I have been forever grateful that I taught myself to sew. In our changing economic times sewing has freed me from the bondage of believing I needed a vast amount of income in order to dress well. The art of sewing has lent to the art of living well on little income. I used a vintage pattern I found at a thrift store of a 1950’s square dance dress. It was 50 cents. Some time later I was at a sales close out of a square dance store and saw the red ruffled panties and peach/orange skirt for $2.50 each! The colors were odd and I never dreamed I would find fabric to complement them, but the price was right and I had hope that I would be able to create something wonderful with them. Not long after my 3 purchases I found the fabric and it was $1.00 a yard! I felt rich! It was a gaudy peachy/orange, red, greens and some black but it looked GREAT with the slip and the panties! I used yards and yards of my husbands fishing line to create the yards and yards of ruffles for the sleeves. I recycled a zipper and added the skirt ruffles using fishing line to give them body and life! In the end I ended up with a dance dress I could never afford to buy when I was employed. But most of all I ended up with the positive experience of how important it is to learn to sew and to be creatively self-sufficient. It is a feeling more secure and valuable than the unpredictable value of money!
I forgot to mention! The square dance dress pattern has different sleeves. Little puff ones that just did not express what I was feeling about all the peach, red and orange water melons and cantaloupe designs on the fabric and the exotic way the colors actually matched the slip and panties! I designed and added the Carmon Marinade sleeves and three rows of ruffles on the skirt. It is a thrill to dance in and my joy about the dress and experience designing it is contagious! I want everyone to sew!!!
I teach classes on sewing using antique treadle sewing machines! I use a vintage Brother from the 1950's when I am not on the treadle. I learned to French seam and other fine finishing techniques from many of my Threads magazines. I don't have a serger or many options on my machine so learning good hand techniques or tailoring techniques is a must! I have collected several antique sewing books that also give me good advise. All my dresses including this one are French seamed. Go to my farm Web site at http://www.GrapeLanePoultryFarm.org and click on the work shops - scroll down past the horse plow workshop I teach and you will find my treadle sewing workshops!! I have two beautiful all original perfect treadles in their original ornate cabinets!
I love your dress!!! Very Beautiful!!!
Thank you NubianGoddess! I felt it dancing inside of me before I made it! The dress loves to dance and it is electric to wear!! I would like to see some of your designs!