Spreading the Joy!

Roberta (yet another generous customer) at Treadle Yard Goods in St. Paul, MN sent original patterns to me to avail to everyone. These are just three of the lot I received yesterday:


(I KNOW of whom everyone thinks when seeing the model at right on this one!)


A little coat dress style from 1953.



I LOVE the wide midriff with the sash over it! Also, it is very interesting that only one skirt gore piece is given as the same shape makes it all the way around.

Fun with (faux) fur

Too funny, I opened the Winter edition of ASG's 'Notions' to see that faux fur is THE fashion sewing thing for 2011. Well, the (faux) fur has been flying in my studio over the last year as I have been on quite the (faux) fur binge. I suppose it is time to show and tell!

Just two quick examples from a black rayon fur from Germany are:

A faux take on a 1935 German pattern for a fur vest with antique black glass buttons (pattern coming very soon).





Birthday present to myself for 2010: My faux fur version of an 1862 corset laced with silk satin ribbon from The Ribbon Store.

EvaDress Pattern Sewing Contest 2011

There are four categories for which one may sew and each entrant is welcome to submit as many projects as desired across each category. Each will be judged according to quality of construction (as best we can tell online!) and creativity:

***Just inserting a little note here: do not forget to submit which category you wish your project to be considered when e-mailing me your photos and project description!***

~Best use of pattern in its original form=Women’s garments created straight from the pattern only.

~Men’s Fashions=Garments created straight from the pattern only.

~Accessories=Accessory pattern project for women or men straight from the pattern only. This category wins $50 in patterns.

~Best use of pattern as adapted for contemporary-wear=Garment created from an EvaDress pattern that you modified for a more updated look using original tenants of the pattern. One may not use pattern pieces from pattern companies other than EvaDress but, may incorporate pieces from an original vintage pattern.

The winners will be voted by all participating EvaDress customers as well as fellow entrants.

I will award $100 of EvaDress patterns to the winners of each category ($50 to the winner of the accessories category) plus free shipping (international included). The awards are redeemable for up to one year from issue.

If participants wish to purchase patterns they do not yet have they are welcome to but, this really is an effort to encourage digging into that (EvaDress) pattern stash and put together the piece you have been thinking about for some time.

Projects are to be started no sooner than January 15, 2011 and the contest will close for submissions at midnight EST on March 15, 2011. Voting will take place from March 16, 2011 until midnight EST on March 26, 2011.

To enter, e-mail photos with descriptions of each project to me and I will send a confirmation of receipt of your project within 24 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation from me, please follow-up by phone (posted in contact info from my site) or by alternate e-mail at: theevadress(AT)yahoo.com to ensure that your submission was received.

One is permitted to submit a project if a muslin was started before the contest begin date, but the final fabric project is to be executed in the contest timeframe established. Patterns may have been graded before the contest start date as well.

I will post submissions on Facebook.com for the voting process. My username is EvaDress. You are invited to request me as a friend so you may have access to vote. Each participant will be able to vote using the ‘like’ button under each submission. Only one ‘like’ selection from each voter will be accepted for one project in each category.

I will notify winners via e-mail.

Each submission should include at least a front or front shot at an angle to show a side view as well. Back shots are encouraged, depending on what your project requires. Each photo should be 72dpi and no smaller than 8-1/4” by 11”.

Feel free to e-mail me questions, post questions on my Facebook wall or post questions by commenting on this blog. I will answer your questions by e-mail and may publicize them on Facebook and this blog post.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what you want to share with everyone and best of luck!

'Stars' for 2011 (in a Gown)

I have been inspired for some time to create a gown from this Erté art (credit Sevenarts, Ltd.):


I am modifying it slightly with a silk ribbon halter strap.

It fits perfectly into my 'Luxe' theme for 2011, so it will be the new multi-size pattern ready for release in February.

The appeal is its overall simplicity, yet the texture of the bodice front which entails some engineering. As shown in a muslin iteration, the over-bodice front is shaped and stabilized with rayon covered millinery wire inserted and overcast into each dart:



I plan to make the final gown in coarse silk net I picked up last year. I have found a number of precidents for 1930's styles in coarse silk net:

A la Mainbocher's skirt, photo courtesy of Corbis.com:


and 1930 pattern art:

1935 Afternoon Frock and Coat pattern is ready

Earlier this year, my e-mail list customers had two patterns between which to vote for the next new multi-size pattern I draft from original German designs of 1935.

They chose this one and it is now ready for purchase:

EvaDress Pattern Gift Certificates

Many of my customers request EvaDress patterns as gifts.

I have made gift certificates available in a number of U.S. denominations.
Click here

Little bit of Luxe to come

I drafted pieces from the French master for this delightful circa 1913 dinner gown. I also started putting the pieces together so I can get it to the first muslin stage.
It fits so well into my 'luxe' theme for the patterns next year, I just couldn't keep it all to myself ;o)!



There are three layers to the 'waist' (not shown is the darted bodice lining):