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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Simplicity 7203 and Simplicity 7852
The pattern covers for Simplicity 7203 and Simplicity 7852 inspired today’s 1960s vintage paper doll dresses. The dress on the left comes from Simplicity 7852. Described as an a-line dress, the pattern offered two different colors and sleeve lengths. I chose the bib and contrasting collar for my paper doll version.
I created Simplicity 7203’s tent dress on the right. The tent dress fell in a triangle away from the body and often featured a front pleat.
Because I wanted to showcase the transition between the 1960s and 1970s, I chose the stand collar and pockets to go with my tent dress which isn’t really as wide as maybe it should be. Drawing 1960s vintage paper doll dresses isn’t as easy as sometimes I think it should be.
Also, can we pause and consider the name “tent dress”? Has anyone ever thought to themselves, “I want to look great! I’ll go put on a tent”? I mean… really?
I digress.
As some of you know, I love the Vintage Pattern Wiki whenever I go looking for vintage pattern covers to draw. Pattern Covers provide a window into what the more everyday fashions of the decade might look like. Sure, I adore Yves St. Lauren and Rudi Gernreich, but most people couldn’t afford those looks. Plus, Rudi Gernreich could be a bit out there.
So, my question for all of you is this- Would you wear something called a “tent dress”? Let me know in a comment!
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I’ve worn tent dresses; they’re comfortable. (When you get to be “of a certain age” comfort is a wonderful thing.)What I loathe are the post-menopausal button-up shirt and elastic waist pants outfits that I see far, far too often. For me, they’re like the fingernails-on-a-chalkboard noise but clothes.
Now there’s a theme: Clothes We Hate. A dreadful thing to do the poor paper dolls though.
They do look super comfortable. It’s more a matter of naming. I mean, Tent Dress just sounds unflattering to me.
The 1968 one is the dress I made for home-ec in my junior year of high school! My grandmother was a professional seamstress;it’s how she supported herself and her 5 kids after her husband died. My mother made so many clothes for my two sisters and I when we were growing up. I still remember some of those adorable matching outfits. I, however, couldn’t sew a straight seam to save my life!! ha! OMG, I hated sewing so much! The image of that dress is burned into my brain! I never wore it, because I never did quite get that collar finished! haha! But I’m pretty good with a crochet hook, so I guess that made up for missing the sewing gene! Anyway, sorry for rambling, thanks for the paper doll clothes and the memories! 🙂
When it comes to sewing, I am strict “dolls only” seamstress. Also, I’ve made a pillow or two in my time.
I’ve tried other, smaller projects over the years, and while I improved a little, I never really got so I enjoyed it much. And I’m better with hand-sewing than machine-sewing. I still stick with crochet! 🙂