An Ivory Eyelet 1950s Dress

Vintage Butterick 6835 1950s Pattern Review

retro-1950s-dress

Last year I happened upon a charming vintage 1950s dress pattern (Butterick 6835).  It had a lovely curved seam at the bodice, tucks about the empire waistline, and a cute Peter Pan style collar.  (You may remember when I blogged about it here. )  So I bought it, of course, and waited for the perfect fabric to come along.

vintage-butterick-dress-pattern

This ivory cotton eyelet fabric turned out to be the perfect option!  It has a breezy, summer feel to it and it’s such an old-fashioned, yet timeless material.

butterick-6835-pattern

The pattern itself was most enjoyable to work with.  Like many patterns of the day, this curved bodice seam was stitched in place by simply pressing under the raw edge and topstitching it to the adjoining bodice piece, rather than pinning the two fabric pieces right side together and sewing an bonafide seam.

ivory-eyelet-dress

I always love dresses with circular skirts, and this one looks perfect when worn with a crinoline petticoat underneath!  I tied on a peach satin ribbon sash since the outfit needed some sort of accesory, but it looks quite fine without a sash, too.

butterick-retro-pattern

On a scale of 1 to 5, I would certainly give this pattern a “5-star” review!  It is a rare design, so if you happen to find one like it I would recommend snatching it up as quickly as you can.  I love wearing this dress, and I may have to make another frock or two from this pattern!

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Until next time, happy sewing!

Katrina

16 Comments

  1. Beautiful, Katrina! Sooo looking forward to England! Only 10 weeks away!

    1. Thank you, Sarah! I’m quite beside myself for the England trip, too! I think once I finish all my costumes it will really sink in.

      Happy sewing!
      Katrina

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  3. Absolutely divine! Love the pin tucks and curved bodice seam (? it’s still technically a seam right?) and the fabric is perfect choice for the pattern. 🙂

  4. Beautiful!
    You look so pretty in this dress. There is nothing like ivory, full skirted dresses, & the tucks and cute sleeves only add. This dress looks so charming and summery (and fun to wear).
    I missed seeing your face on the blog.
    Looking foreward to reading about your trip to England.

    Ella

    1. Thank you so much, Ladies!

      @SewingforSanity – Yes, I suppose it’s still a seam, it just isn’t sewn like one. 😉 Thank you for the comment!

      Ella, you’re so sweet! Yes, I’ve been a little too busy lately to update the blog – sometimes “life happens”, and at times like that some things have to fall down the priority list. But I’m definitely back on track and sewing towards the England trip like crazy. 🙂

  5. Simply gorgeous! I love the fit and silhouette of the 1950s. It works so well with my body type. I’ve been going through my grandmother’s patterns every time I visit hoping to find a gem like this!

  6. I really like your patterns and I am so impressed of your work.

    You look so pretty and elegant in your new dress, I wish I could be such a brilliant tailor like you.

    Lovely 🙂

    I am also go to England (my first trip 🙂 with my friends. Hope I can meet you?

    Best regards from Thilda

    1. Thank you, Thilda! Will you be at the Jane Austen Festival on Saturday morning for the promenade? Or at the Farthingale’s Ball that evening? Because if so I’m sure we might bump into each other!

      Happy sewing,
      Katrina

  7. We are definitely joining the Promenade on Saturday and maybe the Fartignale´s Ball. Oh. It would be nice to meet you.

    Best regards

    Thilda

    1. Wonderful, Thilda! Well, I hope you can find us! There will be about twenty of us ladies in the Sense & Sensibility group, and you’ll probably recognize us as the ones who are in historically accurate costumes. 🙂 We won’t be the ones in polyester satin gowns with nylon organza overlays. LOL!

      It is very tricky to find people during the Promenade since there will be over 600 people there, but at the Ball it should be much easier! Either way, please do try to find us – it would be lovely to meet you! 🙂

  8. Katrina you are so lovely and such an amazing person! I hope when I meet you I can get a big hug! You are truly a role-model for me…..

    1. Oh, thank you, Lexi! You’re too kind! Yes, I’m sure there will be hugs all around when we all meet up in England. 🙂 I get more excited about the trip every day, and I just spent my evening watching Pride & Prejudice while sewing an ivory striped Regency day dress. Happy sewing! ~ Katrina

  9. Lovely dress! And I can’t wait to see you blog about your England adventure. It sounds like such a wonderful trip.

    1. Thank you, Amy Lee! I might have to take this dress with me to England, and I’m going to try to blog every evening while I’m on the costume tour. It should be a lot of fun!

  10. So pretty! It’s very delicate and feminine looking!

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