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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

The Cliffs of Insanity dress

April 1, 2014 by Tasha 50 Comments

First and foremost, I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on all their kind comments about the release of my pattern, Nisse! It’s done very well so far and I was a little bit floored to even see it on the top 20 “hot right now” patterns on Ravelry for over a day. Whoa. I don’t really expect to design patterns all that often, although I say this having one design about 70% done (although honestly I don’t intend to touch it again until autumn), with two other ideas brewing… we’ll see where the wind takes me!


Now, here’s what you’re actually here for today, my latest make. You saw a sneak peek in my mending post, and in my collaboration post with Craftsy, and now you get to see the whole thing.

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

I call it my Cliffs of Insanity dress. And if you don’t recognize that reference from The Princess Bride, we can’t be friends. (Okay, that’s not true, but I’m honestly sad for you if you’ve never seen it. Best movie ever.)

Last month, Roisin sewed a fantastic By Hand London Anna dress in a map print. It reminded me that last summer I purchased some pirate treasure map fabric to sew a little vintage playsuit. Which I never did, so I still had the fabric. And since it’s spring (wow, can I officially say that finally?!), a dress was more appropriate to make than a playsuit. Well as appropriate as pirate ships sailing across your chest can be. And in my world? Totally appropriate.

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

I made a second version of Simplicity 1523 from 1945, except this time I made a scoop neckline, and used a full dirndl skirt instead of the pattern’s original skirt that I used in my Singin’ in the Rain dress. Which I like, but boy, a two piece waistband (inner and outer) and a full gathered skirt is no piece of cake.

Not that it’s so easy to spot the waistband since it’s a really busy print, but I think you can just make out a pirate ship sailing across it in the photo below.

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

Gah this print kills me! And the reason I named it the Cliffs of Insanity dress is at the upper part of my neckline below. I had to make sure that was at least somewhere visible on the front, small as it is!

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

I’m particularly pleased with how the bodice looks. Lately I’ve been cutting bodice pieces on flat vs. folded fabric to place the prints nicely, but there’s so much going on that really nothing leapt out and said “I must be front and center!” But there’s a big island, a couple of ships, an X marks the spot, navigable waters, a compass… I think that pretty much hits all the high points!

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

Let me point out here that it was c-c-c-cold when we took these photos! Nowhere near weather to be tramping around without a coat. Oh, the things we do… 😉

In hindsight it also wasn’t the greatest idea to wear a dress with lots of brown in it to a not-yet-green marshy preserve. We opted for the grassy background instead of the frozen marsh which was probably kind of a mistake, since it looks so interesting in the below photo. But at least Mel took one of me with our other camera. All the white behind me is still ice!

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

There’s not much to say about the construction, other than I think I’ve decided that I don’t like interfacing the waistband. When I sit down, it makes the natural fold at my waist more prominent. Other than that, no complaints. Just like my previous version, this dress got an inseam pocket and a lapped zipper… of course, you know about the zipper already!

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

I’m loving this style of 40s day dress with a waistband, and I have one more to show you soon. In fact, I just sewed a dress without one (a wearable muslin for my Sew for Victory project) and honestly was a little meh about it. So I decided I’m going to alter my SFV plans a bit and throw a waistband in. I’ll talk about my plans for that soon!

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

Cliffs of Insanity dress - variation on Simplicity 1523 (1945)

outfit details

1940s dress: made by me
cardigan: Boden
shoes: Remix Vintage Shoes
bangles and scarf: misc.
Bakelite earrings: 2 Vintage Crafters
watch: Fossil

 

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Filed Under: Sewing, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: 1940s sewing, dresses, finished projects, vintage sewing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sewlittletime says

    April 1, 2014 at 8:47 am

    lovely. the waistband is like the gather mortmain pattern. i love the fabric and the princess bride is the best!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks! And yes, it’s similar to that pattern. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Whitney says

    April 1, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Adorable as always– and hey, it looks like you have a Shrieking Eel too! The bit about using interfacing for waistbands is a great tip– I have a 40s dress pattern I’m hoping to tackle, and now I may avoid the interfacing it calls for around the waist. ‘Cause that sounds uncomfortable.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      OMG you are absolutely right, there IS a shrieking eel!

      Yep, I’d say veto the interfacing unless you’re using something super lightweight, and then maybe just use a sew-in interfacing that’s really thin. For my Sew for Victory dress I’m doing a waistband again and it’s a lightweight cotton, but I’m using a medium-weight for the inner waistband so we’ll see how that combo goes!

      Reply
  3. Helen Mae says

    April 1, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Looks lovely, the print is an absolute killer!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  4. zilredloh says

    April 1, 2014 at 9:27 am

    There’s actually text that says ‘cliffs of insanity’?! Inconceivable. heh

    I love that movie, and your dress is wonderful. You’ve been a sewing machine, making so many pretty cotton dresses.

    And yes… interfacing a waistband – I hate it on dresses too. I only interface skirt waistbands, but only if they actually need it. I like to use as light weight interfacing as I can get away with and the more I use the iron on – the more I dislike it. But I have to admit, sometimes it’s necessary to use.

    Happy sewing Tasha – can’t wait to see the next dress as I loved the sneak peak on instagram.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks Liz! Yep, I’m on a huge cotton day dress kick right now. I just can’t seem to stop!

      I’ve now done enough of these with interfacing and one without, and about to do another without (taking a change as it’s a much lighter weight cotton), and I totally agree. I like that it makes the band nice and crisp but then you live your life and actually sit, and it makes that fold even more prominent. 😛

      Reply
  5. ConstantlyAlice says

    April 1, 2014 at 9:48 am

    OMG, that fabric is sooooo much fun! And I absolutely love the name 🙂 I suddenly feel inspired to create a ROUS dress 😉
    xo,
    Danielle

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      Ha ha, I would love to see that!! 😀

      Reply
  6. Jessica Cangiano says

    April 1, 2014 at 10:03 am

    That’s awesome (re: the top 20 that day), I’m so happy for you, honey!!!

    This dress, well, shiver my vintage loving timbers, it sure is magnificent! I’ve always had a thing for map prints on non-actual map items, so naturally this frock made my eye light up. It’s so cute and charming!

    ♥ Jessica

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! I was pretty pumped about that fact (top 20) too. 🙂

      I adore maps of all kind, so this dress really makes me smile. Now I feel like I need to go on a hunt for map-related vintage accessories…!

      Reply
  7. Marie says

    April 1, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Absolutely adorable Tasha and I’m so glad we can still be friends…love The Princess Bride so much! Anyway, back to the dress…this style suits you to a tee and I’m definitely kicking myself for not buying map/atlas print fabric when I saw it a couple of weeks ago. I was actually with Roisin at the time, which makes me doubly sad that I didn’t buy it! Your photoshoot location is incredible by the way – digging the stark background that perfectly sets off your beautiful dress!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:11 pm

      Yay for the Princess Bride love! Aww I’m sorry you’re now kicking yourself for not purchasing that map fabric you said you saw, wonder if it’s still there?

      And thanks about the background! We live in the city but within an hour or less there’s oodles of nature and forest preserves, we love to get out into them when it starts to warm up. So FINALLY we can do that!!

      Reply
  8. Debbie James says

    April 1, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Totally love this; I was going to use plain fabric for Victory Sew-along but seeing this dress has made me think again!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks, Debbie! I know, I’m using yellow with white polka dots for my Sew for Victory project and it seems pretty plain by comparison. lol

      Reply
  9. Janey says

    April 1, 2014 at 11:24 am

    This dress is marvelous! And I love that you took notice of the Princess Bride reference! Fantastic!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks, Janey! Yes, it’s possible I could have missed that until after sewing it up, since there’s a ton of different piratey references. Sooo glad I spotted it as it made the fabric that much more special!

      Reply
  10. Sarah says

    April 1, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Inconceivable! I love this dress and all the cute print dresses you’ve been making lately. I’m a huge fan of cutesy, kitschy, prints on cotton for really easy dresses. You’re making me want to bust out some crazy prints instead of working on my Sew For Victory dress (it’s plaid). Oh and The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies ever!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 1, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      Inconceivable indeed! 😉 Ooh, but plaid is pretty awesome. I adore plaid! I haven’t sewn with it yet since all that matching gives me the heeby jeebies, but now that you mention it… this would be a good pattern for plaid since there’s only a bodice front and back and skirt pieces to worry about!

      Reply
  11. Jaime says

    April 1, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Inconceivable!!! Super cute dress and I’m sure you get the reference since that is the best movie ever! You do such a great job on your projects 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:51 am

      Heh heh! Thanks Jaime!

      Reply
  12. Rochelle New says

    April 1, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    I think almost all of the Princess Bride references have been a-dressed here so I’ll just tell you one more time that I think it’s miraculous 😉

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:51 am

      Yeah, it didn’t even take a miracle to make it! 😉

      Reply
  13. Moe says

    April 1, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    So fabulous!! I love the novelty fabric spree you are on these days!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:51 am

      Thanks Moe, I’ve been loving it too, ha ha!

      Reply
  14. MarrieB says

    April 1, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Super cute dress! Aside from the awesome print, I really like the little sleeves. Ah, the Princess Bride, I haven’t seen it in years, I think it’s time to watch it again.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:53 am

      Thanks! Yes, I’m loving that style of sleeves. I realized that I hate set-in sleeves when it gets warmer… which it isn’t yet, but by making sleeves like this the dress is more transitional for me. With a cardigan in spring/fall, and without in summer.

      Reply
  15. Sandra says

    April 1, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Flattering, well made, super cute fabric. That dress checks all the boxes!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:53 am

      Thanks for saying that! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Debra says

    April 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Lovely Buttercup!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:53 am

      Aww thanks!

      Reply
  17. Laura says

    April 1, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    This fabric is so much fun!!!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:54 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  18. Cindy says

    April 1, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Tasha you look smashing! What a gorgeous dress and I love the project title.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Thanks, Cindy! 😀

      Reply
  19. Shannon D. says

    April 1, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Would you like a peanut? Awesome dress!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:55 am

      NO! (re: the peanut) 😉

      Reply
  20. Sarah says

    April 1, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    My name is Inigo Montoya. You made an awesome dress. Prepare to be applauded! I LOVE this dress!!!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:58 am

      Ha ha ha!!! Thanks Sarah. 😀

      Reply
  21. Mary says

    April 1, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    As one local to another, you’re incredibly brave to have your coat off for so long!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 8:58 am

      Thanks Mary! We didn’t last long, maybe 5 minutes. It was a dash! 😉

      Reply
  22. Stacia says

    April 1, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    I ADORE that you called this the Cliffs of Insanity dress. It looks great!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  23. Philippa says

    April 2, 2014 at 12:56 am

    It’s fabulous. Again, the fit is spot on! Btw I wish we had more choice of Remix shoes in the UK. I desperately want a pair with a red bow for the summer (love yours!).

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Thanks! Yeah, I adore Remix shoes so I’m sorry they’re hard to get in the UK! These are my oldest pair, I’ve had them years and they still look great.

      Reply
  24. Liz says

    April 2, 2014 at 3:20 am

    So totally cute! A great style for you and the fit is perfect!
    What a fun print, so fun to step out of the box and try new patterns and prints.
    Princess Bride – one of my all time favourite movies (along with Clue)
    Don’t you love how Mandy Patinkin has progressed from Inigo Montoya to Saul in Homeland?!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 2, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Yes, I’ve been enjoying doing some kooky prints lately! Although there are polka dots and florals in my future, too. 😉

      I’m with you on Clue too! Those are my two favorite movies!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easter Parade dress | By Gum, By Golly says:
    April 3, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    […] know, I know, back so soon and with another dress! If pirate treasure map prints aren’t your thing, how about dancing […]

    Reply
  2. Tropical Breeze dress | By Gum, By Golly says:
    May 21, 2014 at 8:10 am

    […] construction of this dress is basically a dirndl skirt and an inset waistband (like my Cliffs of Insanity dress), with a loose-fitting bodice that was cobbled together from a 50s blouse pattern. Amusingly, the […]

    Reply

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