Vintage Pattern - Sew a Dicky

I was flicking through a vintage magazine (The Australian Women's Weekly, May 1954) the other day and came across this pattern for a Dicky.

I had never heard of the term before, but basically a dicky (dickie or dickey) is a  type of false shirt-front - originally known as a detachable bosom - designed to be worn with a tuxedo, usually attached to the collar and then tucked into the waistcoat or cummerbund.  The idea was to make the front of a full dress shirt a separate entity in itself, like the detachable collar, so it could be laundered and starched more easily. 

This one is of course designed for a woman, to wear under a top or low cut dress. A great idea to keep the sun, or eyes, off that delicate front area!

This idea is also similar to the 19th century Chemisettes, which give the appearance of a blouse or shirt worn under a dress.  Not only are they easy to make and don't take as much fabric as a full blouse, they don't add bulk at the waist or upper arm.  It make it easy to change the appearance of a dress by changing the style or color of the chemisette.  Of course you can embroider them too....

Chemisettes from Godey's Lady's Book for April 1850

Vintage Fashion - Patterns for the Not so Slim -1954

Today a lovely fashion spread from June 1954 (The Australian Women's Weekly) - Fashion Patterns for the Not so Slim.

The patterns range from 38 inch bust to 44 inch bust. As someone with a 44 inch bust, I wish I looked as good as these girls! (Of course they would all be wearing corsets or 'foundation garments.')

Points to note -

• Princess line or straight skirts - no full skirts
• Nipped in waists - show off those curves!
• Below knee-length skirts
• Interesting necklines and bust detail
• Mostly the one color, with accents

Mid-Century Pattern - Versatile Sun Sweater

It's a beautiful sunny day here - perfect for school holidays.

After a walk on the beach with the kids and dogs I got stuck onto the garden - I have a plan now!  I am going to do circular dug and mulched garden beds and surround them with dog proof wire - this seems the cheapest and easiest option that will let me get my spring planting done asap (photos to come). After a few hours digging I was exhausted, and the kids decided they were hungry, so we broke for a swim and lunch - scrambled eggs with eggs from our chickens.

So today a quick and easy post  - a sweet little tank top from 1952 (Australian Women's Weekly, 3 September) in small bust size 32 to 36 inches -

It's so sweet - maybe I'll attempt one for my daughter.

♥ Deb

Dreaming of Squirrels and a Pattern

I had a dream about squirrels the other night.

Which is strange, because we don't have squirrels in Australia.

I have seen them  in Sweden and in New York, though - so cute.

Squirrel in Central Park via