McCalls 1958 cocktail dress

Giving Joan a run for her money? Yes, I do think so.

 

I op-shopped this pattern a little while ago. I assumed I'd be taking the seams in quite a bit, given it's a size 16. However, it seems pattern measurements were accurate in 1958. The measurements for a 16 on this pattern are 36-28-38 which are smaller than my measurements. I used tiiiny seams but ended up having to take it in around the bust. (With modern patterns, I use a 12. They always fit and I usually have to take the bust in a bit as well.)

 

I did not make the bolero because I find it ugly.

 The pattern pieces are very shapely. Here you can see the obvious indentations at the waist.

 

I'm a cheater sewist, which means I do things the easy way, as opposed to the correct way, where possible. For this dress, I left out the (rather unnecessary) feather boning in the bodice. I don't need it any tighter. I also took about 5 inches off the length of the hem.

 

And no, I'm not cold. That would be the darts in the bust. Clearly this dress was made for an eye-gougingly pointy bra.

 

 

 

You can see the double darts in the bodice more clearly here. Combined with the shape of the pieces, this makes it one very fitted dress. It's actually very comfortable though. The fabric I made it in has no stretch at all (and creases at the drop of a hat, curses!) and it's not restrictive in the least.

  

 

Everything else:

Shoes: Modcloth

Pearl necklaces (one worn as bracelet) - cheap retail

Vintage black velvet coat - gift from a family friend