Hi there, friends!
Have you ever been so excited about a fabric and recreating a vintage design and then just let it sit in your fabric stash for a year? Well, I have… I had been yearning for a lobster print skirt or dress for a while and designed some fabric to make my own version and then I let it sit around unsewn. I guess I wasn’t that excited, was I? Well…. now that I have that lobster skirt, I am super excited to finally wear it!
via Pinterest
I saw this vintage 1950’s Horrockses lobster print skirt on Pinterest and knew that I had to have that and went about creating my own print. I designed my print at My Fabric Designs and had it printed on basic combed cotton. My lobsters aren’t quite as cool as the Horrockses design, but I love them just the same.
This skirt is a self drafted dirndl style skirt. Basically, just two rectangles gathered with a waistband. The Horrockses skirt buttons down the side. I added a side button closure instead of a zip using some large pearlized vintage buttons. Being white, the fabric is a bit see-through, so instead of lining it, I have on my white cotton petticoat (Simplicity 5006).
Source: Cashmerette Patterns
Paired with my skirt is a sleeveless Cashmerette Harrison shirt. I made it out of a white twill from LA Finch Fabrics. I often test for Cashmerette Patterns, but didn’t have a chance to test the Harrison pattern at the time, so this is my first version of it. This pattern really does sew together very well and is shapely with it’s double princess seams. My version is a bit more fitted than I’m used to, but it pairs very well with this skirt for a mid-century silhouette. I graded between sizes between the bust and waist/hip, following the size chart, but would probably go up a size for a future version as I like a little bit more ease.
The twill that I used has a sateen finish is a little bit heavier than a shirting. It’s a lovely fabric that worked really well for this shirt and makes me think that I should purchase some more to make a dress with it.
I used some vintage buttons from my stash for this shirt. I have a lot of buttons — both vintage and new — so I often don’t go out and purchase buttons when I get fabric for a specific project like this one. I shop in my stash first and if I don’t have something that will work, that’s when I go button shopping.
BTW: I do a lot of thrift and antique store shopping, so I pick up buttons (and many other notions) when I find them. I don’t really do this just to be frugal, but because I find vintage buttons to be of better quality than most modern ones and often more interesting. Plus, have you seen the button selection at JoAnn’s lately?! I guess that’s why I either shop from my stash for buttons or buy buttons for special projects at Stonemountain (Berkeley, CA) or Britex (San Francisco, CA).
I chose white for this shirt as I needed a versatile shirt that would go with many things. However, I being me, wanted to add a little something to this shirt. I found this fabulous monogram transfer pattern on Etsy a few weeks ago and I would say that the fact that I wanted to monogram everything with it, really pushed me sew this shirt as sewing basics is always on the bottom of my list. The monogram pattern is McCall 1339, a vintage pattern from 1947. This pattern was a bit more than I generally pay for patterns as it’s kind of rare, but it was uncut and fantastic, so here it is in my hands. 🙂
Vintage McCall 1339 Kaumagraph Transfer
This pattern has instructions for both a beaded and sequined version and an embroidered version with a chainstitch and herringbone stitch. I did consider using sequins, but thought that might be a bit flashy for an everyday shirt. I also checked out JoAnn’s selection of sequins and was unimpressed, so will definitely purchase sequins online when I get to making one of those. Instead, I used light gold silver-lined Czech glass seed beads (size 11) and filled it in with an embroidery thread herringbone stitch. I considered doing this monogram in red, but I really wanted this shirt to be one that I could wear with many other skirts, so I chose the more neutral color of gold instead. I usually do beadwork and embroidery in freehand and generally don’t use a pattern, so I found it refreshingly quick to use this transfer pattern and I plan on putting flashy monograms on more things!
One of the things that drew me to the vintage monogram pattern that I used was this photo of my grandma from 1946. Look at that monogram on her dress!!! I don’t know if she used a pattern, if she embroidered it herself or even if she made her dress as I didn’t notice it in this photo until recently and sadly she is not here any longer for me to ask. My hope is that I’ll find a pattern similar to that someday, but if not, I will design my own and recreate that dress that she’s wearing.
I’m not really much of a skirt wearer, but I am super happy with this skirt and this outfit as a whole. When I tried it on together, I was blown away by how much I love it. My only problem with this outfit is that I don’t know how I’m going to keep it clean…. I already had a battle with some type of ink stain on the shirt that mysteriously landed there some time when I tried it on while I was sewing it. I tried a few things to get it out and finally was triumphant when I tried a Fels-Naptha bar on it.
And Rollie might like it, too. 🙂
Note: I received the Harrison shirt pattern in return for being a Cashmerette pattern tester. I received the fabric for the skirt as part of a stipend that I had last year at My Fabric Designs. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Happy Sewing!
- Shirt: Cashmerette Harrison in white twill, made by me
- Skirt: self-drafted in custom printed cotton
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
- Earrings: Luxulite
- Lip color: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Plushest Punch
I have not checked in in awhile. Tanya, so I thought I would today. Look what I missed! That is one beautiful and authentic-looking retro skirt. Love the fabric and it’s just my style. I just watched Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train for the umpteenth time the other night; one of the main protagonists has a lobster tie and I picked up on that the first time I saw the film. Love every bit of the blog. You look great!
I like it! You are so so beautiful in this outfit!
How fun! Your dresses are always so cute! I’m a total thrift store fabric/notions/patterns junky lol.
Very nice put together outfit. You did a great job on the skirt and the monogram on the Cashmerette shirt is very vintage. Laverne and Shirley. Love it! I am newbie to sewing and love your projects. Keep up the great work; I enjoy watching and reading your reviews. I too am a fan of Cashmerette patterns. I am a curvy girl who loves vintage clothes. What’s next Tanya??
Thank you, Barb! What’s next? I see some more monogrammed garments in the future, but I also have a maxi dress coming up, a 50’s dress and another 20’s ensemble with beaded trim.
You did a great job capturing the spirit of the Horrockses lobsters! They’re so fun and the scale of them is perfect on this skirt. The monogram really sets off the blouse well. This will be a lovely ensemble the next time you go visiting your New England family! I’m always searching for good buttons to repurpose/rescue too–JoAnn’s button offerings have been so blah for a while (and expensive).
Thanks, Elizabeth! I love wearing this outfit and especially the skirt,and need to make a new red or white knit top to pair with it. Yes, JoAnn’s is terrible! There used to be a whole side of an aisle dedicated to buttons, and now they seem to be relegated to just one tiny corner. 🙁
Wow, I had to look really hard to see the differences between your gorgeous skirt and the Horrockes one on your Pinterest board (gorgeous dress next to it BTW). You look fabulous in your outfit. I love the monogram. It really sets your shirt apart and is just such a fun vintage touch. Your Grandma’s dress is lovely. Ladies are so stylish back then. No sweat pants and t-shirts. Xx
Thank you!!! I’m glad that I did a good interpretation of that vintage skirt. Ladies (and men) were so stylish decades ago. It would be nice if that kind of style came back.
OMG That is just the cutest outfit! And I know what you mean about buttons, I inherited my grandma’s two button jars that she got from her grandma, my husband’s grandma gave me her old sewing supplies, and I’ve ordered some on Etsy for a few projects. They were solid back then, and some are so fun and funky. Plus, there’s something fun about old button jars and wondering where the button came from.
Goop. My family swears by that, it’s a hand cleaner found in the automotive section of Wal-Mart. It works wonders on stains.
Thank you, Alyssa! I also inherited my grandma’s buttons. I always enjoyed looking at them as a kid and now enjoy using them. I do order from etsy occasionally, but only when I have a specific type of button that I’m looking for as there are so many to choose from on etsy and it gets a bit overwhelming. I think we have some Goop around here! At the moment I have green dye on my hands, so I think I should go find that and make use of it.
Such Lovey work as usual Tanya!!! I adore your page!!! FIESTA 😉
Thanks, Monica!
Ohhhhhh Myyyyyy Gooooooood
This entire look is just so perfect, and I love the monogram!
Thank you, Melody! 🙂
I always admire everything (literally!) your make, but the shirt is da bomb! I live in the Deep South, and honey, we monogram everything here! Boots, sandals, drink coozies, headbands, scarves, shirts, cuffs, jackets, ANYTHING, and bling is better seems to be the trend. Oh, and bows, especially for girls, even bigger than the kid. Lol. While I have a very nice embroidery machine, I still LOVE the hand embroidery and find it preferable as a rule. Fantastic work, as always!
Thanks, Yvonne! I used to put my name or initial on everything and fell out of the practice. I should definitely start doing that again! 🙂
Super cute! Your embroidery skills are truly on point.
FWIW- alcohol often removes ink stains,
Thank you, Brenda! I will remember that about alcohol. Usually the oxy stick or the Grandma’s stain remover does the trick. But that stain didn’t want to go anywhere. I remember my dry cleaner telling me that white wine removed red wine stains. i guess it’s kind of a similar thing?
I love this! I’ve got Harrison in my stash waiting for me to cut into it, I want to make a blue oxford.
Thank you! I’m thinking of making a long sleeved blue chambray version.
I never thought I’d like lobster fabric- but I love yours even more than the pinterest! What a beautiful job on the blouse you did! You look fantastic!
Thank you, Elizabeth! I have to admit that I love lobsters, but I’m very picky about the prints. I guess that’s why I designed my own. 🙂
I LOVE this outfit. It is so wonderfully summery. The lobsters are the perfect mix of preppy, cute, and grown up!
Thank you, Alexandra! I’m looking forward to wearing this outfit this weekend. 🙂
I love the lobster fabric- can’t seem to find it anywhere at the moment … I did a big search for some a few months ago …. anyway, yours is Fab!
Thanks, Diane! I couldn’t find lobster fabric that I liked either, so I designed my own. 🙂
This outfit is beautiful. And actually after I saw you post about this embroidery pattern, I found it on eBay and bought my own. I’m super excited to make my own monogramed shirt! But I have a question about your Harrison shirt. How did you finish the princess seams on the inside? Did you just serge it with white thread? I was worried if I did that I would be able to see it through the front,(as I’d like a similar white sleeveless shirt!) but yours looks fabulous!
Thank you! That’s awesome that you bought the monogram pattern! It’s so awesome and makes me want to embroider/bead everything! I finished all of the seams of my Harrison with a serger and white thread. I had light pink thread on my serger at the time and remember having to change it as the white is a bit see-through.
Tanya, I think you self designed fabric is way nice than the one on Pinterest! Beautiful outfit altogether! And great work!
Awe, thanks, Heather! 🙂
Wow!!! What a great outfit, your work is just beautiful and fun! I just got back from my first visit to Martha’s Vineyard, it would have been great to wear your outfit to the casual lobster corn and potatoes dinner I attended. Hope you get some great summer wear out of this super outfit. Did I note little lobster or crab earrings! Lol ! Awesome.
Thank you, Rhonda! You make me wish I was wearing it in New England eating a lobster roll! I do have lobster earrings on. I didn’t take any photos of them as I photographed three outfits that day and was tired. 🙂
Tanz, EVERYTHING about this look is FABULOUS! Lobsters would never have been in my head for a cute skirt, but yours is amazing! And that vintage monogram? Heart eyes, girl, all of them for you and this handiwork!
Thank you, Abbey! I love how it all came together. )