Given
the sweltering heat and humidity that Doug Monce and I endured at our
shoot yesterday, I think a mint julep might have been wonderfully
refreshing! Luckily, the sweet n' minty 1940s frock that Carla of
Jitterbug Dress made for me is a refreshing delight all on its own!
I choose an early 40s Hollywood Pattern
with a gathered skirt and puffed sleeves (I am always a sucker for
those early 40s looks, and just can't get enough), and I think it turned
out just swell made up in mint green cotton adorned with a fantastic
novelty print of "threaded" ribbons and bows (from Gertie's Fine Fabrics.)
Carla
is a skilled seamstress with a great eye for details—she made covered
buttons for this style, overlocked the seams, and made coordinating
shoulder pads, all details that I really love to see in reproduction
clothing. The fit was spot on too! As I mentioned in my previous post,
Carla recently opened up her online shop, Jitterbug Dress, and she is
offering custom recreations from a wide variety of vintage patterns. She
has an extensive collection of 1940s-60s styles—everything from dresses
to pajamas and even maternity wear—or you can send her a special
pattern of your own. Although she is based in Arizona, she is able to
sew for customers worldwide—just send her your measurements and the
fabric of your choosing. I highly recommend her work (and if you are
local, she has top-notch alterations skills too), so if you see
something you like on her site or have a certain outfit
in mind, please drop her a line and tell her I sent you!
xoxo,
Amanda Lee
