Molly Dendy

Pattern Recommendations

2011-07-13T21:27:00.003-05:00

Interested in sewing a 50s inspired party dress? Creating a gown for Enchanted Makeovers "Stepping Back in Time" event? Well, here are some pattern recommendations to help you get started. Just click the pattern number to view.

VOGUE
Pattern numbers V1094, V2902, and V2962 from the "Vintage Vogue" collection are stunning.

BUTTERICK
Version C of B6582 from the "Retro Butterick" collection could work nicely.

SIMPLICITY
Full skirted takes on Simplicity 2440, 3878, and 4070 would be great.

BURDA
The 50s Petticoat and Katjusha patterns are available as free downloads!

We can make her dress so pretty...

2011-07-11T22:59:00.001-05:00

Warmest, most heartfelt moments in cinematic history? Noah diligently laboring to create Allie's dream home, Landon proposing to Jamie, enthusiastic mice singing "we can do it, we can do it....we can make her dress so pretty". These tiny creatures could've easily said "well, wish we could, but there's just not much we little furry and feathery folks can do to help". Instead, they respond by rallying together for their beloved "Cinderelly", creating a stunning pink gown with love sewn into every stitch. Hope, inspiration, sincerity, grace, and love all pulled together with that perfectly tied bow.

The Dirt on 50s Fashion

2011-07-10T18:06:00.056-05:00

Upon setting out to discover more about a certain topic, I like to start with a little "dirty" research. "Dirty" research is only as technical as googling the topic at hand. In the midst of junk articles and false information, you do find a few gems that offer direction and serve as a basic primer. I just wanted to share some of the better sites I'd found for those of you interested in clothing and accessories from this decade.

Pin this wonderful visual presentation focused on the history of 1950s fashion I found on Pinterest.

Love museums? Check out this article from the Albuquerque Museum.

Everything from petticoats to synthetics is covered in this article from Fashion Era.

Okay, one more! This one from The Peoples History hits on some highlights like Dior's "New Look" and the influence of war, or more specifically the ending of war, on fifties attire.

Calling All Seamstresses!

2011-07-09T23:30:00.000-05:00

Why am I focusing on 50s party dresses over the next couple of weeks? An organization I deeply admire, Enchanted Makeovers, is holding a "Stepping Back in Time" dinner and dance for an amazing group of girls in August. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to help by creating a couple of custom dresses for this special event. The following is a message from Terry Grahl, founder of Enchanted Makeovers, on how you can become part of this wonderful project too:

CALLING ALL SEAMSTRESSES!
My name is Terry Grahl and I am the founder of Enchanted Makeovers, a 100% volunteer, not-for-profit organization based in Michigan whose mission is to transform shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities. This model is much more than a series of decorating projects; it is a movement to transform people rebuilding their lives as well as the lives of the volunteers and communities. We are blessed to be celebrating our 5 year anniversary in 2011 and very blessed by the national exposure and awards we have received including People Magazine, MLB, Martha Stewart, Woman's World, Ladies Home Journal and many more. We are excited about our next project which is with Alternative For Girls in Southwest Detroit a shelter for girls ages 15-21. You may have seen them on the NBC special about human trafficking in Detroit.

We have a number of wonderful projects and programs planned that will take place over the next 4-5 months for AFG. In addition to physically transforming the shelter into a whimsical cottage-like haven using vintage items and handmade items, there will be programs offered that teach the women and children life skills and coping skills.

Perhaps the most exciting is the vintage dance “Stepping Back in Time” Dinner & Dance that will take place on Sunday August 28th at AFG. All of the services and supplies are being donated by generous people and organizations who want to be a part of this magical event. Here are just a few of the blessings we have received so far:

Todd’s Room in Downtown Birmingham will open it’s doors to do the hair and make-up for all the girls attending the dance.
Epic Motion Film in Royal Oak will film the entire day. The footage will be used as part of the film capturing the entire journey for a television show.
Marta Tracy, founding producer of E! entertainment and the Style Network is producing the film.
Renowned chef, Michael Young is flying in from New Jersey to prepare the dinner the dance.
C & N Party Rental in Royal Oak
DJ- Mary Ann Productions in Farmington Hills
Detroit Singer/Songwriter Jill Jack
Mrs. Maddox Bakery is making 5 custom doll cakes for each table.

We are graciously asking if you will join us to be a part of this life-changing event. We are hoping seamstresses from around the country will make custom prom dresses with a special label inside that says, made with love to....(name of girl). By the end of July we will have each girls measurements and we would like the dresses to us by August 21st.

We have 20 girls so were keeping the faith every girl will receive her very own handmade 50's prom dress.

Please visit our website to learn more about Enchanted Makeovers at www.enchantedmakeovers.org.

Specific information such as pattern and fabric recommendations along with oodles of vintage design inspiration for this project will be available on my blog. Please contact me with questions related to sewing these fabulous gowns at mollydendy@gmail.com or jamiemcconathy@gmail.com. Please help spread the word by sharing this post! Sincerely, Jamie

Vintage Patterns Tell a Story

2011-07-09T22:30:00.000-05:00

"Do you have any old 50s dress patterns?". Okay, most 32 year olds probably don't find themselves asking this on a Saturday night. Baby on hip, I paid a visit to grandmother's house tonight in hopes she had what I was looking for. After unloading can after can of stewed tomatoes onto the kitchen table, an ordinary cardboard box emerged. Little did I know this seemingly ordinary box was actually a treasure chest full of amazing vintage patterns. Gently thumbing through them reminded me of antiquated card catalogs. Just as those cream colored cards represent great novels or entertaining short stories, each delicate pattern has a story to tell.

As I carefully pulled the circa 1950s patterns, my grandmother's eyes began to brighten. These patterns were like index cards jogging her memory with their worn envelopes and beautifully colored images. Memories like "this is the dress I was wearing the day I went to the doctor and found out I was pregnant with your mom...it was navy blue" and "oh, this is the dress I made for your Aunt Sharon's piano recital". My favorite of the narratives she recounted was sparked by the most worn and delicate pattern of all..."this, this was my wedding dress".

What once seemed a stockpile of stewed tomatoes atop an old cardboard box, turned out to be a major find this Saturday night. An impressive collection of vintage sewing patterns and vivid stories tucked away in a card catalog that was almost forgotten.

Let's go beyond the gorgeous images and delve into the fragile patterns they enclose to discuss things like design elements, influences, history, and even narratives. The workroom focus for the next couple of weeks will be on dresses from this wonderful decade, more specifically the quintessential 50s party dress.

Back in Business

2011-07-03T00:05:00.000-05:00

Life forever changed in the fall of 2010 with the arrival of my little miracle. I've been busy, to say the least, and have strongly considered giving up my business many times. Each and every single time I reached that point, however, a bride-to-be would contact me wanting to order.

God has blessed me abundantly in the past year and I know He has big plans for Molly Dendy. Thank you to everyone who patiently waited for their orders in the past year and for my sweet bridal customers that check the website everyday anxiously awaiting the new collections.
Now, let's get this blog rollin' again! -Jamie

Lovely Giveaway Winner is.......

2010-10-13T09:51:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Judith, WINNER of the Lovely Giveaway! I'm so excited to work with the winner and create a custom flower girl tutu skirt especially for her wedding =)

A Lovely Giveaway...

2010-10-08T14:21:00.000-05:00

We are so thrilled to debut our NEW Sophia flower girl tutu skirt with Lovely Bridal! Contest ends October 12 so scoot on over to the Lovely Bride blog and enter now!