Cathy's Comeback Dress?

Big news, readers!

My identical cousin Cathy, who hasn't been seen on this blog since 2014, is planning her return, tentatively scheduled for mid-August.

Naturally, I have been enlisted to create her comeback costume, so I immediately delved into my vintage pattern stash in hopes of finding just the right frock.  I've always been fond of this 1959 McCall's pattern (up top), which was created by designer Luis Estevez exclusively for the Quaker Oats Company.  You read that right.  Evidently there was some sort of tie-in, though it doesn't sound like a natural fit.  Obviously the McCall's-Quaker Oats relationship was a short-lived one as only a few of these patterns were produced, but I know McCall's also had a Post Cereals tie-in in the 1970s so they clearly liked their morning grains.

I purchased the Estevez pattern in 2012 (on eBay I'm guessing) and it's been sitting in my stash ever since.  It's a beautiful dress and the style lines are quite unusual.  It's also a little challenging to sew.

The pattern still had its factory folds.

Included are pieces for the both the big front bow as well as for the matching (or contrasting) belt.  Not sure I'll be making the belt but we'll see.

I wasn't sure what kind of fabric to use; the pattern itself includes many different possibilities.  I biked up to the Garment Center last Saturday and found an inexpensive cotton polka dot print at Chic Fabrics that seemed perfect.  I underlined the bodice front and back as well as the skirt with a solid cotton to give the garment a bit more support.  I also think this dress would look fantastic in a silk faille or twill.

Look at the front bodice and side bodice pieces (below) and note how the edges line up (you can look at the notches).  The sleeve is drafted as part of both the bodice front and bodice side front and they come together to form something like a gusset.  It's a lovely sleeve but a b*tch to sew.  Luckily I have some experience with this sort of thing.

Underarm point where front bodice and front side bodice meet.

The bow was fun to make and I like the result.  I used sew-in interfacing instead of fusible, resulting in a softer, fuller look.

I'm almost ready to attach the skirt and bodice.  I'm trying to take it slow since there's hand-sewing to be done plus my cousin Cathy won't be here for a few weeks so why hurry.  Here's where things stand as of today.

Bodice:

Skirt:

A little online research has uncovered someone else's adventures making this dress a few years back.  You can read about her experiences here.

I'm excited about this project and even more about reuniting with my cousin Cathy.   Can you believe little Simplicity has already started school?

Hope your summer sewing projects are going well.

Have a great day, everybody!

Cathy in 2014, just before her mysterious disappearance.