Sunday, August 18, 2013

Legend of a Girl Child Linda

It’s been a rather nice weekend – warm and sunny 23 degrees which is lovely for Winter and hopefully and indicator of the next few months to come
This new dress will be perfect for when the warmer weather arrives and I’m very excited to show it to you.



I had planned to make this dress exactly as the illustration on the envelope for McCalls 2197, but when I spotted this image from Carnaby Girl I decided to change it.



Mini dress in yellow satin from Carnaby Girl from Sweet Jane

I still used the bodice and sleeves from the original, but I changed the neck to a V-neck and I also dratted up a collar. I sometimes call these Chelsea collars – have you ever heard them called this?
I tried to do a little research on Chelsea collars and where they came from but I could only find that they popular in the 60’s and 70s and that was it! Oh well.



The fabric is used is a teal silk which I got for $10 at Fabric-a-brac The correct side was very shiny and would have been good for a formal gown or similar, but I decided to use the dull side so that it wasn't too dressy

Shiny on the inside
When I was sewing the collar I realised that it needed interfacing but I didn’t want to use normal iron-on interfacing as it would have ruined the softness of the silk. You can use sew-in interfacing but I was keen to try out a technique I’ve read about on Gertie’s blog and also in Couture Sewing Techniques. I used organza as the stabiliser and it worked really well! It moves with the silk and doesn’t appear too stiff. I just used polyester organza but you could get silk if you wanted

Pinning in the organza for basting


The bust darts are uneven! Not sure how I screwed that up

The dress is now very different to the illustration, but my favourite part is the bishop sleeves. They’re so billowy and I feel a little like Baryshnikov!



The sleeves are closed with just a simple elastic casing

The name of this dress comes from the Donovan song of the same name. Ana from Where the Roses Go and I are both reading Donovan’s Hurdy Gurdy Man and naturally I have been listening to a lot more of his music. Legend of a Girl Child Linda is about his love Linda Lawrence. They married in 1970 (which is the same year of this pattern). I’m not sure if Linda would have ever worn this style of dress, but it is in her honour I name it.

Linda Lawrence - Born Late


Coincidentally the song mentions blue silk, which matches the dress (almost)

A princess lay a-sleeping so gentle and kind
Whilst her prince took to battle with his confused mind
The clash of bright metal brought the children fear,
But their cloaks of blue satin dried up all of these tears



Thanks for popping in and enjoy your week ahead!
Cat xo

42 comments:

  1. The Chelsea collar is new to me, but I like it a lot! The dress is very pretty, it looks great on you.

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    1. Thanks! I dont know where i ever heard the name first. Funny how it just pops into your head!

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  2. Hail Atlantis and hello to you, dear Catherine! That Donovan song is brand new to me. Thank you for posting it. I adore your Linda dress. It's a lovely shade of blue and a very feminine look for spring. Yes, I noticed those bishop sleeves I learned about a few weeks ago. Your creative poses always show off your fashions to the max. I hope spring is on the way in your part of the world while I eagerly await fall and winter in mine! :)

    Good night to you, dear friend Cat, and have a fabulous week ahead!

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    1. Thank you Shady im glad you like the song as well. You have introduced me to many new songs on your blog so its only fair I do the same!

      Spring is very close I can feel it in the breeze. Enjoy your week!

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  3. The dress is gorgeous: I really love how the bust darts and slightly flared hem shape the silhouette. I wish I could wear a billowy dress like that, but it always looks to potato-sack on me. What can you do?

    As for the collar, the low-slung v neckline with pointed points (kinda redundant, right?) indeed make it a Chelsea collar, but it is also a tie-front collar. Yay for hybrids! Anyways, it looks good.

    Did you make any alterations to the pattern?

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    1. Thank you! yes the collar is funny to describe - what else would you call it! haha
      I altered the pattern quite heavily - it didn't include the V-neck at all or the bow. And i did bring in the sides to make it fit better as i wasnt going to have a gathered waist. Lots of changes - i think only the sleeves were untouched

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  4. Lovely dress! I just adore the bishop sleeves x

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    1. thanks! they're such fun sleeves to wave about!

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  5. Love it!! The blue silk is too gorgeous. And, I think you made a good decision with that collar. I love your posts because they add a little bit more than just sewing to the mix. I've been trying to do this with my posts, as well, and I have to say, it's really given me an education as well, learning about different styles and eras and even political movements, etc.

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    1. Thanks! I try not to be boring - "heres my dress blah blah taa-daa!" you have to make it kind of interesting right?
      I think its good to try to appeal to different interest groups (but still be relevant) and blog on a range of topics - good on you for broadening your scope!

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  6. When you're wearing it, you cannot even see the darts. It looks amazing! I really like the Chelsea collar. & your seam allowences are so tidy! :)

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    1. oh few! i was hoping it wasn't obvious - their really uneven!
      My seams used to be terrible but after studying the insides of some well made garments you get a better idea. and lots of practice!

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  7. Such a lovely dress! I also loved how you got inspired by Donovan to name it. I wish I could sew from pictures as you do, I watched this amazing film last night and just want to steal on of the characters' wardrobe, it's fantastic! I hope you had a nice weekend! xxx

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    1. thanks! Most of the time when i sew from a picture its a flop!

      I heard the line of Blue satin and realised how much enjoyed reading about their relationship so it was a fitting name really! xo

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  8. Great dress! I love the collar and the blue color looks fantastic on you. I just found your blog and am so excited since the 60's and sewing are my favorite things in the world...many thanks from Austin, Texas!!!

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    1. Oh thank you!! I love the 60s too (can you tell?) im so glad to find fellow lovers to such a fun decade!

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  9. Love LOVE the sleeves and collar and the little tie....such sweet inspiration, and you carry it off beautifully! I'm kicking myself now for not buying a teal coat the other day-you've made me remember how much I like teal! XXX

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    1. Thank you!! Teal is actually my works corporate colour so i have to watch out that im not waving the company flag when i wear it to work! haha

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  10. Gorgeous colour on you and I love the cut. The sleeves are especially fabulous. And Donovan..Yay!

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    1. thanks :) and oh yes Donovan! what a dream boat!

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  11. The dress turned out really well, it looks fantastic on you! Glad that the Carnaby Girl photo helped with a little bit of the design inspiration behind it ; )

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    1. Thanks! That photo really made me change my mind which im glad i did!

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  12. That dress is perfection on you and the colour is just gorgeous!
    Your 23 degrees is what us Brits call a hot summer! x

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    1. thanks Vix! the temps gone back down to 18! cant put the winter woolies away yet

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  13. Hello Catherine,
    I love your blog and your mod vintage style! I have nominated you for a Liebster award (means dearest in German)! You can find the details in my blog http://papermothballvintage.blogspot.com/
    Thank you,
    Laura

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    1. Thank you so much Laura! You've got a beautiful blog, I would have awarded you a Liebster in return if I could!

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  14. The dress looks amazing! Fantastic job! I love the colour your chosen and how you decided to use the other side of the fabric instead. xxx

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    1. Thank you Lucy! I was worried the shiny side would stop me from wearing it often, im glad I switched!

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  15. Hi, I just found your blog on Bloglovin and I am excited! I love the 60s so much and can't wait to thumb my way through your blog posts for more inspiration. Def adding you to my reading list. Love this dress and I love using silk organza for stabilising projects, oh and as my pressing cloth. It's an all round star! Hope to keep in touch, Clare www.sewdixielou.com

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    1. Hi there and Welcome! so glad to find another 60s lover!
      I have been looking around for a pressing cloth - maybe ill make my own? thanks for the tip!

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  16. i just found your blog, and i am in love! and you sewed that dress?! that looks amazing! you have some wonderful talent on your hands.

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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    1. oh! im glad you like it!
      And yes i did sew this, with my little machine - thank you so much for your lovely words! xxoo

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  17. You did a great job with this! I love the collar!

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  18. A really lovely dress ! I like the bishop sleeves and the chelsea collar :-)

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  19. Gorgeous and just like the original. Love that you used the dull side. I usually use organic cotton for making my dresses that I get on sale at www.organiccottonplus.com but I'll check out your sources too.

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    1. Thanks! I sometimes buy the organic cottons from Spoonflower but there's not much available at the shops here in Oz - thanks for that link too - This looks right up my alley! http://organiccottonplus.com/products/daisy-janie-muslin-raspberry-rhapsody-45-wide

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  20. I love everything about this dress! Gorgeous!

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    1. Oh thank so you much Tilly for the comment and popping by. I'm starstruck!

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