I'm Making a 1950s Strawberry Dress!

Are you familiar with the 1950s Butterick Walkaway Dress? Have you ever tried that pattern, only to be gravely disappointed?
Wrap-dresses were very popular in the 1950s, but I think most people can agree that the Butterick walkaway dress is not great. However, this is a 1950s wrap dress, based on Maryellen's Strawberry outfit, that fits sooo much better.
Have you ever made a 1950s wrap dress? What kind did you make, and did you like it?
Want to come to the American Girl Cosplay picnic on Sept 2nd? Here's the details: e/9egD2yvV0
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[@shellylrobinson6999]

“I’m a human adult” best phrase ever!❤

[@kaytiej8311]

Now that is a sensible wrap dress pattern!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Much better than the walkaway dress!

[@sarapenn9776]

I think the sleeves would look great as a kind of short (no longer than t shirt length) flutter type or butterfly type sleeve. The dress is super cute without them, but clothes are meant to be comfortable.

[@dianaflener5616]

I understand what you mean about not enjoying to wear sleeveless dresses. But, i have to say - You are ROCKING this sleeveless dress! It looks great on you! Can you wear a little short sleeved short sweater like coverup to ordinate with it?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! I prefer to just put in a sleeve than have to wear something over it.

[@elizabethsloan3192]

If you make a pocket piece of an actual size of the working pocket, bind the top only (I’d also flatline it like the top) and mark your desired location. Sew the bottom in place right sides together, flip it up, pin or sew the sides, and apply the bias on the sides all the way to the hem it should save fabric and avoid bulk while keeping the look. I think just cute short sleeves with the bias at the sleeve hem only would be really cute and still fit. Kind of like mother daughter dresses.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I think that's basically what I wound up doing for the pocket. You'll see more next week!

[@Haghenveien]

I understand that you feel more confortable with sleeves but you look great with the dress as it is.

[@karengoldie6801]

This is looking so cute. It's going to be adorable once you add the binding. DART TIP: When sewing your darts, try curving off slightly as you reach the tip. This can help to soften the point.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! And yep, I always curve them.

[@HeyJenkies]

What a fun project! This might be a terrible idea, but for the pockets, so it looks the same as the doll version but you don’t have 3’ long pockets, what if you outlined the area in binding and had a reasonable sized pocket snuck in perhaps as a welt style? Maybe that could work. Best of luck and looking forward to seeing the finished dress!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Imo, welt pockets are such a pain! You'll see how I blended the pockets in next week's video though.

[@HeyJenkies]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions oh yes 100% they can be quite tricky! I was trying to think of a way that didn’t involve patch pockets or one million seams. I would have probably done one million seams haha. Looking forward to seeing how you did it!

[@margarethall1625]

It looks awwdorable!! My cat Cosmo thinks Dora is a cute kitty meow.😻

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Aww, thanks! 😸

[@juliannryan5542]

Consider a tulip sleeve since they were also used in the period.

[@kathyjohnson2043]

She did lovely ones on a 1950 tulip dress. You should be able to find the video

[@juliannryan5542]

I liked that tulip sleeve and thought it would also look good with this project.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Yeah, I wanted to do a much more subtle sleeve for this one.

[@marjonantoons7538]

Hooray! It is Tuesday night! I am just going to finish the last bit of my crochet project (and I have to keep paying attention to that) and then early to bed and watch your video. Something to look forward to during the last rounds!

[@marjonantoons7538]

Love the dress and I think I want to make a similar dress for next summer. With sleeves 😉

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! You totally should! 😊

[@Nessi-dances]

I like the design of the wrap, it's nice to see a different style!

[@tinmanlover1994]

I have just MaryEllen the doll none of her other outfits but now seeing you and Mary Elen matching I the strawberry dress for my dolls

[@silviabeatse2813]

Need to make this wrap dress, it's a wonderfull full wrap

[@kymberlys]

I was screaming the whole time you're talking about figuring out the pattern - this dress is just a wrap-back top with a skirt attached (and the tabs to hold it on)! You got there in the end, though, and I can tell the result will be great! 😄

[@roxiepoe9586]

I expect this dress will be one that is often favored. I just love it.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@tinmanlover1994]

A big dress pocket would come in handy one day

[@sharonwerner2419]

yea darts .... im a princess seam girl too. absolutely love the whole dress and I also do sleeves for same reasons.

[@petabaigent]

This dress is beautiful

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@RianShafer]

Sooooooooo cute!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@anna7118]

I made a doll sized pattern based off of a little girls size vintage pattern I made for my girls. A couple months after I made it the AG catalog came with this dress for MaryEllen.

[@anna7118]

The AG dress is based on the McCall’s toddler wrap dress 1921 from the 1950s. The Girls size is slightly different due to the length and is 1974 then the Miss size is 1948.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Oh interesting!

[@anna7118]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions this style dress was the talk in a vintage sewing facebook group I am in about 7 years ago when I sewed two sizes of the little girls pattern and created a doll size. McCall’s released an updated version (doesn’t have quite the same detailing as the vintage…I bought it and did a pattern piece comparison of girls size 6) that still does the side button closure.

[@anna7118]

My daughters and niece love this back wrap style so I have sewn several different vintage versions over the years.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

@@anna7118 yeah, I didn't find out about the McCall's pattern till after I finished this one, but now I want to try it!

[@annettebroomhall8617]

The first mock up dart situation, if you join up those darts and make them into princess seams, they will fit you rather well. Round out the joined area and be good to go. A good start. Now I will continue watching and see you solve the problem in a different way lol.

[@lilykatmoon4508]

This is going to be super cute just like that tulip dress. Loved the Dora footage too ❤

[@emilyrln]

25:29 Dora: möthèr, i cråvê vïølęnčé 😂

[@debbiel7736]

I would love to have you pattern this for us to buy, with sleeve options.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

McCall's 7354 (which I found after I finished this) seems like it's a really similar pattern to Maryellen's dress!

[@ingajohannsdottir1180]

You've probably allready made the decision, but a possibillity for the pockets is to insert a less deep pocket behind the pocket panel, so it doesn't become way to deep to be useful but you still get the visual of having the binding.go all the way down to the hem. Looking forward to seeing.the finished dress - it allready suits you!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I did a different trick - you'll see next week! 😉

[@courtneyrichardson5035]

SO CUTE!

[@tinmanlover1994]

You have MaryEllen that's so cool and you made a matching dress that's even cooler please do more Kit Molly MaryEllen, Melody outfits

[@shirliepriestley8761]

Oh! So pretty, i really like this dress❤

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@sheilacroisier6446]

Love this dress! You look terrific in it even without the sleeves. Do you find that that one of your shoulders is slightly lower than the other? If so, taking up a tiny bit of slack in one shoulder seam might help to balance your bust darts. Needless to say this goes better with a friend to help so you can stand naturally. Looking forward to the finished strawberry dress!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! I think my shoulders are even, but the way this wraps makes it harder to fit than a normal dress.

[@werelemur1138]

Aww, Dora just wanted to give you kisses! The only way I could personally see wearing the Walkaway dress would be as a pinafore or maybe as an apron. This is much more practical for most actual human adults.

[@dianaflener5616]

Maybe a Princess cut bodice??

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I was so tempted to go that route!

[@sharimeline3077]

I'm going to recommend a Playtex wire-free bra. They're not bullet bras, not exaggerated, but they do have a pointier shape that works under darts. They have more than one style that would work, but look for the bras that have constructed cups rather than molded cups. They come in plus sizes. I'm about your size and I wear them! Bonus - they're pretty affordable.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I've definitely thought about picking one up for vintage outfits!

[@elizalagonia1049]

The first darts were very bullet bra moment, and the bullet bra was not for everyone. It looks very nice. Can't wait 'til next week.

[@tinaj984]

I think it looks great!! No oddness in the bust at all!! Can't wait to see it finished!!!😁😁😁💖

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@yvonnebruce6178]

I think tulip sleeves would look nice.

[@tinmanlover1994]

We need more MaryEllen cosplay in future videos

[@louiselund2419]

It is so cute ❤❤❤

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I just finished a circle skirt and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna do patch packets. I don't want to cut holes into my non seamed skirt. 😂

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

My cat LucyPurr does the same thing (tries to bite my earlobe!)

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

And patch pockets were really popular on 1950s skirts anyway!

[@Bexinmo]

The darts look... well, we call that wall eyed around here.

[@tinmanlover1994]

Maybe a apple green would work for the buttons

[@josephinehogg3629]

12:55 perhaps the 'looseness' in the back is due to the fabric being cut on the bias? Solution: would have been a really good idea to stay-stitch that edge of your mock up 'before' trying it on?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Yeah, that's why I flipped the direction of the piece.

[@Lea-bw9wj]

Just a thought and a warning. Double check the wrap before you go out in public on a windy day for flashing potential. You might need a clip of pin or something on part of the skirt to hold it down in any breeze

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Luckily, because this has such a huge overlap, I don't even think it would be a problem with wind.

[@qienna6677]

I know what we say doesn't really matter, I personally understand how hard it can be to reconcile what people say with how you feel and what *you* see when you look at yourself...but... I genuinely think you look just as lovely sleeveless :)

[@teresaunderwood41]

So fun! You should check out The Closet Historian, she is a genius with darts. It seems like making a bodice block might be super useful for you,, to make patterning/design/fit faster and easier and she teaches that too🙂 Have a great holiday weekend!🍓🍓🍓

[@VirginiaEfta]

Very clever and it looks really flattering on you. What about cap sleeves?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! I personally find that cap sleeves are usually not comfy or flattering on me.

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

This is really looking lovely. Can't wait to see how much different it will looks with the green bias tape. Do you have a bias take foot? It would be great to have with all this trim!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! Luckily, her bias tape was all top stitched on, so it went on very easily!

[@michellecornum5856]

Darts aside, this is really cute! Also, love the red aside dress, too!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Those dart nips weren't messing around! 😂😂😂

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@thecalicoheart7946]

You absolutely should do you. 👍 But just to say that look lovely sleeveless. 😊And nobody’s skin colour is uniformly even. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Thank you for all you share. ☺️🙏💝

[@marywest2896]

love the dark blue dress with the yellow flowers on you so pretty, those sleeves are so cute, if you put sleeves in the strawberry dress hope you consider those shaped sleeves...did you make the dark blue dress?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! That one is from Eshakti!

[@pai009]

I'm not sure if someone else had said this, but why don't you just make the smaller pockets (what you're comfortable with) in the same material you used to line the top, and just put the patch of the strawberry Material and bias tape where it goes down the the hem. This will make it look more like the dress the doll is wearing (didn't know how to spell her name and I don't want to spell it wrong). With the patch you can either connect them at the top or have patch go above the actual pocket a little bit to cover it up.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I did a different method -- you'll see next week! 😉

[@cartoonygothica]

The dress is looking good, so far. Were those brightly-colored petticoats you were wearing while trying on your mock--ups?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! And yep! I've been buying up old stock malco modes petticoats, and it's mostly the bright colors that are left.

[@TranquilityChiba]

Ahhh! I love the dress/print. I'm a little over hype for anything strawberry

[@tinmanlover1994]

Please make A molly outfit for another dress like your doll/cosplay

[@fludrbywest3886]

That is just adorable ! Do you have a pattern number or a pattern for sale? ❤

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! I don't have a pattern for sale yet, but I hope to at some point!

[@terrysuemakesvideosforyou9940]

I love your creative videos! If you decide to not add sleeves, you could wear this pretty dress with a blouse or tee type shirt underneath. It kind of looks like a jumper to me. I would make it in a thin wale corduroy for fall. Maybe in rust or pumpkin. Have anice visit with your mom!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks -- I'm definitely tempted to make more of these! Maybe I'll do another one as a jumper dress for fall.

[@terrysuemakesvideosforyou9940]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions love you! Happy sewing!

[@user-wl8rr7wb4y]

Hello ADORABLE😊. It's nice to get a little love😊.

[@kckazcoll1]

hi Rebecca, when you painted your buttons with acrylic paint, did you have to do anything to prepare the buttons first? Like sanding them or something? I'm planning to paint some buttons, so I would love to know :)

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Nope, no prep. Just the paint and the mod podge.

[@kckazcoll1]

oh great, thanks!@@LadyRebeccaFashions

[@tashinalee6146]

Lovely!!! Also, a side note: you're wearing the same dress as at the beginning of your day interim project.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@TealCheetah]

Hi Dora

[@hideflen6078]

@24:03 🤔 should we be calling you “Princess Rebecca” instead? But that’s a good thing to know when making stuff for yourself. I am taking notes! I also have Maryellen’s strawberry dress for my AG dolls and am now overcome with a desire to match with my doll…

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! You totally should make yourself one!

[@MsHedgehog]

It looks to become really cute! I had similar problems with my darts, and I fixed it marking the actual apex of my breasts on the mock up and moving the darts to fit that apex. Difficult to tell in that fabric but I think that the theoretical apex point is too low in your pattern.

[@Bexinmo]

The red patches on your arms looks like my cheeks. I get flushed easily. The patches are hot to the touch and very red. Then they fade. My mom thought it might be rosacea but it was never bothersome enough to ask the doctor. I think the dress, sleeveless and all, looks great on you.

[@kckazcoll1]

I also get flushed easily. Just sitting in a heated room or car will leave me red-faced :)

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I get red easily when I'm hot, but these red areas are always red and aren't hot either.

[@NolChheangLeng-js3cn]

you so Amazing

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@heavenleighbliss]

Any chance you will digitize and sell this pattern?!?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I had actually thought about it until I realized (after I finished it) that McCall's already has a pattern for this dress! (#7354)

[@jessiebrown6084]

The buttons look green on my laptop. 🙂

[@ingajohannsdottir1180]

Also on my phone

[@emilyrln]

Rebecca: I don't do pointy 50s boobs Bullet bras: 🥺😭😔

[@AnniCarlsson]

the dart become look pointy becouse it´s to long. the closer to the centerpoint it ends the pointier it become.

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Route 66 dress.

[@wyogrl11]

I vote for sleeves and princess seams. You’ll be wearing this dress in daily life, make it so that you’re comfortable in it. Little girls would not be wearing a bullet bra and if you were to wear one under this dress it would look… weird.

[@jlnn1176]

Why don't you put bra keepers in? They're so easy and perfect for wider necklines

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I keep thinking i need to do this on my ready- made blouses and don't get it done

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I've done that for a couple of outfits, but it's much easier/more comfortable to make a neckline that covers my bra straps to begin with.