Vintage 1950s Housecoat Simplicity 4005

I wouldn't have said a housecoat was a dream project but it has been a long time coming. I have started them before and had wobbles that end in scissors but this time I was determined to finish. Despite my confidence wobble part of the way through I have finished it... well almost I haven't hemmed it haha. In my defense I have been really busy with both Etsy shops and I wanted to make sure I gave a decent review of this one

I chose Simplicity 4005 from my own stash of patterns and also made sure I used fabric/trims from my stash. I made a pledge not to keep buying for myself and for the most part I have stuck to it 

I chose view 1 as I have always fancied big 50s style cuffs and never really had the bottle to make or wear anything like it before. I figure a housecoat would give me a good chance to get used to them. I also liked the idea of trying out quilted fabric for the first time

The only really obvious change I made was to the front. I did way with the buttons, I know I will never faff about with them and simply wrap/tie and go! 

Unfortunately I have indoor photos as the weather hasn't been great for a couple of weeks for outside photos. I have 2 boxes of fresh vintage waiting to be taken eek!

I was using up binding from my stash and had to skimp of trimming the pockets with it!

It is fully lined in regular black lining fabric

Overall I am really pleased with it. I won't be making it again because I do have drawer full of patterns to get through including another 1940s housecoat pattern. I will be listing this one for sale over in our Etsy shop soon 

It is easy to make and as there is no waistband seam it comes together really fast

Pattern - Simplicity 4005

Fabric - Textile Centre 

50s Ruffle Floral Baby Girls Romper

Here is the 1950s style baby girl's romper I made with a gorgeous ruffle bum. Extra frill around the front. Plus long ties to the back. It looks so gorgeous on the little miss 

If you would like to buy a custom made romper please contact me at Vincent & Valerie - I am UK based shop but I ship world wide 

If you are based in North Devon and would like to know more about the amazing photographer who took these photos please contact Suzie here

Free 1950s Baby Girls Daffodil Smocking Dress Sewing Pattern

Let me begin by apologising for how long it has taken me to upload this one but I have been fairly busy lately

It is another pattern taken from a magazine and this time it is a very sweet dress pattern with a smocking panel. If you missed the children's overalls please see here

If however you would rather have a paper pattern, I do have a couple of smocking patterns available either via my Etsy shop Fox Vintage or please message me 

And here is the pattern

Free 1950s Children's Dungaree Sewing Pattern

I recently acquired a box of patterns to sort through and I found a couple of magazine clippings. They were a bit tatty but I have cleaned them a bit with editing and decided to share them free here. First up is the unisex overalls/dungarees pattern

Although you will need to draft the pieces from the diagram, it is a very versatile sewing pattern. You could omit the button on bib and have it as a one piece. There is the option of a short version for summer and you can add elastic to create bubble legs

The diagram is for inch graph paper. It is designed for a child age 2 to 3 years 

I do hope you have found this useful and later this week I will also have a gorgeous dress with a yoke free pattern

In case you were wondering what was on the back :)

Smocking

So this week I got my little fox playsuit cut out from the 1950s Butterick pattern and have been patiently waiting for other supplies to arrive to finish a couple more UFOs. Currently my house has been tipped upside down in order for an electrical re-wire to be completed, so there for not much sewing has been going on boooo!

I did finish the last of my Xmas orders which was lovely because now I can concentrate on my little one's outfits and get started on my ideas for smocking

I was lucky enough to find a few patterns in my stash, which meant I didn't need to buy any news ones and I have some thread to get me started as well

Actually from my shop but I love the 3 borders of smocking!

This the pattern I intend to get started with -

I plan to make the Peter Pan collar view though rather than the nautical collar

I was also lucky enough to pick these magazines up and they are full of inspiration 

and finally I found this one which is great because I really would like to make something for the boys as they are often over looked in favour of pretty girly things :)

I do plan to sneak a bit of my own sewing in around the work men if I can and will start my little fox romper/playsuit!