SHIFT DRESS 101: Everything You Need to Know About This Fabulous 60's Style!
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Shift Dresses: what they are, where they came from, and 23 patterns from my stash! Do you remember any of them?
Butterick 3012 (1964)
Simplicity 6997 (1967)
Simplicity 8259 (1969)
Simplicity 8882 (1970)
Simplicity 9221 (1970)
Simplicity 8682 (1970)
Simplicity 5513 (1973)
Simplicity 6215 (1974)
McCall's Stitch 'N Save 3480 (2002)
Simplicity 8498 (1969) (original)
Simplicity 3833 (2007) (reprint)
New Look 6779 (2008)
New Look 6263 (2014)
Simplicity 8049 (2016)
New Look 6626 (2019)
Butterick 6859 (2021)
Butterick 6600 (2021)
Simplicity 9615 (2022, Kwik Sew reprint)
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I love that you throw in a Bible verse ❤ and a bit of explanation.
Aww! I’m just seeing this now. You have such a sweet personality! Very thorough lesson on the shift dress. I had a bright idea of making a shift dress from quilting cotton (because it has so many beautiful patterns. The pattern I had was a bit tricky but I finally got it make. But with the lining, darts, and zipper I was frustrated. Now years later I actually found a tank top pattern that I used and if I extend the pattern down and out very slightly, I know it will make some easy, beautiful shift dresses for summer! Thank you so much! Love the spiritual inspiration at the end. God bless you!
Thank you for this.
My pleasure!
This is my most favorite and most worn dress, living in hot Yuma a definite must for me.
Aww! I’m just seeing this now. You have such a sweet personality! Very thorough lesson on the shift dress. I had a bright idea of making a shift dress from quilting cotton (because it has so many beautiful prints) The pattern I had was Butterick B5768, a bit tricky but I finally got it made. But with the lining, darts, and zipper I was really frustrated. Now years later I actually found a tank top pattern Simplicity 4552 - that I used and if I extend the pattern down and out very slightly, I know it will make some easy, beautiful shift dresses for summer! The pattern also includes a T-shirt dress. Thank you so much! Love the spiritual inspiration at the end. God bless you!
My favourite type of dress combined with a marvellous video! The thing about Shift Dresses is they showcase the fabric, nothing like a dart or seam to spoil a pattern and that’s why I love them. They also suit all different heights of people as they don’t cut in at the waist, short people like me and lovely tall people like yourself! I have a theory about the long zippers back in the 60’s etc, they used to spend a lot of time, money and effort in those wonderful hairstyles didn’t they. The last thing they would have wanted is to pull something over the head, as we tend to do now and mess up their ‘do’!!! Thanks for sharing those wonderful patterns 😘❤️xx
Great video! Loved seeing all those vintage shift patterns. I’m 78 and my Mom made all of my clothes. When I was in high school we never wore pants/trousers to school, so my wardrobe consisted of dresses and skirts. These patterns brought back a lot of memories.💕
The shift dress is how i learned to sew with .easy and no sleeves I had a hard time with sleeves . Made my maternity clothes from a shift pattern (made them bigger to fit of course) still love the shift dresses.
Me too!
beautiful psalm and loving commentary. Like the dresses too
One of my favourite videos because I love the dresses and I learned a lot about this style. The shift vs. sheath thing always confused me. I just started sewing 2 years ago and am absolutely loving it. A new love at age 53! Thanks so much for sharing your talent and skills. Your enthusiasm really inspired me when I was first learning.
Awesome! Thank you!
I’ve made New Look 6263 several times. Love it!
I love shift dresses. Actually I just finished one. I’ve made this dress a dozen times.
I love a pretty shift dress, it’s my go to for summer.
Mine too! I wear them nearly every day.
Love all the happy story!
Amen, the East and the West do not meet! God is so good... He's so good to me!❤🙏🏼❤️
Only through Jesus…
Fun and interesting! When I was a kid in the 60s, my mom made me a yellow and white gingham shift dress with a cat cross stitched in the squares on the front. I loved that thing!
If I made my ten year old granddaughter a shift dress just like yours was, I bet she’d love 💕 it too!
I love that! I have a couple of vintage gingham aprons with chicken scratch. They are beautiful.
Dropping some knowledge !
Enjoyed this video!
Years ago, I used to wear the shift dress and we also called it a chemise. I'm sure I must have some patterns put away somewhere. If I can get back on my feet, maybe I can made some for next summer. Two of the patterns that you showed (1969 and 1970) I do remember making with those 22" zippers. The one that had the tunic I made with the wide leg pants in a border fabric with a tie belt. Those were the days. ❤
This was a fun video. Thanks!
Let not have any crashing cars this time! Glad your both okay ♥️
Lol I know the feeling! I like the shift dress.😊
I actually just finished making my first shift dress since I got back into sewing. I love it! I did make a mistake at the neck but a pretty scarf should fix it. I made it to take when we go to Florida. I figure in the early fall I can pair it with a nice sweater. I put the back darts in it and love the shaping it gives. It does show shape but just skims over my hips. I also just ordered fabric to make a second shift and some for a gore skirt.
Thank you for this awesome video! Please make more 😊
I really enjoyed this video!
Great video! Loved seeing all the different shift and A-Line dress patterns over the years. The history of them was very interesting. Had a feeling that they probably originated during the 1920's flapper era. I'm thinking that the style became more defined and very popular during the Great Depression, when money was scarce. Dress styles needed to be as simple as possible in the 1930's if there was money was available for a fabric purchase. Every scrap of fabric had to be used (quilts, pillow stuffing, clothing patches, etc.). Loved seeing all the old vintage patterns and seeing the cost of them. Thanks so much, Jen!!! 🥰
Hi Jen, still watch you , don't forget me! Gail
Go back slightly earler, it has it's roots in children's clothing made from seed sacks. Shifts already existed as women's underwear and it first became outerwear in the area which became most famous for becoming the dust bowl. Back in the early settler days any fabric was a luxury, and the people making seed sacks realised that if they printed them with flowers then they would get more orders as the women could get two children's shift dresses out of one sack, then use the leftovers for quilting scraps. They would then swap these scraps with neighbouring farms and that's where you also get the American quilting tradition from.
Well done! We wore these with pants in the winter and took off the pants when we got to our destination. There were large "coat rooms" for men and women in churches and schools so we could change. Remember rejoicing when we could finally wear pants (not jeans) in public school because those winter tights were never tight enough until Leggs pantyhose came out!
Give me a "shift" dress any day! So cool and so very comfortable.
I think I'm gonna give it a go! I saw you on Inside Edition last night.
Hi Jen. The shift dress was the first dress I made for myself with my mum’s help when I was 11. It was great. It was a brown cotton fabric with small flowers of different colours on it and I picked out the turquoise and made a Peter Pan collar to go on. I was so proud of it! Thanks for your very interesting vlog, it brought back many memories. ❤
Love, love, love a shift dress. One of my fave silhouettes. Love you. 😘💗
Really fun. I am just finishing up my first shift dress made out of a thrifter dooner cover. I would love to see more of you wearing your shift dresses.
I wear them mainly in the summer, which for Florida is coming right up. I'll probably make more!
Yes on the shift dress!
Oh Jen, thank you for bringing back so many memories for me. I made so many of these shift dresses in the 60s and 70s. God Bless 🧵🪡🇦🇺
Hi Jen, What fun to see Simplicity 5513! That was the very first dress I learned to sew when I was 12 years old. Thank you for this wonderful walk down memory lane.🥰
This was fun to watch. I'm so glad that you always end with scripture. Great job!
Love seeing the vintage patterns. I recognized some of the patterns my mother made. It's funny, but I only remember the dresses my mother made me from my childhood. Store bought.... not at all. Sewing is so special. Thank you for your videos. You inspire me to sew myself. (I'm trying)
Love the shift dress!! The ones you have made look great on you. My mom and I made several of these during my high school years. And I'm wearing a yellow one mom made for me in my senior picture. I think it's time for another one. 😊
I love today’s prayer card. It is sooo comforting. 😊 I saw your viral video on TV today! I was so shocked. I excitedly told my family “I know her!” and continued to explain who you are. Once the shock passed you handled the situation beautifully. I think I would have been scared the driver was passed away inside the car. Anyway, we’ll done Jen. You make us proud to know you. Hugs 🎉
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kristi!
I love shift dresses too. Although, Sheath style dresses are my fav. Nice collection of patterns. Fun video.
Sheaths are your favorite because you look amazing in them! They flatter you so nicely. 😘
Beautiful video! Thank you!!
This is a great series for you to expand on. It's fun to see your vintage patterns.
Thanks for this video. I loved the development of the shift dress!
This was a super fun video - I LOVED hearing about the history and seeing your vintage patterns.
Great vlog Jen, thank you. You can't beat a cute shift dress.
Thank you for this terrific ideal
My box shape needs some shifts in my wardrobe
Great video, Jen. I love this style of dress. Haven't made one in ages. I think I need to remedy that
Jen, I loved this video. So informative. Thank you.
Suzanne
My Mother made the Simplicity 6997, view 1, for my high school graduation dress in 1969…white lace over a white satin. Thank you for the memory! And for the verses you share.
So simple and pretty. I bet you looked gorgeous.
Really enjoyed the video a stroll down memory lane I have a good pattern its a Aline I have wide hips so it works well on me thank you
Super interesting video Jen - I do love history! I don’t wear dresses much but these shift dresses look so darn cute and you really look so good in them!! They look like potato sacks on me. 😂💞
I wore a shift dress today..... as a Florida sister, its a staple for me as well!
That was a fun walk down memory lane. I expected you to tell us you were wearing a shift dress. It looked like it might be? Love the Hawaiian blue hibiscus print.
It is a shift dress but I didn't make it. It was thrifted.
I see my mother in her shift dress cotton in the spring summer double knit in the fall winter gone 20 years and the style continues.
What a great little history lesson, what a great bunch of patterns. I think I have a pattern that would qualify as a shift dress, it is designed with a zip in the back but I mad it again with a material with 5% stretch and one size up and it is just like a shift dress, so so easy to wear. Thank you ❤
I am in the process of making S9615 right now. Will be in Destin, FL next week and hoping to wear it to be cooler. This was a great video. Loved the history on shift dresses and seeing all of the past patterns. I’m 65 so I remember seeing these fashions growing up. Thanks!
What a fun video! Thank you! I made the Simplicity 8498 dress when I was in 8th or 9th grade, it was a favorite of mine. The fabric was crazy wild, I don't know if I'd have the courage to wear that fabric now.
What a great video. It was interesting to hear about the history of the shift dress. The first garment I made for myself was a shift dress, in Grade 8 Home Ec class. I’m afraid I didn’t appreciate the style back then, in 1970. Now I love a shift and have made many, especially T shirt dresses in cotton knit. 🇨🇦
Loved this video! I live in Texas and I'm a transplant. I'm not used to these hot temps being from the Pacific Northwest and I find I love a good shift dress as well as a caftan style dress. Light cottons and linens are my go to fabrics because I find even cotton jersey as well as anything with polyester is too warm.
Loved your efficient and loving presentation and explanations. A couple of your pattern choices I am keeping my eye peeled for. Hah-hah. Does anyone use that expression anymore?
I do!
My friend called these no touchy dresses. I am sure I made one of these in home ec back in the day. Kathy
I enjoyed this so much Jen. I have a couple of the patterns you showed. Now I want to make a shift dress. I always thought they were called that because when women started working they wore them to work their jobs or their shift….I had no clue. I always appreciate your prayer cards… what a Great God we serve. Thank you for sharing. ❤
You know Diane I had to go back and look up the origin of the name. After I did the video, no less! 😂 Apparently in the 1920's the dresses were made more loosely, so you were able to "shift" in them. Go figure.
I loved this video!! i am about to watch it for a second time - and i suspect that i will watch it many more times. There may be some ebay searching for the vintage patterns in my future. I am a HUGE fan of the Lilly shift dress. I want to make a closet full of them! I would love to know if you have a tried and true shift that you have made over and over again.
There are so many that I don't think I'll ever get to them all! But I have made New Look 6602 a couple of times and now that I've gotten it to fit, I love it!
gosh! i made 8259 several times! i think i learned to sew on it!
I love hearing this.
Six shifts hanging in my closet. And the original shift was underwear in the olde days.
Yes! I couldn't find that info exactly but a shift or chemise was the under--dress (or essentially the slip) for the rest of the clothing put on top. I think I was just googling 1960's shift dress. But you're absolutely right!
New look 6619. Ive made probably 6 of these so far. No muss no fuss.
Yes! I haven't tried that one yet but @socarole66 has made a couple and loves that pattern. I need to make one!
Well, it depends all on the personal body shape. If you are “rectangle”, the shirt dress makes you look a bit clumsy and not really feminine. The political tendency to androgynity… thank you for making this important overview ❤
I just found out I'm a rectangle, so that must be why I always need a bit of shaping in the sides and back. It's all about creating that waistline, isn't it?
Jen, if you like Simplicity 8049 I would love to see it on you.
I love shifts and wore them to school in the 60's Twiggy wore them so why not 🤣
Love your video. What is your suggestion for adding length to a fab shift dress that is too short. Thank you.
Try a 3-4" border of solid fabric that blends with the rest of the fabric. I'm wearing that blue striped one (far right) in the thumbnail and it was too short until I added the navy border. Hope this helps!
Thank you for this video. Do you have a pic for the shift dress you are wearing? Also, what pattern did you use to make the shift dress you are wearing? Fun lesson!
I'm wearing a thrifted dress, one that probably came from a shop in Hawaii. It has little tassels at the end. I got it years ago.
Inside edition brought me here
Thanks for coming - although I'm afraid you got a whole lotta bad information. Krystal didn't crash into my house, my name is Wesner (not Weizner or Wyzner or whatever they said - twice! After being corrected!) and most importantly there's a GoFundMe page for Krystal to help with the expenses of paying off the car she wrecked, the hospital bill, and getting a new car. I'm hoping to talk about this in my upcoming Friday Sews. The interview with Jeanne Moos on CNN was much more accurate and a better interview overall. Inside Edition really screwed it up.
Hi Jen, I've been leaving messages on Facebook Messenger for you.
Im looking for an easy pattern shift dress, usually stay with Simplicity. I love the blue and white tank style sleeves your wearing, can you recommend a pattern? Thank you, Theresa
Any of these are good ones! Check the description box for links.
It was a dress worn by the impoverished which become popularised as a result of the second world war. Material was hard to get, women gained independence and gained work in manufacturing... just to mention a few reasons why the medium and upper classes appropriated the style of dress known as a shift dress as a wardrobe and fashion staple plus ceased being a symbol of lower social status.
Thanks!