Mom's Sewing Page

"Bustle" Jean Dress

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I don't remember exactly where the idea for this one came from, but I am pretty sure we copied it from something we saw at a Boutique store on Walnut Street in Shadyside. The dress is made from distressed 1980's style jean fabric. It is a fitted princess seamed sheath dress with small cap sleeves and a round neckline. It zips up the back. The back of the skirt is trimmed with layers of ruffled jean material with a bow at the waistline. The bow fastens on the left side with a button. Even now this dress looks great! I need to let it out an inch or so, and I will also remove the 1980 style shoulder pads to update the look.

Bustle Jean Dress - Front, Back, and Back Detail

1900 Meets 1980 White Cotton Dress

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There was a fad, in the 1980's, of blouses and dresses that resembled Edwardian "whites". This is my mother's interpretation of that style. The outfit is actually 2 peices - the blouse has a large double square collar edged with antique crochet. The buttons are mother of pearl. The skirt has a yoked waistline and buttons down the front with the same mother of pearl buttons. The skirt is trimmed with antique lace from my mother's "rag bag". The rag bag contained clothing fragments going back almost 100 years. Who knows which great aunt originally wore this lace? Most of my mother dresses growing up were cut down from her Aunt Lean's 1910's clothes.

 

1900's White Dress

1900's White Dress - Front Detail

1900's White Dress - Back

1900's White Dress - Back Detail

1900's White Dress - Skirt Detail

Victorian Inspired Ralph Lauren Suit

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The pattern for this suit came out in Vogue Individualist one year. It was one of those bearing the warning: ADVANCED DIFFICULT. Not that it ever stopped my mother, although she did complain about this one a bit and she faked the pockets (she absolutely hated making welt pockets under any circumstances). It is made from purple courderoy with satin ribbon trim. Originally it had a fancy blouse with a lace jabot, but I have no idea what happened to it.

Victorian Inspired Ralph Lauren Suit - Front

Victorian Inspired Ralph Lauren Suit - Front Detail

Victorian Inspired Ralph Lauren Suit - Back

Victorian Inspired Ralph Lauren Suit - Back Detail