Friday, July 22, 2011

39 steps to the perfect dress...

You were all right! I used the 39 Steps as my inspiration for this week's Alfred Hitchcock challenge.  Now, I didn't make the traditional big yoked dress as seen in the movie--but used that as inspiration for a dress with a big collar and a traditional 30's type jacket!


I used McCall 9089 from 1937, which is also this week's pattern giveaway (enter before midnight on Sunday here...).  I really love this pattern!  I made the dress out of lightweight chocolate brown wool that has very light mauve pinstripes.


I really love the large collar on this dress! I found the perfect matching buttons too!  The big feature of the dress is the back--with a really neat slit design:

Oh, I love it so much!!!  The dress is super comfortable!! It closes with a side zip and then the button placket up the front of the dress.  The back yoke (which my hair is covering) is done with a lapped seam and the cutout sections are finished with narrow hems.  I carefully matched the pinstripes from the bodice to the skirt.


Don't know why this picture is all grainy--but is shows off the lines of the dress really well.  I think I am going to make a matching belt to break it up a bit!

I love the matching jacket and it was really quick to sew up (minus the sleeves which have tons of ease in the sleevecaps...arrrggg).  I made the jacket out of a poly-rayon/gabardine mix--which is a dream to sew! It's the exact same fabric as I used for my 1940's hooded dress.  I still have about 2 metres left in my stash--hmmm...will have to think of something fun to make with it because I absolutely adore the colour!!

David and I had a lot of fun re-creating a Hitchcock scene from 39 steps:

We found a close that was perfect on the Royal Mile:
Lots of people passing by LOVED what we were doing! I think a few of them must have gotten that it was inspired by 39 Steps because there were lots of people watching and chuckling--we definately made their evenings :)

Another Hitchcock inspired shot:

Super fun! This makes me want to see another Hitchcock movie!!! Which one is your favourite?
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33 comments

  1. Your outfit is adorable, and the back is such a nice surprise! I love the last shot - with the play of light and shadow it looks like a movie still.

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  2. My favourite actually, is the 39 steps. :-) Great combo you made, love those coloours!

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  3. Beautiful garment and beautiful photos! I really love the sneaky-sexy slits in the back of the dress--now a personal question: what undergarments does one wear with cut-out backs? I always want to make these garments, but have no idea how to stay supported. Help?

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  4. Hehe, I love your pictures taken in the Royal Mile- FAB!!!. Tickety x

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  5. I love the back of this dress, and I love the ode to Hitchcock.

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  6. I really lover the jacket, it complements the dress perfectly. Is this a certain pattern, or did you make it yourself? What is 'rayon' btw? Grt

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  7. I love that last photo - you look stunning! The back of the dress is amazing.

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  8. You are just too cute!! I adore your outfit and the color of that jacket is one I would love to use as well. I have really liked sewing on that gaberdine blend myself and two outfits are lined up to make out of it.

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  9. I really think this is one of the nicest dresses you have made yet! Very cool :D
    As to which Hitchcock film... I haven't seen them all yet. I have the 39 steps all lined up for tonight though ;)

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  10. That is a lovely dress, did you line the bodice?
    I love 39 Steps and The Lady vanishes, but the early films blackmail and the Lodger are among my favourites, possibly because they were made in the days when censorship wasn't so strict and the
    stories were not so conventional

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  11. I love, love this dress! Debi, you did a fantastic job. The pictures are so much fun. It is so great that you got David to pose with you - what neat memories you will have :)

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  12. Brilliant photos, and great dress! :-)

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  13. Beautiful! But yes, what's the bra situation?
    -Sandra

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  14. I love this Debi, absolutely stunning outfit. I also think the very last picture you posted is fabulous! I studied Hitchcock films as part of my Film Studies degree at Uni and I think my favourite of his, despite being a cliched answer, is Rear Window. I just love that film!

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  15. I dont know this movie but the dress is wonderful!!!!

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  16. haha! i love your recreated shots! glad no-one decided that they needed to intervene ;)

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  17. Wow - Prim and proper in the front; va va voom in the back. What a great dress!

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  18. Brilliant love the collar and the detail at the back, I am such a film geek so this makes me giddy x

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  19. Debi, This is really cool. I love your insiration so I will have to watch the film now ! I sent your pattern so I hope you get it soon ! lots of love, xx

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  20. I love this! What a great idea. I love the photos at the end of the post. Hehe. The 39 Steps is great but my absolute favourite Hitchcock is North by Northwest (followed by The Lady Vanishes, Rear Window, Spellbound and Notorious...it's really hard to pick a favourite, though. ;])
    -Andi x

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  21. Spellbound, Rope and Rear Window for me (I'm a big James Stewart fan). Lovely dress and it looks like you had so much fun down that shadowy alley - very noir!

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  22. Well, this has to be one of my favorite posts this year. I think the dress is fab, the colours, the lines and it suits you very nicely indeed. BUT the clincher has to be the photographs!
    Great work all round

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  23. I love this outfit! It's so classic, very chic and modern looking.

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  24. that dress is amazing! I love the back of it, so unexpected!

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  25. Beautiful dress - the style is so fabulous! I love the pictures - very fun and wonderfully evocative!

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  26. Love the dress- the back slits are such a surprise. Love the Hitchcock photos.

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  27. OMG love your photo shoot with David! The dress is perfect and the back slits look great! I love the fabric you chose because mauve pinstripes are completely sharp. I love the buttons and jacket complement the mauve so well! Overall, a lovely ensemble :)

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  28. Great dress! Great Inspiration! My fav Hitchcocks are Dial M for Murder and Strangers on a Train.

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  29. YIKES!!! I love not only how this dress turned out, but that you did the little 39 Steps inspired photoshoot! :) Besides Rear Window and Notorious, the 39 Steps is one of my favorite Hitchcock films. ;)

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  30. I love this dress! Great photos!

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  31. Gorgeous! I really love the last photo!

    My favourite is Rebecca.

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  32. Awesome. I love Alfred Hitchcock! My favorites are Psycho, The Birds, Sabateur, and Strangers on a Train... oooh and Rebecca. :) It's hard to pick a favorite.

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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