Vintage 1950s dress
Finished

A make by Naomijane

Vintage 1950s dress photo 1
Vintage 1950s dress photo 2
Vintage 1950s dress photo 3
Vintage 1950s dress photo 4
Vintage 1950s dress photo 5
Vintage 1950s dress photo 6

About this make

This dress is all about the pleats! I've reached the final pattern in my 2026 collection. The cover might say 'easy sew' but I've got a feeling it's going to take some time, effort and brain power to get right.

Sewing diary

  1. Finished this make 23rd of July 2026

  2. Tuesday 21st of July 2026 · 1 week ago

    The day before yesterday I cut out the pieces for a final version of the dress. Yesterday I sewed the majority of the pieces together. Today I did the hand stitching and the dreaded zip. One day I'll finish the hem...but it is essentially done and I'm so happy with it!

  3. Saturday 18th of July 2026 · 1 week ago

    Tried inserting a zip. It didn't go too well. Will have to youtube how to insert zips.

  4. Sunday 12th of July 2026 · 2 weeks ago

    This morning I have hemmed the sleeve cuffs and facing, and tacked them in place. I've also sewn the skirt to the bodice. And I even tried it on for size and was pleasantly surprised at how it looked! I think I'll make this dress again, but in a block colour (maybe black or light blue).

  5. Saturday 11th of July 2026 · 2 weeks ago

    Over the last few mornings I've sewed the skirt and pockets, and begun on the finer details to finish the sleeves and facing.

  6. Tuesday 7th of July 2026 · 3 weeks ago

    I've returned to this project but now I'll be making dress A rather than dress B. It's already much easier and I've managed to get most of the bodice done in one sitting.

  7. Saturday 20th of June 2026 · 1 month ago

    How did today's sewing go? Not well! Sizing and grading are still somewhat beyond my skill set, as I proved to myself today. I originally sized up the skirt and bodice using fairly accurate maths (I believe), but then forgot to account for the pleats. So the skirt was bigger but the pleats were marked for the original sizing, so that when I pleated the pleats they shrunk the skirt back down. And now the shrunken skirt doesn't fit the bodice and I cannot be bothered to fix it. I also miscalculated the collar sizing. I checked and checked that it matched the neck edge, which it seemed to do...until it didn't. It's only been 5 days but I need to take a break from this project.

  8. Thursday 18th of June 2026 · 1 month ago

    Last night I cut out and annotated the pattern pieces. I'm on the late shift today so I've had time this morning to begin sewing. I've started conventionally with the bodice (or waist as the pattern calls it), which took no time at all. I'll use the made up bodice/waist to work out how to adjust the collar to fit. The skirt will probably get worked on at the weekend, as I'm in no rush.

  9. Tuesday 16th of June 2026 · 1 month ago

    Today, before and after work, I tested out how I might lay the pattern pieces onto the duvet cover material. As it didn't quite easily fit, what with there being six skirt panels, I decided that the whole skirt should/could be shortened. This allows the majority of the pattern pieces to fit comfortably and running in the right direction - no upside down florals! I took a photo to remember the layout, as I'm far too tired to doing any cutting out tonight.

  10. Monday 15th of June 2026 · 1 month ago

    The first toile is done and proved it's worth! I used it to figure out the pleats on the skirt, which took several goes. (I can't think if I've ever made a pleated skirt before). I can also see from trying it on that the top needs to come in a bit and needs shortening to sit at my waist. I made my usual mistake of leaving the wrong side open so that the skirt side opening doesn't match the top. And I forgot that if you resize a pattern you have to resize collars and facings to match... but this is why we make a toile! And second toiles too! To get the mistakes out of the way!
  11. Started this make 15th of June 2026