40’s Style Work Jumpsuit Made From Dishtowels!!

Factory girl overalls
 My inspirations for this piece from Gigi’s Spring Collection were 1940’s women from World War 2
 For the first time women were doing the mens’ jobs in factories, building planes and ships. Also, a new mode in fashion, sportswear was evolving and female designers like Clare McCardell were leading the way. For the first time in fashion, function and practicality became important. 
Of course I made some overalls!
 I was going to enter this project for the sportwear challenge this week at Project Run And Play but I think it is more fitting for the upcycled project since it’s made from dishtowels.
Factory girl overalls

The Santa Paula Airport is known for its vintage airplane scene so I thought it was perfect to photograph Gigi in her overalls.
I made these overalls from dishtowel fabric and they are really durable.

Here I am with Gigi in my Grapes Of Wrath dress.

These little overalls tie onto loops on the front. I got the pattern from the book One Yard Woders.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It has 101 projects to do with one yard of fabric or less. I added pockets and cuffs to the pattern. Kids love pockets!

Ready for takeoff!

I loved this old plane.

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-McKenzie

Comments

  3. Marie says

    Oh my goodness, Gigi looks too cute for words! I love her overalls so much!!!

  8. says

    What a funny idea! It turned out really cute! (In an old sewing magazine, I had an idea of baby sundress and cap made from men’s handkerchiefs. :o)

  10. says

    Absolutely adorable, but then you have just the cutest model for your creation. I love these make-do-and-mend type projects too.

  11. says

    This is just too cute…and so creative. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the 1930s/40s…enterprising mothers used cotton feed sacks to make clothes , too. I’m going to share this post with my cousin. She is a fantastic seamstress…and I think she’ll like your blog 🙂 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California,Heather 🙂 🙂 🙂

    • Justine of SewCountryChick says

      Hi Heather. Actually mothers did use feed sacks to make childrens and their own clothing. I wrote a blog about this. I will send you the link.

  13. says

    You’re so smart. Dish towels are very durable. And Gigi’s overalls look fantastic on her! Your dress looks great too. I have the One Yard Wonders book and I love it too! I think I might like a pair of shorts made out of dish towel fabric….

  19. says

    These are so cute & only make me want the 2nd one yard wonders book even more! I have the first book and like you say can’t recomend it enough.