Rockabilly

Please note Buster's paw under the door. He dislikes being excluded from the outfit shots

I've got loads of academic stuff on my plate, but I have been taking time to recreational stuff too, like meet friends and play with the kitties. My major accomplish so far has been this 1961 rockabilly style dress, which I completed (almost) today (after weeks of stop and go sewing). I'm pretty proud of this highly imperfect dress, and I just need to add some bias binding to some of the seams. I'm in luck that these full shirtwaist dresses are in luck, but I think I'll be rocking this summer, floral dress for a while. (The jumpsuit has taken a back seat, as my co-sewer has been traveling, running marathons and putting us lazy gals to shame). The material is from P&S Fabrics in lower Manhattan, which is outside of the Garment district, and therefore cheaper and less scary. This fabric was on sale, maybe $3-4/yard?

Now that it's (almost) completed, I am at a loss as to how to style this. The pattern suggests pearls and flats. I also see a cute belt and cardigan for the fall. But what colors? Lime green is a bit out of my usual color palette. Would a light grey work for this? I feel like black would be too harsh, but my other cardigans are black, brown, and black and white.


The hardest part was fitting the bodice (as Elaine of the Selfish Seamstress has wisely noted, you have to take care when sewing 1950s style clothes for a non 1950s style body). It also had kimono sleeves, which are even more of a challenge to fit (but less so to sew). I had to make the darts more appropriate for someone who doesn't wear a conical shaping bra. But there is still a decent amount of gapping. I am just resigned to the fact that there is a good deal of "give" in the bodice, as I'd like to be able to hold onto subway straps in this dress.


I am proudest of the button placket. Buttons are pricey (like up to 2 dollars each), which is probably why cheaply made fast fashion often has ugly buttons. I got 7 white-ish buttons for about $1.50 by salvaging them off a men's button down from the thrift shop, and later used the shirt to practice button hole making, which is a whole 'nother adventure.


There's a funny front zip on the skirt, and a little hook and eye that I awkwardly used to keep the whole thing together. And while everything fits, I am definitely not used to the rockabilly style waist cinching!
Have a lovely weekend, bloggy buddies!

Dress: Self made
Shoe: BC Footwear