18/06/2026
Honest pattern cutting. This dress was supposed to be simple…
A year ago I made a sewing pattern inspired by the famous 1950s 1 hour dress.
It all started well:
1. Drafting it from my block was easy- I knew the sewing pattern would fit me and I even added a Dior inspired dart.
2. The toile fit well, just needed a bit of contouring in the wrap.
3. It felt comfortable and moved well.
Then I made it in fabric hated it:
1. The double layered skirt would move up when walking and also open up with any gust of wind.
2. The bodice looked great if tied very tightly, but as the knot loosened the armhole would distort.
After wearing it out I nearly cut it up to reuse the fabric, but didn’t want to waste a pretty style and all the drafting and sewing work.
So I did a very DIY fix:
1. I pinned it together at the side seams and stitched up one side. On the other I inserted a simple zip.
2. I changed the wrap skirt to a fake wrap.
3. Added pockets made out of lining fabric- they keep the layers apart.
Would I do this for a production pattern/ if making for someone else? Probably not at it’s not the most conventional approach. But for a personal make it works for my requirements and was a quick and easy fix.
Have you made the 1 hour dress? Was it a success?
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