It can be a little overwhelming to look at my (growing) collection of beautiful summer linens, and then try to make a decision on which piece to select for my next project.
Fortunately, a random purchase of buttons helped me make up my mind this time around. I found these buttons at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco last year, and purchased them on a whim, not knowing when or how I would use them. I also don’t know what possessed me to purchase 6 of them, but that’s what I did.
Yes, those are interlocking “a la Chanel” Cs.
When I got them home, I realized they were a perfect match with a length of vintage, pale yellow, Moygashel linen in my possession. I tucked the fabric and the buttons away together, confident that the perfect pattern would also be found amongst my many vintage Vogue patterns.
It was a bit of a trick finding a pattern that needed 6 (or fewer) ¾” buttons. This one kept surfacing as the most ideal candidate:
Ideal, except for the yardage needed, that is. Many of you know by now that being a “little shy” of the prescribed fabric usually does not keep me from my desired goal! After making a fitting muslin and making the necessary adjustments, I cut out my underlining (light weight linen/cotton blend) and used that as my pattern. It was immediately evident that I did not have enough of that 35” width linen.
Or did I? I figured if I eliminated the center back box pleat and replaced it with just a slit in the back center seam, I’d save a bit of yardage requirements. I could make the sleeve hem facings out of the underlining, saving a bit more. And if I cut the collar on the horizontal straight of grain rather then the vertical, I could just fit the pattern pieces onto my yardage. It was a good thing I had already decided to eliminate the chest pockets (a little too 1950s.) And a self-belt? Out of the question!
A belt turned out to be a perplexing question. I had been fortunate enough for a few years to have my belts and covered buttons custom made by Pat Mahoney, but since her retirement last year, I have found no replacement for her services. I was dreading the prospect of making my own belt. The only good thing was I knew I had a piece of vintage Moygashel linen in a medium navy blue (see the button photo above) which would be a good contrasting color for the yellow dress. I decided I would think about actually making the belt after I had the dress itself finished.
For a simple shirtwaist dress, there were a number of time-consuming details, like the gussets I covered in my last post. There were also six bound buttonholes to work.
It always amazes me how long these buttonholes take to make!
There were separate front bodice facings, and a front skirt placket with separate facings. There were sleeve hem facings (as mentioned above), and lots of trimming, clipping, and grading of seams! And then the dress was done. Except for the belt, of course.
After giving myself a pep talk, I took out one of Pat’s belts and studied it, vowing to duplicate as closely as possible her techniques and precision. Fortunately I had a belt buckle from long ago, which I had saved. It was for a 1.25” width belt, which is exactly what I wanted. I plunged ahead and this what I made, working the eyelets by hand (which fortunately don’t show much on the dark linen!):
Although not my favorite dress of all time, I think I’ll get good use out of it, and I do love its pairing with “summer” blue.
The clutch is a perfect match with the belt – how lucky is that?
Cool linen for a hot summer!
Best of all, the buttons add just the right, somewhat mysterious, touch.
fiftydresses 
Beautiful. Bound buttonholes do always take forever, but they are so worth every second! You look very stylish in your new linen dress.
Many thanks! I agree – bound buttonholes are worth all the time they take to do.
beautiful –
Thank you, Ann.
Love the blue contrast. You look cool and comfy, a perfect look for summer!
Thank you, Kathy! There is nothing quite like linen for a hot summer day…
Oooh, a beautiful classic! Perfect choices, perfectly executed. Last night’s bedtime reading was Easy Easier Easiest Tailoring, 1977 revised edition, Palmer & Pletsch. Their idea of machine sewing the guidelines for bound buttonholes might help me not spend so much time double-checking placement. As perfect as your styling/accessorizing is, I’ll bet this quietly dignified yellow will go with some other favorites also.
Your projects, along with that delightful image from one of your recent posts of Marguerite’s aunts rapidly transforming from gardening and cooking to heading out in public all dolled up in suits and coiffures, are good company during my own endeavors. Thank you (& your readers) for sharing.
I often take pattern instruction sheets to bed with me for my nighttime reading. Sometimes that’s better than fiction! I, too, loved that image of Marguerite’s aunts doing their “super women” quick change. Kind of inspiring, isn’t it! And – thank you for sharing your always interesting thoughts!!
Looks like an absolutely perfect summer dress. You’ve styled it wonderfully with the blue and white. I can sympathize with you on the task of making less than the required amount of fabric work. Love the buttons.
Thanks, Mary. I was all in a tizzy about not being true to the pattern when I had to eliminate the back folded pleat, but now I’m glad I made it work!
As always, your vintage linen dress is perfection. Love the buttons, the color and the blue belt. I,too, miss Pat like crazy, but you did a spectacular job!
Thank you, Cissie! I was so lucky to have that belt buckle for this belt. If I had to cover a buckle, I’m not sure what I would do!
Oh the buttons make your dress look like a Chanel original! Your linen is a lovely fabric! and with a matching belt and clutch too!
I think the buttons will definitely make some heads scratch if they are noticed! Thank you, Linda, for such a lovely comment!
I love it. A perfect dress. Once you have given up the notion of a yellow belt then other colours would look great too – pink, red, white, dark brown…
You are so right, Kate! Other colors will work, too. That’s one of the charms of yellow.
Cool linen indeed! What a lovely shade of yellow, and what an amazing find those matching buttons were….no more wondering why you bought them! The blue belt is a perfect complement. (And I’m just thinking that there might also be some sort of wonderful coat/ cover-up magnificence as cooler weather sets in. 🙂
Thank you, Jen! I may end up using a blue cardigan sweater in cooler weather, but who knows what other ideas surface!
So very pretty! As always, your wonderful details are what make it so special. Buttons can be so inspiring! =)
I just received a big box of buttons from a friend at church this past Sunday. Her uncle just retired & closed his tailor shop, and she didn’t have room for all the buttons he gave her in her stash. I spent about 2 days sorting everything! I got a lot of designer buttons (like Dior and YSL) plus some American Airlines logo-ed ones! My favorites are probably the basic shirt buttons with 3 holes though – I will definitely be using those.