Shirtwaists can be dressed up or worn plain

This is another favorite. It has a notched collar and is not too difficult to sew if you follow directions carefully. I believe McCalls 4769 has been around for a while so that means there are a lot of gals buying it over the years. The pattern I have was published in 2005. This is a classic style with darts on the bodice. Depending on the fabric you choose, it can be fancy in a silky or linen or one can use cotton for everyday practicality. I do prefer to raise the neckline and that takes some adjusting . Sometimes you can just make the buttonhole higher for the top button. It may make the collar lay differently as the pattern is made specifically to lay as shown on the pattern.

I have noticed that the models seem to be standing in fairly awkward stances. It definitely doesn't make them look very modest or feminine.

Until next time,

Happy Sewing!

Another Favorite Dress Pattern

This is another favorite. Simplicity 5189 is an easy dress

to sew. There are no zippers or buttons and one can leave the ties off. I have raised the neckline using another pattern for the jewel neckline I prefer. I just leave a short neckline opening in back and close it with a button and loop. This pattern works well in cottons and fabric that has "flow" to it. It is a very feminine style and would work well on many body types. My only suggestion would be to check and make sure when you have a low neckline and bend over that you don't want to expose an immodest view. I believe the sleeveless style would make a nice jumper. The only other thing I would add is pockets and I haven't figured out where I would put those in as I like in-seam pockets. Sometimes the pockets make it look bulky at the hip on slim outlines. I will need to experiment. I made this in a red silky print I got several years ago when WalMart sold fabrics for $1./yd. I made a scrunchie to go with it. I think you will be pleased with the fit of this dress when you have sewn it.

Pattern Ideas

This is one nice shirtwaist pattern from Vogue:

Vogue 8028 is an easy dress to make. It is a simple shirtwaist that doesn't require a lot of yardage and would work well in a variety of colors or prints and fabrics for all seasons. It has a button front and that could add up to extra expense depending on the cost of buttons that match. It has pockets and is quite comfortable. I don't sew in the darts or pleats but gather instead to work in the fulness, which really isn't very much.

Modest patterns

I have perused the pattern books in the fabric stores and have a hard time finding really modest style dresses that one can just cut and sew. It seems that there would have to be much done to raise necklines, loosen fittings, and lower hemlines to appear decently covered.

I have emailed the major pattern catalogs with suggestions of serving the "modest" community with dresses styled more to cover a woman than uncover. The answers were to get a pattern and then adjust it to suit what personal design one has in mind, perhaps even getting the "basic shell" pattern and using it to create what is lacking in the pattern.

I am going to list what I have found to work for me in the next post. These patterns should be available in the fabric stores and it is less costly to get them on sale.

This is Mandy's new winter dress. I usedMcCall's 3706. It is an older pattern and was published in 2002. McCall's 4432 is very similar. The sleeves would need to be lengthened for winter. I also put elastic encased in the bodice/skirt seam that goes from side-seam to side-seam. That way it doesn't look so loose on her.

How is "modest" defined?

Posting comments on this blog has taken a back seat to other activities of this winter season.
I have been perusing sites on modesty due to a question from a family member as to how to broach the subject of what is appropriate wear for a young lady--a girl in her early teens, caught up in the prowess of that ever present standard of peer pressure in the social setting of the public school, by which many evils are engendered in the minds of the so-susceptible subconscious of youth. The stigma of the public school culture lasts a lifetime for some and for others, it becomes a starting point for further life-building character. For a few it tends to breed stagnation and apathy towards developing the best of oneself.
Yet amidst all of this, there arise challenges whereby one can gain insight into what is really important in life. However, I would assume that there are few who are actually taught to look for these and to use them to gain a better understanding of their purpose in life.
At any rate, I have been intrigued with some of the sites that try to explain "modest" in light of their life styles rather than using a dictionary to get an accurate meaning and then be able to use it in light of the actual meaning and contrast it to their perceived definition.
Modest is a word that has a definitive standard. Period. If it is judged by today's cultural norms, one can assess it using behavioral modifications to suit whatever fits. It's the thought that says I can define it whichever way it suits me. We have allowed definitions to meet our standards of self-indulgence.
Religious groups are mocked as well as followers of various beliefs for having a standard of modest dressing. Within each of these there are examples of inconsistency or hypocrisy. However, the consensus is that the women (this is definitely not a male thing!) in these groups have shown a respect for a standard of dressing that dominates their presence in society as saying they have a reason for dressing that way. Their worldview tends to lean towards the definitions that have come down through the ages rather than the inconclusive situational "modest" claims. Perhaps the question should be--by what standard do you judge modest--is it your own definition or are you willing to acknowledge the aged wisdom passed down. History is full of various examples of clothing or lack of clothing, yet the definition seems to stay the same for "modest."
We have become so self-centered and indulgent to our senses that we often lose sight of the true meaning of words. What is important is that our standards should adhere to what we accept as true definitions.
My personal take is that I prefer to use the dictionary for clarifying meanings and keeping that straight in my mind.
So what does "modest" mean? Check out the dictionary! There are many online sources.