The Social Studies Dress- Butterick 8128

This is my most recent vintage sewing project- I probably started it a month ago. (I took this out of my drafts folder dated 7/29, so i started it beginning of july). I finished almost all of it, then went to Oregon, then came home and began the apartment search, found an apartment, moved, started my first year teaching, and 10 weeks into the school year finally have a chance to start sewing again. WOW!

I made view A, with the 3/4 sleeves and the scarf neck. B shows the back, which looks very similar. The pattern is undated, but I think it's late 40s or early 50s. The wikia estimates 54-56.

The is my fabric, again, a quilter's cotton. From far away it looks beige and bland, but up close, you can see the tiny pattern of world maps. Since I teach Social Studies, I though "How appropriate!" Now however, I think it is way too beige-tastic. It's not like my skin isn't pasty beige as well. I look like a chameleon on a beige wall. Bleh. Look how cute the buttons are!

Now, I have decided I love the instructions on Butterick patterns. It has boxes, each with one step, like the back of the skirt. And a diagram, with arrows to give you the actual instructions. It was so clear and easy, wonderful!

I only screwed up one time on this one! I decided to top stich the neckline instead of doing the facing because I am lazy. Of course I was punished for my laziness. It looked ridiculous, and of course I had set it on a super tiny stich. I was very close to cutting the whole thing out, but I took it with me to Oregon and my mom picked out the stiches on the drive to the beach. Thanks!

My two changes:

1. If you look at the girl in green, the back bodice is darted but loose. I stiched down all of the darts, so they make a fan over my back. It looks cool, and has the bonus of snugging up the bodice for a better fit.

2. Drastic shortening of the skirt. I didn't shorten the front piece for some reason, and it went to my ankles!!! hahahha. I probably cut off 5-6 inches and made a 2 inch hem.

This is after parent-teacher conferences, standing by my cart ( I move from room to room each period)

Overall, I like it a lot. It has pockets, nice details, I did a good job sewing it, the side zipper is flat! In the end, I was even sold on the kimono sleeves. It got quite a few compliments for only having worn it one time.

The Chairs!!!

I picked these up at an estate sale last weekend. They are AMAZING! I love them.

They have claw feet, which is cool.

This is the orange one; the styles match, but they're different colors. I love the scalloped top.

This is the green one, which is my boyfriend's favorite.

Here's both of them together. One chair was relocated, and the old orange chair (the dog's chair) was sent to the curb. Now T-Rex is not allowed on the chairs, since he is a Destructor.

Probably the most money I ever paid for something at a garage sale, but I knew I would be sad if I missed that chance. And I tell myself, if i went and bought two crappy chairs at a furniture store, they still would have cost more than these... :)

The woman said they were her mother's, part of a Duncan Phyfe living room set she got before her daughter was born. So maybe 1950s? The daughter looked 50-ish. At some point her mom had them reupholstered, so they upholstery is pristine. I love the colors, even. In love...with chairs...