Skip to main content

1980's Nightgown and Robe-Unmentionables Through The Decades Project 3



So, it has come to this. The 1980s. The decade of my birth (though I don't remember any of that decade). The decade of the WORST fashion in the whole 20th century. Especially for teen girls. Girls, what were you thinking? Perms and side ponytails? Oversize, boxy shirts and shapeless dresses in questionable color choices? But I digress.


I found McCall's 3474 at a thrift store, I assume. That's where most of my vintage patterns have come from, so far. The pattern is dated copyright 1987 on the envelope. It includes a camisole or long nightgown, shorts or pants, and a full length long sleeve robe. I do enjoy the glamour and sophistication of the pattern illustration on the cover. It's very classy.


I came up with this whole concept of “unmentionables thru the decades” years ago. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to include at least one matching long nightgown and robe set. It's just so stylish, classic, and sophisticated. 


So I started collecting some fabrics I thought might be suitable. This black polyester satin with a bold floral print was one such acquisition. It is very girly and elegant, but not too childish, sweet and saccharine. 


This fabric didn't iron as sharply and nicely as other fabrics I have used. I was very careful not to use the iron too hot. Maybe I didn't let it get hot enough? Who knows. I ran out of the print, so I used a black polyester satin from Joann Fabrics for the band of the robe and the belt. In the end, I like how the solid color breaks up the busy print.


I made a medium-length slip of some white (what I believe to be) charmeuse, just to test the fit. I didn't see that both front and back pattern pieces were to be cut on a fold. I had already cut out the front on the fold, but didn't have enough left over to cut the back on the fold also. So I had to add an extra seam allowance and sew up the back to make it one piece. Lesson to be learned here is READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! I added some lace on the top edge from my stash, and it is now a wonderful addition to my modern wardrobe.


The black insertion lace I bought on Etsy for a bit less than a dollar a yard. To do insertion, you sew the lace down on both edges on the right side of the fabric. You cut the main fabric down the middle behind the lace and iron it open. You then sew down once more along each side and trim the excess allowance. This leaves the lace free of the background fabric, and I find it a beautiful effect. I put 2 rows on the sleeve edges and 1 row on the top of the nightgown. It does take time and effort, but it's worth it.


Thanks for reading!

Yours in hard work, creativity, and a dash of pixie dust,
Sarah

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructing History RH017

This is review of RH017, 14th Century Kirtle or  Cotehardie. (Link to buy this patten at the end) I ordered it to make a new dress for the 2015 Medieval Fair of Norman. I had been playing a princess for many years, but decided on changing it up this year. I wanted to be a Bard, a poet/singer/general performer. Naturally, I could not wear the Princess gowns of years past.  It came in a timely fashion. I knew it had a booklet of historical notes, I didn't know it was going to come with a textbook! Seriously, this booklet is 15 pages long (including historical notes, bibliography, actual construction, and a section on period stiches) and is in an easy to digest format. The pattern is on regular paper, not the usual tissue paper, which I appreciated. I had trouble with setting the sleeves, but it was my own fault. I made it oversized purposefully to adjust down to my exact size, and didn't quite adjust the sleeves to match correctly the first time. My own fault. I will pos...
Post a Comment
Read more

1900's Set of Drawers-Unmentionables Through The Decades Project 4

Link to my associated YouTube video The first item I sewed for my 1900's project was a pair of drawers. To be precise, French Drawers. This is made from the Edwardian Undergarments pattern from Truly Victorian. I made the shaped hem version, and that worked well. Essentially, it is two wide, flared legs attached to a waistband. It swishes and flows quite nicely on the body, especially when made in a soft cotton. This year, I am trying to make due with what I have in my stash as much as possible. Since I have no experience in sewing for the Edwardian period and no event to wear such costumes, I didn't buy new fabric. White, very fine linen would have been more historically accurate, but I like colors! And I happened to have a soft green bed sheet set. Parts of it have seen better days, hence it being in the stash and not on the bed. But there was still plenty of good fabric left. There should be enough for the whole set of undergarments. As of this writing, I have fini...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pirate Belle, part 2

YouTube video associated with this blog The base pieces for this costume are not complicated. I used Simplicity 3677 for the blouse and the pants. The fabric I bought at Joann Fabrics and was exactly what I was hoping to find. It's a light and airy cotton gauze-type fabric. Also, I am in love with the delicate lace I found at Hobby Lobby that I used to trim the wrists. The blouse has elastic bands at the cuffs and a drawstring neckline. It is incredibly over sized, but the fabric gathers under corsets and pants nicely because it was so soft and light. The pants are a tan corduroy and also have elastic in the cuffs. (Did I mention Historical Accuracy TM was not a priority for this costume?) I still think it's beautiful. And now, for a few accessories. These make or break a costume, especially for a pirate. So many little things must be present for the costume to really say “Pirate”. This little hat was such a blast to create. I used a Yaya Han pattern, McCall's 7643. It ha...
Post a Comment
Read more