Hello friends! It’s time to unveil this year’s Sew for Victory dress!
If you aren’t aware, Sew for Victory is a 1940’s sewing challenge hosted by the lovely Rochelle at Lucky Lucille.
This dress is a bit different than others that I have made as it honors my grandpa.
Lt Col USAF Arthur M. Mimler
My grandpa was a decorated World War II fighter pilot in the European theatre based in England (Rivenhall, Kent and Staplehurst, Essex) who was shot down during his 43rd combat mission over Bazougers, France. He and his plane were hidden by the local townspeople until he was captured by the Nazi’s and forced to walk across Germany before being interred in thirteen different prison camps, among them the infamous Stalag Luft III (site of The Great Escape) in Poland. He was liberated in May 1945 from Stalag 7A in Moosburg, Germany (“Kriegsgefangenen- Mannschafts Stammlager VIIA”). My grandpa went on to serve in the Korean War, was adviser to the Spanish Air Force in Madrid, Commander of the Venezuelan Air Force, and retired to our ranch in California in 1969.
Craig Field, Alabama, January 20, 1945
444th Fighter Squadron, England, March 12, 1944
Oakland, California, September 1943
My grandparents before they were married at my great-grandparents’ house, 1943, Manchester, New Hampshire
It’s difficult to honor my grandpa in a few small snippets on a blog post, but hopefully I did him justice. I have been working on a long and arduous project of scanning the thousands of photos he has from WWII. Before he passed on in January 2011 after a long battle with cancer, he would sit me with me and tell me about the people and places in his photos. I was lucky enough to have those memories of his and document them and to have those times that I shared with my grandpa. I was his only grandchild and very close to him. I was fortunate that I lived next door to him and grew up with him and that I was able to see him almost every day until I went away to college. In his later years I returned home to our ranch and was there to take care of him until he went off on his last mission to fly in Heaven. Someday, I will finish gathering up my research and photos and truly honor him with a biography of his amazing life.
And now I bring to you my “Grandpa Dress”, in honor of my grandfather, Lt. Col. Arthur M. Mimler.
The pattern I used is the Wearing History “Palisades,”, a 1940’s wrap dress.
The fabric I used is a quilting fabric from the Freedom Collection by Windham Fabrics. It’s a vintage patriotic print with old posters from the armed forces. I bought mine from eQuilter.com for $10.75/yd. The moment I saw this fabric I knew that it was perfect for my Grandpa Dress. It has fighter pilots and WWII themes and you can’t get more patriotic than that. This fabric does have some WWI and Vietnam War photos on it as well, but it’s overwhelmingly WWII.
I actually just finished this dress yesterday…. yes, the Queen of last-minute sewing right here! I paired my patriotic fabric with red cotton broadcloth on the bretelles and sash and used white cotton batiste for the bodice lining.
This pattern went together well, but as far as the instructions go, it’s probably aimed more towards intermediate sewers and up. It’s based on a vintage pattern, but a bit easier than working with an original 1940’s dress pattern. I had hoped to wear this dress whilst doing tours and volunteering at our air museum as I believe it to be perfect for showing people around the museum’s collection of WWII aircraft, but being a wrap dress, I am not certain that it’s going to work. This dress wraps in the back, and I can just imagine a gust of wind blowing it up and showing off my chonies. If I do wear it, I will most certainly be wearing a slip and a camisole underneath to prevent some Marilyn moments. I honestly don’t know why I continue to want wrap dresses when there is always the chance of wardrobe malfunctions…. ah, I do not think I will ever live and learn! I originally had planned on using an original 1940’s pattern that I recently acquired, but I was uncertain of which to use and showed my husband both the Palisades and my 40’s Simplicity and he chose this one, so I guess I can blame it on him. 🙂
I do really love this dress and I know my grandpa would, too. My original plan was to take these photos in front of some WWII planes…. well…. the best laid plans of mice and men…. that’s what happens when you’re a last minute gal! This ol’ Dodge truck will have to suffice.
I found this P-51 pilot pendant at Hobby Lobby whilst meandering through the aisles and snapped it up as it reminds me of my grandpa. He would have got a kick out of the pilot hanging from the plane.
This is my grandpa’s original life vest from WWII when he was shot down over France during his last mission. When the townspeople of Bazougers found him, they buried it, along with his plane. My grandpa returned to Bazougers in 1997 and was honored by the town and one of the gifts he received was the return of his vest.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my grandpa and my garment homage to him.
And…. I don’t do vintage hair and makeup very often, so I had some fun with these selfies. 🙂
Happy vintage sewing,
- Dress: Wearing History Palisades dress in patriotic quilting cotton, made by me
- Shoes: LK Bennett
- Pendant: Hobby Lobby
Beautiful story, beautiful dress and a real honour to your Grandfather. Best wishes from Essex in the UK
oops, I didn’t even comment on the FABULOUS dress!! Gorgeous.
Thank you, Cara! 🙂
Truly an awesome tribute….what a handsome dude!! He was a brave brave guy…I especially love the first photo, well and the one with your grandmother…and…
This is such a touching story! And a very nice dress too…
One day, I will have to write about my grand ma too, she was a seamstress during the war, in Belgium and part of the resistance there. She has amazing stories too 🙂
I love that this dress is a tribute to your grandfather! It sounds like you have preserved a lot of his stories and his memory. I think it’s really cool that you were able to learn so much about him while he was living!
Thank you, MIchelle! Definitely feeling very fortunate for that!
Your grandfather sounds like an amazing man with a strong spirit–no wonder you were so inspired! Thank you for sharing some of his story with us. Your dress is just lovely, and you wear it very well. =)
Awe, thank you! I never really admired all of his accomplishments until I got older and started to read and hear more about him. He never bragged nor went on about his service and was one who was more interested to hear about others’ stories than tell his own.
I loved reading this post! What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather! I’ve been doing a lot of ancestry research for our family so love hearing these kinds of stories. Great dress, really lovely and the vintage inspired hair and makeup is fabulous!
Thank you, Rebecca! I love doing genealogy, too. Just need to make some more time for it!
This is amazing!! What a wonderful way to honor your grandpa, and a terrific looking dress. He sounds like such a brave and wonderful man. My grandparents lived just down the street from me and took care of me and my brother every day, and I loved hearing his stories, too. Good memories.
Thank you, Lauren! It sure is wonderful growing up with your grandparents close by, isn’t it? 🙂
That dress is so cute. Your grandpa would be proud.
Thank you! I sure hope he is! 🙂
What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. And what a blessing to be able to spend time with him and enjoy his stories of life. I am sure that he is enjoying this moment in your life as much as you are. Your dress turned out wonderful, from the fabric down to the necklace that you wore. Your story adds to the dress and it’s meaning. Your post made me cry as memories rushed through me of my own grandfather and the times I spent with him. Thanks for sharing a part of your life with us.
Thank you! 🙂 Writing this post also made me cry as well. It seems like no matter how much time you spend with your loved ones, there is never enough time.
Your grandfather sounds like he was a wonderful man and you paintd a lovely description of him! I love the idea of sewing as a tribute to people who’ve been meaningful to you — thank you for this inspiring post. 🙂
Thanks, Susan! I think I will do this more often. 🙂
Oh wow what an amazing story! Your grandfather sounds like the quintessential hero. It’s so nice that you had the opportunity to spend so much time with him.
Your dress is absolutely lovely and does his memory proud
Thanks, Jenny! 🙂 He definitely was a hero, and even long after his service.
What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather! How nice to have so many pictures and items to remember him in such a honorable way. Your dress is very nice and he would be so very proud of you to know you have honored him in a special way. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! 🙂 I feel fortunate to have all of these keepsakes and memories.
I love that you connected your family’s rich history with your historical garment. It is lovely! My dad was in the Navy during Viet Nam and I have always had a thing for nautical dresses with ties in the front and sailor collars in the back. Keeps us connected to our families, I guess. Lovely dress!
I love how we can make garments that remind us of our family members. Nautical dresses are awesome! 🙂
I truly enjoyed reading about your grandfather. I had 4 uncles that fought in WW2, all came home.
One uncle was an infantry Marine, another a pilot, one lost his leg, and another spent 3 days in shark infested waters when his ship was sunk. I have so much respect for everyone who serves in our military, especially WW2 veterans.
Your dress is very cute! I like your vintage hair too.
WWII veterans are definitely the greatest generation! Thank you, Rhonda!
What a beautiful way to honor your grandfather. Lovely dress.
Thanks, Cathy! Not sure how often I will wear it though!
All patriotic holidays would allow you to wear it quite often. 🙂
Very, very true! 🙂
You certainly succeeded in honoring your grandfather. The dress is lovely. Thank you for sharing some of his history and some of your memories.
Thank you, Lana! 🙂
Wow Tanya, that was so nice reading about your grandfather. Both my grandfathers died before I was born, and my grandmother doesn’t ever talk about the war so I don’t even know our families war stories, although I have seen some medals. I should really ask my parents what they know.
Also, the dress is great – the red goes so well and you look beautiful, you are definitely one of my sewing idols! I was planning on doing Sew For Victory but the pattern arrived late, and when I made the muslin it looked terrible so it got wadded away. Whoops!
Hopefully, you can learn some family history! The past always seems more alive when your family is a part of it. 🙂
Sewing idols? Haha! I wasn’t sure if I would get this done, but I managed to. If only there were more hours in the day! I was going to make two SFV dresses, but I was lucky to make one! I hope you try with your pattern again. You can always use it for next year!