A wonderful 1930s voile print dress. My favourite frock. Alas the fabric is so brittle at the skirt that it has many tears in, all of which are irreparable. I have been contemplating many things to restore it, from removing the skirt and using it as a pattern to make a new skirt in a plain voile that matches one of the colours in the print. Unfortunately, all the voile I found in red, green or yellow were too vibrant, white is too bright and black is too heavy.
Then, one day, I showed the dress to the lovely (and very clever) Shona of Heyday. She suggested making the dress into a blouse then running up a skirt and bolero to wear with it. We decided green would look the best, and that I could use the skirt fabric to trim the bolero and the belt could attach to the skirt.
So I began hunting for a suitable pattern and the correct shade of green fabric. I thought a lovely floppy linen would look good. the problem was getting that vintagey looking colour. Modern dyes are too vibrant (either that or the vintage stuff was just as bright and has faded with age).
Then, whilst naughtily peering at Ebay this popped up...
An early '40s skirt and bolero, in the right green, in my size... and a snip at £40 including P&P! Well, it would have been daft not to snap it up. I got the set through on Thursday and it's in amazing condition, the bolero is spot on, the skirt is a little full for my liking, so I'm working out a way I can make it a bit more of a 30s trumpet shape (I think it'll be easy enough as there's a lot of fabric).
So, today, I must be brave and make my beloved, ragged bottomed, 30s dress into a snazzy new blouse. It's a sad, yet happy day all at once. Now I must concentrate so as not to mess up!
Results will be posted soon :)
Results will be posted soon :)
Happy Bank Holiday Monday one and all
G x
10 comments:
WOW, I´ll cross my fingers! I´m sure this combination will look perfect on you :-)
What a shame it is beyond repair, it is so bright and jaunty. As for that stairwell and banister, I'd be forever sweeping up and down it. Please show us some more of your fabulous abode.
What a good idea! Bet it will be lovely
It’s always sad to loose a favorite garment, but repurposing it as a blouse with matching accessories is a fantastic alternative to trashing the entire dress.
You could make a matching hat, and bag to go with you new ensemble. Happy sewing, I can’t wait to see the finished look!
Good idea...it will extend the life of your garment. How amazing is it that you found the perfect skirt/bolero? It's a sign!!
You are doing the right thing giving it a new lease of life. It's a beautiful print. Great find on e bay too, what a lovely shade of green. x
I hope the blouse comes out nicely. I hate it when any garment, vintage or new, gets 'beyond wearable'. :( Glad to hear you've saved at least part of it!
Love your new skirt and bolero! It will look perfect with your soon-to-be blouse. What a lovely way to hold on to a favorite dress -- make do and mend!
Canny wait to see the result captain! And oh that green bolero / skirt combo! NOM!
Oh my goodness, what an ebay find!
Well, just think, it was obvously meant to be. Its not that often one stumbles across a green skirt and bolero skirt, especially when in need of one! I think this new repurposing of your beloved dress is going to be absolutely fabulous. I can't wait to see the pictures!
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