1950's Roobeedoo Top

So called because it was the kind and generous Roobeedoo who immediately sent me her copy of McCall 6245 to trace, after I lusted after it on this blog post.

I made a muslin from the pattern beforehand and it seemed to be a good fit, so I steamed straight in and started hacking away at my precious Liberty Rocks fabric.  This fabric was designed for Liberty by ex-Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, and I just love it.  I'm always drawn to mid-century geometric patterns and this has all the elements of a 1950's print, yet manages to maintain a modern look too.  It was also my first time working with Liberty Tana Lawn.  Oooh it's lovely!  Buttery and silky to the touch and it barely frays.  That didn't stop me overlocking every seam I could get my hands on, just because I could.

The pattern, which dates from the early 1950's, reminds me a little of the Colette Patterns Sencha…. but better in my opinion!  Unlike the Sencha, it has separate sleeves rather than short kimono ones, and the neckline is lower and prettier with a very flattering triangular keyhole.  Then there are the darts …..I think the darts really make the pattern and show just how cleverly constructed it is.  As Roobeedoo pointed out here, the placement of two sets of double contour darts at the waist give you curves, even if you don't have any to start with!  And if you do have curves (as I do), then the dart placement simply makes them trimmer and more shapely.  All very, very clever.

Making this top was an interesting exercise size-wise too.  In ready to wear clothes, I'm usually a UK size 12.  I made no adjustments to this pattern - it's a perfect fit - yet it's a size 18…..fascinating to see just how much smaller women were in the 1950's compared to now.  I used to get very hung up about sizing, but now that I've been sewing for a while, I don’t even think about it.  As somebody once commented on another blog (can't remember which), sewing makes the numbers on a tape measure become meaningless. Never a truer word was spoken….

Anyway, back to the pattern.  It was actually quite handy that McCall 6245 is so similar to the Colette Sencha pattern - when one instruction for the back buttoned section was beginning to fox me, I simply looked in the Sencha instructions instead and it all made perfect sense!  Testament to Sarai's pattern writing skills there I think.  Talking of buttons up the back, do you like mine?  I used real shell vintage ones that I've been saving for just the right make.

I like the fact that this top has both a vintage and a modern look.  You can wear it with a vintage skirt or with jeans and I think it works well with both.  

Thank you so much Roobeedoo, I've now got a top that I love, which I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make without you.  As a final nod to Roo, you may be interested to know that I'm wearing a Rockalily lipstick in Rockette Red, as recommended by the good lady herself.  

 The King looks on approvingly....

It's a great 1950's red, just the right shade for pale faced blondes (like me) and makes you feel instantly glamorous.  A girl can never have too many red lippies!  Have a lovely weekend everybody. x