I finished all the hand hemming. 

All Done! I am wearing it tomorrow at the Minerva Meet up so I will get a photo of me in it then. I will also post details of the pattern and fabric if you want to have a go at making one yourself. My bag is packed, I have a train ticket, hotel room booked and some craft action to do on the train all on 'Knit in public day' on Saturday 14th June. 

Thanks for stopping by. Jo xx