Making a 1950's dress, but Ms. Frizzle

Nostalgia really is a key indicator around ideas for me. So when I heard of the passing of Joanna Cole, the author of the original Magic School Bus books, I knew I had to take on a vintage sewing project, Ms. Frizzle.
Between the books and the TV show, The Magic School Bus was a strong influence on me and my creativity. In today's video, I want to lean into that creativity. Today, I will be sewing a 1950's vintage pattern to make a Ms. Frizzle cosplay look. Come along with me as I use a plus size vintage pattern to make up a fun 1950's dress. I will have to scale up the pattern I am using a few inches, so I will show you how to size up a pattern as well.
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Other videos you may enjoy:
Making a 1930's blouse: • Making a 1930's BLOUSE...
Making the Trashy Diva Liquor Label dress: • MAKING THE TRASHY DIVA...
How to make vintage clothes bigger, vintage skirt from XXS to XXL: • HOW TO MAKE VINTAGE CL...
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Products I use to trace or repair patterns:
Document Repair Tape - bit.ly/Documen...
Pellon 815 - bit.ly/PellonR...
Frixion Pens - bit.ly/7packFr...
Products I love for cleaning my vintage fabrics and clothes:
Zote - bit.ly/ZoteLau...
Woolite Delicates - bit.ly/Woolite...
Synthrapol - bit.ly/Synthra...
Shout - bit.ly/ShoutSp...
OxiClean - bit.ly/Oxy7lb
Shout Color Catchers - bit.ly/ShoutCo...
Biz - bit.ly/BizPowd...
Restoration - bit.ly/Restora...
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Wardrobe: Vixen by Micheline Pitt, Trashy Diva & Me
Makeup: Mac & Nyx
My info:
My website: www.backroomfinds.com
IG - / backroomfinds
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Facebook - / backroomfinds
Music provided by Epidemic Sound
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I am an affiliate to the links provided above and do receive a small commission on some items that helps to support me and my channel.

[@StephanieCanada]

I hope you enjoyed this fun take on Ms. Frizzle! Here is a playlist of other sewing projects I have done: kzbin.info/aero/PLaG2bBTXx7U7pyiejUIlugJrXqjVsnpXg

[@mdmaybe]

I made a whole dress with the print upside down. Wore it to work anyway (after a 2 year time out...). No one noticed! My grandmother's rule anyway was if someone looks that close either kiss or kick them - your preference!

[@StephanieCanada]

That made me laugh so hard! I am definitely going to keep that "kiss or kick" advice close at hand from now on.

[@TeamD2012]

🤣 i love ur grandma’s philosophy

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

We say something very similar about our Renaissance Faire costumes ; )

[@pinkdarkman]

It's funny that while making your Ms. Frizzle inspired dress, you had to go inside your sewing machine. Like how Ms. Frizzle takes the kids all up inside of things lol. Also Ms. Frizzle probably made all of her dresses herself. It's now my headcanon that she has one dress pattern that she likes as her "teacher dress" and just sews it a million times with different fun prints so the kids can have something fun to look at.

[@cathyswope5174]

Oh I love Ms Frizzle! True story - I worked for Microsoft in the 90's and they published Magic School Bus titles. Long story short, I played Ms Frizzle in the Microsoft booth at a Minnesota State Fair in (I think) 1994. This vlog was great, love to sew along with you :-)

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh my goodness amazing!

[@zeusathena26]

You only notice it because you made it. After awhile you'll forget the mistakes. It's great!

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you so much!

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

My knitting teacher once told the class, “It’s not a mistake, it’s a ‘design feature’. “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

[@wrayoflighttube]

You have a beautiful Bernina machine! It’s the best!

[@ritacollins8666]

It turned out cute.

[@pamelaburdick8366]

I actually liked the pattern

[@janemkiefferrath630]

O I love your sewing journey. I only handsew zippers because even a zipper foot won't make a zipper on a velvet gown behave nicely. Urg. Another fun video!!!

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh velvet! Thankfully I live in Florida and have no need to futz with that fabric. At least tile I can convince my husband to move back north

[@AnastasiaR]

Whoa, I’ve never come across someone with my last name before in the wild!

[@janemkiefferrath630]

@@AnastasiaR well met!! 😊

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I laughed through this one. I am working myself up to putting front zippers or buttons or snaps or something on the front of everything. Shifting from pants to dresses too. Because.... I fell off a roof and tore my shoulder joints up. Spent a long time in physical therapy. Now I finally feel better enough to make shaped clothing that I can get on and off. I am so sick of bagged out too large knit feed sacks, ugh. I picked a color palette and want to make a capsule wardrobe since I dropped 2 clothing sizes also. I'm a yucky mess! I look like a bag lady. You crack me up, surely I can muddle through this transformation back to a woman with a laugh or three.

[@bobbiwhite8889]

Take chances, Make mistakes- GET MESSY! Heck yea! Really enjoy your yt...

[@YarrowNjune]

Without ripping the top apart I'd say the easiest thing to do with wide red arms is to always wear the dress with a cardigan:D How do you feel about epaulettes or big embroidery applique on each side? You could also pin a giant brooch to distract the eye, but that's asymetrical.

[@StephanieCanada]

I was thinking about appliqués. Unfortunately I live in Florida so sweaters aren’t a thing here. Thank you so much for the ideas though!

[@YarrowNjune]

Also, I feel this needs to be said, the dress is absolutely fine as is and doesn't look aprony when you see the wholr thing, so maybe just get used to it? :)

[@jordisbraun4985]

@@StephanieCanada a "sweater"/cardigan can be crotched in lightly lace-design very nice without sewating in the sun

[@ThePatchin]

Alternating fabric direction could be your ‘thing’. I’m fairly certain the top in this video does the same. Having fun is the goal.

[@nataliasmetanina219]

I love your energy, keep going! You have at least one follower from Russia :-D

[@StephanieCanada]

Aww thank you so much!!

[@Avotts]

it looks fine.

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

It amazes me that, during machine sewing, when something just feels off, there is always something wrong that I need to fix. It’s a subconscious thing, I guess!

[@louisegreen14]

Thanks so much, I've just recently subscribed to your channel from Canada! ( and, yes, that's really where I live 😉) really enjoyed your review and make of this pattern.

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you so much! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I LOVE that you live in Canada! I wish I did (for many reasons, but mainly SNOW). Glad I could help with this pattern review.

[@dorothydecesare1607]

When there is a tin in a sewing room …no cookies or treats in that tin…. Have you been in my sewing room? 😂😅

[@denisehughes7709]

Hi from Spain. I've just recently found your channel and am enjoying it very much, specially as you stress so much that mistakes happen but they don't really matter in the end. They can be fixed and only the person who sews will notice. Just one thing, could you take a bit longer in each shot of the reveal?

[@StephanieCanada]

I will see what I can do, but I like timing everything to music, so I can’t promise much.

[@lynh8378]

Just found your page a bit ago. Love your sarcasm and seamstress skills! You rock.

[@StephanieCanada]

Aww thank you! ☺️

[@tess1481]

YES FRUIT DRESS.

[@StephanieCanada]

I thought you would approve.

[@lyneaanderman3316]

You were so funny about the plums "doing you wrong" that I started to pay more attention to the dress or blouse you were wearing. Did you notice that one side of the front of it is also upside down? I only noticed it because of your comments about the pineapples in your new dress. LOL!!

[@karengoldie6801]

Love the pattern! What brand is it? I totally agree about the pockets.

[@WithLoveKristina]

So I actually think it's cute now that I've seen it full body BUT I do also think it would feel more flattering if everything below your belt was the fruit print. That little bit below the belt is what makes it look super 90's to me. But I mean... it's pretty cute. Even if it does look 90's. And the FABRIC!!! love.

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh agreed! But I don’t have anything (other than the fabric) to make the matching belt. And I had already run over my timeline on this one.

[@carmenmauricio8134]

What pattern company is this?

[@TealCheetah]

The sewing process was such a realistic disaster, thank you.

[@skiptonius5346]

I think Frixion pens are pronounced like friction... 🤔 Don't quote me on that though

[@linda9731]

Thanks for this great video with all the humorous commentary. I bought wool yardage (fall colors in plaid) to make a jacket. However I used the yardage one evening for a tablecloth, dinner for 4. A week later I sewed my fall jacket. I didn't check for crumbs or anything, just resumed my original plans. Ha, ha.😊

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Sounds like my first Thanksgiving hosting! And when it came time to set the table I realized I didn't have a tablecloth anywhere in the house, I went out to my fabric stash and found two fall-ish looking prints and tossed them on! No one cared and a month later they were worked up into costumes for my kiddos Fall Festival!

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

I've definitely nabbed 1/4yd fleece remnants at Joann's to serve as table runners in multiple seasons. They also work as scarves. Truly no sewing required! 😂

[@Mrsfalldowngobump]

Oh my goodness, a total enjoyable riot to watch. As for the white selvage showing a bit....permanent marker , don't ask how I know.

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh my goodness! You are so right!!

[@AnastasiaR]

Ok so I got a Joann gift card for my birthday from my sister-in-law. She asked what I planned to use it on. “I’m gonna get me some of what they call cOnVerSaTiOnAl prints” I said, with panache, smiling at distant visions of myself strutting down the street with lengths of artsy charmeuse flowing from my garments. She quickly googled what conversational prints meant and said “oh cool! Like Ms. Frizzle!” To my eternal shame I was offended for one second. But only one. “Fuck yeah like Ms. Frizzle!” I said, and we all learned something on that day.

[@StephanieCanada]

Amazing!!! I love every inch of that tale!

[@geriattrique7141]

Your sewing videos are LITERALLY the best! I’m legit dead after watching! 🤣😂 You are the bad-ass vintage sewing 🧵superstar! ⭐️

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you so much! That is so sweet of you!

[@spiritualtruthseeker1947]

I think the dress actually does flatter you. As for the sea of red, consider attaching fold over cuffs to the sleeves if you have enough fabric left of the print. It would soften things up a good bit. If you do nothing at all, it will still be just fine. I think we all tend to be overly judgmental of our own work. Tip - One way prints usually require the purchase of a yard or more extra fabric. Of course, it's fine to compromise when you are using up fabric from your stash and few will notice unless...well...you do a tropical print and the palm trees are upside down on one section. (Saw someone do this, felt superior and went on to sew a zipper in backwards). One thing about matching prints - it's really not necessary and won't make a difference unless you are working with a strongly geometrical large print.

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you so much! CUFFS! Of course that would work. This was definitely a "stash" pieces, so I was just working with what I had. I normally buy 6 yards at a time for my dresses, not the 5 yards this had. I also normally don't make princess seams. I know matching isn't necessary, but it can be so satisfying.

[@netherfield2000]

I’m an elementary school librarian and love Ms. Frizzle. I would love a dress like that!

[@StephanieCanada]

I know! I love Ms. Frizzle so much! Seriously one of the best kid book series.

[@marynettleton8216]

Quilters say something like this: "If you can't see the mistake from 100 yards while on a galloping horse, it;'s ok." Sewing tip:to avoid a big bubble in the neck facing, press the facing seam 1st and then do the understitching from the top of the facing, not the underside.

[@DanaEleanor1]

The early 2000's were insane. Like a fever dream.

[@nmd1211]

Until you pointed out the fact the fabric print has one direction, I would never have thought of it. I just cut out a dress to find I have to put some of the fabric sideways to accommodate it all - sigh. And for the facings, i am using a similarly colored print because I didn't have enough fabric. This is where personal sewing can become demonic! I would not have used the red on the sleeve pieces, but on the collar it is rather nice, but being boring, I would have used white (zzzzzz). My sideways panel dress actually has pockets built in, and in the same place and same way as your dress! If you really don't like your red sleeves, I would suggest that you consider overdyeing it with some good Procion dye. It will mute the red, but no idea how the print would look. If you have leftover scraps, give it a shot using both. Sometimes it saves a project quite nicely. I think the dress pattern is nice on you - the princess lines make up for a lot of flaws, I think, and add nice shaping to the dress. My dress is a pullover style, but I may opt for a zipper in the side, as yours has, just in case it doesn't go over. No side zipper means the dress has to be baggier but I may decide to go for a more fitted look in the end. And, I am underlining the whole thing, just because. (Well, the "because" is because I don't like wearing slips, especially in hot SoCal. Hope you get your old Singer fixed, but enjoy that newer Bernina - I have both mechanical and computerized machines, and each has its beauty - the computerized ones have taken away the terror of buttonholes altogether - no more nightmares there!

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh over dying it! There is an idea. Thank you! And yes I do intend on getting my machine fixed up ASAP. I love my old singer.

[@LizVonVillas]

Aww hate it when the understitching gets other fabric caught up in it 🙈🙈🙈 It turned out so well!

[@StephanieCanada]

Right! I thought it was going so well, then....

[@janisi9262]

Ms. Frizzle is awesome and your dress is very cute! No one will notice the upside-down pineapples. I agree with the opinion that the red is just a bit too much. To 'fix' it: cut out and applique some of the individual fruits on/around the seam where the fruit meets the red. As for the pockets, as long as they work, that's all that matters. You aren't the only one who's inflicted horrors on unsuspecting fabric!

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh cutting out some fruit and using them as appliques! Now THERE's an idea!

[@cherrylgadellaa4740]

Hi greetings from Perth Western Australia. Just found your channel and enjoy it very much. Kristina refers to you very often on her channel so I can put a face to the name🤗. If you have any scraps of the fruit fabric left, you could put a band around the sleeve ends. Kind regards. Cheers

[@tammymeier9157]

I liked to imagine Ms. Frizzle had full tattooed arms. Which is why she always wore sleeves.

[@Cagletb]

I love your videos. I would also like to say that your comment section is the only one I read. You have great fans, too! Loved the dress. If you ever make it again, the "red" section may look better if it matched the background of the main fabric. On this dress, black instead of red. But that's just a thought.

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

In using what I have... I have an old plaid button down shirt that I bought at the thrift store for a sewing pattern. It is cream peach moss. I also have a thrift store peach fabric for quilting. Not really my decor color. I started using it as a lightweight jacket over a moss dress. Too tight over another sleeve. What if... I use it as a shirtwaist for the gathered peach skirt? Oh boy, a front buttoned collared opening for free! I will try a v shaped connection to keep all buttons. Maybe add peach trim to the bodice. Decades ago I would have jumped right in. Haven't sewed for 30 years, hmmm. Still, less than 5 bucks invested in compostable cotton and a set of buttons relieves concern about a $100 down the tube. Maybe shifting to my smaller size (with all front openings so I can dress myself) won't be so bad.

[@sarahclark9923]

I love your videos. You are good company when I’m working on my own stuff. I tried to find the pattern based on a screen shot taken when you begin. 9034. What company please? Do you have one in your store? Any suggestions on how to track it down?

[@ladyduffield]

Just found your channel, and I love it!! Great video, fun commentary, and I, too, have to lay my fabric on the floor. :)

[@StephanieCanada]

Welcome to my tiny corner of the internet! I am so happy you are here! And yes, I have heard from many that also join me in "the plight of the floor". We are a large cohort!

[@nancyparker4038]

I really love the red and think it suits you great!

[@nancyparker4038]

What kind of a machine are you using?

[@KackyMuse]

A united shawl would go great with that dress and break up all the red.

[@marilyngandhi8571]

Your eyebrows look great here ❤

[@brandonhallenbeck7217]

This dress is very pretty.

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you very much!

[@pyenygren2299]

You are wholesome. 🥰

[@OriginalAfrocentricDesignbyLis]

I like when you said ...no sewist in 2020 is going to make something without cutting out a mask.

[@marilyngandhi8571]

❤❤❤

[@amiwalton9645]

It almost looks like you are wearing a read cardigan, its cute and seems to match Ms Frizzle

[@StephanieCanada]

Aww thank you so much!

[@Becky_Theroux_Gockel]

I learned to sew on a Singer just like the one you have back in the 1960s. Love your Bernina. Don't worry about the back being upside down. The fabric is so busy that I don't think it will show. Love the black buttons. Two of the buttons look like they are Victorian Mourning Buttons. I can't wait to get to sew again. I am going to have to learn to use the pedal of the machine with my left foot though. ( It looks like the right leg will have to be amputated) Your videos are great for lifting my spirits! Thank you!!

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you for all the kind words. I am so happy to be able to lift your spirits! I hope that the learning curve isn’t too bad. You can do it!!

[@Becky_Theroux_Gockel]

@@StephanieCanada I am trying to be optimistic. I look forward to your videos.

[@karencurry6777]

So much fun!

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you so much!

[@patriciahickman-cl5rc]

You are funny! I enjoy watching you .

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh thank you!

[@judybarrera2405]

Stephanie what is dead stock?

[@felixityw8194]

It's new unused stock that's unsold and obsolete, been in storage or is sold off cheaper sooner to avoid storage costs. Think liquidation sales, the vintage packaged items at markets or the fabric sites that sell on fabric from clothing manufacturers

[@buka_z_serem6887]

❤❤❤

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you for watching.

[@vernakg]

3 years later, loved the outcome..... and your pineapples wasn't near as noticeable as my upside down palm trees on half my skirt.

[@magda010195]

You are hilarious, great video!

[@bernadettepierre7935]

Love it!!

[@lynn858]

I see fabric like that and always wonder wtf people are planning to do with it when they buy it. I mean, it clearly sells, they keep making fabric covered in food. But surely quilted place mats and table runner are not being made in the quantity they once were.

[@StephanieCanada]

There is something about food fabric. Nor sure what it is, but it always makes me want it!!

[@crinolinegremlin]

at 6:25 *stares in TD* I mean what.... I think it came out super cute! There's a group of us that are talking about doing a Ms Frizzle group, back when conventions were a thing. And "Because Florida" is always an answer

[@StephanieCanada]

RIGHT (the "stares in TD")!! And I am ALWAYS in for a Ms. Frizzle Dress group!

[@LizzieVioletsLair]

This was so much fun!

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you! I enjoyed making it for sure

[@lauramcguire7970]

I’ve had such a stressful day and your video just made me smile and giggle, so thank you for that. I think the dresses turned out super cute. Would wear 100%

[@lauramcguire7970]

Correction. Dress. Just one. But would be happy if you made more!

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you so much! At this point I make too many mistakes to few comfortable selling them. Maybe some time down the line, but for now it is just for me and my family. But I encourage everyone to try sewing!