Pages

Sunday 13 November 2011

1930’s Sweetheart Overalls


A real treat to make these. A sweetheart of a pattern from Decades Of Style pattern company – the instructions are bold and clear. They took me two days to complete without much fiddly finishing off. 





The bits that took the longest were the buttonholes! I’ve got a bog standard Janome sewing machine, it doesn’t have a chip and doesn’t do buttonholes automatically whilst I make a cup of coffee. It was the first time I’d used the buttonhole attachment – I really like it and its low-techiness. You place a button in its holder and it gauges the size of the buttonhole from the button’s diameter. 

This took a few goes as the machine had a bit of trouble clicking into reverse mode once it had sewn the second buttonhole bar – I think it was the fabric that was problematic and I just gave the gizmo a little manual nudge each time to get the buttonhole completed.




I added a tiny press stud on the end of the bib strap just to hold the back strap in place – I’m not exactly long-bodied and there was a little excess bib strap that wouldn’t lie neatly under the back strap.



I had wanted nice deco buttons, possibly square – and I’m still looking. For the time being I’ve used some vintage ones from my stash, and added two at the backwaist, for visual effect.



What else can I say in praise of these overalls – they are really comfy, I went out dancing in them last night – rigorous Lindy Hopping in very hot sweaty conditions. 


They stood up to a lot of twisting and leg kicking – I did remember to reinforce the crotch seam mind you.
The fabric was a cheap polyester, for ease of care really – I made the overalls as a dancing outfit specifically and they’d need a good wash after each outing. I’d make them again in a nice medium weight suiting for posh wear I think.

The cheesecake photo shoot serves to show off my newest Cruiser Bike that I got in the summer - she goes like a dream!

20 comments:

Lisa Margreet said...

Hi Jeanie, those dungarees are great and what a fantastic website! I'll have to keep off there until after payday though as there's too much temptation to spend lots of money!

One question though, are the wide legs on the dungarees ok to cycle in?

Lisa
x

Abi said...

Ha yes .. patterns aren't cheap, especially with shipping. My fabulous sister gave me this pattern - cheers Gilly!

I would suggest taping the trouser leg round the ankle with some heavy duty duct tape. Or - I use a hi-vis vinyl wrap around cycle clip that fastens with velcro, only on the leg near the chain guard that is.

:-)

Marie said...

Oh my goodness, these are just wonderful! I absolutely love them!

khristie B said...

They are amazing. I haven't gotten over the ghastly red denim overalls fresh prince style from the early nineties, but these may have turned me. Yes they have, they are adorbs and so very feminine.

Shannon said...

These are redonk cute!

Thimbleanna said...

You are tooooo stinkin' cute! You look fantastic in those adorable overalls -- especially when standing next to the cruiser!!!

Elisalex said...

Amazing overalls! And how incredible do they look from behind?! Great bike too. One question: are you Lindy Hopping in London? If so, where??? I'm desperate to go!

Abi said...

Elisalex - thank you! I agree - the wide leg and nipped in waist is a look I love and is very flattering.

As for Lindy - there are a couple of dancing links on my side bar to the left on the blog.
Try Tuesdays at Wild Court in Holborn through LSDS. Or Wednesdays at Marble Arch with Jitterbugs. Both good fun with lessons and social after.

Enjoy!

Foster said...

So Cute! I just bought my own Decades of Style pattern, 3007. I'd never seen them until this past weekend. I'm glad the directions were straightforward--I can't wait to get started.

Laura Mae said...

Too, too cute! I avoid pants like the plague, but you have me re-thinking my anti-trouser position.

And wearing a blouse underneath is brilliant - it makes the garment so much more wearable. Fabulous job!

Jamie said...

Love the sweetheart overall! They look so darn cute!

Jamie said...

They're so darn cute, I just love them!

so sew said...

I really like those. Thye're a good fit on you. Please could you let me know the width of the trouser leg at the hem? Thank you.

Abi said...

so sew - the trouser leg width at the hem is 12.5 inches.
Hope that helps :-)

Roobeedoo said...

Ooh - I really really like those!
I had forgotten about Decades of Style. I especially like the shape at the back where the darts and waist meet. Great shoes too!

Anonymous said...

Jeanie, these are fabulous and you wear them so well! I love the midriff section. Very flattering

stanleybecker said...

Jeanie - you look like a 30's amazon with a sturdy "Rosie the Riveter" bike - nice overall XX

Paula said...

what was the type of fabric you used for this? I have ordered the pattern a few days ago and then came across your blog, not sure what fabric I want to make the first pair in. Is it cotton you used?

Abi said...

Hi Paula,

the fabric is a cheap polyester - easy to sew and no creasing, I made these overalls primarily to dance in so they need to be washed and dried often with minimum fuss, shrinkage and ironing.

I have always wanted to make a 'posh' pair in gaberdine or luxurious cotton - let me know how you get on!

Abi :-)

Paula said...

My pattern arrived and I am off the a sewing show on Thursday - how exciting I might find the perfect fabric and embellishments

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...