Tuesday, April 07, 2015

Mary Kate's Courting Dress


If you have never watched "The Quiet Man" movie or read anything about the story, you might be able to find in on YouTube or other programs online.  I have seen several sewing weblogs with clothes from famous movies, and I have been looking at Mary Kate Danaher's dress, shown here.  None of the costumes in the picture were green, except this one, and I have been trying to find inexpensive fabric in this color.

 The dress is on display in a collection somewhere, and I did see a video of someone showing the dress, but alas, the white bow was missing from the loop on the original dress. It is simply a rectangle of fabric surrounded in lace, inserted in a loop under the collar.

The above picture shows the side view of the white cuff on the sleeve, but I cannot see the details enough to immitate it so my cuff will be different. Possibly the sleeve cuff is the same as the collar in that a piece is inserted into a loop to make a bow.

  I had to notice in the movie she rode this bike in that dress!  But even in All Creatures Great and Small,  James' wife, Helen rode her bike wearing a skirt.


I hung on to this old pattern from 1987 and noticed that view C has the same kind of collar.  I originally made this dress in a beautiful pastel floral with a white background featuring lavender hydrangeas and pink roses.  I wore it out but I wish I had saved it anyway.

This is what I am planning on making it with, and if it turns out well I will put a picture of it here.  If the material that matches the original dress gets lower in price I will make another one, but from a distance this will probably look a lot like the one made for Maureen O'Hara in this movie.  This style was seen a lot in the 1980s, so watching The Quiet Man reminded me of many of the 1980s patterns. The "Shepherdess" styles were featured in a lot of books and sewing magazines.


Below, from Joann fabrics online, a similar color to the original dress. Even with enlarging the photographs, it was impossible to figure out the print from the movie dress.


Below, it is claimed that this the original dress, but it does not look like it. Where are the white buttons and why is it not more shaped?


Another possible fabric:

A placid scene. The courting dress was the only one in the film I had a pattern for.  The other costumes were not as interesting but I did enjoy the shawls and  aprons, as well as the bonnets, and, of course, I really liked the way the men were dressed. 



Below, a Keepsake Calico from Joanne Fabrics, described as green with silver stamp tile. This matches the dress the best.
This photo shows the print better.


I am interested in the hat, too.  I can get a cheap one and put fabric on it.


Below: another pattern in consideration for the courting dress.


18 comments:

magnoliasntea said...

The dress M.O. wore in the movies is cute, and now that waists are in style again, it isn't that far off today's fashion. I think this link shows the pattern best.
https://www.google.com/search?q=maureen+ohara+dress+kate+movie&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS391US445&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=947&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=DvgjVdCTFobssAX87ICQCA&ved=0CCwQ7Ak&dpr=1#imgdii=_&imgrc=fZFUT-aMYteshM%253A%3B1UlDCpRcCnQJaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmarykateloves.files.wordpress.com%252F2014%252F08%252Fm6.gif%253Fw%253D548%2526h%253D358%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmarykateloves.com%252F2014%252F08%252F17%252Fhappy-birthday-maureen-ohara%252F%3B500%3B328

Lydia said...

I have seen this picture, and noted that Joann Fabrics has a very similar print but it had silver metallic on it as well. However it was the closest. I will post a picture of it. It was a quilting fabric .

amulbunny's random thoughts said...

Re riding a bike with a dress. If you have a PBS station watch Call the Midwives. Most of the nurse midwives who go to see their patients in post war London ride bikes.

My favorite John Wayne/ Maureen O'Hara movie is McClintock. I was privileged to meet John Wayne's stuntman Chuck Roberson in the late 60's.

Enjoy your week.

living from glory to glory said...

Good Afternoon, I just loved the movie, I always get a sweet chuckle while watching it! I do think a dress in that color would be so cheery and elegant, it is a very rich emerald color if I remember correctly!
Look forward to seeing what you find! Blessings, Roxy

Polly said...

One of my favorite things about watching old movies or period pieces is just observing the wardrobes! When my son was a baby, I spent his naptimes watching every variation of "Pride and Prejudice" I could get my hands on while teaching myself how to knit. It was so peaceful and fun.

I love how the green sets off her hair in these photos!! We're reading the Little House books now, and Mary (blonde) always wears blue, and Laura (brunette) always tends to wear reds. As a brunette, I am taking note. :)

Dawn said...

I can't wait to see your dress. I just know it will be beautiful.

Southern Lady said...

It is "sew" much fun to be able to sew and re-create dresses you like!

Jenny said...

I always wear a dress or skirt, and when I want to ride my bicycle, I do! I've never had a problem. All the clothes are lovely!

Maybe that dress is the original. It would fit better with a belt. Maybe the belt isn't shown in the photo of the hanging dress.

Cynthia Berenger said...

Dear Lydia,

How fun it is to create one's own clothing rather than having to settle for what one finds in the shops. BTW, _The Quiet Man_ was my late husband's favorite flick.

Cynthia

Rosemary UK said...

We always rode bikes in skirts and still do.

Unknown said...

I loved the movie as well and enjoyed the beauty of her clothes. Feminine dress is an art form in so many ways. Many women today who dress like men are missing this important blessing.

vintage ellen said...

We love "The Quiet Man" and watch it every year on St. Patrick's Day. I would like to wear dresses with a waist but as I've gotten older I seem to have lost my waist! Women look so much nicer in a dress than pants but everyday dresses are sometimes difficult to find and when I sew it never fits! Thanks for all your great posts

johngeena15 said...

Dear Lady Lydia
Thank you so much for your amazing blog and your Biblical teachings. Your writing is so meaningful and your photography is so beautiful, especially all the pretty tea cups. (I love tea very much and also I love skirts/feminine dresses).

I found out your blog close to 3 weeks now and has been going through all your posts.

I wish such wisdom was available when I started my family life many years ago. Though I am a housewife and always wanted to be a housewife, but I always did everything with guilt, because everyone said that I am not working and making an income and sitting home lazy. All these years I never had peace as a housewife. So when I found your blog I was amazed by the number of women who are homemakers and living a Biblical life.

As I am learning more about God's plan for women/mother, I am finally starting to accept my housewife role and your teaching gives me the encouragement to do it well, even if others accuse me and say hurtful things.

Thank you for your time and effort for this blog and the most pretty pictures. May God use you mightly.

Lydia said...

Please also read many of the links on my sidebar, blogs of other women at home. They have some excellent teaching on their weblogs, too!

Lydia said...

I may choose a slightly different pattern because I was never comfortable with waistlines. I prefer a lower waist or an a-line dress.

SharonR said...

I agree, Lydia. I don't think it's the same dress at all. However, it was probably used for distance shots. That's a real possibility. I think the fabric is a sheer. Look at the sleeves compared to the bodice. Also in the one shot you said shows the print best, it appears to have blue as well as green and white. I love the last pattern shown. I think below waist lines are much more becoming as well. Hope you can get this made. I love this movie, though I didn't the first time I saw it. We had read a short story by the same title in high school and it wasn't the same at all. I was so disappointed then.But I love it now.

SharonR said...

I agree, Cynthia

SharonR said...

I admire you for doing what you knew in your heart what was right in spite of opposition. Nice to have found this site.