Not only did you end up with a beautiful dress, perfect for summer, but your project management was great. Knowing when to stop, rather than push on, is the lesson for me. Your batch construction too is such a useful lesson. Many of your subscribers and viewers, I suspect, have issues with pain and exhaustion. Thank you for being such a wonderful example in finding ways to pursue what you love.🌷
These days I feel it's all I can do just to haul out the portable machine, now that I'm older. Thanks for describing your approach to pacing. When I was a teenager, my friends would say, "You're so lucky you know how to sew and can just whip something up in half an hour." I would just look at them as if they were delusional. I once sewed a jacket entirely by hand, and it took about as long as using a machine. I was in the middle of nowhere at the time. The seams were all backstitched and pressed for strength. Don't let the lack of of a machine stop you, good handstitching can look as professional as ready-made and be just as durable. That jacket looked so good, someone bought it off my back when I tired of it. Lovely pattern, by the way.
I’m disabled with rheumatoid arthritis and a previous spinal fracture (all my thoracic vertebrae collapsed upon each other when I had a fall!) Thankfully, I had no spinal injury, but I lost 3 inches in height and have series chronic pain. I’m also a maker (show me a hobby and I’ll try it! Lol) I can’t tell you how helpful it is for me as a (sort of) new sewist with chronic pain to see others successes and how to break things down into manageable tasks. I usually go the other way where I have one day where I have a lot of energy and then I put on a corset to support my back and then sew like crazy for several hours and then have to recover for several days later and probably didn’t even finish the project. Anyway I am commenting while watching and really looking forward to seeing how it turns out and everything. I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement by way of showing us that you can still be disabled and have chronic pain AND create things.
I love it! Most vogue ones were reprinted after buying back originals as opposed to the other companies which have entirely redrafted from images. Stephanie Canada has got some excellent videos comparing reprints to originals from varying companies.
I want to tell you how much I needed this video right now. I, too, can only work on my sewing projects for a max 2 hours (on a good day) due to my own structural pain. Lately I have been extremely discouraged that I haven't been able to do much at all as I am dealing right now with additional issues that revealed themselves after a recent fall. Your share of your process helped to remined me that I will have better days and when my days are not good... well I just have to get through them. Self-care is extremely important. Thanks! (Oh, and I want that pattern - the dress is beautiful)
The problem with vintage patterns is that it should be done with accurate fabrics and be worn with the right undergarment (for the freaks of historical accuracy among us) to get the right silhouette. This pattern from Vogue requires also shoulder pads, a semi fitted bodice and a belt. Personally I would dress it up -after seeing your quest into vintage - by using a natural fibre like popeline (less crinkles), a lining and some interfacing in the sleeves besides shoulderpads. Thank you for your lovely video. I learn so much from it! ❤
I really appreciate this video showing how much you were able to do in a day. I have a very recent undiagnosed fatigue illness (not long covid, so I'm in medical limbo) and I've been slowly learning my limits, especially with sewing. I started sewing my own clothing during the pandemic, and just as I got in the swing of it I got so sick I can't leave the house without a wheelchair and I can't do anything for very long. Seeing someone else pace sewing is so helpful
So sorry to hear that you're unwell, I had to find my own diagnosis through the web, took my findings to the doc and it was confirmed that I have m.e. Take things easy and take care x
Thank you for showing your process, it really helps this inexperienced sewer get a better perspective on how long these things take people with challenges like me. I'd never thought of a mini iron before - genius! That will be so much better for my hands and their wonky joints! I'm used to batching tasks, and matching my tasks to the day's physical capabilities, but I'm only just getting used to the idea of matching tasks to the kind of brain day I'm having. Seeing someone explicitly discuss all the steps they take and why really helps me think about my own work processes in a different light. (And your dress is gorgeous! So floaty and perfect for summer, you look so happy in it!)
The fabric is so lovely and went with the pattern. When you started by saying it was Vogue I was curious how you found their instructions. I remember them not being too detailed. A long mirror in your hall would help you see what you were doing when hemming. Beautiful reveal in a beautiful garden ( your hair looked good too) 👍
Thank you! Yes I need a better way to use the hemmer because this hem is a little wonky still. I found the instructions good on this pattern but it is a very simple dress in that it's darts, seams, facings, fastening, hem. The kind of dress I make often and I do have 10years experience now which helps. I'm curious to try a more complicated pattern and see what I think then 💚
I appreciate your showing your pace of sewing. I, too, can only work in short segments, and it helps to see and learn from another in the same situation.
My mom was born in 1943 and has passed on from cancer 10 or so years after my father did from the same thing and I would love to make that dress to remember her
Your tips sound so great. I love the idea of doing all the pinning first before sitting down to sew. I often hesitate to start because I look at sewing a garment as one BIG project, so I often feel overwhelmed or too busy to get it all going - feels daunting, plus I don't have a dedicated sewing space. So it ends up getting pulled out, put away or laying all over the dining room... Love the practical advice/permission to break it up into smaller projects - Thank you!
Thanks! It can be hard to get motivated to sew when you have to always set everything up and take it down again so batching like this is a great way to squeeze in a bit of sewing when you've only got 30 mins or so 💚
I really appreciate that you never try to give the impression that you did all this work in one sitting. Explaining the inconveniences of the overlocker, including the sound it makes while running, was very helpful. I can't even thread my sewing machine correctly anymore so I have never thought sergers would be a good fit for me. I hadn't even considered how heavy they are or whether I could stand the noise - and some noises really affect me, so that isn't a minor consideration.
Ooh that's gorgeous, I love the decisions you made. Also I really appreciated you showing your process, I've been having a hard time working on my knitting and honestly it's really helpful to see how you do. I suffer from very similar things you do and it's crazy how much this stuff just wears me down despite how much I love doing it. I really appreciate seeing how I'm not the only one.
It's hard when you're not well enough to do the things you love. I've sewn one thing since I had Covid, hence all these projects from last year. I wanted to make this one in this way to remind myself how to pace things 💚
@@RetroClaude COVID is a beast unfortunately. Ever since I had it my fibromyalgia got worse and I've had to go on all sorts of "fun" meds, I hope going over these old projects is helpful for you. I know I appreciate seeing them as your work is always fantastic and I look forward to any future projects at whatever pace you can complete them
I love your channel!! Just recently found you while exploring youtube while sitting at my sewing machine as I do every morning. I became disabled 5 years ago with Lupus and other autoimmune diseases. I'm wondering what your disability is? If that question is too invasive please disregard. I rarely leave home and enjoy knitting and sewing most days. It's nice to know that there are others out there who enjoy this art and who know when enough is enough and limit our time of "doing" to take necessary time for rest and selfcare. Thank you for sharing your skills, successes, and frustrations with all of us. I appreciate you!
Hello! I don't talk in detail about my disability here because I find it painful to discuss it sometimes. But I'm comfortable saying I have M.E./CFS and scoliosis which results in chronic pain. I don't mind sharing about how it affects my sewing because the point of this channel is to reach others who might be struggling! So I'm really glad you found me and we can muddle through this hobby together 💚
@@RetroClaude Thanks for sharing that. Chronic pain and fatigue are my daily struggles as well. I think that slow hobbies are necessary to maintain purpose and well-being. And fun! Your retro garments are wonderful! I was taught to sew by my seamstress grandmother in the mid-1900's. She sewed costumes for the film and theater industry in Los Angeles where I grew up. She loved to create pretty retro dresses for my child self. My closet looked like a time capsule! So I simply love watching you make garments reminiscent of my grandmother's makes. So much fun! ❤️
I feel your task management. I have MS so I have to do what I can when I can. Sleepy days are a bust for me. I can work through the pain but on days when my fatigue is overwhelming I've learned not to attempt to sew. I will ALWAYS have to rip out what I did. I have an overlooked but rarely use it. On slippy fabric I tend to do French seams because I love torture. The finished dress is lovely. I like 30's and 40' fashion. I will have to try this dress. Thanks for sharing.
Another wonderful project. Thank you for showing us the actual time it takes. It makes me feel so inadequate when I see people whip up a dress in one day. It usually takes me at least a week and sometimes more.
Thank you for sharing your process and for your frankness about how your physical limitations affect/effect your sewing. I experience fatigue, and am often frustrated with my inability to sew as quickly as my brain dictates. I would love to see a video of how you manage to keep your workspace so orderly. After I finish for the day, I often do not have the strength to tidy up. By the end of a project, my sewing room is in such a state of chaos I avoid going into my workspace. Any tips you might have on how to manage this, would be greatly appreciated!
I'm very pleased you think my workspace is orderly! I keep it so by tidying whatever is going to be in shot that day🙈 sharing it with the world motivates me to clean! Next time I'll make sure to include the tidying in the video. It's also a shared space in my house, kind of a utility room so that stops the mess from spreading too much 💚
I remember playing with my mother’s 40 dresses as a child. Wish I had kept some but too young to know the importance. My grandmother had a peddle Singer Sewing Machine. She made all my dresses or school cloths. I’m now 85 and still love cloths.
100% agree with you on zippers, especially on vintage patterns with side closures. When I made V9294 I learnt the hard way, if making a belted vintage pattern, a side zipper will create stiff bumps and lumps on the side bodice. When I made V8811 I went into it knowing I'd use buttons or snaps and was so happily surprised to see alternative instructions for just that! Your version turned out lovely and was so great to see in a flowy fabric!!
That's a very good lesson for me to take, I haven't worked with flowy fabrics and silhouettes much yet in modern(ish) sewing, so I don't have that experience - this should save me some trouble down the line!
I was just the other day having this conversation with a non-sewing friend. She'd bought a lovely summer dress, only for the zip to bulge in weird places. I always say my dislike of zips is not the sewing, it's the wearing and using! 💚
My high school graduation dress was from a Vintage Vogue rerelease over 20 years ago, because I feel in love with the pattern a full 2 years before I graduated!
What a great outcome! That fabric and pattern are just gorgeous!! And the trick with gathering the hem is brilliant! Also this is a great reminder that sewing doesn't have to be a one day make, fit it in with your life and how it works for you. Also I think with the bias on the front of the skirt it is less noticable if it stretches a bit, at the side it quickly becomes noticable!
I enjoy your channel so much. You're quite the best sewer and teacher on youtube. I find your advice so useful. I used to be a professional upholsterer and soft furnishings maker. Sadly I have arthritis in my hands. Batching tasks has made me feel far better as I can see the progress. Thanks for posting. X
I absolutely love the dress and will definately make one myself. I've only just discovered your channel as, like you I also suffer from a disability which causes extreme fatigue. I became disabled about 6 years ago and temporary gave up sewing, concentrating on kintting and crochet projects instead (which I can do sitting down) your channel has inspired me to take up sewing again so thank you for that :)
The technique of (for the double turn hem) stitching the first fold with basting, then using that to gather the excess from the second fold-- totally genius. I absolutely love all the detailed techniques and tips that are in all of your videos. Although I don't sew the same types of garments that you do, I find your videos so helpful for my own endeavours. I seriously learn something in every single video you make. I am also disabled/chronically ill, so everything you say on that front is also incredibly helpful. Thank you for always sharing your wisdom, and for your bravery in being open about your disability to strangers on the internet
Thank you! Learning to sew takes so much time and trial and error. Particularly if you're teaching yourself. I hope my videos can take at least some of the trials out 💚
I really enjoyed this sew-along, so clear and concise. You look lovely in the dress, twirling gracefully in your magnificent garden. Your reflections and review at the end were helpful too. Apart from your mellifluous speaking voice, your normalising of the challenges you face, and tips for overcoming, are among your greatest strengths. Greetings from Australia.
Glad it worked well for you! I've made a few of the Vintage Vogue repro patterns and I haven't been that happy with them. Not only do they have way too much ease side-to-side, they also tend to run long in the waist, which I know is not great for you. I've had better luck sewing from actual vintage patterns than from reprints. Apparently at some point pattern companies changed standard bust-waist-hip ratio, and the vintage versions are closer to my actual shape.
I must admit I'm glad I noticed the finished garment measurements 4.5" of ease! I like a flowy dress but that would be a tent! If I do make another I'll look out for that, thank you 💚
I do love watching your videos. I might even get my sewing machine out one day :) I love your tips on pacing, it is something that I need to get better at. I do enjoy the lovely vintage music that you include in your videos too.
This dress is really delightful, and the timing of the release of this video- when you said it's good in the heat the whole country looked interested 😂 hope you're holding up okay in the baking temperatures!
I've had a touch of extra fatigue but apart from that I'm doing okay thanks! In a way it's reassuring to know it's not just me who's suffering and because I have to go slow anyway suddenly everyone's going at my pace! 💚
This was such a lovely, lovely make. You managed to make a beautiful dress while coping with those everyday things that slow down your process, but definitely not your outcome. I have broken my back, twice and cutting out, unpicking and other little issues that once a long time ago were incidentals are now quite exhausting. So pleased for you that you take the time to rest. It’s a beautiful dress and worth your time and energy, paced as you do. Thank you for sharing!
What lovely summer dress, and viscose can be a real bar-steward to work with. Just a nice pair of blue tights and you will really be hitting the mark, (if you want blue tights try UK Tights-they are a UK online company) NOT an advertisement honestly. You do look wonderful and I'm glad to see you back sewing and Vloging.
I have learned to do the cutting on it's own day because I live in a small space, so I have to turn into a floor troll and cut on my kitchen floor. Chronic illness/fatigue makes that a work out on it's own. I used to push myself to get as much done as possible but that is just not sustainable. thank you for a breakdown of your sample timeline. It helps keep things in perspective.
The fabric, dress and fit are wonderful! Hopefully this dress has gotten some good use in the last few very hot weeks, as it looks like the perfectly light and airy piece. Thank you for sharing your sewing process as well, I always learn something from watching you!
Such a pretty, fresh-looking summer dress. I hope it's proving useful in your current run of hot weather. Some very helpful ideas about the importance of pacing and how to break a project into manageable chunks. Thank you.
I love your tiny iron. Makes so much more sense and easier to us vs thos big awkward ones. You're right it does look more 30s on you. I think its the attitude ;-D
Beautiful dress, it really suits you. Thank you for sharing your progress, breaking down the tasks and the much needed breaks in between. I especially loved you mentioning the detail of the vintage placket, which is such a great option for a closure in drapey fabric
Thank you so much for this Claude. Its extremely timely for me. Coming to terms with a new Fibromyalgia diagnosis and its impact on the day to day as well as my desire to indulge vintage sewing and crochet has been...well...difficult. I did see your video from CoCovid a couple of years ago, but at the time wasn't diagnosed. So seeing pacing etc in real case scenario is hugely comforting, encouraging, and inspiring. Thank you!
Yes, that's such a lovely dress! And you look amazing in it. It suits you so well. One of my most valuable recent sewing skills has been pacing myself and quitting when I'm tired. For me it's crucial, thanks for sharing.
This dress is lovely! The fabric is beautiful and SO perfect for the style. I haven't liked the simplicity reprint patterns much, but that's good to hear about the Vogue ones keeping more of the original pattern detailing and finishings in there :) I just found this pattern in my stash the other day and you've made me excited to make it for a summer dress!
I have made a dress from this pattern as well. About 10 years ago. I loved it. But, I didn’t do a good job encasing my seams and I used cotton so it frayed a bit. Im encasing them now so I can keep wearing it. Maybe I will make another version soon.
lovely dress! and so useful to have so much detail not only of your sewing, but also your pacing. I have EDS (I suspect you might have heard of it!) so pacing tips are really useful for me. thanks!
Hi, great advice on batching and paceing, I understand the idea of paceing but struggle with doing it, so difficult to stop when you want to just get it done.
It's so hard. I had a fear of leaving anything with pins in in case they magically became unpinned overnight. Turns out it's okay to just come back to it later. Like everything practice is king 💚
Your dress looks beautiful on you and you did a wonderful job! Congratulations ❤ Afriend warned me off from ever using a Vogue pattern. After watching this video, I am curious to see what vogue is like to sew with. Thank you!
I read once some of the Designer Vogue Patterns are reverse engineered from a sample provided by the designer, meaning they can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. I can recommend this one though!
So pretty! The process was enlightening. I have the bad habit of over doing it the first day of a project and then not comming back to it for weeks or even months. I clearly need to learn to pace myself like you do 🙃
I understand the disability issue, after breaking my neck and 4 surgeries later I have many restrictions....although I broke my neck some time ago and I managed to space out the surgeries over years, I have limited energy to clean my house like I used to before injury, which isn't going to happen, I paint, at first I painted in oils, after the accident I switched to watercolor....as time went by my window for painting got smaller and smaller, then last year I had my fourth surgery, I hadn't been able to even use my left hand very well before the surgery so I hadn't painted in 2 years, I'm left handed....but I still am unable to paint a year on from surgery, it is brutal living with constant pain, and not being able to do the thing that helps deal with one's situation....
That is a beautiful dress. Well done. Thank you for sharing your process. I am just about to take my first sewing dive into this period; I have some patterns from the 40's & 50's making their way to me through the ebay post. It took some hunting but I found a variety of pattern styles that should, in theory, fit plus size me. I will admit that I'm having a bit of a case of nerves at starting. Which is, usually, a good sign. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
@@RetroClaude Thank you Ms. Claude. It's surprising just how many of these patterns have never been used. 80 year old hoard... You know, by eyeball measurements you would likely fit in the smaller sizes from that period. The smaller sizes cost about the same as it would to buy a new pattern. At this point in the pool of availability of vintage patterns, it's the plus sizes that turn into a virtual knife fight. Normative average dress sizes seem to average around 15-25$ (not sure what that is in pounds). Just an observation...
My only issue with Vintage Vogue patterns is the lack of plus sizes available. When step 1 is "regrade, redraft, and mock up the pattern at least twice", it's hard to justify buying the pattern instead of drafting a pattern from the picture. It's the same amount of work (TheClosetHistorian has been a huge teacher for my learning drafting) and usually only one mockup and fitting. This dress looks lovely and I'm glad you like the finished dress. And I hear you on the longer skirts. I spend most of my days sitting as well, and longer skirts are definitely more comfortable when sitting.
That's my ignorance coming through. I didn't even realise there wasn't more sizes. I agree, not worth the effort to grade a pattern like this. I'm hoping to demonstrate some pattern drafting on my channel too soon. I just have to update my bodice block, which means a lot of fittings (and energy) 💚
The dress is lovely on you. I know and understand working with pain. having a rest day today. Hang anything cut on the bias before hemming. Sat here looking at 2 double circle skirts that have made from light and floopy fabric. The hems have dropped so much and so unevenly I will need to cut of nothing in some areas and 10cm plus in others.
Thank you for another inspiring video. I was thinking about why no interfacing was used for the facing. Some of my projects went a little sloppy when I have excluded it. So, how do you decide the question of interfacing or not. Thank you again💕
I think I just didn't read the instructions here 😅 maybe that's why my facings are so floppy. Mostly I decide to use interfacing if it won't affect the way the neckline/armholes hang. With this being so drapey, 2 random stiffer lines by the armholes might make it hang in a weird way. If the fabric was more structured it probably won't show 💚
Please do show more how exactly things are made in terms of time and things like that - I think _most_ people can't whip things up just like that, especially not beginner sewists, and the RUclips/Instagram culture of perfect editing and churning out makes can be so depressing to creative people regardless of physical ability. So seeing someone make a beautiful dress like that slooowly is the perfect antidote. :-) (ETA: Also, that's not necessarily directed just at you, just so you don't think it's something you have to live up to, I wish more people in general were more upfront about what goes into a make.)
Oh I agree, TikTok/reels are the worst for it. Here's the 80+ hours I spent on this beautiful gown condensed into 10seconds. No thanks. I'll do a bit more of this in the future I think because I enjoyed it! 💚
Not only did you end up with a beautiful dress, perfect for summer, but your project management was great. Knowing when to stop, rather than push on, is the lesson for me. Your batch construction too is such a useful lesson. Many of your subscribers and viewers, I suspect, have issues with pain and exhaustion. Thank you for being such a wonderful example in finding ways to pursue what you love.🌷
Thank you for your kind words and support 💚
These days I feel it's all I can do just to haul out the portable machine, now that I'm older. Thanks for describing your approach to pacing. When I was a teenager, my friends would say, "You're so lucky you know how to sew and can just whip something up in half an hour." I would just look at them as if they were delusional.
I once sewed a jacket entirely by hand, and it took about as long as using a machine. I was in the middle of nowhere at the time. The seams were all backstitched and pressed for strength. Don't let the lack of of a machine stop you, good handstitching can look as professional as ready-made and be just as durable. That jacket looked so good, someone bought it off my back when I tired of it.
Lovely pattern, by the way.
I’m disabled with rheumatoid arthritis and a previous spinal fracture (all my thoracic vertebrae collapsed upon each other when I had a fall!)
Thankfully, I had no spinal injury, but I lost 3 inches in height and have series chronic pain.
I’m also a maker (show me a hobby and I’ll try it! Lol) I can’t tell you how helpful it is for me as a (sort of) new sewist with chronic pain to see others successes and how to break things down into manageable tasks.
I usually go the other way where I have one day where I have a lot of energy and then I put on a corset to support my back and then sew like crazy for several hours and then have to recover for several days later and probably didn’t even finish the project.
Anyway I am commenting while watching and really looking forward to seeing how it turns out and everything.
I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement by way of showing us that you can still be disabled and have chronic pain AND create things.
I love it! Most vogue ones were reprinted after buying back originals as opposed to the other companies which have entirely redrafted from images. Stephanie Canada has got some excellent videos comparing reprints to originals from varying companies.
I want to tell you how much I needed this video right now. I, too, can only work on my sewing projects for a max 2 hours (on a good day) due to my own structural pain. Lately I have been extremely discouraged that I haven't been able to do much at all as I am dealing right now with additional issues that revealed themselves after a recent fall. Your share of your process helped to remined me that I will have better days and when my days are not good... well I just have to get through them. Self-care is extremely important. Thanks! (Oh, and I want that pattern - the dress is beautiful)
The problem with vintage patterns is that it should be done with accurate fabrics and be worn with the right undergarment (for the freaks of historical accuracy among us) to get the right silhouette. This pattern from Vogue requires also shoulder pads, a semi fitted bodice and a belt. Personally I would dress it up -after seeing your quest into vintage - by using a natural fibre like popeline (less crinkles), a lining and some interfacing in the sleeves besides shoulderpads. Thank you for your lovely video. I learn so much from it! ❤
I really appreciate this video showing how much you were able to do in a day. I have a very recent undiagnosed fatigue illness (not long covid, so I'm in medical limbo) and I've been slowly learning my limits, especially with sewing. I started sewing my own clothing during the pandemic, and just as I got in the swing of it I got so sick I can't leave the house without a wheelchair and I can't do anything for very long. Seeing someone else pace sewing is so helpful
So sorry to hear that you're unwell, I had to find my own diagnosis through the web, took my findings to the doc and it was confirmed that I have m.e. Take things easy and take care x
Thank you for showing your process, it really helps this inexperienced sewer get a better perspective on how long these things take people with challenges like me. I'd never thought of a mini iron before - genius! That will be so much better for my hands and their wonky joints! I'm used to batching tasks, and matching my tasks to the day's physical capabilities, but I'm only just getting used to the idea of matching tasks to the kind of brain day I'm having. Seeing someone explicitly discuss all the steps they take and why really helps me think about my own work processes in a different light. (And your dress is gorgeous! So floaty and perfect for summer, you look so happy in it!)
I'm glad I can share more of my approach. I hope it helps 💚
The fabric is so lovely and went with the pattern. When you started by saying it was Vogue I was curious how you found their instructions. I remember them not being too detailed. A long mirror in your hall would help you see what you were doing when hemming. Beautiful reveal in a beautiful garden ( your hair looked good too) 👍
Thank you! Yes I need a better way to use the hemmer because this hem is a little wonky still. I found the instructions good on this pattern but it is a very simple dress in that it's darts, seams, facings, fastening, hem. The kind of dress I make often and I do have 10years experience now which helps. I'm curious to try a more complicated pattern and see what I think then 💚
I appreciate your showing your pace of sewing. I, too, can only work in short segments, and it helps to see and learn from another in the same situation.
My mom was born in 1943 and has passed on from cancer 10 or so years after my father did from the same thing and I would love to make that dress to remember her
Your tips sound so great. I love the idea of doing all the pinning first before sitting down to sew. I often hesitate to start because I look at sewing a garment as one BIG project, so I often feel overwhelmed or too busy to get it all going - feels daunting, plus I don't have a dedicated sewing space. So it ends up getting pulled out, put away or laying all over the dining room... Love the practical advice/permission to break it up into smaller projects - Thank you!
Thanks! It can be hard to get motivated to sew when you have to always set everything up and take it down again so batching like this is a great way to squeeze in a bit of sewing when you've only got 30 mins or so 💚
I really appreciate that you never try to give the impression that you did all this work in one sitting. Explaining the inconveniences of the overlocker, including the sound it makes while running, was very helpful. I can't even thread my sewing machine correctly anymore so I have never thought sergers would be a good fit for me. I hadn't even considered how heavy they are or whether I could stand the noise - and some noises really affect me, so that isn't a minor consideration.
I have 2 skirts to hem and I'm going to use the gathering thread trick. Genius!
Ooh that's gorgeous, I love the decisions you made. Also I really appreciated you showing your process, I've been having a hard time working on my knitting and honestly it's really helpful to see how you do. I suffer from very similar things you do and it's crazy how much this stuff just wears me down despite how much I love doing it. I really appreciate seeing how I'm not the only one.
It's hard when you're not well enough to do the things you love. I've sewn one thing since I had Covid, hence all these projects from last year. I wanted to make this one in this way to remind myself how to pace things 💚
@@RetroClaude COVID is a beast unfortunately. Ever since I had it my fibromyalgia got worse and I've had to go on all sorts of "fun" meds, I hope going over these old projects is helpful for you. I know I appreciate seeing them as your work is always fantastic and I look forward to any future projects at whatever pace you can complete them
Beautiful dress with a beautiful fabric : congratulations ! 🌼
Thank you for showing us how you manage projects around pain. This is really helping me to learn to manage my own expectations.
I love your channel!! Just recently found you while exploring youtube while sitting at my sewing machine as I do every morning. I became disabled 5 years ago with Lupus and other autoimmune diseases. I'm wondering what your disability is? If that question is too invasive please disregard. I rarely leave home and enjoy knitting and sewing most days. It's nice to know that there are others out there who enjoy this art and who know when enough is enough and limit our time of "doing" to take necessary time for rest and selfcare. Thank you for sharing your skills, successes, and frustrations with all of us. I appreciate you!
Hello! I don't talk in detail about my disability here because I find it painful to discuss it sometimes. But I'm comfortable saying I have M.E./CFS and scoliosis which results in chronic pain. I don't mind sharing about how it affects my sewing because the point of this channel is to reach others who might be struggling! So I'm really glad you found me and we can muddle through this hobby together 💚
@@RetroClaude Thanks for sharing that. Chronic pain and fatigue are my daily struggles as well. I think that slow hobbies are necessary to maintain purpose and well-being. And fun! Your retro garments are wonderful! I was taught to sew by my seamstress grandmother in the mid-1900's. She sewed costumes for the film and theater industry in Los Angeles where I grew up. She loved to create pretty retro dresses for my child self. My closet looked like a time capsule! So I simply love watching you make garments reminiscent of my grandmother's makes. So much fun! ❤️
I feel your task management. I have MS so I have to do what I can when I can. Sleepy days are a bust for me. I can work through the pain but on days when my fatigue is overwhelming I've learned not to attempt to sew. I will ALWAYS have to rip out what I did. I have an overlooked but rarely use it. On slippy fabric I tend to do French seams because I love torture. The finished dress is lovely. I like 30's and 40' fashion. I will have to try this dress. Thanks for sharing.
Another wonderful project. Thank you for showing us the actual time it takes. It makes me feel so inadequate when I see people whip up a dress in one day. It usually takes me at least a week and sometimes more.
I know, I see people make a 'quick' project and I get so down on myself. But it's okay to go at your own pace. Sewing isn't a race after all 💚
Thank you for sharing your process and for your frankness about how your physical limitations affect/effect your sewing. I experience fatigue, and am often frustrated with my inability to sew as quickly as my brain dictates. I would love to see a video of how you manage to keep your workspace so orderly. After I finish for the day, I often do not have the strength to tidy up. By the end of a project, my sewing room is in such a state of chaos I avoid going into my workspace. Any tips you might have on how to manage this, would be greatly appreciated!
I'm very pleased you think my workspace is orderly! I keep it so by tidying whatever is going to be in shot that day🙈 sharing it with the world motivates me to clean! Next time I'll make sure to include the tidying in the video. It's also a shared space in my house, kind of a utility room so that stops the mess from spreading too much 💚
The dress looks terrific and you look good in it. I love that the pattern included an alternative to the side zipper and that you used it!
I remember playing with my mother’s 40 dresses as a child. Wish I had kept some but too young to know the importance. My grandmother had a peddle Singer Sewing Machine. She made all my dresses or school cloths. I’m now 85 and still love cloths.
100% agree with you on zippers, especially on vintage patterns with side closures. When I made V9294 I learnt the hard way, if making a belted vintage pattern, a side zipper will create stiff bumps and lumps on the side bodice. When I made V8811 I went into it knowing I'd use buttons or snaps and was so happily surprised to see alternative instructions for just that! Your version turned out lovely and was so great to see in a flowy fabric!!
That's a very good lesson for me to take, I haven't worked with flowy fabrics and silhouettes much yet in modern(ish) sewing, so I don't have that experience - this should save me some trouble down the line!
I was just the other day having this conversation with a non-sewing friend. She'd bought a lovely summer dress, only for the zip to bulge in weird places. I always say my dislike of zips is not the sewing, it's the wearing and using! 💚
Happy to see you're well enough to make videos again :) We've missed you!
Love the fabric, love the dress - it fitted you well and love the miniature Iron and board. I really enjoyed watching this post..💕.
My high school graduation dress was from a Vintage Vogue rerelease over 20 years ago, because I feel in love with the pattern a full 2 years before I graduated!
---and your garden in the background is lovely too!
What a great outcome! That fabric and pattern are just gorgeous!! And the trick with gathering the hem is brilliant! Also this is a great reminder that sewing doesn't have to be a one day make, fit it in with your life and how it works for you. Also I think with the bias on the front of the skirt it is less noticable if it stretches a bit, at the side it quickly becomes noticable!
Thank you Claude. What a lovely pattern and so elegant. I haven’t sewn a garment for years as I mostly do patchwork nowadays. Cheers from Melbourne
I enjoy your channel so much. You're quite the best sewer and teacher on youtube. I find your advice so useful. I used to be a professional upholsterer and soft furnishings maker. Sadly I have arthritis in my hands. Batching tasks has made me feel far better as I can see the progress.
Thanks for posting. X
It's true, it suddenly comes together very quickly with batching. Thank you for your kind words 💚
I absolutely love the dress and will definately make one myself. I've only just discovered your channel as, like you I also suffer from a disability which causes extreme fatigue. I became disabled about 6 years ago and temporary gave up sewing, concentrating on kintting and crochet projects instead (which I can do sitting down) your channel has inspired me to take up sewing again so thank you for that :)
What a beautiful dress. Thank you for sharing. Love your work
well done!!! lovely English lady in lovely English garden at the end there, how pleasant!
Thank you so much for sharing your process. As a fellow disabled creative, I found it really validating and encouraging.
Fantastic dress, perfect for hot weather. Definitely going to make one for next year!
The technique of (for the double turn hem) stitching the first fold with basting, then using that to gather the excess from the second fold-- totally genius. I absolutely love all the detailed techniques and tips that are in all of your videos. Although I don't sew the same types of garments that you do, I find your videos so helpful for my own endeavours. I seriously learn something in every single video you make. I am also disabled/chronically ill, so everything you say on that front is also incredibly helpful. Thank you for always sharing your wisdom, and for your bravery in being open about your disability to strangers on the internet
Thank you! Learning to sew takes so much time and trial and error. Particularly if you're teaching yourself. I hope my videos can take at least some of the trials out 💚
That turned out great! Thank you for showing your process.
Hi from Texas. Pretty fabric. I usually like to take my time in sewing, knitting and reading. I at least attempt it that way. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this sew-along, so clear and concise. You look lovely in the dress, twirling gracefully in your magnificent garden. Your reflections and review at the end were helpful too. Apart from your mellifluous speaking voice, your normalising of the challenges you face, and tips for overcoming, are among your greatest strengths. Greetings from Australia.
Thank you! And the garden I can't take credit for but it does look particularly splendid right now so I can't help but twirl 💚
Love is Claude! And choosing to nix the zip makes perfect sense to me.
Thank-you for this lovely detailed tutorial!
Glad it worked well for you! I've made a few of the Vintage Vogue repro patterns and I haven't been that happy with them. Not only do they have way too much ease side-to-side, they also tend to run long in the waist, which I know is not great for you. I've had better luck sewing from actual vintage patterns than from reprints. Apparently at some point pattern companies changed standard bust-waist-hip ratio, and the vintage versions are closer to my actual shape.
I must admit I'm glad I noticed the finished garment measurements 4.5" of ease! I like a flowy dress but that would be a tent! If I do make another I'll look out for that, thank you 💚
The Memsahib and I, think this is a lovely project. Well done you! 😀
Beautiful dress! Looks lovely on you ☺️
It's beautiful, and you are right, more 1930's than 40's/50's.
I do love watching your videos. I might even get my sewing machine out one day :) I love your tips on pacing, it is something that I need to get better at. I do enjoy the lovely vintage music that you include in your videos too.
Thank you for sharing your process!
really cute dress, I'm going to investigate vintage vogue
This dress is really delightful, and the timing of the release of this video- when you said it's good in the heat the whole country looked interested 😂 hope you're holding up okay in the baking temperatures!
I've had a touch of extra fatigue but apart from that I'm doing okay thanks! In a way it's reassuring to know it's not just me who's suffering and because I have to go slow anyway suddenly everyone's going at my pace! 💚
This was such a lovely, lovely make. You managed to make a beautiful dress while coping with those everyday things that slow down your process, but definitely not your outcome. I have broken my back, twice and cutting out, unpicking and other little issues that once a long time ago were incidentals are now quite exhausting. So pleased for you that you take the time to rest. It’s a beautiful dress and worth your time and energy, paced as you do. Thank you for sharing!
That's so lovely, I need to learn to size up these patterns for my measurements
What lovely summer dress, and viscose can be a real bar-steward to work with. Just a nice pair of blue tights and you will really be hitting the mark, (if you want blue tights try UK Tights-they are a UK online company) NOT an advertisement honestly.
You do look wonderful and I'm glad to see you back sewing and Vloging.
I have learned to do the cutting on it's own day because I live in a small space, so I have to turn into a floor troll and cut on my kitchen floor. Chronic illness/fatigue makes that a work out on it's own. I used to push myself to get as much done as possible but that is just not sustainable. thank you for a breakdown of your sample timeline. It helps keep things in perspective.
Ah yes, the floor troll! My knees know it well 😂
Very pretty and I love the fabric!
Pretty!! Very nice and that fabric is so lovely. The floral print is perfect scale. Happy!
The fabric, dress and fit are wonderful! Hopefully this dress has gotten some good use in the last few very hot weeks, as it looks like the perfectly light and airy piece. Thank you for sharing your sewing process as well, I always learn something from watching you!
Such a pretty, fresh-looking summer dress. I hope it's proving useful in your current run of hot weather.
Some very helpful ideas about the importance of pacing and how to break a project into manageable chunks. Thank you.
It's been so useful! Like wearing a cool drink of water 😂
Gorgeous dress, it really suits you, x
It's a very pretty dress and I love how you put it together.
So beautiful!
Excellent video. I learned from your instruction. There is a nice piece of rayon in my stash that would be perfect.
I love your tiny iron. Makes so much more sense and easier to us vs thos big awkward ones. You're right it does look more 30s on you. I think its the attitude ;-D
Another lovely dress! And such a lovely garden!
Thanks for sharing Claude, you always manage to impart a great tip - thanks. Looks really lovely on too. 😊
Omg I know I'm a bit late but I would love to see you make V9105 it's my absolute favorite vintage vouge pattern!!
Lovely dress on you ! Perfect for lazy summer days .
Beautiful dress, it really suits you. Thank you for sharing your progress, breaking down the tasks and the much needed breaks in between. I especially loved you mentioning the detail of the vintage placket, which is such a great option for a closure in drapey fabric
Thank you so much for this Claude. Its extremely timely for me. Coming to terms with a new Fibromyalgia diagnosis and its impact on the day to day as well as my desire to indulge vintage sewing and crochet has been...well...difficult. I did see your video from CoCovid a couple of years ago, but at the time wasn't diagnosed. So seeing pacing etc in real case scenario is hugely comforting, encouraging, and inspiring. Thank you!
I hope it helps you to keep on sewing, slowly and gently. It's still sewing and you can still make beautiful things 💚
It looks super comfy! Thanks for sharing the true timing of your projects.
Yes, that's such a lovely dress! And you look amazing in it. It suits you so well.
One of my most valuable recent sewing skills has been pacing myself and quitting when I'm tired. For me it's crucial, thanks for sharing.
Well done! Pacing is a skill we must practice like anything else so good for you 💚
This dress is lovely! The fabric is beautiful and SO perfect for the style.
I haven't liked the simplicity reprint patterns much, but that's good to hear about the Vogue ones keeping more of the original pattern detailing and finishings in there :) I just found this pattern in my stash the other day and you've made me excited to make it for a summer dress!
Love the fabric.
That dress is fantastic! I’m going to look that pattern up!
Thank you very much for posting !!! Very informative and inspiring, as usuel.
Just lovely
It is a lovely dress!
I have made a dress from this pattern as well. About 10 years ago. I loved it. But, I didn’t do a good job encasing my seams and I used cotton so it frayed a bit. Im encasing them now so I can keep wearing it. Maybe I will make another version soon.
Very beautiful.
lovely dress! and so useful to have so much detail not only of your sewing, but also your pacing. I have EDS (I suspect you might have heard of it!) so pacing tips are really useful for me. thanks!
Hi, great advice on batching and paceing, I understand the idea of paceing but struggle with doing it, so difficult to stop when you want to just get it done.
It's so hard. I had a fear of leaving anything with pins in in case they magically became unpinned overnight. Turns out it's okay to just come back to it later. Like everything practice is king 💚
Your dress looks beautiful on you and you did a wonderful job! Congratulations ❤
Afriend warned me off from ever using a Vogue pattern.
After watching this video, I am curious to see what vogue is like to sew with. Thank you!
I read once some of the Designer Vogue Patterns are reverse engineered from a sample provided by the designer, meaning they can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. I can recommend this one though!
So pretty! The process was enlightening. I have the bad habit of over doing it the first day of a project and then not comming back to it for weeks or even months. I clearly need to learn to pace myself like you do 🙃
That sounds familiar! ~*Hides pile of projects that haven't made it off the cutting table*~
@@RetroClaude 😆😁
I understand the disability issue, after breaking my neck and 4 surgeries later I have many restrictions....although I broke my neck some time ago and I managed to space out the surgeries over years, I have limited energy to clean my house like I used to before injury, which isn't going to happen, I paint, at first I painted in oils, after the accident I switched to watercolor....as time went by my window for painting got smaller and smaller, then last year I had my fourth surgery, I hadn't been able to even use my left hand very well before the surgery so I hadn't painted in 2 years, I'm left handed....but I still am unable to paint a year on from surgery, it is brutal living with constant pain, and not being able to do the thing that helps deal with one's situation....
I love how you simply use a serger on edges instead of torturing yourself with historical methods. The fabric is beautiful.
That is a beautiful dress. Well done. Thank you for sharing your process.
I am just about to take my first sewing dive into this period; I have some patterns from the 40's & 50's making their way to me through the ebay post. It took some hunting but I found a variety of pattern styles that should, in theory, fit plus size me. I will admit that I'm having a bit of a case of nerves at starting. Which is, usually, a good sign.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
I believe in you Cathy! Good luck with your project 💚
@@RetroClaude Thank you Ms. Claude.
It's surprising just how many of these patterns have never been used. 80 year old hoard...
You know, by eyeball measurements you would likely fit in the smaller sizes from that period. The smaller sizes cost about the same as it would to buy a new pattern. At this point in the pool of availability of vintage patterns, it's the plus sizes that turn into a virtual knife fight. Normative average dress sizes seem to average around 15-25$ (not sure what that is in pounds). Just an observation...
Excellent!
My only issue with Vintage Vogue patterns is the lack of plus sizes available. When step 1 is "regrade, redraft, and mock up the pattern at least twice", it's hard to justify buying the pattern instead of drafting a pattern from the picture. It's the same amount of work (TheClosetHistorian has been a huge teacher for my learning drafting) and usually only one mockup and fitting.
This dress looks lovely and I'm glad you like the finished dress.
And I hear you on the longer skirts. I spend most of my days sitting as well, and longer skirts are definitely more comfortable when sitting.
That's my ignorance coming through. I didn't even realise there wasn't more sizes. I agree, not worth the effort to grade a pattern like this. I'm hoping to demonstrate some pattern drafting on my channel too soon. I just have to update my bodice block, which means a lot of fittings (and energy) 💚
Bonjour bravo pour ces réalisations et merci pour le partage 🌼
Merci beaucoup 💚
Very nice thank you
Lovely
The dress is lovely on you. I know and understand working with pain. having a rest day today.
Hang anything cut on the bias before hemming. Sat here looking at 2 double circle skirts that have made from light and floopy fabric. The hems have dropped so much and so unevenly I will need to cut of nothing in some areas and 10cm plus in others.
10cm! Fabric is so unbelievable at times 💚
I've hung bias cut dresses for two days, levelled and hemmed them and they've still dropped more! I now leave them a week before levelling!
I love that cute little iron! What brand is it and where can it be purchased? Sorry to hear about your chronic pain. I am 72 years old and can relate.
This looks so pretty on you!! You did a really amazing job. What kind of material was this sewn from?
Thank you for another inspiring video. I was thinking about why no interfacing was used for the facing. Some of my projects went a little sloppy when I have excluded it. So, how do you decide the question of interfacing or not. Thank you again💕
I think I just didn't read the instructions here 😅 maybe that's why my facings are so floppy. Mostly I decide to use interfacing if it won't affect the way the neckline/armholes hang. With this being so drapey, 2 random stiffer lines by the armholes might make it hang in a weird way. If the fabric was more structured it probably won't show 💚
@@RetroClaude Thank you, that makes sense 🤗 Your videos always makes my day, best regards 🌸🌸🌸
Please do show more how exactly things are made in terms of time and things like that - I think _most_ people can't whip things up just like that, especially not beginner sewists, and the RUclips/Instagram culture of perfect editing and churning out makes can be so depressing to creative people regardless of physical ability.
So seeing someone make a beautiful dress like that slooowly is the perfect antidote. :-)
(ETA: Also, that's not necessarily directed just at you, just so you don't think it's something you have to live up to, I wish more people in general were more upfront about what goes into a make.)
Oh I agree, TikTok/reels are the worst for it. Here's the 80+ hours I spent on this beautiful gown condensed into 10seconds. No thanks. I'll do a bit more of this in the future I think because I enjoyed it! 💚
I LOVE IT!
your iron is so cute
Do you know what type of dress did they wear in 1909my grandma was born then in Georgia
Nice!
Excelente!👏