Ah, I do love a retro shirtwaist dress and this pattern fulfills that need. It’s a simple, yet charming design that’s quite easy to put together and you end up with a lovely vintage inspired dress.
Cotton sateen
This pattern is Simplicity 1459, which is a 1950’s vintage shirt dress pattern. It has three different sleeve lengths with a wide lapel collar and has options for a sheer overlay and a cummerbund or ribbon belt. The skirt is gathered and there’s a zip on the side.
[source: Pattern Review]
Silk/cotton twill sateen
Pattern name: Simplicity 1459
Sizing: 16-24
What size did you make? This dress is graded up to about a 26/28
What are your measurements and body shape? 48-41-52 and I have a pear-ish shape. I used this method when I graded up.
What adjustments did you make, and how long did they take? Other than enlarging the pattern, I didn’t make any adjustments. This dress is basically straight out of the envelope for me.
What did you like? My favorite aspects of this dress are the collar and the full skirt. The bodice on this dress goes down far enough on me that the skirt hits at the right spot so that you don’t get that “pregnant” look that can often happen with gathered skirts. This dress is a great piece to sew, it’s well drafted and the instructions are easy to follow.
What will you change next time? I will probably make this again and sew up a version with sleeves. Sylvie made a beautiful sleeved version of this dress and I think a 3/4 sleeve dress will be a great fall/winter staple. Adding sleeves also eliminates the armhole facings which I abhor. I dislike facings myself, but opt to leave them on this dress as it’s more appropriate for this retro style. This pattern can be made in so many fabrics and I’m thinking of a chambray or wool crepe for my next one.
What advice do you have for curvy sewists? Well, for me I don’t have many adjustments. I like a little more ease in my bodices than others might, so you could probably go down a size if you like it more fitted. If you want a self fabric belt and have never made one before, the pattern piece for the ribbon belt will work just fine for making a fabric one. Just double your fabric, cut out interfacing (or use belting), sew right sides together, turn, iron and topstitch. Then sew on your buckle, punch prong holes and sew eyelets. If anyone is unsure of this process, just ask me and I will make a tutorial. One of the most useful things I’ve ever learned is how to make a belt!
Curvy rating (1 – 5) ? 4 — only because this pattern does not have a broad size range.
For further info/photos:
Super cute! I found your review because I’m making myself this dress for a wedding in March. I love the two you made, they are adorable!
Over the weekend I worked on the bodice of this and I’m surprised at how easy it ended up being. I still have the armholes and side seams to finish but I figured out the facings and have now made my first collar and first ever bodice with facings instead of a full lining! So glad you posted this review and inspired me to make mine!
Argh! After reading your post I was inspired to bring out my copy of this pattern and got stuck into it but the instructions don’t explain what to do with the front bodice and the buttons. Any tips?
Hi Lisa! What problems did you have? I just did my buttonholes on the right side, matched up the bodice sides, sewed the buttons on and then basted the bottom to keep it together before sewing the bodice to the skirt. I didn’t follow the pattern instructions for button placement, just figured out where I wanted them to go and spaced them out with my ruler. I hope that helps? If you have any other questions, feel free to email me: tanya@tanyamaile.com
Ha…. uh oh! Giving me your email was a bad idea! Your inbox will probably be full of me asking stupid questions!
I guess I don’t really have any problems as such, I just panicked because it wasn’t mentioned in the pattern instructions and I’ve never made anything with buttons. And I was a bit dumb and cut the back in half as if to add a zip. Derp. Oh well… easy fix! Damn you for making such pretty dresses and motivating me to actually start mine!
Oh! I do have one question though! Do I sew the shoulders together before or after sewing the facing? It looks like I join them before but I feel like that makes things awkward.
Tanya, I would LOVE a belt tutorial! My belt collection is sad (I have all of 4), and I think that it would be fun to make some that match the dresses and shirts I make – and some just all on their own with leftover fabric lengths!
Gosh you really have inspired me to make some dresses! I so hope to get a few stitched over the Thanksgiving weekend. I love them all!
What lovely dresses! You look beautiful!
Thank you, Tanya!
i have always dreamed of having a shirt waist dress of the 50’s. I had no idea that the pattern companies were making patterns that could make my dreams come true! Thank you for reviewing it. I think both of your dresses look terrific on you! I am just now learning to sew and have done no garment sewing yet, but you all keep me motivated and so hopefully, one day, I’ll attempt this dress. I wish you guys could get some sewing retreats started, because if it was y’all as teachers, I would want to go!!
Beth
Thanks for the mention! I would personally love a tutorial for a belt! Seems simple enough but my brain cannot process. 🙂
Ooer! I have had this pattern in my stash for a couple months now but have been putting it off as collars terrify me. My last attempt to make a collar (peter pan style) didn’t end well at all. Its good to see you didn’t have to alter it much as our measurements are very similar. I plan to do the bodice in a navy broadcloth with a Michael miller nautical print for the skirt.
Lovely! The last one looks so crisp and clean and cute on you. I also live the first one as the fabric is lovely and it really suits you.
Thank you, Linda! The striped one is my favorite of the two. 🙂
Lovely! Exceptional work!
Thanks, Kelly!
I think it looks adorable on you! I also love the dawggie! You seem to be a super fast sewer too, as quickly as you post stuff! I’d love to see your studio space. Great job & I hope you stay covered in threads
Thank you, Caren! I actually am not a fast sewer, although patterns that I’ve made before are quicker for me to sew than others. I probably have more time to sew than others though as I sew most afternoons. Here’s a post from last year of my sewing room. it looks pretty much the same although a bit messier. 🙂 http://tanyamaile.com/2013/08/01/journey-into-my-sewing-room-part-1/
Love it! Wish I could have a sewing kitty but I’m allergic 🙁 so love on that cat for me? I’d love to see your vintage machine collection too if you’d ever care to show them off. I’m a collector. I didn’t try to, they just find me & I have to bring them home.
Tanya – I love this dress! I bought the pattern yonks ago, but you have pushed me into ‘putting it higher’ in the queue. Between you and the email I just got for ‘sparkly’ fabrics – this might make a fantastic holiday dress in a sparkly plaid.
I just adore your versions. They are lovely and you look great!
g
Thank you!!! I think this would be PERFECT for a holiday dress! I do really hope you make one as I can’t wait to see it!!!
Thanks Tanya,
Love both versions but especially the stripes, may have to have this pattern but will have to put sleeves in, getting cold here in the UK now!
Thanks, Ruby! It actually isn’t all that warm here either (50F/10C when I took those photos), which is why I made a cardi to go with this dress. I do think a sleeved version is in my future!
What a beautifull dress. It looks very nice!
Green from Holland
Green must be greetings
You look so darn cute!
Awe, thanks, Elna! 🙂
Lovely!
Don’t Simplicity make your size? If not, they should, and if your grading skills are this good, you wanna be drafting your own patterns girl!
Your fabric choices are great
Thanks for the post,
J
Thanks, J! Simplicity does go to my size in some patterns, but not all. I don’t think that any of the retro ones go that far into the plus range. I think I’ll leave the pattern drafting to the experts — you can pretty much find a pattern for anything you want to make. 🙂
These are both lovely.
Thank you, Anne! 🙂
I love it, great look! Especially the satin print one. I was hoping my daughter would buy this pattern for me. Excuse me while I go and throw down some heavy hints to the 24 Y O….
Thanks, Jandy! Sounds like a good Christmas gift! 🙂