Inside Vintage McCall 8532


Despite having ages to prepare for #TheDressmakersBall earlier this month, I still ended up making my dress in a weekend. Luckily, choosing to work with stretch velvet meant minimal fitting drama...phew!



The ball gave me the perfect opportunity to kickstart my #VintagePledge for this year, by tackling my first ever pattern from the 1930s. McCall 8532 from 1935 stole my heart with its back detail, asymmetrical pleated neckline and voluminous sleeves.

Believe it or not, aside from some indecision regarding the length, this pattern fit pretty well straight out of the pack. No doubt if I was working with a woven fabric it would have been a different story, but I'll take small victories where I can!


I did make a few adjustments of course, but they were mainly of the time-saving and aesthetic kind. If you're interested in how I changed the sleeves, why I cheated with my buttonhole or what made me settle on a tea-length skirt you can find out more in this little video I made.

In the video I also give you a glimpse into the pattern pieces and instructions, to show you that not all vintage patterns are as scary as they sometimes seem. The older the pattern the more reluctant people can be, but McCall 8532 is actually a printed pattern with surprisingly good instructions. It's definitely made me feel more confident about dipping into more of my patterns from this era.






I totally stole Charlotte's style by the way and bought myself the rose gold version of her belt to accessorise my dress with. The overall look is definitely a bit costumey for my liking, but I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out and that I had the perfect event to wear it to.



Are you taking part in the #VintagePledge this year? Have you seen the inspiring makes that are popping up on the dedicated Pinterest board?

13 comments:

  1. This look is making my eyeballs dance with glee! The velvet is giving me serious Renaissance Painting vibes, the rose-gold metallic accessories are kind of futuristic and space-y, your hair and nails are total vintage-noir-sexy-lady, and the neckline and sleeves have a kind of 70's disco drama. AND THESE ARE ALL MY FAVORITE THINGS! Somehow you've encompassed all my favorite fashion feelings into one look and I'm totally in love. You may think it feels a bit costumey, but whatever part you're playing I WANT SOME OF THAT!

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  2. We've all ended up making a dress in a weekend, despite having had ages to do it (or at least, I have!).

    The end result is gorgeous, and I love the back detail. Your modifications, planned or otherwise, worked perfectly.

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  3. I don't think this is costumey at all - it looks quite modern! The accessories really push it to modern.

    How did you go with sewing the velvet? I haven't sewn with it before but I really want to!

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  4. I admit I have succumbed on more than one occasion to the charms of stretch poly velvet. They are the "oh, I can wear this and no one will know how comfy I am!" clothes. It does look a little overdone in daylight, but I know that you looked deevvine in that dress at the ball. And could probably enjoy an extra treat!

    My vintage pledge is going to be more sleeveless late 40s/early 50s blouses from McCall and Vogue. I was pawing through a box and realized I have about five or six of the same style and design from them. I got most of the way into fitting one last summer, we'll see if I finish it this summer.

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  5. Beautiful dress! Love the fabric in particular. Have you thought about offering the pattern to McCalls so they can reproduce it for the public?

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  6. Your dress is gorgeous! It looks so luxurious to wear.

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  7. Such a lovely dress. You look really glamorous - perfect for the ball :)

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  8. You look so beautiful and glamorous like a movie star. Wonderful dress design and the perfect fabric. You styled it beautifully with the gold sandals and belt.

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  9. This is absolutely gorgeous, and I don't think it's costumey at all. Love the cowl neck, the fabric and the sleeves (oh, and also your belt!).

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  10. Gorgeous dress! And those shoes are amazing <3

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  11. This is a drop-dead gorgeous dress!! I love the drama. I look forward to watching the video to find out more.

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  12. So glam - and that back detail is fun!

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  13. Your dress is beautiful and not costumey at all. You look gorgeous in it.

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