Hello, Sewcialists! I’m Allie and I typically post my vintage creations over at allie J. When I heard the theme this month was lingerie, I thought it would be the perfect time to peek into a vintage slip pattern I purchased a little while ago, but hadn’t gotten around to creating.
This slip, Simplicity 4218, was published in the late 50s or early 60s (my preferred era, to which Mad Men very kindly lent its name). It’s cut from a bias cut cotton/silk blend left over from making my wedding dress. I find that where I live (North Carolina in the US), it’s really hard to find practical, pretty slips–the kind that you wear, you know, under clothes. Victoria’s Secret-style slips, and shapewear, yes, but a plain slip is more difficult to find. As I love wearing vintage dresses, a vintage slip seemed like a fun addition to my wardrobe.
The instructions for this slip were strange–in my opinion, you could really tell it was intended to be a utilitarian, everyday garment. There was lots of top-stitching! For example, the bust part was attached by sewing the right side of the lining to the wrong side of the skirt part, then turning the the outside part of the bust and topstitching it down–so you would get a whole row of topstitching on the exterior. I actually did this! Unsurprisingly, it looked awful, and I seamripped it out and hand stitched the seam instead.
If you wanted to machine this whole thing, I would suggest sewing the exterior bust part to the skirt right sides together, then stitching in the ditch to get the bust lining.
The skirt seams are french seamed and I hand stitched the lining as well. Excuse my mediocre stitches!
If I were writing this pattern, I would also sew the straps into the bodice seam. As written, I just stitched them down after the fact.
I really enjoyed this project, it was very calming because of all the hand stitching. When you are sewing with soft, pretty silk, it can be nice to put the extra effort into sewing by hand. The pattern comes with three items to add to your lingerie wardrobe: this full slip, a half slip (which I also made and blogged here), and “panties” which are like a shorts slip.
Thank you so much for having me, Sewcialists readers! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone else’s lingerie creations as well 🙂
xoxo,
allie
Lovely
Hey Allie, I’m in NC also. I haven’t sewn any fine fabrics before, and I have a lot to learn. What needle (s) and tension (s) did you use?
Thanks
Hi, Robin! This fabric is pretty resilient because of the cotton content (this is the fabric i used, which is 55% cotton http://bandjfabrics.com/fabric/silk-and-cotton-sateen-11). I used a new needle, but it was just a regular needle, not a sharp or anything. I almost never mess with the tension on my machine so I’m not sure what it was set to! I’m a terrible sewer, haha
Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks for the info. That fabric looks pretty enough to eat!
That is gorgeous fabric, and you looked so very nice modeling it. Loved your blog!
Thank you! I really love this fabric, I would recommend this blend to anyone who is a bit scared of working with silk!
I really love the double darts and angled underbust seam – it’s all so elegant and flattering! Do you figure you’ll have to hand wash it, or just toss it in the wash? It turned out beautifully – and thank so much for writing this guest post for us! 🙂
Thank you so much for having me! I did pre-wash the silk, so I could probably machine wash it, and I think if I had machined all the seams I would, but since I did so much hand sewing (and I don’t trust it!) I’ll be hand washing this I think.
Love it – it looks like a great pattern, if not the best instructions:) Can’t beat a pink silk for lingerie.
The instructions were decent, but very utilitarian! And thank you, it was what I had on hand but it was perfect!
It looks beautiful! You’re onto something with your handstitching. Looks pretty neat to me already!
Those double bust darts are very pretty too!
Thank you, I’ve been trying to practice my hand stitching more! It can be boring but it makes a difference.
This is so, so pretty!! Well done!
Thank you!
Such pretty details in this slip. The double darts are a really pretty feature and I love the shade of pink. What a lovely thing to wear under your dresses!
Thank you! The pattern calls for lace edging as well which would be even prettier–but perhaps not as sleek under clothes 🙂
That would be pretty. There’s tons of different types of lace out there, and there’s definitely types that are thinner/more appropriate for lingerie. Every time I think I have enough lace in my wardrobe, I find another piece of really cool lace, and in my finding I’m obliged to figure out a way to showcase it.
This is SO pretty. You must feel so glamorous wearing this under dresses! It would be very pretty for a night gown or lounge-wear too. Great photos too!
Yes! I always say this and never follow through, but I’ll say it again–I’d like to make more versions 🙂
What a beautiful slip and so nicely finished. Xx
Hello,I am new here,the straps would have been placed on the outside is cos it woild have been easier to replace them,fabric and trimmings would still be scarce in the uk,and you always made do and mend,lovely work by the way,jane