Pinup Maternity Style 1960s

As I mentioned before I am expecting my first baby this summer and I love vintage. Im now in the ''none of my cute stuff fits but maternity clothes are too big'' stage and the maternity sections of the local shops just look so sad and boring the thought of wearing that stuff is depressing. As spring slowly arrives and invitations to weddings and bridal and baby showers begin to arrive i'm left wondering what in the world am I going to wear? So of course I began thinking of all my favorite shows that feature maternity clothing. 

One of the best samplings can be seen on the TV show Mad Men, worn by 'Betty Draper'

 Though most of these styles from the 60s are best for nicer maternity wear, evenings out, weddings, baby and bridal showers etc. They are a little dressy to be wearing while doing laundry or sewing.

The more casual around the house outfits are a bit too tent shaped for my liking. Maybe once im huge i wont care so much, but right now id like something a bit more streamlined. 

Also here are a few pictures from one of my favorite shows when i was a kid, when ''Samantha'' was pregnant on Bewitched. The green dress is also a bit much with the tent shape and the long full sleeves, but i like the shorter length skirt. The other dress above is very cute!

                                          This one reminds me of ''That Girl'' Marlo Thomas

 

This is one of my favorites! i think this would be a perfect summer dress

Above are some maternity patterns I found while searching for something to make for myself to wear a lot of these are actually 70s patterns but still have that late 60s look to them. Most of these can probably be found for sale on Etsy or Ebay. I have bunch of saved pattern images to get ideas of how to adjust patterns i have already, but i don't know exactly where i found them all. These would be very easy to make as there is little to no fitting involved, and could probably be done in an evening. Now to find fabric and the really tricky one...time!

Red Niagara Jacket & Blouse-Marilyn Monroe

One of my favorite jackets of Marilyn's. Red wool with wide open collar, 3/4 length sleeves with cuffs, fully lined. Front and sleeves are cut as one with a center back seam. One big white button finishes off the look. Below you can see my first collar test with the pattern on the dress form. I usually go through 2-3 pattern adjustments before I get it the way i like it. The blouse I designed since I wasnt able to find any pictures or hints as to what it looked like. It may not even be a blouse but a scarf tucked into the neckline but for wear-ability, I went with a blouse. It as a white rayon fabric, very simple styling with front darts and back tucks. The front closes just below the waist with two small buttons. I added removable shoulder pads.

Also you may have noticed my Etsy shop is very empty and will be for a while. I am expecting a baby at the end of the summer and will not be taking anymore orders for 2013. I will continue to post projects as I finish them, there are a bunch left to do before the little one arrives. I do plan on taking more orders sometime in 2014. 

All photos showing my work may not be used in anyway without permission from me.

Elizabeth Taylor-Blue Polkadot Dress-Custom Request

A return customer of mine sent me the picture above, after hours of searching for large blue dots on white (surprisingly hard to find). We settled on a cotton fabric with aqua dots, the most affordable option and the closest to the original dress. The dress is entirely underlined with white cotton The skirt lining has a ruffle hem and attached netting for fullness. Hi-neckline in front to a V-neck back, i was guessing a little bit with how the back collar finished since there were not any other pictures to go by. Fold down bias cut collar. Back zipper. I purchased some vintage velvet remnants to make the waist belt, it is removable so another belt or sash could be worn.

 

Marilyn Monroe Bus Stop Skirt & Blouse

 

 

 Is seems I forgot to post this outfit! I made the top and skirt below last spring. The top is a yellow gold faux silk fabric with black lace overlay. Drawstring neckline with long front ties, elastic puffed sleeves with decorative bows. The back waist has a zipper that runs from the hem to just a few inches below the neckline for a more snug fit. The skirt i made of a stretch satin self lined, covered buttons down the side. Above are the costume images of Marilyn Monroe in the original outfit. All images below belong to Morningstar84 and may not be used without permission.

Black Silk Satin Wiggle Skirt With BIG Bow

This skirt was a custom request, my customer really like the idea of the Marilyn 'Bus Stop' skirt but wanted to add some of her own details. She wanted buttons down both sides, and grouped into sets of three with fabric loops. Then to top it all off a big bow in the back the peeks out just a bit from the front. She also requested that the skirt be self-lined. I used a medium weight silk satin in black, the skirt sides and back are all cut in one piece and fitted with darts at the sides and back. The waist band is interfaced for support. The front flap is totally removable with buttons and hooks down each side. All images below belong to Morningstar84 and may not be used without permission.

 

Misfits Dress- Modified Boat Neckline

 This was again a request by a customer, who loved Marilyn Monroe's dress in the Misfits but also wanted to be able to wear it to work. She decided on a boat neckline with the same cutout design only much higher, the back is the same low style as the original to make it more day to night friendly. Finished its like a combination of an Audrey Hepburn dress and Marilyn Monroe's.

All images above belong to Morningstar84 and may not be used without permission, all other photos are used only as inspiration and do not belong to me.

50's Black Satin Wiggle Dress-Request

 This fabulous dress was a custom request. The above images are the original 1950s dress that had been sold, these were sent to me by my customer I do not know who sold the dress. These pictures are used only for reference, i do not own the rights to them.

Though the original dress appears to have been made using a taffeta fabric, my customer chose a stretch satin and wanted a pop of color added so we went with a pink stretch velvet. Adding piping around the neckline/under-bust seam and the bust petals. She also chose to go without the large bow on the back. The bust has built in bra cups and boning, the front and sides also have boning to keep it smooth through the midriff. Side pleated skirt with two gathered panels creating a train on the back of the skirt.