In this post, I'm going to walk you through the steps I've taken so far to adjust my Girls' Classic 1950s Shirt Dress pattern to fit my measurements...and what I've had to un-do. As I mentioned in my first post, my goal with this project is to create a dress that is a fairly close reproduction of the 1957 original but without having to draft a totally new pattern.

I have loved this dress ever since I found a copy of the full-color photograph in Life Magazine years ago. I am sure it has sat in the back of my head ever since, silently feeding my love for the 1950s silhouette and serving as part of the inspiration for my Girls' Classic 1950s Shirt Dress pattern and my Ladies' Classic 1950s Wardrobe pattern. I never attempted to reproduce it for myself, but, once I settled on Paris as one of the stops on my 2019 Historical Fashion tour, I knew it had to be: I simply had to make a recreation of Dior's Palais de Glace dress to wear while in Paris!

At long last, the size 16-26 Ladies' Classic 1950s Wardrobe pattern is ready for printing! Many thanks to all of you who have waited such an age for this one to get to press--particularly so long after the 4-18 version went to press last year! I am truly delighted with the results and ecstatic to show them off with my beautiful South African models who brought such grace and glamour to our photo shoot.

Simply adore your patterns! I am a Tasmanian visual artist who has a mad obsession for all things Convict (1800's) - which is my excuse for making, frocking up in, and taking constitutionals in your wonderfully drafted patterns.

For Designin' December, I thought I'd show the results of making my own dress from my new Ladies' Classic 1950s Wardrobe pattern, as I am super pleased with how it turned out. I opted for the pointed collar and closed the front with a lapped zipper (I'll be sharing that how-to on the blog in January). The fit is perfect and super easy for this nursing mama. I plan to make a bunch more to do some stash-busting and use up fabric that has been sitting much too long in my cupboards!

I've pulled together my favorite design elements from this decade--the full skirt and the demurely tailored pencil skirt; the fitted bodice and tailored sleeves; the curvy collar and the wide pointed collar; the detachable peplum and the removable dickie. You can mix and match to your heart's content and create an entire closet full of flattering outfits that take you from relaxing on the patio in cool gingham to stepping out in sophisticated glamour with all the stops pulled out. Thanks to the inspiration of customer Denise B., I've also added a brand new set of instructions for a breathtaking petticoat a lá Alice Lon!

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Size 4-18 ePattern:[cc_product sku="elc1950w" display="inline" quantity="false" price="true"]Size 16-26 ePattern:[cc_product sku="elc1950plus" display="inline" quantity="false" price="true"](Looking for the paper version rather than the ePattern? Purchase from one of our many retailers worldwide! Please note that Patterns of Time carries my entire line and is well stocked.)

My 10 year old daughter requested a long-sleeved flannel nightgown, so the search began! I was aghast at the cost of a ready-made flannel gown, so I started the search for an appropriate pattern.I am NOT a highly experienced sewer, but I was willing to give this a try! After communicating with Jennie (who provided incredibly kind encouragement), I felt confident I could complete this project utilizing the Girls' Regency Gown Pattern.All I can say is "WOW!" The process of printing, piecing & cutting this pattern was so incredibly easy. The dress came together like a dream.

My friend Lorna McKenzie of The Tailor's Apprentice asked me in 2011 to review the Lilly Rose pattern she was developing from an original 1940s design. Unfortunately, I had just moved to Kenya and was expecting a new baby at the time, so I never did get around to sewing the dress. But I can't stand leaving a project undone, so five years later (!!!) I asked Lorna if I could still stitch up the pattern and provide feedback. She graciously sent me a review copy, and I got started!

Customer Sharon E. wanted to make a "Caroline" dress for her daughter for Easter to match her doll from American Girl....

I was looking for a quick and simple project to make during 2 days off with my 3 meters of cotton. I've chosen the drawstring dress.

I'm working on our practice dress before I make the real [first communion dress]. This is out of a table cloth my son decided to use scissors on. :)

After finishing the bodice base, it was time to make the sleeves. Because this material is so thin and delicate, I chose to make full long sleeves with short oversleeves instead of using removable under sleeves. The fantastic border of this beautiful sari fabric provided me with an instant border for the long sleeve hems and the sleeve bands of the short sleeves.

I decided last August to make a new apron-front gown, basing it upon several gowns I've handled in person, plus an extant garment in the National Museum of Australia that I found online with detailed photographs.This time, I've used my Elegant Lady's Closet pattern as the base, since it has no back opening to begin with and features the more fitted long sleeves I planned to use for my undersleeves and the short, puffed ballgown sleeves I'd use as the over sleeves.

In November 2014 I bought a pattern for a Regency Era Dress from you, with the intent of first sewing a toile and then my wedding dress from it. Which I did! I was very happy with the result, and wanted to show you some photos of me wearing it just a few weeks ago.

Here are some pictures of my Titanic dress. It was a pleasure to work with this pattern.

I found your pattern (1940s Swing Dress) and it was the exact dress I was hoping to find in all the shops I had visited!

This maternity Regency gown was made with your pattern. It's entirely hand made and embroidered.

This is the "tea gown" I made using the 1909 Edwardian Gown pattern. I made it all out of lace and then used a chemise pattern to make an underlining.

Our county fair is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year. There are many special centennial classes plus a heritage day to dress up in a period costume form the last 100 years. Combined with my children's homeschool formal and some beautiful taffeta on clearance provided me with a great excuse to make a 1910s Tea Gown as a formal gown.

Hello, Jennie, My daughter made the 1780’s Girl’s Portrait Dress and loves it. She’ll be wearing it to her piano recital later this year. (Her name is Waverley, and she’s 10.)  I just realized you have a Show and Tell section. That’s really neat to see others who worked on the same pattern and to