Simplicity 7239 60s Designer Fashion

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

A few weeks before Christmas I finished my Simplicity 7239 from 1967. The model on the envelope is Veronica Hamel. I have several patterns that feature her that I intend to make.

I fell in love with this pattern when I saw someone make it on the facebook group WeSewRetro Sew & Tell, and when I saw the pattern in my size I snatched it up! I used green suede cloth, and "lined" it with a mod print cotton that I had purchased for another dress that I never made. The lining of this dress is actually treated like underling so there was a lot of hand basting to all of those panels. 

Basting

I like to baste/hand sew with vintage Belding Corticelli silk. This silk is smooth and easy to sew with. Even though you have to pull the thread out and throw it away at the end, it's totally worth the cost in my opinion. You can see my lining in the above photo.

I stalled out for awhile when I got to the sleeves. On the envelope the sleeves are described as "raglan-type". Ok, so they are a little high on the shoulder. These do not work/look like most raglan sleeves. They are darted, and are set in. They could easily turn into a puff sleeve look if you end up with too much ease at the top. I almost decided to make a basic long sleeve, but I am glad I didn't. The dart gives a slightly lifted shoulder, and feels very avant-garde, even though the pattern is 49 years old!

The only thing I changed about the dress is the length. #1 because I am 5'3, and I always have to shorten everything, #2 because I am 5'3 so all these dresses are designed to hit at the worst place possible on my legs so I shorten them to give the false illusion that I have long legs. That's also what the platforms are for. The good news about being short is that you get to use less fabric than what is required! 

This is me trying to be cute and replicate the envelope. ha.

Don't mind the wrinkles! I had just spent 6 hours at a big antique show when my husband decided he was ready to take pics of this dress.

I do love this dress although I think I have only worn it the one time so far. It's great for fall with the "lining", For winter it just needs some thick tights.Well, at least here in Georgia, where it's still hovering around 50°F here during the day. 

And now I will leave you with a decade appropriate song (and one of my faves):

Happy Sewing!!