Audrey Hepburn 50’s sheath dress

Audrey Hepburn sheath dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Here it is (finally). – Dress #4 of my 27 Dresses Challenge. (My legs are a bit short compared to Audrey’s 😉 But hey, we’re comparing dresses, right?)

It’s an Audrey-style Burda pattern. Sounds familiar? Yep, somehow the vintage designs of Burda always turn out to be 50’s Audrey Hepburn dresses (which honestly doesn’t really bother me). 😉 It’s got the typical 50’s high wasp waist and three-quarter length sleeves.

Audrey Hepburn sheath dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com, Burda pattern 11/2012 #138

I used an elastic dark blue cotton fabric and the dress fits really snugly. Although I normally don’t have to make alterations with Burdastyle patterns, the back of the dress required some fitting, so the boyfriend had his debut as a fitting buddy.

fitting Burda 11/2012 #138   by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Audrey Hepburn sheath dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com, Burda pattern 11/2012 #138

The pleats in the bodice part had to be handstitched and pressed before sewing everything together. Removing the basting thread after the dress was done was the best part, it’s like opening a surprise bag. I love the final look, although the pleats are a bit messy. I had some problems with the elastic fabric, so they’re not as evenly spaced as the should have been.

Audrey Hepburn sheath dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com, Burda pattern 11/2012 #138

I love the cut, the colour and the fabric. The only thing left is an occasion to wear it.

Overall, the pattern is great, the fit is better than expected. The instructions were surprisingly clear (that’s not always a given using Burdastyle patterns). And it looks very much like the original (1956), don’t you think?

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38 thoughts on “Audrey Hepburn 50’s sheath dress

    1. The pleats took the most time…removing the basting thread was hte best part of the process, though!

  1. A wonder choice of material & pattern, and nicely fitted and sewn. All in all, you did good. Congratulations.

  2. Great job! You look great in this! I am in awe of this challenge you set for yourself, Respect! Looking forward to the next one!

  3. This is beautiful! I love it! Great choice of fabric and the fit is amazing! I love the name & artwork of your blog btw-1st time visitor 🙂

  4. Hi! I’m glad you stopped by my site & invited me over! I ran across your shorts rub off a while back, & thought I subscribed then. I guess it didn’t take because I haven’t been getting them. I’ve subscribed and liked on Facebook now!

    1. Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by! Maybe you forgot to conform the subcription? Sometimes those email end up in spam without you noticing, so annoying! Glad you found back to my site! Following you on Bloglovin’! 🙂

  5. Wow is this beautiful – not sure I’d have the patience for all the hand work, but it looks like it was worth it! Thanks for linking to the Craftastic Monday party at Sew Can Do:)

  6. wow!! so gorgeous! very very well done girl–and forget about the length of your legs–that tiny waist you’re sporting lets you rock that dress 😉

    1. Thanks so much Cheryl!! Grabbed a button! I love to comment, but can’t without OpenID… But do know it’s much appreciated!

  7. This dress is phenomenal! I love love love love it! I just pinned so I can come back and follow your tutorial when I have the material. Thank you so much for this. I cannot seem to find a dress I like at the store so now I am totally going to make one! Yeah 🙂

    1. Thanks Krista! Yeah, I fell in love with this dress the instant I saw it in Burdastyle magazine. They have the pattern for download at their homepage, probably for a fiver or so ( I always buy the magazine, 25+ pattern for a fiver:) ). I don’t really have a full tutorial here, since it’s not my own pattern (and the Burdastyle instructions are ok) but if you’re doing it at some point, don’t hestitate to ask me questions if you have any!

    1. I love pleats! But these were sort of a pain in the beep to do. All that basting…but it was worth it!

  8. Gorgeous! I love the color and cut too.

    I haven’t made any dresses because I convinced myself I don’t have anywhere to wear them. But the last time I had a “nice dress” occasion I realized I’ve been wearing the same few dresses over and over. Time to sew myself a fancy new dress! I hope it looks as good as yours!

    1. Thank you! I noticed that that most of the things I sew are sort of special occasion dresses. I love dressing up, but sometimes there just no occasion. But as you said, there will be sometime and then you’re really really glad you don’t have to wear the dress that’s in every family picture already… 😀

  9. This dress is BEAUTIFUL and I think that your version is much nicer than the burda packet one – you look amazing!

    I’m a beginner sewer and I have an overlocker – but no sewing machine! I got the Huskylock s15 entry model for 200 dollars 4 months ago and I have been sewing kids clothes on it ever since – it’s awesome, so fast, so easy. My challenge is the opposite to you, when I’ve sewed enough clothes I’m gonna earn myself the right to get a nice sewing machine 🙂

    I would love to try this pattern, you did such an inspiring job on it. Will be following your challenge!

    1. Wow, I didn’t know one could use an overlocker for sewing, hehe. Yes, we’re going to earn ourselves the right!

      I think you can find the pattern online for 5,40$ at burdastyle.com! It’s worth it!

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