Simplicity 4647: A Dual-Purpose Project

posted by Marie on Sunday, June 14, 2015 58 comments

Hello my friends! I've got a dual-purpose project to share with you today, which also happens to be rather pretty. Not only is Simplicity 4647 my third #vintagepledge of the year, it's also my entry for the Hillarys Craft Competition. Entrants had a choice of four blind/curtain fabrics, of which they were supplied with a metre squared piece. I went for Daisy Pistachio because it reminded me of the silk brocade fabrics popular in the 1950s, hence my pattern pairing. Daisy Pistachio didn't disappoint, the print and colours ooze sophistication!



A metre squared isn't a lot of fabric, but I was determined to make an item of clothing for myself, despite the £1,000 at stake. After all, dressmaking is my favourite kind of sewing! Simplicity 4647 was just the ticket as it only has three pattern pieces excluding the facings. To make this work I had to use cotton from my stash for the facings, ignore the grainlines and forget about pattern matching...but I still think my little blouse turned out great. The most challenging thing about this make was working with the fabric itself. Despite it's luxurious weight and forgiving stretch factor, it frayed like nobody's business and required overlocking within an inch of its life! 



My vintage pattern has some great design details like the right-angled cap sleeves, front bodice angled darts and V-necks. I think it lends itself to a wide range of fabrics and I'm keen to make up some casual cotton lawn versions to get me through summer.



I made a a number of small alterations to the pattern for a better fit, including shortening the bodice by 1.5cm, adding 3.5cm to the hem, increasing the front/back side seam allowances by 0.5cm and pinching out 2cm from the back neckline. I still need to make a few tweaks for next time, but I don't think I'm far off 'perfection'.


The closing date for the Hillarys Craft Competition is Friday 19 June and I'd love to win, but the competition is really stiff! Are you entering?
Marie

Obsessed with stitching since 2009. Passionate about vintage styles yet mainly using contemporary patterns. Instigated the #VintagePledge to rectify this and help inspire others.

58 comments:

  1. Jenny14 June 2015 at 11:51

    I've just had a look at the other entries & I reckon you're in with an excellent chance!! I can't believe how beautifully this turned out in curtain fabric.... love it!

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:43

      Sadly I didn't get shortlisted, but I love what I've made so all's good :o)

      Delete
  2. Miss J14 June 2015 at 12:42

    Good luck with the competition. How come I'm never hearing about these things !!

    The neckline looks great and the colour is lovely on you.

    I love working with curtain fabric, I've got a pair of old curtains from the 80's I'm gonna make a titk dress out of.

    Look at the perfect topstiching around the cap sleeve!

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:44

      Thanks so much for the kind words! So far I've also used vintage curtains for a dress and a skirt...love it!

      Delete
  3. Veronica14 June 2015 at 13:23

    This is beautiful! I cannot believe it's a metre squared of fabric... that neckline looks perfect and you've taken such care all round. WOW Good luck!

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:44

      Thanks so much! It was a tight squeeze, believe me!

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  4. Caroline14 June 2015 at 13:28

    I agree with Jenny I think you have a sporting chance to win with this beautiful little top x

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:45

      I didn't get shortlisted sadly, but thank you!

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  5. Anonymous14 June 2015 at 14:00

    Gorgeous! I'm sure you'll win.

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:45

      I didn't, but I'm delighted with my blouse so I don't mind :o)

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  6. Sam 14 June 2015 at 14:04

    That is stunning! Good luck with your entry.

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  7. Charlotte14 June 2015 at 16:57

    So beautiful! I hadn't thought of trying dressmaking with my entry, as the 1m square of fabric didn't look like it would go far, but now I'm wishing I had - the daisy pistachio looks gorgeous as a top!

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:46

      Thanks Charlotte! It was tricky squeezing a blouse out of it, that's for sure! Love your entry so much!

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  8. Jo14 June 2015 at 18:46

    Oh yes Likey, likey. Jo x

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  9. amy14 June 2015 at 19:12

    Wow, so beautiful. That pattern does have some great details & suits your style perfectly. Good luck with the competition☺

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  10. Mother of Reinvention14 June 2015 at 20:21

    Good luck with your entry. I love the fabric and this is a lovely top. The shape is superb. xx

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  11. Anne14 June 2015 at 20:28

    This looks great. I'll have a look at the other entries if I can find them But am I eligible to vote?

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:48

      Thanks Anne! The competition is closed now, but I think everyone was eligible to vote :o)

      Delete
  12. karen ball14 June 2015 at 21:09

    That is so VERY pretty.

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  13. Unknown14 June 2015 at 21:58

    This is lovely. Good luck with the competition, the top looks great in this fabric.

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  14. Ruth - Nightingale and Dolittle14 June 2015 at 22:20

    It's gorgeous! Good luck for the competition - I'm sure you're in with a good chance!

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:48

      Sadly not, but it was great fun anyway!

      Delete
  15. SJ Kurtz15 June 2015 at 00:08

    Dang! That is fab! I must have made a million close fitted tops like that, and they are the devil to fit, never mind paring them with the perfect fabric. Genius!

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  16. Lesley15 June 2015 at 00:47

    You did an amazing job on your blouse! Is it a currently available pattern?

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:49

      Thanks Lesley! It's a vintage pattern I'm afraid, but if you search for it online (Etsy, Ebay etc), you might get lucky!

      Delete
  17. Tamsin15 June 2015 at 12:56

    What an amazing top! The fabric and shape of the top go beautifully!

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  18. Sian Thomas15 June 2015 at 13:27

    This is so gorgeous! I picked the same fabric for the competition and debated over making a top (although my plan was just to go with the bodice of a dress since I don't own any top patterns!), but went with shorts instead. I adore the shape of this and am very impressed by how tidy the neckline is - I'd mess that up for sure!
    Sian xx Rebel Angel

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:50

      Thanks Sian! Your shorts are adorable and also have that retro feel that I love so much :o)

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  19. allie J.15 June 2015 at 15:47

    You just ooze glamour in this top! Fabulous job!

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  20. Alli15 June 2015 at 18:15

    That is a beautiful top! Good luck in the competition! :)

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:50

      Thank! I didn't get shortlisted, but I love my blouse so I don't mind :o)

      Delete
  21. Jeanette15 June 2015 at 18:54

    So pretty. I really enjoyed taking part in this competition.

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:51

      Thanks Jeanette...you're skirt was an inspired entry!

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  22. V15 June 2015 at 20:08

    What a gorgeous top! It's hard to believe you managed to get that out of square meter of fabric! It looks particularly sassy with those black pants, too. :)

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  23. Ashley cramp16 June 2015 at 09:41

    I love your top! especially the sleeves.
    I made one too, and from same fabric and a vintage pattern, you are so right about the fraying!
    good luck to you too
    best daisy j x

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:51

      Oh wow Daisy, your vintage top is to die for! I love the green trim you used!

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  24. Chatty17 June 2015 at 05:00

    I really like this. It is very attractive. Good job!

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  25. Hannah.17 June 2015 at 14:02

    I really like the pattern of this fabric its gorgeous, the top you made is lovely.
    Good luck!

    Hannah
    x
    www.daintyandivory.blogspot.co.uk

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  26. Tasha17 June 2015 at 15:25

    What a gorgeous fabric, it really made a beautiful blouse!

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  27. Terzi Begum17 June 2015 at 22:54

    It's a gorgeous top! I love the fabric, it's nice on you :)

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  28. honigdesign21 June 2015 at 10:55

    Oh wow, that looks smashing.

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  29. Franca25 June 2015 at 11:07

    It's lovely!

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  30. Anonymous27 June 2015 at 18:17

    This is really, really pretty! What an unusual design!

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    1. Marie13 July 2015 at 12:53

      Thank you! That's exactly why I love vintage patterns :o)

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  31. Anonymous18 September 2015 at 22:58

    What an amazing pattern! I think I need to make this!
    Just MJ

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