My 1952 Butterick Walk Away Dress!

Having long admired the classic Butterick Walk Away dress pattern, I was thrilled when Katrina of Edelweiss Patterns offered her expertise in leading a sew along! I already owned the pattern, having snapped it up in a Butterick buying frenzy back in July when Joann's had Butterick patterns for 99 cents each.

Finding the fabric was fun! I could see possibilities in so many prints. I knew I wanted to model the dress with my 1950s pumps, so black was a key color. I also wanted inexpensive fabric because I have not sewn garments since about 1994. I'm a little rusty! I found this black/white/red cotton bandanna print at Affordable Textiles, 531 Queen Street West, Toronto for $2.99/yd.

I'm pretty happy with the way it came out! Following Katrina's instructions, I modified the pattern and ended up with a bodice that really, really fits! A crinoline would really provide the structure that defines the 1950's silhouette.

Living in Lucille Ball's hometown, I knew just where I wanted to take my pictures. This is one of many murals that decorates our buildings.

Thank you, Katrina, for your tutorial and leadership! You provided me with the incentive to finally make this fun and lovely pattern. I hope to make it again in a dressy version!

Mod Podge Mania!

August 2011
I picked up a plain, blue vintage train case at a garage sale for a buck. It seemed to say, "Take me home. Appreciate me! You'll understand later!" I washed it up a bit and started using it to contain most of my basic sewing tools.


Then I saw upcycled train cases glued all over the web and I was smitten! I used some older illustrated pattern envelopes and contents to decorate the exterior with Mod Podge. The inside was still stained and a bit nasty, so I relined it using a cheerful button print quilting cotton that came home by way of the Salvation Army as a dress!





Thank you Judy of Remixed Vintage for her YouTube tutorial on relining a vintage train case! Her use of heat n' bond made a huge difference in the outcome of the lining project.

Just having such an appealing toolbox makes me want to sew! (Oh, and to purchase more train cases! I DO understand!)