Mrs. Hughes

Retro Inspired Sewing

  • About
    • About Tanya
    • Featured
    • Contact Me
  • My Closet
  • Tutorials
You are here: Home / Retro Garments / Red Polka Dot 1940 Sundress

Red Polka Dot 1940 Sundress

03/27/2013

I am SEW happy that I finished this dress yesterday!  This pattern has been on my “to-do” list for a while and I could not wait to cut into this red and white polka dot broadcloth either!

Red and white polka dot 1940 sundress

Red and white polka dot 1940 sundress

I made this dress using Vogue 8812, a Vintage Vogue pattern from 1940.  This sundress is made of stretch cotton broadcloth that I purchased at Fabric Mart a couple of months ago.  This is part of my resolution to wear more red!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I pretty much followed the pattern directions, although I added wider straps and fully lined it with cotton batiste and used ribbon instead of a self tie on the bodice neckline.  The gathered bra on the bodice is also not like it is supposed to be as I did not want it is as low-cut as the pattern is drafted.  The pattern photo and website model do not alert you to how low-cut the bodice is.  I tightened the straps and made the gathered bra more of a neckline and bust adornment than a full, encompassing covering.  The next time I make this I will be cutting the bra and stay larger as I don’t like showing too much cleavage.  And yes…. had I made muslin I would have known this!  But I am happy with it and how it looks on me. 🙂

Vintage Vogue 8812 1940 Sundress

Vintage Vogue 8812 1940 Sundress

I also put a zipper in the back rather than the button closure as it suggests.  I was considering putting the buttons in but then thought about how difficult that might be to do myself.  I also thought about putting a faux button closure over the zipper, but decided against it.  I think I’ll do that with the next dress I make out of this pattern.  I think that would look really good with a solid color.

Vintage Vogue 8812 1940 Sundress

Vintage Vogue 8812 1940 Sundress

I just love this dress and it will definitely be a warm weather staple for me!  In a few weeks, I’m going to wear this dress and one that I’m making right now for a pin-up photo shoot.  I definitely can’t wait to get all retro-ed up and have some fun photos taken!  I also plan to make myself a yellow cardigan to go with this, so I guess I better get sewing!

Vintage Vogue 8812 1940 Sundress

Vintage Vogue 8812 1940 Sundress

So…. I did what I said I was going to do in a previous post and got a tripod and started taking photos of myself in my creations.  It certainly is time consuming but is a much better result, don’t you think?  I also think I’m getting pretty good at this photography thing! What could I do with a fancy camera?! 🙂

Happy Sewing, my friends!

signature

Dress:  Vogue 8812 made by me

Fabric:  Red and white polka dot stretch cotton broadcloth

Cardigan:  Old Navy

Shoes:  American Eagle Outfitters

Share this:
  • Share via Email
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via Pinterest
  • Share via Ravelry
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Google

Related

Filed Under: Retro Garments

« Meet our new foster dog, Belle!
1946 “Owl Eyes” Challis Dress »

Comments

  1. Hollie Babson says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    Gorgeous! Stumbled upon you whilst looking for a pattern review of this dress. After seeing how beautiful yours is, I am eager to dive into this pattern.

    • tanyamaile says

      July 11, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      Thank you, Hollie! It truly is the perfect summer dress!

  2. tanyamaile says

    June 27, 2014 at 11:44 pm

    Thank you! It’s one of my favorites for sure!

  3. blacklabel says

    June 27, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Oh man, this dress in the red with white polka dot is perfection. Amazing job.

  4. kd says

    September 22, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    OMG. That is a wonderful dress. You are awesome in it.

    I hope to finish a sundress (now that it is autumn in the Midwest…duh) this week; I am using vintage weird pinkish material with odd palm trees on it. So, OK, I will wear it next summer…..8-)

    • tanya maile says

      September 22, 2013 at 7:59 pm

      Thanks. KD! I love wearing this dress! I have a couple of Sun dresses left that I plan to make, in fact starting one tomorrow. Paired with a cardi, they can go further into fall here, but if it’s starting to freeze and snow there, I guess that won’t work for you. At least you’ll be ready for spring! 🙂

  5. spinneretta says

    March 31, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    I love the red polka dots – it looks great!

    • Tanya Maile Hughes says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:50 am

      Thank you! I have a new found love for polka dots!

  6. Tanya Maile Hughes says

    March 31, 2013 at 9:13 am

    Thank you!

  7. Nessa says

    March 31, 2013 at 8:23 am

    Love your dress, and the scenery and photography are just gorgeous too! I’m not a fan of showing cleavage either, and you have done an impressive job on your no-muslin-for-me alterations!!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

My Favorites

  • The 1920’s Egyptian Revival Gown
  • The Embroidered Zig Zag Dress
  • The 1929 Pansy Dress
  • The 1930’s Silk Velvet Dress
  • Sailors are My Weakness [The Dorothy Lara Dress]
  • The California Poppy Blouse
  • The 1950’s Robin Hood Dress
  • The Broderie Anglaise Birthday Dress

Categories

Archives

“Dress Like Your Grandma” Host

Behind the Scenes on Instagram @tanyamaile

Rollie. #mythoughtsexactly Rollie. #mythoughtsexactly
A finished project! I used McCall 1247 (c. 1946) t A finished project! I used McCall 1247 (c. 1946) to create this blouse. It's made out of a rayon twill that I got from @lafinchfabrics. I started this project pre-pandemic and just finished it... I have been experiencing a lot of sewing lethargy, which isn't unusual considering our current circumstances here in the US. I'm trying to get my sew-jo back as I would just love to sit here all day sewing and watching TV. I have been embroidering and am finding escape in that. ❤️
.
#vintagesewing #mccall1247 #vintagepatterncollector #1940spattern #embroidery #handembroidery #1940speasantblouse
Sandor on the sloth. Sandor on the sloth.
My next embroidery project! I recently scored this My next embroidery project! I recently scored this 1938 State Flower Map embroidery transfer pattern and just spent many hours tracing it. It's going to be the focal point on a quilt that I'm planning to make with vintage handkerchiefs -- most of them from the same era. #embroidery #vintageembroidery #1930sembroidery #stateflowers #handkerchiefquilt #mccall609
My family recently received a new Purple Heart med My family recently received a new Purple Heart medal for my grandpa. My grandpa was a highly decorated and yet modest man and although he was proud to have received his service medals, he did not display them. I found most of them forgotten in a dusty box under his desk after he passed. Others I found in footlockers in the barn. I have yet to find the Purple Heart that he earned while being shot down over France during WWII. He had a bullet in his leg with remnants that remained for the rest of his life. Thankfully, we were able to apply for and receive another one. All Purple Hearts have the recipients name engraved on the back. The last photo was the last medal he received - the Prisoner of War medal (1987). He became a POW after his P-51D was shot down and he was captured by the Nazis. My grandpa and his military brothers and sisters are not "losers" or "suckers". They served the country that they love.
I don't know about you, but I need something to lo I don't know about you, but I need something to look forward to, so today I decorated for Halloween. It doesn't take me very long as I don't have very many Halloween decorations. Time to get spooky!
.
Cleo (and the other cats) just got a spooky castle from Target.
Just a friendly reminder that it is not an Etsy/eB Just a friendly reminder that it is not an Etsy/eBay seller or a small business's fault that a package is delayed due to the USPS being a political pawn. Please be patient. Contact your federal representatives. Don't be a Karen.
Getting a head start on Halloween decorating as I Getting a head start on Halloween decorating as I both love spooky things and I also need something to look forward to. I also find it amusing that the "Welcome" sign is an oxymoron as no one outside of my bubble is welcome inside. 🤣 Materials from Dollar Tree and Joann's and a repurposed grapevine wreath. 🎃🦇🕷️🕸️🦹
.
#halloween #halloweendiy #halloweenwreath #halloweendecor
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Copyright 2012-2020. Tanya Maile Hughes. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or reproduce any content from this site without approval and credit. Sewing graphics by katieshoestring and California poppy graphics by DigitalDesignsAndArt

Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.

  • About
  • My Closet
  • Tutorials

Copyright © 2021 · Adorn theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Adorn Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in