Adventures in Pattern Cutting - Drafting a 1940’s Inspired Tea Dress

I’ve been really enjoying teaching myself how to draft my own patterns lately. There are so many designs I want to create and this is a sure fire way of making them happen. The only problem is deciding which one to go with as the choices are endless once you pattern cut for yourself.

At first it made my head spin, but once you understand the principles of it all, it all makes utter sense. I’m afraid I was a bit time poor this week, so couldn’t share the whole process behind how I made my 1940’s inspired Tea Dress. Rather this is just a taster with a look at how I altered my basic front bodice block to a V neck with a midriff.

As this dress had been taking a while to make, I opted for using the Sew Over It London Tea Dress skirt rather than draft my own. Also the sleeves from the Liberty Bella Tea Dress were exactly the ones I wanted to use so why bother creating my own when I already had the pattern and it fitted my bodice perfectly. There aren’t any rules to how you go about creating your frocks after all, the only rule, if there is one, is to enjoy the process and the wearing bit at the end.

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With love, Lisa x

[lindacarey]

Lovely dress! Just finished making costumes for a war time play. This dress is perfect.

[vintagemrsp]

Hi, thank you for a lovely video. Your dress is absolutely gorgeous and the colour really suits you. Enjoy your time with your family around it goes so fast.

[yekatherinburg]

You look so elegant. Style and coloures of the dress are absolutely yours 👍 Like your channel!

[seestellysew]

I love your fabric choice also, you did a great job on your pattern cutting.

[fri]

Realy nice dress🥰. And your not lazy it takes a lot of focus to make a good bodice and its a good thing if you see other parts all ready to go the way you want. Wy reinvend the weel. Good tip by the way for the gaping of a v-neckline. 😊

[jenniferclifford]

Thanks Lisa, your dress looks fabulous. Can I ask what reference you used to crate your original block (before you modified it)?