Sewing a 1930s Fishtail Gown from Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion

My most difficult vintage sewing challenge ever is making this 1930s fishtail evening gown from Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion.

I made it in red silk taffeta to bring old Hollywood glamour into my life.

The pattern comes from Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion too, available from the School of Historical Dress in London, UK.

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Samantha x

[lisascenic]

💃🏽Your dress is superb and your studio assistants are adorable💃🏽
I only now realized how perfect it is that I’ve been watching your videos as I knit fingerless gloves.

[rowanhughes]

Crikey me, Samantha!!! This pattern is absolutely mind boggling! So complex, ALL those ruffle pieces to puzzle together 😯 The huge width of fabric for the skirt and even the bodice pattern pieces didn't look as if they made sense at the back. But when you laid it out to show us how it all connected, bingo! ❤👍👌❤ You truly do look like a star of the silver screen 🌟 Congratulations on a fantastic make 👏👏👏

[iansaunders]

As you know Samantha all the technical dress making detail is beyond me, but, I thought you and the dress were stunning. I sort of wish you had somewhere special to show it off because you and your dress deserve that. One of my highlights from your video came at 3 minutes 47 seconds when you received a wash. You have such charm, actually the three of you do.

[lenorerhodes]

Absolutely stunning Samantha. I do hope you have a chance to wear it. All heads will turn. Xx ❤️🌺

[stylosophia]

You have done a great work on this dress, and the result is Extreme beautiful🌹🌹🌹I love especially the back of the dress, it seems came out an old Hollywood movie 🌟🌟🌟

[petitemadeleine]

Oh my goodness so many ruffles, but oh so beautiful! ❤️

[TheEconWoman]

Absolutely beautiful. And you’ve done such a nice job with the construction of the dress. I just have one question – is it comfortable?

[patternpouchnest]

Haya. WOW, elegant, decadent, graceful & beautiful 🤩🤩 Such a wonderful dress & worth all the hard work. Your lovely fur baby🐶 licking your face is just like 1 of my cats recently (on my vlog) sand papering my cheek with her tongue, funny gal 😺Thanku 'sew' much for sharing 🪡🎅🧵🎄X

[alifelikevera]

Oh my goodness..😮 what a challenge all those ruffles. Ill pop Ernie my new pup round he has managed to find two items i thought id lost in my sewing room forever, he'll find those ruffles.🐕What a glorious rich red too. Fabulous gown you need a swish event to show it off🤔How about the dressmakers ball. xx

[uniquelymadison]

Wow! What a challenging yet beautiful piece! You did an amazing job even through all of the twists and turns the pattern threw your way. 😄😊

[kyradavis]

You want to try making a bustle next? This seems like good practice and template

[alexandrawellington]

A stunning Such a challenge to undertake

[sewsewsewist]

Absolutely stunning! What an ambitious project. One I would never pursue personally. I try to keep patterns to 6 pieces tops. Lol. Well done!

[ThistleandInkwell]

I have a Border Collie exactly the same…….paws etc

[centurycountess]

hello samantha, i just discovered your channel and i am about to purchase this exact volume of janet arnold's patterns of fashion and after seeing this video I got real excited especially for this dress design. I just recently discovered on youtube something called the unofficial Mae west museum part one and two. it's about a man who visits someone who use to work for Mae west and literally owns everything she had, from furniture to all of her clothes and costumes. one item in particular he said was an afternoon tea gown and the way it looked I think was a very similar pattern style. unfortunately the dress is displayed on a hanger but it was still beautiful to see. hers looked like ivory and gold it was quite lovely and a good watch for anyone whose a mae west fan or fan of 1930 to 70's clothing and other antiques etc :)

[mashaeizner]

This dress is incredible! And so complicated to make. Your girls are being very sweet ❤❤❤

[lenorebjork]

Such an amazing dress! And the fact that you dared making it😅 It turned out just lovely❤️🤗

[LostinTimeWithKatie]

So beautiful! The back of that dress is so stunning. 😍❤️Good for you for tackling this dress, you did an amazing job.

[jessicastorey]

What an ambitious project you have excellently crafted! Simply stunning!