A Stitching Odyssey: #VintagePledge Guest Blogger: Gussets & Godets

I've got a ray of sunshine for you this morning as part of July's #VintagePledge Extravaganza! The delightful Christina of Gussets & Godets is channeling her inner 1950s siren with a glamorous summer dress straight out of the 1950s!

McCall's 4417 is a vintage pattern from 1957. A sleeveless dress with a pleated bodice and a plunging V back. There is a choice of a slim or full skirt and a matching belt.

I was first drawn to this pattern by the pretty pleated neckline and contrast band that runs through the back. I was a little torn between the two skirt styles but settled on the full skirt because my fabric was screaming for a skirt to twirl in!

The fabric was from Orya Textiles on Goldhawk Road in London and cost £8 per meter (I bought 3 meters). This pattern used 3 meters of fabric (though 3 1/2 meters would have given me more wiggle room for cutting) and an invisible zip to complete.

This pattern was a little tricky to construct, the pleated neckline in particular did require a bit of head-scratching, but it all came together with a little patience and a lot of fiddling. The instructions themselves were basic, sufficient but not in depth by any means, so you do have to rely on your own knowledge at times. Definitely not for a first project, but other than the neckline, the dress sewed up nicely.

I absolutely love how this dress turned out! Such a classic 1950s shape that is beautifully elegant. The cut is incredibly clever in that there are no darts in the front bodice and yet the fabric lays flat under the bust and holds well against the body.

I did only very basic alterations to get the fit spot on. Only lifting the shoulders and taking in the waist a fraction. Oh and watch out for the back V which is cut on the bias and needs to be eased in significantly to hold against the body and not bag out!

If I made this dress again, I would definitely add pockets in to the side seams, but that is only because I love pockets in full skirts.

I truly love how this dress turned out and definitely recommend giving it a try. I want to make the wiggle version next time, maybe in a satin for a little sexy number.