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1960's Summer Playsuit - Unmentionables Through The Decades

YouTube video associated with this blog

We had a major ice storm here recently. What a perfect time to sew a summer playsuit! I really, REALLY hate winter with a passion. It helped my seasonal depression a little bit to sew this and remember that summer will come again.

For the 1960's, I was really stumped! For the longest time, I could NOT find a project I was excited to sew. I didn't want to make just another panty and bra set. I thought about sewing a girdle, but decided against it. Didn't sound like fun and it would be lots of work for something I would wear once. Then I remembered Vogue 9255, a reprint of a pattern originally published in 1960. It includes little shortie shorts, a bikini top, and a loose coverup blouse. I just made the shorts and the top this time. Maybe I'll have time to make a coverup for next summer.

I have had this lovely fabric for quite a while. It's a denim fabric I think, with a lace pattern woven in it on one side. It's one of my favorites in my stash. I really wanted to wait to find the perfect project to showcase it properly. I did make a purse from it a few years ago, but for whatever reason I don't really like it. I was so pleased when I found that I had enough for a matching set.

The shorts are so short, they aren't shorts. They're more like a high waist swimwear bottom. They zip up the back with a metal zipper, so I would be a little hesitant to actually swim in them for a long length of time. But it should be fine if I wash them quickly after short dips in the pool. The waist and the leg openings are both faced with bands, which were sewn down by machine. It's fully lined, so the interior is neat and clean.

The little top is, well, little. I won't be wearing it without a cover. But it is super cute. It's also fully lined on the inside. Both pieces are lined with scraps of white linen from my stash. It closes with two buttons on the back. I bought them from Joann Fabrics, if memory serves. I think my buttonhole function on my machine and I are finally becoming friends. It gave me no trouble this time.

The pattern is clear and pretty easy to follow. I made it exactly according to the directions and didn't adjust the pattern size at all. I don't remember any particular issues or confusing directions. If you have experience with zippers, buttonholes, facings, and darts, you should be able to make this set.


This set reminds me of the beach movie fad of the 1960's (Gidget, etc.) and one of my favorite bands, The Beach Boys. I feel like some surfer dude should be swooning over me and writing songs. But mostly, I just need to wear this, lounging by a pool, with a cold Arnold Palmer in my hand.

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

Sarah

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