Akram's Ideas
Review of my latest #vintagepledge pattern Simplicity 7655, which I made a fashionable 60’s day dress from vintage green plaid polyester.

60’s Day Dress – Simplicity 7655

It’s already April and before you know it we’ll be halfway through the year. I can’t even fathom the thought of it. Despite things being all crazy (see my last post) I have been pretty good with my #VintagePledge this year. I already completed two projects my t-shirt using Simplicity 1692 and my jersey dress using Simplicity 5556. Now I can add to that list my latest project a day dress using Simplicity 7655.

Akram's Ideas: 2016 #VintagePledge Simplicity 7655
2016 #VintagePledge continues with Simplicity 7655

Day Dress

It seems to be a theme with me this year to make more casual clothes. While I love my vintage 40’s and 50’s dresses, they aren’t very practical for running errands or cleaning house.

Akram's Ideas: 60's style dress
Lately I’ve been going for a 60’s look

I’ve been wanting more clothes I could wear on a regular basis, which is why I kicked off this year with the t-shirt and then the jersey dress.

My next project I knew I wanted to make a day dress or house dress. Basically they are dresses that were marketed as a dress to wear around the house and do your chores, whether it be cleaning, cooking or even gardening.

Simplicity 7655 and this green polyester plaid fabric went perfectly together.
Simplicity 7655 and this green polyester plaid fabric went perfectly together.

I’ve have a variety of day dress patterns from the 50’s thru the 70’s, but for this project I decided to go with Simplicity 7655 from 1968.

Simplicity 7655

I choose the pattern for a couple of reasons, one it was pretty much my size, so only minor pattern alterations, it has a zipper so no buttons need be sewed on , and lastly I had the perfect fabric for it.

From the get go I knew the dress would be prefect
From the get go I knew the dress would be prefect

The green plaid polyester I have had in my stash for a while and knew I would have to make some sort of 60’s style dress with it. It just felt like it came out of that time period.

Construction

The pattern isn’t a JIFFY pattern, but I would consider it as one. There are only two main dresses pieces. Then you have the option of sleeves, which I didn’t have enough fabric for, and patch pockets, which I did manage to squeeze out of my fabric.

I managed to get most of the dress done in one day
I managed to get most of the dress done in one day

I pretty much followed the pattern instructions save for a few minor exceptions. First to give more room in the waist I graded the side seam down from ⅝ inch to ½ inch. I left the bust alone, even if it was 1 size larger than me, the test fit proved it to be okay and I didn’t want to do any major alterations (I’m lazy like that).

The second big difference in my dress is the facing. I followed the pattern for the neckline facing, but I used a bias tape facing around the arm holes. I did this for two reasons, one I was short on fabric and two, I was afraid it be too bulky around the arm hole.

Akram's Ideas: Learn to Sew Facing
Keep an eye out for a new Learn to Sew Video coming soon.

If you are interested, later this month I actually have a video showing you how I applied the neckline facing and armhole bias tape facing, so stay tuned for that.

Last minor change is that I shortened the hem by maybe an 1 inch or 1-½ inches, I can’t remember apparently I forgot to write it down. I’m short and like my skirts to hit just below the knee and this resize worked perfectly.

Overall Thoughts

I love this color! I may or may not have said before, but my favorite color is green, yet I don’t have many green clothes. So, I was super excited to finally have a fun lively green dress in my wardrobe.

I love the 60's look of this dress
I love the 60’s look of this dress

What Would I Change

I was worried that the dress wouldn’t fit as is around the waist, but neglected to change the bust as it was a bit big. So it’s a little baggy in the top, but since I made this dress to run to the store and lounge around the house sewing, it isn’t a big deal for me. However, if I make the dress again, I might consider taking the top in a bit.

Akram's Ideas: Simplicity 7655 Fun Posing
As always I had a little fun posing

Fave Feature

What is my fave feature? Well, I do love the color but as for the dress itself, I’m not sure. I like the front zipper which makes it easy to get in and out of. I like the length, oh and love the patch pockets.

Akram's Ideas: Simplicity 7655 more poses
This dress is so me, from the color to style

While I made this dress as a run around dress, I couldn’t resist styling my hair in a 60’s beehive and pairing it with mod white tights. It’s so 60’s looking and pretty stylish even for loungy day dress.

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Review of my latest #vintagepledge pattern Simplicity 7655, which I made a fashionable 60’s day dress from vintage green plaid polyester.

4 comments

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  • There’s really something about the warmer months that lends itself soooo well to 60s looks. I’d say, generally speaking, that I feel pulled more towards the 60s during the summer than at other times in the year (and indeed, the only heavily [early] 60s look that I sported on my blog last year was during the sizzingly hot days of summer).

    This outfit is such a charmer! So fun, fresh and groovy. Plus, I just love that we each sported punchy green frocks on our blogs this week.

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

    • Thanks Miss Jessica,
      I agree about 60’s and summer time, maybe it’s because the iconic 60’s shift dress is so prefect for summer.
      Also they say great minds think alike so I’m going to attribute that to us both posting green frocks in the same week 😉
      Besides I love green!

Akram Taghavi-Burris

designer, writer, educator, tech nerd, crafter, baker, sewer and vintage collector, who Brings Creative & Crazy Ides to Life.

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