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Dress Test

Alexandra Reynolds 1930's bias coat dress EvaDress Patterns frock jacket My Personal Dressmaking ribbon

Dress Test

I've been away from blogging for some time now, yet the pattern planning and implementation has been going full-steam! For a little background,the year's first multi-size pattern issued was the 1934 Evening Gown with optional Sash Train for sizes 30" to 46" bust.  This was one of the first original 1930's patterns I ever bought back in fall of 2001! For Spring, I finished the 1948 Originator Peplum Dress for sizes 32" to 46" bust.  The ruffles may be finished with lace, or left plain-edged.  This pattern was generously made available by a customer in St. Louis!   I have...

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EvaDress 1930's Pattern Challenge!

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s EvaDress Pattern Challenge! EvaDress Patterns

EvaDress 1930's Pattern Challenge!

The 1930's is a fashion decade of great variety and significant firsts. In particular, women's wardrobe choices seemed limitless from new-fangled suits and sportswear to décolletage evening gowns. The 'official' street trouser and the natural waistline as we now know them were first established. This is a sewing pattern challenge to create men’s or women’s garments from 1930’s EvaDress patterns. Accessories (hats, bags, etc.) are not counted as an individual project, but may accompany garments in a submission. Participants may each enter more than one project for this challenge.Projects may not be started earlier than 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1,...

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EvaDress by Pretty and the Kitsch

Alexandra Reynolds

Emily at Pretty and the Kitsch was so kind to host an interview featuring my patterns.  Check it out!  

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Apr. 17 - Apr. 21 The Week in Patterning - 72, Pattern Tour; E20-5941

Alexandra Reynolds 1920's 1929 E20-5941 evening formal frock gown Pattern Tour The Week in Patterning Storyboard

Apr. 17 - Apr. 21 The Week in Patterning - 72, Pattern Tour; E20-5941

Think of the ever popular 1929 Evening Gown with Handkerchief Hem as origami in dressmaking. When sewing this design together, you will 'flip' the Lower Back and Side piece after joining it with the Front piece at notch '4'.  This ensures the piece will fold and drape to create sharp points in the hem as well as bring notch '6' in the upper edge of the Lower Back and Side piece to align with that on the Girdle.  Hopefully this paper mock-up demonstrates the point (pun intended):   Here is a creative twist put on this design as sewn by a...

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Apr. 17 - Apr. 21 The Week in Patterning - 71, Pattern Tour; D30-5156PR

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s D30-5156PR EvaDress Patterns frock Howard Greer jacket Katharine Hepburn RKO Picture show The Week in Patterning Storyboard

Apr. 17 - Apr. 21 The Week in Patterning - 71, Pattern Tour; D30-5156PR

This week’s pattern tour covers the Katharine Hepburn Ensemble pattern. It was 10 years ago I wrote the six-page article, ‘Working with Vintage Patterns’ for Threads Magazine focusing on this scarce pattern. It’s commemorative. So here is… Howard Greer designed the dress, jacket and hat ensemble Katharine Hepburn wore in her first starring role in RKO’s ‘Christopher Strong’ (1933). The costuming a great filmic narrative; in this case, she wears the kimono jacket with cut-away shoulders at the time she is really opening up with her love for Christopher. The dress underneath is a simple A-line yet touched with sophistication...

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