My 1950's patio dress...

Yeee-Haw! I'm lovin' this week's theme of 'Western' over at the Sew Weekly.  After the fun of making the 1940's sailor dress--I knew there was only one pattern that would satisfy me this week.....a 1950's patio or 'squaw' dress!! 

I jumped on this pattern when I saw it on etsy:

This pattern was a lot of fun to make.  While not in my size, I found the grading to be really simple since it's just a bodice front and back piece and then the large skirt panels (which didn't necessarily need to be graded).  It sure does take a lot of fabric.  I used about 5 metres and I didn't make it as full as it could go--plus there's 37 metres of rick rack--I went with a conservative 30 metres for the rick rack....

I love these colours together: bright purple and bright orange.  Wow...not my usual colour combination but I really like it!!

I am really proud of my matching chevron in the back.  I first attached the contrast stripe to each side of the bodice (front and back) and then joined the seams down the centre front and back and at each shoulder seam.  Phew...that was a bit intense--making sure it all lined up.  Thank goodness I had a stretchy cotton blend fabric! 

The skirt is gathered goodness :)  I didn't make it quite as full as the pattern suggested as I planned to wear it without the petticoat.  I also shortened it to knee length.  Do you notice how it matches my Ness tartan shoes perfectly?  Definitely intentional--this colour scheme is part of my summer sewing plan! 

I really love how the blouse is separate from the skirt.  I think this blouse would also look fabulous with jeans.  I love the big collar.  I did actually make a muslin of the blouse (shocking, I know!!!  It's because it's not a late 30's/early 40's McCall pattern which I never have to muslin because I know exactly how it will fit and what tweaks to make---1950's patterns always throw me a for a loop because the sizing and fit can be a bit erratic.)  Well, I should have made the muslin in a stretch cotton because the muslin was very fitted but I feel the actual blouse is a tad bit too loose (maybe 1/2 inch or so).  It's always tricky fitting raglan sleeves because you don't want to take out too much ease or you can't move your arms!!  I might go back and take it in slightly at the right side seam and maybe taper a bit more at the waist.

If you want to learn a bit of the history behind these dresses, check out the fabulous series of posts by Lil' Vintage Homemaker.  Part 1 highlights the dresses, Part 2 a bit more about the designers, and Part 3 is about a homemaker that made one of these dresses and then turned it into a career.

I'm taking a poll on whether I should add the traditional rick-rack to the dress.  Here is how the two colours look on the contrast colour:

Here is how it looks on the main colour:

What do you think?  Yea or nay to the rick rack?  Would you ever wear a patio dress?

If the answer is yes, check back tomorrow for the pattern giveaway :)