(This post on a handmade black lace 50s dress was originally posted on Bourbon and Bras on 8th March 2014)
In my Sewlutions round-up post I introduced the “Lace Be Honest” dress, which is a dress I wear at least twice a week.
The Lace Be Honest dress uses Butterick B5880, the same as the Homage To A Mad Old Lady dress. Like the previous version, I omitted the neckline notches. Instead of the sarong-style skirt in the original pattern I made a pleated dirndl using 2-inch box pleats.
I fully lined this dress in a nice crisp black cotton to keep those pleats in check and create volume in the skirt.
The lace overlay was from the bargain box at my local fabric shop, Rolls and Rems in Holloway at the absolute bargain price of £8.99 for just over three meters -which is an amazing price considering the lace is £7 a meter as it is!
I made it to show off the scalloping of the lace by having the lining a tad shorter.
Also – POCKETS. Have I fully expressed my love for pockets on here yet – because I LOVE POCKETS. Screw everyone that makes dresses and skirts without pockets – where else will us laydeez put our knives? I make sure to tell everyone who shoes any interest in my clothes that they have pockets.
I used the scalloped edging for the top of the pocket, to match the hem (and I like scallops) and they were hand-stitched on with help from this tutorial from By Gum By Golly, and you know when you get your stitches perfect and they’re invisible? YEAH, BABES. I CAN DO THAT.
Necklace, Bag and belt; Primark
Bangles; Vintage
Boots; Rocketdog
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