Simplicity 5489 - #vintagepledge


Hallelujah, I've finished my second Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge make, so just three more to complete by the end of the year...pheeewwwww! I won't be bashful, instead I'll put it out there right now - I LOVE THIS DRESS! I'm a huge fan of back detail (cue my first #vintagepledge dress) and I'm finding slimmer fitting skirts really flattering at the moment.


Simplicity 5489 is a simple little pattern with three different back views to choose from and an A-line skirt, the perfect canvas for cool fabric prints if you will. Speaking of cool fabric prints, do you like mine? I was very generously sent this fabric by designer Frances Newcombe and it took me ages to pick Bon Voyage Noir as my favourite print from her gorgeous new Cherie collection. Frances's prints come in cotton lawns, knits and voiles, and I imagine they're all divine judging by the quality of my lawn. In case you can't wait to get your mitts on some in the UK, I've seen her collection over at M is for make. You're welcome ;o)



Like with most original vintage patterns, I had to make a lot of alterations to get this baby to fit. The bodice was drafted for very different proportions to my own (broad back / shoulders and a side boob), but as usual the waist fit just fine. I'll cover the alterations in a different post, but suffice it to say that I'm pretty happy with the fit I managed to achieve.



Onto the back detail...*swoon*! Simplicity 5489 is a relatively quick and easy make, but the bow took me forever! It's by no means perfect, but it's cute enough to be honest. It's one thing tying the perfect ribbon bow on a gift and quite another doing it with bulkier fabric. Next time I'll probably narrow it a tad...and practice tying bows in the meantime of course!


I hand stitched my bow to the left back opening and affixed a press stud / snap fastener to the other side.


My second favourite detail Simplicity 5489 has to offer is the skirt. I love how flattering an A-line shape can be, skimming the hips (aka muffin tops) without the bulky waist of a gathered skirt. This pattern offers the best of both worlds though, with gentle gathers either side of the centre front skirt. I think the reason I find slimmer skirts appealing is that I personally find them easier to dress down to fit in with my less-than-glamorous lifestyle.


The neckline and back are finished with a facing, but I skipped the armhole facings and opted to finish them with bias strips instead. Shock horror, I even lined the skirt! I'm usually too lazy and can get away with it for fuller skirts, but this shape would have clung to tights like no one's business.


Once again, I LOVE THIS DRESS!!!



Are those of you signed up to the Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge panicking, like me, that there's only three months left? Check out my dedicated Pinterest board to get your butt in gear and do let me know if you've finished any new makes - hit me up on Twitter using #vintagepledge, leave a blog comment or email me. I want to share your #vintagepledge makes with the world!!!

94 comments:

  1. Wow, that is too cute! I need to get my but in gear and stitch some vintage!

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    1. Come on Melody, get your vintage vibe on! ;o)

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  2. I can totally see why you love it, it's beautiful. The style is gorgeous - and suits you to perfection - and the fabric is totally cute!

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    1. Thanks so much...I want more of these in my wardrobe!!!

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  3. I love the back detail! Beautiful dress!

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  4. Gorgeous- both you and the dress! X

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  5. it's really lovely marie. the fit looks great and that fabric is perfect!

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  6. I think your bow turned out fine, but in the future, it's easier to make a flat bow with a separate little rectangle piece wrapped around the center and tacked into place.

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    1. Thanks for a top tip, I'll definitely be trying this next time ;o)

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  7. That's really cute! Love the back. And your braid is just adorable! Almost makes me wish I had long hair again...

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    1. Thanks so much...ironically I'm itching to get my hair chopped off! The grass is always greener!

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  8. I love it too! Such a beautiful shape on you :) Gorgeous colour for you also!

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  9. What a delightful dress and so, so flattering. I also prefer an A-line skirt to the fuller gathers for my figure, so this one really appeals. As to that bow? Too cute for words!

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    1. I think A-line skirts are seriously under-rated ;o)

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  10. look at you, gorgeous! i understand that you love this dress, it's really great! i love me some back details too!

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  11. This is beautiful, Marie! The back cutout is adorable, especially with the bow, and I love that you lined the skirt for tights. (A must for me!) Your hair looks great in this side braid too - just gorgeous all around. :)

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    1. Thank you so much, you really are too kind!

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  12. Aww this is so cute! That fabric is fab too, and I just love the cutout back. I like the idea of the a-line skirt with a few gathers at the waist, I imagine it would be more flattering (on me anyway) than a fully gathered skirt.

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    1. Thanks Suzanna, I reckon this would suit you down to a tee!

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  13. That fabric!!! I adore it. The keyhole back is absolutely wonderful, too. Really great dress, Marie!

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  14. Marie, IMO this is one of the best dresses you ever made! The style and fit really suit you, you look amazing!

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  15. The fabric is super cute and the colour and shape is super flattering on you, Marie! It looks so pretty!!! :)

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    1. Thanks Carlee, the fabric was the perfect companion!

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  16. I love this dress too! The back cut-out and bow are gorgeous, and I like the shape of the skirt. It reminds me a bit of the Deer and Doe Belladone dress. Love the bicycle fabric too.

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    1. Yes Lynne! It is very similar to Belladone, which I own yet haven't made yet. Must get to it asap!

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  17. Absolutely gorgeous. I love the back detail, it's just perfect, and it suits you beautifully. Thanks for the heads up on the fabric!

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    1. You're most welcome...hope you get yoursefl some ;o)

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  18. What a knock out, belter of a dress!

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  19. What a fantastic dress, Marie! I love the slim skirt and that beautiful gray blue on you! And that back detail? Swoon. Love it.

    In other news, I'm totally cancelling my fabric buying hiatus, to snap up some of this fabric. It's charming!

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    1. Thank you Mary, you're very kind! Can't wait to see what you make with the same fabric!

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  20. The fabric reminds me of Sugarhill Boutique items and could very well be some of the same fabric they use! Lovely! and i have a soft spot for keyhole back dresses!
    Christine
    http://twogirlsoneoutfit.com

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  21. So, so cute! This looks fantastic on you!

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  22. This dress is amazing! I'm looking forward to the fitting post - getting the perfect fit is my re-sew-lution!

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    1. Thanks Eleanor! Perfecting fit is challenging, but part of the process I geuss! I've still got a lot to learn!

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  23. I can see why you love it. The fabric is great and the shape of this is stunning on you!

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  24. This dress is all kinds of awesome! That fabric, that pattern, and woah your hair! Excellent stuff

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  25. Quite gorgeous - the fabric is really funky. I think the bow is fine too!

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  26. This is beautiful! I love the fabric and back-detail. Well done!

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  27. This is a great dress. I love the fabric and the back cut-out is a nice touch. You really suit this shape. x

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  28. I love the dress, the fabric is lovely and suits it so well. Lovely backdrop too!

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  29. Looks beautiful. The skirt reminds me of how the colette peony skirt is drafted, with slight side gathers. You've done a gorgeous job!

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    1. Oooh, I didn't realise the Peony was so similar!,

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  30. GORGEOUS dress! I am in love with the back detail! It's really fantastic and a nice little surprise. I love a good neckline or back detail. It's one of the things that keeps me coming back to vintage patterns.

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    1. Thank you! Vintage patterns do have lovely details!

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  31. It's funny how we go through phases with different silhouettes, isn't it? I'm also really enjoying wearing A-line skirts & dresses at the moment- they're fuss free but still cute! Win!

    Also, I reeeeally love this dress! The little tucks at the sides of the skirt & the almost cap sleeves are such lovely little details. And then the cut-out & bow go & steal the show! You are totally mailing EVERYTHING at the moment, Marie!!

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  32. I really love the back of this dress - it's such a beautiful detail!

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  33. I really love this style and shape of the skirt and back. It's got vintage glam whilst being an everyday wearable dress. Beautiful fabric too, just lovely.

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    1. Thanks Jayne, I really wanted this to be an everyday dress as well as cute!

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  34. The dress looks gorgeous on you. I love the back, it is so simple, but so beAUTIFUL. And great choice of prints.

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  35. The shape of this dress is lovely. Love the back detail x

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  36. this is sooooo adorable.
    and fabric is great!
    as usual, great work.

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  37. This is too cute! The back detail is just divine - and I would never believe that you had fit problems if you didn't tell me! The fit looks spot on! Love the skirt, love the print, an all over great make! And you, as usual, are a minx.

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    2. Oh yes, plenty of fit problems that I managed to fudge!

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    3. And as always, thank you for your kind words!

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  38. Marie, this is too gorgeous! That back cut out is fantastic!

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  39. Hi. I've recently discovered your blog and started to follow you, so nice to meet you!
    I share your love for this dress. The detail at the back, the print... everything is so pretty!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Lovely to meet you too!

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  40. Eeeek - three months to go - I haven't made anything yet!! Really must get into gear. Love that back detail BTW, just stunning!

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  41. Holy cow, this is ADORABLE! The shape is absolutely perfect on you! You look so, so, so cute!

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  42. Fabulous, flattering & inspiring!

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  43. I absolutely adore this dress!!! The fabric is soooo cooool! It's a pity I learnt about your Vintage pledge so late. I hope there will be another edition next year.

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    1. Thanks Agnes and yes, there will definitely be a chance to take part in 2015!

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  44. Marriiiiiiieeeee! Love it!! (not just because of the fabric, honest!)xxx

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  45. Where would i be able to find the pattern for this divine dress?? It looks absolutely marvelous on you, and i'd like to see if i could make it myself. I havent been able to find it online anywhere!!!

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    1. Hi there! I've just tracked down a vintage size 16 on Etsy if that's any good to you - https://www.etsy.com/listing/244222218/vintage-1960s-simplicity-sewing-pattern?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Simplicity%205489&ref=sr_gallery_14

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