Vogue 1857: Pierre Balmain Dress Pattern for Design & Sewing Inspiration

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ZIa7dc-_YACH7FLEgCHsV7vPP69f9a-03amGvmL0ma2h0t6x5tqQykcFWHjvDnqTLROl794dWRzujbfPAZ40g7cOm_Y56Z8oFSnDhH0mYeMwT94Qtx1zdlF80bdH2oie0LeKb11gOyn/s1600/IMG_0762.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ZIa7dc-_YACH7FLEgCHsV7vPP69f9a-03amGvmL0ma2h0t6x5tqQykcFWHjvDnqTLROl794dWRzujbfPAZ40g7cOm_Y56Z8oFSnDhH0mYeMwT94Qtx1zdlF80bdH2oie0LeKb11gOyn/s400/IMG_0762.1.jpg" /></a></div><br><br>This classic dress design from Pierre Balmain was created in the late 1970's in that wedge of time after the 1960's silhouette had finally expired, and before Armani's big shoulder influence was in full swing. Along with such artists as Halston and Yves Saint Laurent, Balmain used soft, drapey fabrics to create a fluid silhouette and a more sophisticated look than had been worn earlier in that decade. <br><br>This dress is inspired by men's shirting from the 1700's and earlier. Complete with shoulder yoke and flowing sleeves, even the neck tie is included in this look. The film "Barry Lyndon" had been released mid-decade, and there was a renewed interest in historical styles from the 18th century, especially from men's wear. <br><br>In current fashion trends, we still see neck drapery, most commonly as scarves, but with a strong 1970's revival, the look we see here is also available. <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaV_npb8zfHx7A7I50VACSyMTzZzGDIGDpnOYR8zM30R9jI5a82QoSWKZvpnzB9-s9rqBad4uSkY7APlPoOKoFF1dQgiFwFkJGvNQpC5r0cOEKTriDz1_qpa766VIbK_3zBakJzgGvOTQ/s1600/IMG_0763.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaV_npb8zfHx7A7I50VACSyMTzZzGDIGDpnOYR8zM30R9jI5a82QoSWKZvpnzB9-s9rqBad4uSkY7APlPoOKoFF1dQgiFwFkJGvNQpC5r0cOEKTriDz1_qpa766VIbK_3zBakJzgGvOTQ/s400/IMG_0763.1.jpg" /></a></div><br><br>In pattern design, this garment has a classic dress construction, with waistline seam, darts to fit and a back zipper. There is a mock 'blouse' look with slight gathering around the waistline and worn with a belt. The sleeves have gathers at the top, a look we see often in dresses from this era. Even with the gathered 'blouse' at the waistline, this is still a very narrow looking silhouette. The hem length is 4" below the knee or full length. The sleeves do not have pads or inner ruffles, rather they fall naturally. <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYWG2WUnOv20Gm6HVchCSbRkiV8NjLZ1ok8gPgpXPyqaucTTEnGbK8peiFifiRlgYt5pSuTciGA58ZP25Ld6EsYbDASyb6ep8CtLT98Fizd48ilGVSFxdpv9-zccLx8cyzscUwymQus6D/s1600/IMG_0761.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYWG2WUnOv20Gm6HVchCSbRkiV8NjLZ1ok8gPgpXPyqaucTTEnGbK8peiFifiRlgYt5pSuTciGA58ZP25Ld6EsYbDASyb6ep8CtLT98Fizd48ilGVSFxdpv9-zccLx8cyzscUwymQus6D/s400/IMG_0761.1.jpg" /></a></div><br><br>Cover art was giving way to photos at this time. Here we can see that Christie Brinkley has the cover, with her healthy "all American" look of the era. Both model and illustration have very spare accessories, keeping this look minimal and clean. <br><br>Fabrications for this type of dress were very light silks with a 'scarf' like hand. Often they had tiny damask motifs or slight shiny designs to the weave with solids and patterns of equal importance. At a lower price point, this is when the many polyester silkies would hit the market, common in both yardage stores and ready-to-wear. This textile would wash and wear easily, perfect for the little 'secretary dresses' that survive today with elastic waistlines and 'pull over' styling. <br><br>

Vogue 1857: Pierre Balmain Dress Pattern for Design & Sewing Inspiration

This classic dress design from Pierre Balmain was created in the late 1970's in that wedge of time after the 1960's silhouette had f...

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Sewing on Trend: Loose Ties

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDnAIvHmbuhgm-g3LdGRuAOSHpXWnXh5hLQztli2H50jej0J4M_Qj8xRc_vsdFuzTT4wz9SX_bJ0IQvAuXPZUnf2t_clavewMv22gfkzCQxehcGK-jLHbhJzoJPMHXvK9a3Vw1-4zRZ6k/s1600/bow+necklines.1.logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDnAIvHmbuhgm-g3LdGRuAOSHpXWnXh5hLQztli2H50jej0J4M_Qj8xRc_vsdFuzTT4wz9SX_bJ0IQvAuXPZUnf2t_clavewMv22gfkzCQxehcGK-jLHbhJzoJPMHXvK9a3Vw1-4zRZ6k/s400/bow+necklines.1.logo.jpg" width="450" /></a></div> <br>The 1970's are really coming on strong this fall. It seems nearly every major brand has a silky dress or blouse with a loose tie at the neckline. You can sew up your own from the original patterns and fabric for a fraction of the cost a new 'retro' copy will cost. <br><br>Both of these patterns are from the 1970's. The upper design is from 1974: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/75381206/vintage-70s-dress-with-low-bow-neckline">Simplicity 6758</a>. This has a nicely fitted silhouette. There is a shoulder yoke and slightly puffed shoulders on the sleeves. We have it here in a hard to find size 16. <br><br>The black polka dot dress is by French designer Pierre Balmain. It is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/106574979/vogue-1857-pierre-balmain-1970s-pattern">Vogue 1857</a>, and dates from the later 1970's. He also shows shoulder yokes and a gathered sleeve in the bodice. This is a dress, but it could easily be cut with length to become a blouse. Our pattern is a size 10. <br><br>Fabric suggestions here are from the shop's vintage fabric collection. All are silky and wouldn't they drape nicely in the style of these loosely tied tops? Don't you think that these styles are perfect with casual jeans or dressed up for work? I am putting a blouse like this on my 'to do' list for this month. <br><br>

Sewing on Trend: Loose Ties

The 1970's are really coming on strong this fall. It seems nearly every major brand has a silky dress or blouse with a loose tie at th...

Read more »