This ensembleh rocks my world. Suitably 1940s for work. Very comfortable. I have a few button up blouses which should be back in rotation now it's getting warmer here. 

I curled my hair with pillow rollers. They were actually pretty great! I have tried foam rollers (ouch) and bendy rollers (not great). Pillow rollers can totally work for me. I had 18 in my hair. Even though my hair is 'short' now, it is very thick. It takes a lot of curling effort to curl my hair. Le sigh. And it drops really quickly. Even after employing wet hair with mousse/setting sprays. I'll just have to keep trying until there is a perfect combination. 

Jacket: Vinnies
Blouse: Uniqlo
Pants: Retrospe'd
Shoes: Windsor Smith
Lapel Pin: Besemé Victory pin
​Hair: by pillow rollers! 

Look at that collar!

I spent a lot of time making sure it was even and pressed and flat and gorgeous and... it is! Very happy M. To make it so lovely and flat, I followed Gertie's collar tutorial for this pattern here. I shall use that tutorial for any collar that needs to be attached in a similar way. 

The collar is made in the same fabric as the dress. Mostly because I wanted to be able to rock a cute cardi with the dress. I didn't put the buttons down the front of the dress for the same reason. I really like it. The cardigan is my wine Hetty (by Andi Satterlund). It was a nightmare to make, but it's great with the solid sleeves. 

I decided the follow the pattern instructions to insert the zipper. Regret. I should have done my usual centred zip method (machine baste the seam, pin the zip, hand baste, then machine stitch, then unpick the basting stitches). The pattern says press under the seam allowance then line up the zip and the pressed edge. WHAT A PAIN! So much regret. It ended up being so messy that I hand picked the zipper. I'm really happy with how neat the zip is after controlling it with the hand sewing, but it was tedious. Especially when I ignored my better judgement. 

This is my third version of 1609 and I think I might be done with it now. I would only make it again if I had small yardage of wool, as it would be a good little winter dress. 

Please excuse the horribly wrinkly-ness. These photos were taken after a full day of work. 

​Cardigan: Hetty (pattern by Andi Satterlund)
Dress: Simplicity 1609. 
Tights: Heattech by Uniqlo
Shoes: B.A.I.T

Sometimes eBay comes good. This is one of those times! Check out this great minty green 60s knit sweater. It's fairly soft, not scratchy. And gorgeous! It's mostly acrylic and actually pretty mild to wear. 

I have slowly got myself used to higher necklines - can't love the 40s and 50s without it. So this isn't bothering me much. 

Anyway, it's super cute. Me likey. 

Top: eBay
Pants: Retrospec'd

Cigarette pants... I never thought I would love them as much as I did. The black cigarette pants are from Australian brand Retrospec'd. They are a gorgeous brand with a shop in Newtown, NSW.  This is the first wearing of cigarette pants for me. Ever. 

LOVED IT! 

I have a Vintage Vogue reproduction pattern which looks similar (V9189). I think I might have to bump them up my sewing list... 

The top is my trusty Gable Top by Jennifer Lauren Handmade. I wear these tops all the time. This purple one is a 3/4 sleeve version. It's made from a fairly standard cotton spandex from my local Spotlight. 

Cardi: So old I have no idea
Top: Gable Top by Jennifer Lauren Handmade
Cigarette Pants: Retrospec'd
Shoes: Target