Instructional Sewing Video from the 1950s - Film 1044371

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1950s instructional film on how to make a dress, using Simplicity patterns and a sewing machine.

A woman frantically rummages through a messy accessories drawer in her dresser hunting for a scarf and gloves. A neatly organised drawer with all items in their right place. The same woman puts on a bangle and chooses a pair of gloves before closing the drawer calmly and leaving. A dress making pattern is held up. More patterns held up to camera. Four girls lined up, all wearing the same dress in different age and shape sizes. Items needed for the dress are laid out on a dewing table. Pattern pinned to material. Pattern now cut out. Markings added to materials. Dress maker refers to instructions and sits at her sewing machine. She removes the pattern from the first piece and inserts it under the needle. She starts stitching around the neck line and cuts the thread at the end. The process is repeated as she works her way through the whole item that she is making. She holds pieces up for the camera. She wears a pin cushion on her wrist. Stitching darts. She irons and presses certain pieces on an ironing board. Dart is pressed open. Pieces pinned to a board. Instructor holds pointer to the board explaining next steps. Back to the sewing machine in action. Bodice pinned together for matching facing and front parts. Back to the iron and seam pressing. The process is repeated for the back facing part of the bodice. You get the gist. Watch the whole film to learn how to make a complete dress. Zip is sewn into skirt. How to stitch different types of materials is explained. The four models now wear the finished article. Young girls now model similar fashions that the instructor keeps referring to as jumpers, but which look exactly like 1950s pinafore dresses with full skirts. Very cheesy modelling.

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