#VintagePledge Guest Blogger: Gussets & Godets


I've got a ray of sunshine for you this morning as part of July's #VintagePledge Extravaganza! The delightful Christina of Gussets & Godets is channeling her inner 1950s siren with a glamorous summer dress straight out of the 1950s!


McCall's 4417 is a vintage pattern from 1957. A sleeveless dress with a pleated bodice and a plunging V back. There is a choice of a slim or full skirt and a matching belt.


I was first drawn to this pattern by the pretty pleated neckline and contrast band that runs through the back. I was a little torn between the two skirt styles but settled on the full skirt because my fabric was screaming for a skirt to twirl in!


The fabric was from Orya Textiles on Goldhawk Road in London and cost £8 per meter (I bought 3 meters). This pattern used 3 meters of fabric (though 3 1/2 meters would have given me more wiggle room for cutting) and an invisible zip to complete.

This pattern was a little tricky to construct, the pleated neckline in particular did require a bit of head-scratching, but it all came together with a little patience and a lot of fiddling. The instructions themselves were basic, sufficient but not in depth by any means, so you do have to rely on your own knowledge at times. Definitely not for a first project, but other than the neckline, the dress sewed up nicely.


I absolutely love how this dress turned out! Such a classic 1950s shape that is beautifully elegant. The cut is incredibly clever in that there are no darts in the front bodice and yet the fabric lays flat under the bust and holds well against the body.

I did only very basic alterations to get the fit spot on. Only lifting the shoulders and taking in the waist a fraction. Oh and watch out for the back V which is cut on the bias and needs to be eased in significantly to hold against the body and not bag out!


If I made this dress again, I would definitely add pockets in to the side seams, but that is only because I love pockets in full skirts.


I truly love how this dress turned out and definitely recommend giving it a try. I want to make the wiggle version next time, maybe in a satin for a little sexy number.

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful fabric, beautiful dress, beautiful lady! Love it! x

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  2. Thank you so much for including me in this months vintage extravaganza. I had a great time preparing this project and am glad I made something that I love to wear. So honoured to have been included.

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  3. The back of the dress is absolutely gorgeous! It's revealing yet not too revealing at the same time, it would take your breath away, so stunning!

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  4. So beautiful! I love everything about this!
    xo

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  5. What a stunning dress Christina, I totally love it! And I need that pattern in my life, right now! :-D

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  6. Love this dress and the print on the fabric, omgosh! Perfect for the full skirt.

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  7. Love that pleated neckline, it was worth the puzzling over ;o)

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  8. Phwoar, this dress is gorgeous! I love how the contrasting fabric shows off that lovely neckline. Flawless job!

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  9. What a stunning dress! It would be interesting to see the line drawing if there is one. The fit is superb, as you say.

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  10. The fabric is lovely and I adore the neckline with contrasting collar bits. Very nice job.

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  11. What a gorgeous summer dress - I love your choice of fabrics, and the fit looks just spot on too! Just looking at your photos makes me feel summery despite the rain outside my window and heater at my feet...

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  12. Such a gorgeous dress, the bodice detail is stunning

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  13. Stunning! That style suits you so well!

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