Advance 5378, a pattern from 1951 (and therefore, yes, older than I!) came into my hands via Facebook auction. Love at first sight!
Advance 5378, a 1951 vintage nightgown pattern
It wasn’t the right size, but I decided as well as being my first go at sewing an unprinted pattern, I would also be my first go at grading a pattern up significantly. (No making things easy here, apparently.)
While the gown isn’t perfect – it’s still a heck of a lot of fun to wear around the house! The skirt is just the right fullness and length to be unequivocally elegant (and I didn’t add any length – shorter sewists take note; I’m 5’8″).
I used a lightweight linen-cotton blend, so comfy! and finished nearly every seam with a French seams, and I added a lining in the bodice so everything’s cleanly finished there as well.
The (tiny, little) downside – this is pretty fitted in the waist. Loose enough to be comfortable, but it’s an over-the-head donning, vs having a zip or other fastener to make it easier. Next time I’ll consider that more as I do adjustments.
UPSIDE – the pattern has a pocket! LOL How bad can it be? 🙂
So without further ado:
unprinted pattern pieces, coded with punched holes
first bodice
a lovely butterfly pocket, if I do say so myself
cleanly finished bodice lining
bias tape hemming
cross-back bodice!
cross-back has a nice pointed back waist
finished gown!!
And the swish! (This “magic spinning” appears to have turned my tomato red, finally! LOL, so I’m going to be eating a delicious, ripe, freshly picked ‘mater tomorrow!)
a ’51 nightgown covers enough for sundress in 2016!