Recreating a designer vintage dress for less 

My sewing construction teacher in college taught us a helpful tip about sewing collars. She said to cut the underside piece about 1/8” smaller than the top piece. This prevents the bottom from rolling out larger than the top when the collar is attached. This has been a very useful tip over the last 35 years of sewing.

The lining of the coat next to the dress is beautifully perfect.

That brocade is really beautiful. And the entire ensemble turned out super glam!

That is a Haute Couture masterpiece! ❤ The quality work you did really shows in the final work.

Thank you for modeling the finished product longer so I can really admire.

This is one of the most beautiful dresses I've seen done by someone who is not a designer. Absolutely fabulous. 💕

This is really pretty. The pink lining with the custom Monogram is perfect!! Well done. Using patterns you already had and then converting a dressing gown pattern into a coat was brilliant!!

That is an outfit that would open doors. Well done.

@SewRana • There are so many reasons I love watching your videos. First, you're brave enough to use non-traditional fabrics, like brocade. Seeing you step outside the woven cotton or polyester knits helps me think beyond available patterns to what I really want. I love that you are always willing to modify the pattern to suit what you like, e.g., the side seam pockets, the inside welt pocket, the monogram, the lined bodice, etc. I also really love that you are willing to do the extra work to make a quality product, e.g. the hand-picked zipper and turning under the undercollar. I think if this were the 1950s, everyone would be coming to your house to find out how to do something or ask for your advice and opinion. Not just because of your knowledge, but you are so pleasant to listen to. This outfit came out beautifully. I hope you get your accessories and create the hat. Thank you for sharing your creative vision and expertise with us. 👍

I’m a big fan of the sixties, probably because I was born in 1958. I love brocade but have been scared to sew with it. Your dress is fabulous

Jackie Kennedy would have loved this!

I love that you know your personal style and body type. Your ability to make small but critical adjustments show your commitment to this. Classic dressmaking at its best! And the monogram thrilled me❤️

The coat and dress are gorgeous! And so are you! Amazing work!

You are so clever, i don't have a sewing machine, i can knit, crochet, sewing, not so much.

Gorgeous!! Lining and monogram pocket bring it to another level ... beyond Glamorous

I am gushing right now. That brocade is beautiful! You are absolutely gorgeous.

Oh. My. Goodness. This fabric is stunning! Great work, as always. ❤

I LOVE the fabric you chose!!! Personally I would have loved to see the original slit Cape (I’m in a cold climate for context) but I back you 100% on the fitted inner dress. Also the pocket liner was a great addition. So glad you are done. I see you out a lot of work into this piece.

What a beautiful set! The brocade is absolutely lovely and the entire ensemble looks amazing on you! Can't wait to see the notions when they come in :D

My goodness! Positively gorgeous!! Your version suits and complements you to a “T”!! Never admit to anything less than bespoke!

Just love watching your sewing projects. I've been sewing for 60 yrs and I never stop learning. ❤

This haute couture brocade dress with pink lining and monogram is STUNNING!! You are an amazing seamstress and YES, I love your dress more than the vintage, $1800 dress. This is just perfection!! 🩷💖🩷💝🩷

You are inspiring all of us to get out our sewing machines.

OMG!!! I cannot believe the fabric was not $$$! Im married to a nigerian and their 'laces' or 'Georges'( the georges is indian fabric) is hundreds of dollars and you know Nigerians like family uniforms or matching fabric outfits for nearly every event! Gorgeous outfit darling so very flattering. God bless you and your work, channel and home.

Just WOW! You, dear lady have an awesome gift!! It's even more fun when you give us a peek and YOU make the dress look perfect!!!

I absolutely love it: you look so glamourous. Gold shoes and gloves and a matching hat will look great too. Well done.

A pink dream! You're right, that shape of dress flatters you. It's amazing! 😮❤

Your version is so much prettier than the “inspiration piece”!!! Keep up the good work!

*OMGosh Sewrena!!! just in time for Barbie season too!!! that Brocade is absolutely darling!!! Bravissima!!!* 💖🪡🧵

Wow! At first I thought that brocade was just too much, especially for a large coat. But, you were right, and I was wrong. It is so beautiful against your complexion. And the dress is s stunning. You look tall, slender and regal. I would love to see you saunter into the Ritz in this. Every eye would be on you.

This brocade ensemble is a beautiful design. I really enjoyed watching your sew along, for this dress. Thank you. 🪡🧵

dress and matching jacket- can't get any better!

This is a beautiful Haute Couture dress and coat. So glad you made the dress sleeveless. The opera gloves will be a perfect addition. Love it!

Absolutely stunning dress. The material is just beautiful, and the color is gorgeous on you. I definitely like your design better than the eBay dress. Great Job!

My barbie had that same outfit in 1959. You look so lovely in your new dess!

Just look at the inside! For those of us who love their garments to be beautiful inside and out, this is just the best! I tend to copy any original exactly, whether it’s a garment from a museum, a classic recipe, whatever. But you’ve made me ask, why? I agree 200% yours is best! Congrats, beautifully done. The hair is gorgeous. This is a TRIUMPH!

Oh my word!!!! You are fantastic!!! I just today found your channel. You are so talented. I am from the 60’s and I love love love what you do. Better than the 60’s are the 30’s and 40’s. Unfortunately I was, underline was, your size but not any more😞. I wish you could teach me to make things like you do. I have noticed that Princess Catherine’s clothes are based on 40’s and 50’s styles. That is why she looks fantastic. These styles are classic. I have always wanted to be able to look at a picture and make that item but I can’t. However you CAN. You are soooo talented. I’m a fan from the first video!!!! You rock. Keep doing what you are doing. I so admire you and your talent. Why aren’t you a famous designer making bespoke for buckets of dollars? Make me a first customer but on my budget😂😮😅😊. Many many kudos to you. ❤️

Absolutely gorgeous, especially worn open with the flash of lining visible - the monogram is a lovely touch too.

I al just seeing the fabric right now and it is beautiful and great taste! It definitely looks like a party dress for celebrations!

Oooooo…. That is a great outfit and I think the gold gloves will go very nicely.

I don’t usually comment but I wanted to thank you for your content.

this outfit is worth WAY more than $1800!! you did a phenomenal job, be proud!!

Love the way you modified the original look to suit you better. I think the cuts you chose for the dress and coat do a great job of capturing the same vibe and suiting it to you and your taste.

My heart skipped a beat when you opened the coat up just having the dress/lining exposed in the try on 😮😍 extraordinary

This set came out beautifully! The brocade is gorgeous and so well suited to that dress pattern.

When cutting out the facing from the lining, remember to take the seam allowances into consideration You did a beautiful job!!!!!

I love watching your sewing & mini cooking moments...so fun to see a young woman sewing & cooking with such joy! You inspire me to keep this creativity in my home even at 69!!

Wow! This looks SO expensive, Serena you killed it! I also like your version better. The monogram on the inside is a classy touch. On a side note, sometimes I buy 108" "wide back" quilting cotton that's meant for quilt backings to make dresses with fuller skirts because 1. easier to work with and 2. more cost-effective in some instances.

I learn so much watching your videos with your tips on changing up the pins and needles with the type of fabric. When you said, “ I don’t care if I sweat to death, I’m gunna put it on” I FELT THAT 🙌🏼💗😆💗🥰🥰 And your monogram lining is so perfect it all turned out amazing! 💗💗

This out fit you have made is like a work of art it is stunning and you look wonderful in it the fabric you chose is beautiful I wish women now days dressed like this you'd a very talented Lady

Oh yay!! Love the monogram initials on the inside, may have to steal that idea for my 60’s Brocade set💕 but yours turned out very pretty buddy 🙌 absolutely gorgeous ✨

Very, very nice! I love the pink as the color for the lining, especially since it did not seem to work. I can't wait to see the entire look.

I love this, so retro and you would turn heads.

“😮😮😮😮😮😮😮” Thats literally the only thing that is coming to mind.

Ok! Just pick me up off the floor! Absolutely fabulous! So much better than the Inspired piece! GORGEOUS!!

I am glad that I found you here. You are so inspiring. Thank you. It’s awesome. ❣️

Stunning much nicer than what you copied!!

stunning, you really know what suits your figure.....that dress looks lovely on you...the color, the pink lining even looks good....love it all....

This is gorgeous!!!!! All that work on the collar really made the extra difference

it's so nice to see something so well done. the matching of the fabric print just makes it so classy!!!

This is the most beautiful dress and duster. The fabric and design are just gorgeous!

Wow!! It looks amazing on you! I like your version much better than the “celebrity designer “ one.

This is absolutely gorgeous!!!

OMG!! This is GORGEOUS. I am really impressed with your skill set- that you can spot an incredible look and decide to pursue a project using it for inspiration. Using two different patterns, one of them a housecoat, making other changes as you see fit to get what you had in mind into reality. You do beautiful work. Plus that brocade! I saw the ‘wrong’ side of it and thought it was gorgeous, too!

I love the suit.

YOU & YOUR DRESS & OUTFIT ARE COMPLETELY STUNNING!!!! ❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷

Very nice!! My grandmother's fur coat from the 50's has her name embroidered on the inside.

I have found patterns from the 1960’s and 1970’s in various thrift stores.

Wow you look stunning. 18000 is not too much for something custom made by hand with beautiful fabric, and the outfit you made is definitely worth that, I like your dress better😊

perfection, I like your version much better.

Oh m g !!! It turned out beautiful !!! Love it !!! The welt pocket, the monogram, it made it !!!

Otherworldly.

Gorgeous fabric. You always pick the loveliest fabrics. I think the dress pattern you chose is much nicer than the shift dress that they used for the $1800 couture dress. I love how you put your monogram inside the duster on the lining and that last minuet idea to put a pocket inside the duster was a great idea. All those little extras make the outfit more elegant. You are so lucky by the way to be the size that you are because so many vintage patterns are in your size. I wear a size 20 and that is a very difficult size to find. Thanks for sharing I enjoy watching you create.

You look so classy in the matching set, it’s gorgeous on you

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for this video. A hat would be the cherry on top!

Consider a pillbox, hatband, or a fasinator hat style. A couple different hats could also change up the look. I remember Jackie Kennedy and my Mom frequently wearing pillbox and bandeau hats with a bit of fine beaded netting or lace. They both would have loved the facinators. Just an idea, I think it would be neat if the jacket collar could be removable to give you additional "looks." It could be reversible using a solid matching color.

I’m so jealous of your skill. Excellent job.

When you revealed the dress under the coat I was stunned. I think I said OMG about 5 times. I have always wanted a dress with matching coat like Doris Day used to wear. You've inspired me to just make one. I don't know why I've waited. Of course, I don't have a place to wear it, but who cares. It will be a fun project. Now I just need to find the right fabric.

That brocade is absolutely beautiful. Another quality outfit you and that Kenmore have produced! You look glamorous SewRena. Vogue 1950s. What did your hubby say about this stunning work?????

Very glamorous, that dress looks perfect on you! Beautiful

Just gorgeous especially the finishing touches like the welt pocket. Brocade is tricky but so satisfying to make clothing with.

Gorgeous!!!! Much prettier than the original…I love the colors.

A lovely color and fit!🌸🌸🌸🌸

This is a beautiful dress! Watching how you put the lining into the bodice helped me solve a problem I've been having with a modern-style sheath dress I was making! So, Thank You!

Absolutely adorable, the fabric is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! And of course the whole ensemble fits you amazingly well❤ Tailors tip: To avoid the tedious job of hand stitching the edge of the collar, always make sure that the outer/top collar is bigger ( in brocade probably significantly bigger) than the under collar, and also stitch the collar into the neckline already rolled and shaped as it will lie when finished. Don't try make it lie flat at this stage, it's supposed to be rounded both in length and width! This will keep the underside from peeking out along the edges and give it a smooth rounded shape around the neck.

I found and bought the vintage Mccalls pattern in my size and I'm following your instructions! They are super helpful and encouraging! I'll line the bodice and maybe the skirt too. Thanks for the confidence boost!

Dress looks better than the jacket.

My goodness, you are so very talented. This set is beautiful. My Mother was a seamstress, having many clients. Thanks for sharing this outfit!

Yours look very better than the 1800$

Our intials aree the same! I love this dress.

I am speechless. Beautiful.

This looks absolutely amazing! I stopped sewing to watch your video, and I now feel more motivated to get back too it.

I love to sew because, like you, I want to individualize my clothes in color and details. 💕💕💕 Love your channel. You are inspiring!

This is beautiful! You have a real gift!

Girlfriend! - awesome!

Your outfit turned out absolutely adorable and so well made. You wore white gloves for the reveal and actually, I think the white gloves are the better choice rather than gold. Gold would make your outfit look too much like a costume. I don't get the sense that is what you're aiming for. Nice job!

oh my goodness - ooooh lah lah 😍

YOU LOOK STUNNING IN THIS. I must create my own! BRAVO BRAVO!

An absolute 💯 & I deff love your version better!!

That outfit is so beautiful, love the way you did the lining very nice work.