Oooohhh La La!!! Now you KNOW Gertie is the Queen of Vintage (IMHO). Almost all of her dresses are drool-worthy creations. I’m a huge fan of Retro and Vintage style dresses, but I don’t do the full look. I like to mix it with what’s current, which fits my style more.
This past Saturday, I attended a speech contest where I worked the registration table. Well, you know me, so of course I had to make a new dress for the occasion. Hahaha!!! It’s what I DO!!!
I recently joined a Toastmasters group in my town and I’ve been attending the local meetings every Friday morning. When I heard the club would be hosting the District Speech Contest, I jumped in to volunteer my time to help. I made the table centerpieces and asked to work the registration table.
The color scheme was blue and white but I didn’t pick this fabric for that reason. I had actually planned to make another dress but changed my mind because I needed something to sew up in a few days. Again, I waited until the last minute and found myself in a time crunch, like I did when I made this TRACK SUIT last week.
When I came across BUTTERICK 6484, I knew it would be a perfect fit for the occasion. The President of the club expressed a strong desire to put on a “classy” event. Ooohhh, brother, I’ve got you COVERED!!!
I pulled this Blue & White Jacquard from my fabric collection because I knew it would be a perfect marriage with the pattern. This was a purchased from JoAnn’s during a 70% OFF, unplanned, pattern haul last year. The shopping trip prompted my first PATTERN HAUL VIDEO, and when I showed this fabric, I actually said that it would be used to make a vintage dress. Unfortunately, this particular fabric is no longer available on the website.
Butterick 6484 – Vintage Fit & Flare Dress by Gertie
I was attracted to this pattern for several reasons. First, I LOVE fit & flare looks because of their elegant and ladylike appeal. Secondly, I like how the drop-waist design accentuates the curve of the waist. Finally, the square neck-line — Ooohhh, Love, Love, Love!!!
This dress is fully lined and the skirt lining has a ruffle at the bottom to create a petticoat. I omitted the ruffle because I didn’t have netting, or the time to go out and purchase it. Fortunately, it can be added later. I’m so glad there’s a petticoat detail in this pattern because, well over a year ago, I looked all over the internet, trying to find one for a dress I was planning to make. Never found one, and now here it is. Thanks Gertie!!!
Once I finished the dress, I tried it on, went to zip the back and……. SHOCK!!! I couldn’t zip my dress up!!! The zipper pull went just past the seam where the bodice and skirt meet, then nothing. Nobody was there to help me, so I quickly resorted to contortionist behavior, twisting my arms in awkward positions, bending over, arching my back to try and make my torso shorter somehow, but NOTHING!!!
Then……TEARS!!! I cried a little, not because I couldn’t zip my dress, but because my husband used to zip my dresses for me.
I began to remember the times he would zip me up, then smile because he liked my dress. He would sometimes say, “Gone Nee Nee!” Then I would model for him and we would both crack up laughing. Ooohhh, the memories. Beautiful, rich and cherished are the memories.
What was I gonna do? I needed to wear this dress to the event the next day and the boys weren’t gonna be home when I got dressed. I ran to YouTube and found THIS VIDEO! Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard—like really loud laughter because I swear that lady in the video was me only minutes before watching. My sadness went away, but I needed something right away, so I watched another video and made my own DIY ZIPPER ASSISTANT. Hahaha!!! And it WORKS!!! Ooohhh, my zipper problems are forever solved. Thank you GOD!!! Whew!
I love this dress so much and I’ll definitely get lots of use from it. I plan to wear it to church, tea parties, and other events. I can’t wait to rock it with a big floppy hat and gloves. YEEESSS!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
That’s a beautiful dress! Do you have suggestions on how to decrease the fabric amount so it’s not so full? Being a full figured woman, I don’t want to add extra fullness to the skirt if I don’t have to. Also, I plan to sew this using some Ankara fabric I already have. I don’t really want to add lining. If I do, I have some satin that I can use.
Thanks
Oh my goodness. Such a simple zipper idea! I’ve almost torn my arms out of their sockets trying to zip. Thanks for the link.
Beautiful dress.
I’m on my way to finding the post about the track suit you sewed. I “need” some capris for pilates and just saw the price for good ones is up to around $80. No thanks! I can buy a lot of material for that amount. I have sewn sports wear (bike shorts) but it was a long time ago so I decided ABD was the place for me to go and renew my athleisure sewing knowledge. So glad I found your blog!
Anita, You look so gorgeous in your blue dress. I admire your sewing skills and everything you make is so well sewn both inside and out. I admire your strength in your last year too. God bless you!
BEAUTIFUL Anita, YOU and the dress! Thank you the idea of the zipper assistant! YouTube is full of goodies!
Lovely! Your articles make my day!
Such a beautiful,beautiful dress!
Beautiful dress and also love that purse! Where can one find it?
Before I read it I already felt it. I knew the reason for the tears and Ms. Anita let me tell you that my build-a-man list comprises of a lot of your memories. Oh how sweetly blessed you are to have experienced what some only dream of. You look so elegant and classy and I enjoy reading and watching your growth. Ok now for this beautiful dress lol. I have yet to tackle a lined garment but I like this one a lot. It may be my 1st. Thank you as always for sharing?.
Hi Anita. I love this dress. The fabric choice is perfect and as always it looks wonderful on you. The centerpiece is beautiful also.
Thank you for sharing this story, you wrote with great humour and sincerity. The dress looks fantastic and you’re right, it will work so well with a floppy hat and gloves.
The dress is gorgeous Anita. The shoes you wore with it are awesome as well. It’s a beautiful ensemble.
Hey Anita. You did it again. What a beautiful dress you made. I love it. It fits you so well. I love the design of the fabric. You inspire me so much. I am working on a dress now to wear to my aunt’s funeral. If I had the time, I would have loved to make this one. Keep up the good works. You did an awesome job!! I love all the clothes you make. You have such a good taste in picking out patterns. I like them all. Have a bless day my sew sister.
Hi Sheila. I’m very sorry to hear about your aunt’s passing. May God’s peace be with you and your family.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your beautiful words.
Anita,
You continue to amaze me with your talent! ? I’m just taken back with this dress (design, color); what more can you ask for! Glad you solved the zipper issue.
Thank you Caroll! Yes! The zipper assistant!!!
I love this dress and it fits you perfectly. I now know your pain. My husband passed away suddenly on 3/3/19. He also used to zip me up. I haven’t felt like sewing lately but the memories are flowing like a river. I’m going now to see that diy zipper pull. Thanks for sharing your makes.
Oh, my dear, Tanya! My heart!!! I’m so very sorry to hear about your husband’s passing. Please accept my deep condolences. I wish I could sit with you and hold your hand and help you with whatever you need. I understand not wanting to sew. Embrace the memories. One day at a time.
I could have used this tip yesterday! I had to wake KC up to help me. He owes me anyway! (just say’n)
This dress is sooooo cute!!!! I love the fabric!!
Thank you Carol! Hahaha!!! KC was probably shaking his head. Hahaha!!!
Your dress is beautiful Anita. I love that Vintage look. I know all to well that the grief process is so unpredictable but it is lovely when God can turn our tears to awesome memories and then we smile. Again your dress like verything you make look so elegant on you. Stay encouraged and be Blessed.
Thank you so much, Angie! Yes, you know this process. Everyone says it will get better, and I believe them. You stay encouraged and blessed too, sister.
Anita – it’s a gorgeous dress and perfect for the ocassion. I’m glad you found a solution to your zipper challenge and glad that it brought back happy memories. Hope you had a good time wearing it!
Thank you so much Carolyn! I felt so pretty in my dress.
beautiful
Thank you Angela!