Spring 2014 DW Fashion Design Challenge

Pro

Meet Nancy Drew Circa 1930

I took my inspiration from the cover illustration of Volume 1 “The Secret of the Old Clock”

This same outfit is on the cover of Nancy Drew Paper Dolls illustrated by Darlene Jones so I felt pretty confident that this might be considered a signature look for Nancy, thus her “meet” outfit.

Here is an image of a similar suit.

I usually have much more success finding the fabric I want by checking out the local thrift store and again, I was not disappointed. I have included the navy blue cloche hat in the picture. It was my color inspiration and one of 6 hats that I re-fashioned from wool felt “adult” hats this past winter. (Sorry no pictures of the process.)

First I tackled the pleated skirt because I thought it would be easiest and was the bases of the suit. It was fairly easy, but time consuming. Each pleat needed to be basted by hand. This was a recommendation in the tutorial that I found while looking for the vinegar/water formula that I needed to set the pleats. Using 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water, I dipped the pressing cloth and slightly wrung it out, covered the basted and hemmed skirt fabric, pressed and repeated on the reverse side. I allowed the fabric to dry in place.

Next I stitched down each pleat from waist to hip level, closed the back seam and attached the waist band and fastener.

Having been a pattern tester for Lee and Pearl's pattern “Molly Waves Goodby”, I knew that it would be a good pattern to adapt for my suit jacket. It was also the first time I used a trick from a pattern maker that I discovered recently; using paper toweling as pattern material. This is the pattern for the blouse.

It worked really well. I decided to make a mock up of the jacket before cutting into my fashion fabric. Getting the collar right is always the biggest challenge.

Almost finished with the jacket facing applied and the very important step of proper pressing.

Next came the blouse. Finding the vintage blouse pattern image with a neckline similar to the paper-doll illustration was a bonus.

Here is a picture of the front of the blouse where the binding is being hand sewn in place.

I also made Nancy some “period appropriate” flared panties.

Now that the sewing is done, there needs to be accessories, a clock and a magnifying glass. Here are the things I found to make a magnifying glass.

Getting the final coat of clear finish after being stained. ( I forgot to take pictures of the original wooden box that I found at Michaels and cut down to make the clock.)

Although my idea for the magnifying glass seem fine, I just couldn't get the handle and glass to stay connected. I was really blessed to find a perfectly sized glass at Hobby Lobby at the 11^th hour. Whew! Nancy really, really needs a magnifying glass.

Getting dressed: