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1950’s Style Ames Jeans and Harrison Shirt

Hi friends!

One of my favorite things is to take modern patterns and put a retro spin on them.  Two such patterns are the Cashmerette Harrison shirt and the Cashmerette Ames Jeans — both classic separates that happen to be in my size.  Two of my favorite vintage bloggers are Tasha (By Gum, By Golly) and Bex (Subversive Femme) and their casual 1940’s/50’s styles inspired this outfit as well as many upcoming makes that I have filed in my head.

Source: Cashmerette Patterns

For my shirt I used the Cashmerette Harrison shirt pattern and made it short-sleeved with sleeve hem bands.  I used some red Kaufman Cambridge shirting from LA Finch Fabrics.  I did a full bicep adjustment, which I probably should have added a little more ease to.

I added some floral embroidery from a vintage 1950’s Vogart embroidery pattern.  It was meant for towels or pillowcases, but it works well for this shirt.

For my jeans, I used the Cashmerette Ames Jeans pattern.

Source: Cashmerette Patterns

I used Cone Mills S-Gene stretch denim and notions kit from Cashmerette that I got in return for testing this pattern in it’s initial stages.

I’ve made several pairs of jeans now and this is my best pair.  But as you know, you get better the more you practice making something.  The Ames Jeans are my favorite jeans pattern so far.  I’ve tried the Closet Case Ginger Jeans (unblogged) — which I also made out of Cone Mills denim — and I prefer the Ames Jeans.  For one, they’re in my size and two, they have different body shape fits (apple and pear), so they fit me with less altering.

I made the straight leg fit with the pear pelvis fit.  I added 1 1/2″ inches to the rise to give them more of a retro high-waisted look, although I do need the added length to fit my body better.  Next time, I may add another 1/2-1″.  If you’re also going to add length to the Ames Jeans, don’t forget to the fly pieces.  They don’t have a lengthen/shorten line, but don’t really need it to add length.  I graded between sizes from the waist to the hip and added 4 1/2″ to the length as I plan to always wear these rolled up.

I used some Star Wars fabric from stash for the pockets and inner waistband.  They have a pocket stay, too.  I sewed these so that the print shows if you open the pocket, but I think next time I will sew it so that I can see the right side of the print when I look at the inside of my jeans.

The back pockets are too small for me and I normally would have enlarged them, but I frankly didn’t care as I will never these with a shirt tucked in, so the “unflattering” pockets don’t matter to me.  I did think about leaving them off, but I like the classic 5-pocket look of this pattern.

This kit came with copper thread for the top-stitching.  When I top-stitched the hem, I put the copper on the inside, as I’ll wear these rolled up.  I don’t bother threading my bobbin with top-stitching thread as I just use navy thread when I switch it out.  Jeans top-stitching thread is usually pretty thick, so you wouldn’t want to do that anyway.  This thread, however, is just Gutermann mara thread.

I’m looking forward to making a pair of the “skinny fit” Ames jeans in the fall.  Right now, I’m all about the summer dresses!

*Note:  I received both the Cashmerette Harrison shirt and Ames Jeans patterns at no cost as a pattern tester.  I received the Cone Mills denim and notions kit from Cashmerette at no cost as a pattern tester.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Also ….

I’m a guest on Helen & Caroline’s Love to Sew podcast this week, if you want to check it out! 🙂

Happy Sewing!

  • Shirt:  Cashmerette Harrison shirt in cotton lawn, made by me
  • Jeans:  Cashmerette Ames Jeans in Cones Mills S-Gene denim, made by me
  • Shoes:  Minnetonka
  • Purse:  Vintage 1960’s Enid Collins box bag
  • Earrings:  Luxulite
  • Sunglasses:  ModCloth
  • Lipstick:  Besame 1939 Tango Red (affiliate link)

Comments

  1. Heard the podcast, Tanya, and it was very interesting and informative. I got a couple of links to follow due to hearing it. Also, I am not signed up with Instagram, but I did see your comments on the Fourth of July. I had to laugh, though. I, too, am a descendant of some who fought in the Revolutionary War. But they were Redcoats. Well, you gotta have an enemy!

  3. Oh my! I. LOVE. THIS!! Red is your color isn’t it! That shirt is to die for. And I’m definately not a jeans sewer or wearer at this time of my life- but I would love wearing those high waisted jeans. They look so comfortable! You are amazing!

    • Thank you! I’m finding that I don’t like wearing pants unless they’re high waisted. They definitely work better for me. 🙂

  4. Wow, what a gorgeous look on you, the stunning red shirt, the embroidery, the great jeans and that incredible purse!

  6. When it comes to the pockets, I tend to sew the pocket stay so that the right side of the fabric on both sides is oriented toward my body. That way, when I open the pocket, I can see it on the pocket facing, and when I put them on, I can see it on the pocket lining.

    I’ve been thinking that I need to do a short sleeve Harrison (maybe with sleeve tabs?) Did you just shorten the sleeve or did you do any extra alterations other than adding the band?

    • Yeah, for the next pair of jeans, I’m going to put the print on the inside towards my body so I can see it. I just cut the sleeve piece where i wanted it to end. A sleeve tab would look wonderful on the harrison!

  7. Ok… I’m definitely going to have to try the straight leg version. These look great cuffed! Now if only I had more denim in my stash…

  9. This outfit is so perfect! And you really succeeded in making it look incredibly retro! I love it! 😀

    I’ll definitely be listening to your interview on the Love To Sew podcast! It’s my favourite sewing podcast and I’m so excited that you’re a guest on the latest episode!! That is so exciting!!

    <3

  11. You just keep getting better and better, don’t you? Again, another fabulous look! I love that shirt and the embroidery just makes it more retro. I use Vogart transfers, too. Aren’t they great? And as you pointed out, they can be used just about anywhere depending upon the design, of course. You have been sewing up a storm, and it is more inspiring each time. I’ll be checking out that podcast today too.

    • I love Vogart transfers, too. I’ve been a little obsessed with finding the McCall Kaumograph transfers lately. 🙂

  12. LOVE the outfit! So perfectly retro. The jeans look great. I’m wondering about the Harrison shirt, how is the collar and stay? Nicely sized and how about the over all fit at the neck? Some shirts sit so high and the collars large. The embroidery is a nice touch.

    • Thanks, Theresa! The collar and stay are not too high for me. I’d never wear it buttoned up, but it could be buttoned up comfortably.

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Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.