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News — Capsule wardrobe

EvaDress Mood Board Pattern Challenge Finalist!

Alexandra Reynolds 1940s 1943 Capsule wardrobe dress EvaDress Pattern Challenge EvaDress Patterns frock How To

EvaDress Mood Board Pattern Challenge Finalist!

Announcing the top finalist in the EvaDress Mood Board Pattern Challenge, Rali Burleson!Rali blew us away with the amount of research and attention to detail with her vintage sewing skills and authentic vintage materials!Of her entry, she wrote:'Dear Alexandra,Thank you for sponsoring this challenge. In a year with few other diversions, I am thankful to have the anticipation of preparing for the challenge by researching World War II (WW II) events and fashions to go along with my chosen pattern (EvaDress Pattern D40-4662 “1943 Dress”). I chose a WW II theme (with emphasis on the United States Army Air Forces)...

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EvaDress Mood Board Pattern Challenge

Alexandra Reynolds 1860's 1870's 1880's 1910s 1920's 1930's 1940's 1950's Capsule wardrobe EvaDress Pattern Challenge EvaDress Patterns Mood Board

EvaDress Mood Board Pattern Challenge

Mood boards are so inspiring when it comes to 'conspiring' sewing plans! They may evolve and change as one’s work continues. This is a board I started the summer of ’19 which I recently updated. I originally worked off a palette of reds, black and white of a Japanese sensibility. This last spring, I began to expand the color palette while still hanging on to the Japanese thread for instance, the colorful feed-sack style fabric Japanese print dress (top left). I have drawn connections to projects I have since completed with a shot of a project in progress (the red...

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Pattern Tour, 1933 Simplicity Ladies' Tuxedo, SE30-1210

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s Capsule wardrobe EvaDress Patterns Pattern Tour Vintage Patterns

Pattern Tour, 1933 Simplicity Ladies' Tuxedo, SE30-1210

Simplicity marketed this pattern (1210) design in Summer of 1933 headlining it, 'Daytime and Evening Fashions of Cool Charm and Smart Line'.  It is one of the earliest street trouser patterns I have found for women: As one from the Simplicity Three-Style pattern series (a 1930's take on the 'Capsule Wardrobe' concept, if you will), this ensemble includes the epaulette-shoulder blouse, wide leg trousers, vest and jacket with French cuffs. A piece for the Ascot-style scarf is not given, but dimensions and instructions for creating it are included. Curiously, this ladies' Tuxedo was issued at a time when Simplicity released their...

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Feb. 13 - Feb. 17 The Week in Patterning - 62, New Multi-Size Pattern

Alexandra Reynolds 1940s Capsule wardrobe EvaDress Patterns NL40-6120 pajamas pants The Week in Patterning Storyboard tunic Vintage Patterns Vogue 6120

Feb. 13 - Feb. 17 The Week in Patterning - 62, New Multi-Size Pattern

Now available in sizes 32" to 46" bust, is Vogue's 1949 Ensemble.  Originally meant as lounge wear, the tunic and trousers could TOTALLY be worn as a casual outfit by today's standards!     The sash which ties around the waist and knots at left front was originally referred to as a 'gridle' and I chose to re-name the 'coat' a 'tunic' for Vogue being inconsistent with how they name that part of the ensemble in the original pattern. Per the text to describe the style, 'The flared lower section of tunic joins double-breasted top at waistline and has notched...

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Feb. 6 - Feb. 10 The Week in Patterning - 61, It's Been a While...

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s Acc30-7747 Capsule wardrobe dickey dress gilet Hidden Gem! jabot Pattern Tour Pictorial Review 7747 The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns

Feb. 6 - Feb. 10 The Week in Patterning - 61, It's Been a While...

but here is another hidden gem pattern! In 2014, I started adding some single-size patterns I drafted long ago, but for whatever reason hadn't issued.  I call them 'Hidden Gems'.  This is one I pulled from the file drawer and digitally drafted for the set of Gilets, originally by Pictorial Review in the mid-1930's.   The reason I never put it out?  I simply did not make a color reproduction of the envelope art and it was missing a piece I had to create.  Thus, I offer it in black and white, also see last week's post on re-creating a...

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