Pattern Review – Vintage Simplicity 7454

March 16, 2012
I’m still here folks! Just been busy with new stock arrivals, enjoying some fine weather (finally!) and sewing up a new dress as well as starting on a quilt project (more on that later).
As much as I would like to get into some Autumn sewing,  I’m grasping on to and enjoying the lovely sunny, hot days Sydney has been having lately. It was the perfect timing to whip up a sundress from a classic 70’s Vintage Simplicity 7454 pattern I picked up at the Fabric Cave. 
I used this pattern to make up Flax in our Vintage Washed Linen, a beautiful heavy weight washed linen. These photos were taken after wearing the dress all day at work (and in and out of the car) in 27 degree heat, so the creasing isn’t too bad. Any changes to the original 70’s pattern? I shortened it of course and made the patch pockets a little smaller. The other alteration was to the pattern front and back dress pieces, these are cut on the straight, but here instead I cut them on the bias, to give the linen more fall and drape. However I really don’t think it needed it at all, so the next (few!) sundress I make up in this pattern will be made up on the straight as per pattern.
My new edge stitch foot (Bernina Foot No:10) was perfect to help me with a neater topstitching on the patch pockets, cross-over straps and facing edges. That foot is my new love!

Lastly I added self loops to the back facing instead of the back ties as suggested in the pattern. Am I happy with the end result?  I’m thrilled with my new dress and see many different versions to come!