Hello, friends!
I hope you’re doing well and keeping warm (or cool!) wherever you are in the world. I’m happy to share my latest retro creation — the 1940’s New England Dress from Decades of Style.
Source: Decades of Style Patterns
As the weather here in Northern California is returning to “normal” and we’re experiencing a cold and wet winter thus far, I’ve been in need of more warm winter dresses. Enter this long-sleeved beauty with it’s billowing sleeves combined with this lovely and warm teal worsted wool crepe from my stash (purchased from Fabric Mart a while back).
This pattern is fun to make and before you know it, you have a dress! The instructions are easy to follow and the pattern pieces go together nicely. It gives you the opportunity to use some cool buttons and who doesn’t love pockets?
I’m going to be honest, I looked at this pattern for months before I decided that I wanted to make it. I was a bit afraid the bodice would end up resembling a child’s bib and that perhaps the collar might be too high for my liking. I was happy to see that neither was true and I didn’t have to adapt it for my comfort.
I graded this pattern up to about a size 48″ bust and didn’t do any modifications to the pattern or design. I usually do a swayback adjustment on my back bodice piece, and when I had the bodice completed and draped on my dress form, I considered doing that. However, looking at the pattern’s drawing and photos online, the bodice is supposed to have a blouson effect, so I left the back piece alone. When I make this again, I’d probably make the sleeve cuff a little longer, as it was a tight fit around my wrists.
I was able to use some of my vintage 1940’s bakelite buttons for this dress. I had both the larger ones for the collar and pockets, plus smaller ones for the sleeve cuffs. I don’t know about you, but being able to use my treasured buttons from my collection makes me incredibly happy. I know some people don’t like to use vintage pieces and instead keep them to look at, but I figure these are meant to be used and I look forward to using more of them when the right patterns and fabrics come along.
I made this dress in about a day and a half to 2 days and rushed through some things that I would normally take a little more time with. But I suppose when I want to wear something, I do rush myself instead of my normal slow sewing speed. I normally would have finished the seams with rayon seam binding, but I didn’t have time to. I did do a lot of hand sewing on the hem and around the facings. I wish my “invisible” stitches on the front facings were more invisible, so I may go back and fix that. After all, I plan to wear this dress for years to come!
My favorite thing about this dress is that it’s very warm and the wool crepe is comfy without being scratchy. The sleeves make me feel like I’m Katherine Hepburn and of course I adore the 40’s design. I look forward to making a short-sleeved version in the future. It would be awesome to use some different colors/prints and take advantage of the pattern pieces to play with color blocking.
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Decades of Style 1940’s New England Dress in teal worsted wool crepe, made by me
- Shoes: BC Footwear
Everything is right about this dress, Tanya. I envy your ability to up grade these patterns to fit you so well. The color of the material compliments your coloring. And, the best of all, this pattern as you have fitted it, skims over your body as it should, making you look great!!
Oh man, the sleeves and neckline on this are beyond dreamy!
I love the material you’ve chosen for this pattern and how it fits you! Brilliant. I wouldn’t have been attracted to this pattern either but when I see it on you I’m sold 🙂
Oh I love this! I just ordered some patterns from Decades of style – ugh but didn’t get this one! (kicking myself right now- wasn’t sure how it would look in real life) I did get the three’s a charm jacket though. Looks like I need to place another order.😊
This is lovely, Tanya! I don’t know if I could talk myself into carrying of some of the vintage syles that looks so amazing on you, but I do certainly think it would be interesting to learn about the different construction techniques. That bib front is really unique!
Gorgeous color on you! You and the dress look superb!
Thanks, Laurie! I’m really enjoying this color in my wardrobe!
Beautiful! You always pick the best colors…
Thank you, Meg!! I’m adding this color to my list of fabrics to look for when I’m shopping!
Once again, super cute! I love the color on you. I’m glad you used those buttons, it makes it better. I’m so glad we are getting lots of rain!
Thanks, Natasha! I’m so glad these buttons worked. I took a few button cards out to choose which would work best. I <3 the rain! I just want a little bit colder weather!
I love it…It looks so pretty on you. Great job.
Thanks, Judy! I’m really happy with how this dress turned out.
Beautiful style and the color and fit are very flattering on you!
Thanks, Barbara! I’m looking forward to making another one!
Wow, that dress is absolutely wonderful. I agree, it is very “Old Hollywood” but looks modern at the same time. The colour is fabulous, rich and you look wonderful in it. Definitely a timeless piece. I love it. Xx
Thank you!! Sometimes I wonder if I should add the shoulder pads to these as their meant to be worn, but I like to mix a bit of modern to retro styles, so I think it works well. I wore this out with tall boots and was ready for the weather!
What a beautiful dress! You look straight out of an old Hollywood film, Tanya. That teal is sensational on you! You truly pull off saturated colors like no one else, though–absolutely lovely every time.
Thanks so much, Mary! I’m really enjoying 40’s styles lately and this color is truly one I think I need more of.
Beautiful dress! Teal is such a great color on you. Your real life version (to me anyway) looks so much better than the paper model. Lol.
Thanks, Robin! I do love the drawings and its always interesting to me to see how they look IRL!
I love that colour on you! And the dress is just perfect. I love when you can use vintage buttons like that. 🙂 Looks great!
Thanks, Andie! It’s definitely fun to use vintage notions from the stash. This pattern is a cool way to use great buttons!
Beautiful dress! You have a real gift for finding patterns that suit you well.
Thank you, Jan! I think I just try to stick with silhouettes I feel comfortable with, but sometimes I don’t know how they’ll truly look until I wear it!!