Burda 7252 Retro Skirt

It turns out that I had enough fabric to make the Burda skirt pattern in my favourite fabric. I love the finished project, but I found myself making a few mistakes in the creation of this garment.

The first thing I did not do correctly was measuring my waist. I couldn't find my measuring tape, so I used a ribbon to and a ruler to decide the correct measurement. This, unsurprisingly, gave me the incorrect measurements and had me cutting the pattern out at least one size to small. Which I of course did not realise until it was cut out.

Secondly, I realised that I cut out the lining pieces out of the main fabric. Oops! But that just meant I had to go buy some lining, which I cut out a size bigger in order to accommodate for my planned alterations to make my skirt larger.

I then remembered, after putting the interfacing to my waistband that I would have to cut the waistband a size bigger as well. Which is where it was fortunate that my lining mistake allowed enough extra fabric to cut out a new waistband.

To make the skirt larger, I eliminated a dart from each side of the skirt, in addition to only putting in one pleat in the back of the skirt. Which made it too big, so I added the darts back in and tailored the side seams to get the fit right.

After several silly mistakes due to poor measurement and reading, I ended up with a lovely skirt to add to my wardrobe.

Some Idea Planning

I am very aware that I don't actually have time to do all the projects I want to at this point during the school year. But I have an optimistic idea where I plan what I want to do so it is much faster when I actually have time. My mom also told me that she used to have a project cut out so she could sew a seam or two now and then when she had a spare moment. Being as I often have an insatiable need to create something when I have the least amount of time, I have decided to plan out some projects in my head, and to cut out a project and work on it slowly. Usually, during the holidays, I cut something out in the evening, and sew the entire thing in the next day or two, and then start the same loop over again. So the longer lasting project will be an interesting attempt for me. (I have tried before, but I just like to do everything at once. I find it more fun.) It will be a reward; if I finish my homework for the week I can sew for a while.

Anyhow, yesterday my patterns from Past Patterns arrived yesterday! I am super excited to try my hand at using an actual vintage pattern and instructions (the pattern is copied from the original, but still) in a few months. An exciting challenge for me. Last night I organised the new patterns with their corresponding fabric combinations, along with some of my other patterns and fabric plans. I want to start making things that I can wear in my everyday wardrobe.

1921 House Dress. Cream/brown/tan plaid cotton with tan accents.

1918-1920 Day Dress. Yellow striped cotton. Probably cream accents. The fabric is not as bright as it looks.

1940s Swing Dress from Sensibility Patterns. I want to trim the neckline with lace, and shorten the dress to make it more wearable for everyday.

This is a Retro Burda Pattern. I was thinking about using this denim to make the skirt, however I purchased it with the intent of making a pair of high-waisted retro shorts. I am waiting for the pattern I need to go on sale.

  

This fabric was in my mom's stash. It was purchased to make matching mother/daughter outfits, but was instead used to make me a skirt and matching vest during elementary. It made me think of Anne Shirley's teacher outfit in the second film. I have been trying to figure out something for this fabric for a while, because I still love it. I was thinking about a vest, but I have decided that it will make a lovely retro skirt for my everyday wardrobe. Provided the pattern fits the amount of fabric I have left, this is the pattern I am going to cut out and sew whenever I have some time.

A 1913ish Skirt

I have been following the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge from The Dreamstress (http://thedreamstress.com/the-historical-sew-fortnightly/). I hope to do as many challenges as possible, but being a student I know I will not have time for a lot of them. BUT I know there are some challenges that fill in well with some of my own costuming goals, so I will do the best to do those ones.

This Christmas break I had some fun catching up on some sewing projects and using up some of my pent-up creative energy. And a couple of my recent projects fit in with some of the earlier Historical Sew Fortnightly challenges.

So, without further ado, here's my 1913 skirt for the Bi/Tri/Centennial challenge a couple weeks ago!

The skirt is made from the extra fabric from shortening my living room curtains.

Busy

Well, I do try to keep myself blogging, but I don't seem to have ideas or the time most days.
I had a busy summer working and enjoying the very warm weather. Working at an historical village means wearing costumes in the heat, which is not too bad until someone tells me "You must be so hot!"
After working all summer I went back to school. I have been reading so much. One biography a week, 200+ pages on historiography a week and French every day. Luckily I don't have any papers due until December. However I do have to monitor my time and work on those assignments before they all catch up with me.

Also I got a new haircut, which means less historical hairstyling, but an easier everyday style!

Had enough to donate!

My work house! And me. In a costume, when its hot, by a stove... that has fire in it. But I love it!

Historical Hair

Well, I have been kind of MIA from the blog. Busy with all the summer fun and work! So now that it has slowed down (and before I force myself to do a paper for school) I figured I should put up some pictures of my hairstyling attempts.

A 19-teens/1920s era hairstyle.

1880s hair for work. And one that would work as Regency.

Different braided buns.

History Road

I have been very busy in the last bit, having started my summer job. I have been writing a special program about Jane Howse Livingston for Heritage Park Historical Village (Perhaps a post about this later), and in between work and program writing I have been travelling back and forth between Calgary and Edmonton and home. But I love being busy.
Last month I had the opportunity to volunteer at a car show called History Road put on by Reynolds Alberta Museum. I have been volunteering at Reynolds for pretty much as long as I can remember, and have been waiting for an eternity to be given permission to drive antique automobiles - and finally my clean driving record paid off!

 I spent the first day filming a Youtube clip about a 1926 REO Speedwagon G 2-Ton Truck with another volunteer (who is also a staff-members child) and then learning a bit about a 1929 Willys-Knight Model 56A Four Door Sedan and going for what I like to call "educational drives."
The second day I was very excited that I was not only allowed to drive a 1947 Oldsmobile Model 66 Club Coupe (which is an automatic), and a 1965 Ford Fairline 500 Two Door Hardtop, but a 1911 International Harvester Comany Auto-wagon Model B High-wheeler! It was so much fun learning to drive some old cars, and having my dad teach me. Unfortunately I didn't get much practice because it poured rain all day and we had to drive everything back into the warehouse, but it was still a really exciting time for me!  (And due to the rain I failed to really get any pictures...) I feel very fortunate to have grown up surrounded by antique machinery and having had opportunites to learn not only about the cars, but the people who owned them and how great of an effect they had on society and the way we live today. And it is fun too!

The Duster Jacket

A couple years ago I came across this wonderful pattern from Simplicity for an automobile duster. I had to have it of course, especially since I have been volunteering at a car museum for my whole life (my dad works at one). So I tackled the full length duster. The pockets were the worst part, but I eventually figured them out (sort of) and it all turned out quite well.
I put the pattern away, thinking that I was finished with it for a long time, until I went to a musical. I saw my coat, done in pink and green, and it was short! Brilliant! So for the last year, I have been thinking about making a second, shorter jacket from my duster pattern. And finally, I found a plain green/brown coloured canvas type fabric that I thought would make a very nice jacket.

Pocket and cuff trimmings.

Front of duster.

Back of duster.

For my second go at the duster, I decided to for-go all the fancying trims and decided to purchase some nice metal buttons. For some reason I decided not to make it a size or two smaller for a more fitted jacket (which was probably a silly idea now that I am done). I did however use the back tab to pull the fabric to the back for the sake of simple tailoring, and it was the first time that I actually got to use my dress form! (To whom I lovingly refer to as Dora the Dress Form.) The thing works like a charm. I think that it turned out quite well again, and will perhaps make a nice coat to wear on a chilly day to work (with the approval of the costuming department of course). It has a sort of military look to it with the colour and brass buttons, but I enjoy it.

Pre-finishing touches on new jacket.

After finishing touches. Probably should iron it...

The back with the tab.

Very pretty buttons!