Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Vintage Summer Housecoat: McCall's 3416

I loved this pattern when I made it up in flannel for Bella this fall.


Clara fell in love with some clearance fabric I picked up at Hobby Lobby and asked for a summer housecoat. Isn't this totally a happy fifties morning?


I have finally figured out how to use my vintage bias-binding attachment. The thing with most of these attachments, I find, is that they take quite a bit of skill and attention to run--they're not automatic in any sense.


But once you master them, they get more beautiful results than I could get on my own.

22 comments:

YayaOrchid said...

That is beautiful fabric! I simply love florals! Clara looks so pretty in that pattern. Wish I could find a vintage pattern like that and and sew a dress as well as you do.

Tracy said...

That is a stunning pattern, when made in such pretty fabric. Clara does it wonderful justice!

Why is it that patterns today are not anywhere near as attractive?!

Anonymous said...

Wow ! Lovely dress, and a pretty model too !

Candace said...

Lovely, absolutelty lovely.

Candace said...

Typos and toddlers...happens every time...well almost.

An Adventurer in the World said...

pretty girl : )

I agree about figuring out the older attachments! I bought a small suitcase full at a yard sale, to fit a vintage White (should I ever find the actual SEWING machine we're in business : ) They are beautiful, useful pieces of tiny machinery.

deb meyers

Anonymous said...

I would SO wear that! It's adorable. Love the fabric even more that it was on clearance!

Thirkellgirl said...

Whenever I read one of your sewing posts I feel so guilty about all the old/vintage (never thought they were "vintage") patterns my mom and I threw out when she cleaned out her house a few years ago. It never occurred to either of us that anyone would be interested in them. Sigh.

Tammy said...

Very pretty!

I have one of those attachments for my machine, and it makes things much easier--when you get the hang of it! =)

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I love this! It is so pretty.

I had to blink when I saw this picture of your daughter. Since I see my teenage son every day, I am used to him growing taller (he is now almost 6 feet tall).

Clara looks like she has grown overnight!

Me said...

She looks beautiful, as does the dress! I cannot wait until I have a waist again and can wear such cute things!

Tyna said...

Forgive the beginner, but what exactly is a housecoat? It looks like a dress, but housecoat seems to imply a robe, or at least a casual throw-over-your-pj's type of thing worn only at home...

Mama Sewing said...

That is a great housecoat-beautiful fabric!
I also love the bias attachment..it sounds so useful. I'll have to look for one of those!

Anonymous said...

I love the summery housecoat. Housecoat is a term my grandmother used, and I love it!

I recently discovered that I can buy a bias tape binding foot for my older (but not quite vintage) machine. I am very much up to the task of learning to use it because the results are so great. I need to get that thing ordered!

Mrs. Cote said...

That looks so lovely on Clara! It is very pretty pattern and print but I can even begin to fathom how that little sewing mathom might operate :P

Anonymous said...

Dear Anna;

The dress is lovely! Clara looks so pretty -- what a nice fabric.

I totally agree with the attachments on a vintage sewing machine. I have a treadle that I absolutely love, and it came with all the attachments, but I have yet to figure them out. I think probably this summer I'll venture it.

It was definately a very nice pattern.

Maria in PA

Tracy said...

So beautiful!

Trudy said...

She is so elegant. Beautiful girl, fabric, and detail!

Anna said...

Brenda--Clara has grown overnight! She's now within an inch of me, and I'm a little over 5'8!! Where will it end? :)

A housecoat is a robe, one that's meant to be decent around family at home, and practical, but not for wear outside.

Thanks for all the housecoat love!

Rhoto said...

Clara, isn't it FUN to be a girl!!
Soft hug,
Rhonda in Montreal

EB said...

I love vintage sewing machine attachments! They are such mechanical marvels.

Anna, have you figured out how to turn sharp corners with the binder attachment? That's one thing I haven't figured out. If you have any advice for me, I'd really appreciate it!

Cynthia said...

i've been meaning to get a binding foot. you've inspired me to do so.

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