Labels

The Fujiyama Mama dress

About 4, maybe 5 years ago now I found out I couldn't (or rather, shouldn't) eat apples. Apparently I can't digest certain types of sugars (including fructose or f**ktose as I like to call it) without my abdomen inflating like a non-purple Violet Beauregarde.  So apples being chock full of f**cktose are off my culinary list, which makes me sad. I did so love to bite into a nice crispy Fuji. Anyway, whinge over and in a totally seamless segueway I was delighted a couple of years ago to find the most gorgeous navy seersucker printed with coral and beige apples at Spotlight. I positively squealed when I found this fabric, and for 2 years it has sat, occasionally stroked, waiting for the perfect dress pattern to make a sweet, f**cktose-free, yet appley union.





First I was going to make a Lisette Traveler shirt dress. Then maybe an Alder. Then I decided that a fabric with such a vintagey vibe would be lovely as this simple pull over vintage dress - Style 3598 from 1982. I have to say I've had such a lot of success with vintage patterns - considering they were only available in single sizes, I've had very few fit issues..... 

The most accurate shade of blue


I hope it's obvious that I made View 3 ...

Anyway, it was very straightforward - a few shoulder gathers, a centre seam cunningly hid amongst the apples, a basic neckline facing and collar stand, and side seam pockets with that marvellously ingenious little french-seam-enabling pocket extension I wrote about with my last vintage project, my bird skirt. I do intend to take a few extra how-to pics because when I blathered on about it last time, in nerdy breathless tidy-seamed excitement a few of you couldn't make head nor tale of it. It shall be done..... 


So, to the innards! Apologies for the blurry shot, but you get the gist of how the facing works. I ended up lowering the neck opening by about an inch and shortening the skirt by a whopping 6 inches (because clearly compared to the average lady of 1982 I am a tramp). I was able to harvest some fabric from the skirt shortening to make the casing for the waistline elastic. The belt is obviously self made, with a vintage plastic buckle that was in my stash. 




I'm very pleased with it..... If one wanted to make a similar little frocklet from a modern pattern the Salme Buttonless Shirt Dress is almost identical in style, sans the shoulder gathers (which could be added by extending the back shoulder piece down into a yoke, then slashing and spreading the front.....). 

Tell me what your most successful vintage pattern has been? And your favourite apple variety, just so I can live vicariously through you.....
Labels:

Comments

  1. Jana20 March 2015 at 00:06

    That fabric is so pretty! I would never have expected to like the pattern from the drawings on the cover, even though I’m getting quite good at looking past odd styling—but I actually quite like it made up in a cute fabric! I’m allergic to gathers, so I would personally probably change them to pleats or eliminate them altogether, but I’ll have to admit that they look nice on this dress. So odd, didn’t think I would admit that to anyone, ha! (:
    My favourite apple variety is called Topaz and I just learnt on Wikipedia that it was developed in the Czech Republic for scab resistance. The things you learn on the Internet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:30

      Thanks Jana - it's ok, I won't tell anyone you think my gathers look nice! Ooh topaz - not heard of that variety, being European of course!

      Delete
  2. Debbie Iles20 March 2015 at 00:46

    Very cute dress. The fabric is just lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:31

      Thanks Debbie - Spotty sometimes comes through with the goods!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous20 March 2015 at 05:56

    Gorgeous! I love the self fabric belt. I have the same fabric, but in mint green rather than navy (unfortunately I used it when I bought it, when I didn't know much about sewing, so now my top is all falling apart!) My favourite apples are Braeburns, can't beat a classic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:34

      Thanks Kirsten - I didn't know Spotty was in NZ!

      Delete
  4. Katie20 March 2015 at 06:16

    Ahhh that's gorgeous, and I do love the details and fit of vintage patterns for a lovely frock. I have a very similar Japanese fabric to use, and you've inspired me to go vintage with it too... I've got an 80s Style pattern that I've just toiled and it could be a good match. I love a crisp granny smith, straight from the fridge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:36

      Thanks Katie - I just live navy with red detailing! I look forward to seeing it - and I do miss a Granny Smith, especially baked.....

      Delete
  5. Helene20 March 2015 at 08:27

    Lovely dress, Sarah! And I'm a sucker for apple fabric too. Looking forward to your post on the frenched pocket seam thingy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:36

      Thanks Helene - it's such an awesome detail, and so easy to adapt to any side seam pocket. Pure genius! I promise to get it up soon :)

      Delete
  6. colesworth20 March 2015 at 10:50

    perfect match of fabric to pattern and that vintage buckle is perfect too ;o) I'm not a huge apple fan but I wish I could eat pineapple - the fresh stuff has an enzyme that disagrees with me (like I have a burning coal inside me!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:38

      Thanks - I was very well pleased to find that buckle amidst a bag of buttons. Ooh that pineapple intolerance sounds nasty.... How can something so delicious be so mean? Hardly seems fair!

      Delete
  7. Sara20 March 2015 at 18:58

    I love it! Pretty and easy-going makes the perfect summer dress. When I first saw it I thought it was the Salme pattern which I've had my eye on for a while. Hmm... I'm even more tempted to try it now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic20 March 2015 at 20:39

      Thanks Sara, I hope you do, would be so elegant on you.

      Delete
  8. Danielle Krivan20 March 2015 at 22:36

    You have such a great eye for vintage patterns; they always look so timeless and chic when you sew them up. That fabric is just perfect with this, I love it! And the best vintage pattern experience I've ever had was with a shirtdress I won in a giveaway...from you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic21 March 2015 at 22:48

      Thanks lovely! Oh yes your shirtdress was fabulous!

      Delete
  9. Katie21 March 2015 at 01:40

    What a cute summer dress, Sarah!! I looooooooove seersucker, and this apple version (sans f*cktose LOLOL) is beautiful! I was actually just eyeballing that Salme dress... maybe for after my massive spring list is done ;) And I've never made a vintage pattern before... someday maybe! One size only sort of scares me though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic21 March 2015 at 22:51

      Thanks Katie - I think the Salme dress would be well worth a crack - so easy, and a great palette cleanser after winter sewing! You know I've only ever gone by bust size with choosing vintage patterns, or waist size, and they've been surprisingly easy to fit! And so often such lovely different details.....

      Delete
  10. Crab and Bee21 March 2015 at 04:04

    I love this style on you! It's just perfect. I get scared away from vintage patterns sometimes because of how the sleeves look in the technical drawings - exactly like sausage casings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic21 March 2015 at 22:52

      Thanks Morgan! Sausage casings! You making me laugh? Obvs I need to find you a sleeveless pattern then!

      Delete
  11. SewJillian21 March 2015 at 20:26

    OMG Royal Gala FTW. I looooooove me a juicy, new season Royal Gala. Oh the crispness, the sweet tartness... I'll stop now. That was a bit cruel. Aren't bodies weird? Anyway, I love this dress. You have a good eye - I'd have never picked that dress out from the pattern envelope, but your make is lovely. Very cute fabric!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic21 March 2015 at 22:53

      Ooh Royal Gala - they were my first love until I found Fuji's and then there was no looking back!

      Delete
  12. Sasha21 March 2015 at 22:24

    Love the vintage not too vintage vibe of this dress The style suits you perfectly and the seersucker is so beautiful and I guess practical too … I can’t explain why it is so dificult to find it in my corner of the world except in the classic striped print arghhhh
    ps. have the same problem with fructose and love them fujis (actually the only apples I like) but I chose to go with the "eat an apple take a pill" philosophy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic21 March 2015 at 22:56

      Thankyou lovely! You certainly don't often find seersucker here that isn't too childish or twee..... Oh you need to tell me more about this magic Apple eating pill!

      Delete
    2. Sasha27 March 2015 at 19:18

      haha … just some normal no magic enzymes pills - they don’t work for everybody but they do for me … and oh boy am I happy :)

      Delete
    3. Fabric Tragic28 March 2015 at 23:23

      Thanks so much - I'll have to look into it.... Will be amazing if it works for me too!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous22 March 2015 at 11:45

    So cute. Excellent job seeing beyond the cover art. Where are those ladies marching off to, anyway, with that hair?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic22 March 2015 at 14:04

      I'm almost certain they're off to see Princess Diana, who visited Australia in the early 80's....

      Delete
  14. kate24 March 2015 at 10:06

    Coolest Shirt Dress that I've seen. The fabric is perfect for the style. I love me a good vintage pattern, and have a few I'm going to make and blog this year if I get time :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic24 March 2015 at 20:01

      that's a mighty nice thing to say! thanks so much :)

      Delete
  15. Carolyn26 March 2015 at 13:49

    So lovely! That print is adorable :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. New Model Lamé29 March 2015 at 09:11

    Loving the vintage appley goodness!

    looks fab on too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kirsty3 April 2015 at 10:48

    I have the same problem with apples and it is so annoying as I too loved an apple... anyway, love love this dress and I'd be tempted to make this up with the sleeves. Gorgeous make!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic3 April 2015 at 15:19

      It's so common isn't it! Glad you like it, it's a favourite!

      Delete
  18. Unknown5 April 2015 at 16:55

    You make 1982 look fabulous, what a great dress - and if you can't eat em, wear them! I wonder what fabric I could get for my lactose intolerance??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric Tragic5 April 2015 at 18:04

      Such a compliment! I think we need to find you a fabulous Friesian print and you can make a cow print mini skirt!

      Delete
  19. Anonymous18 November 2022 at 01:40

    Loads!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous17 July 2023 at 00:34

    Still tingling from cumming!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment