Hello there, friends!
It’s another lemon dress! This time a 1940’s iteration with the Decades of Style Dorothy Lara dress.
Source: Decades of Style Patterns
I used this lovely lemon print cotton lawn from Gertie’s fabric collection at JoAnn’s. I looked at this fabric in the store and online ever since it was released, but didn’t bite until I saw Sara Jolie’s beautiful 1950’s shirt dress that she made with it. I wanted a light summery fabric to make another Dorothy Lara dress with and this fabric definitely fit the bill, especially as it was 60% off.
The print on the fabric is a bit muted and the cotton lawn isn’t great quality, but I do love this fabric and I’m happy with it. I’ve always loved lemon prints and it’s awesome that they’re in style right now. This one was lovely to sew with and after washing 3 times (cold water and line dried), still looks the same.
I’ve made four Dorothy Lara dresses now (one I have yet to blog), so there isn’t much different with this one. I graded it up 1-2 sizes and lined the skirt with yellow cotton batiste. I made this dress right before I left for our summer vacation and I thought I took some photos of the inside to share with you, but apparently I didn’t, so you’ll have to take my word for it on the lining. I haven’t changed the design nor have I done any alterations. Looking at the above photo, I probably should start doing a swayback adjustment to the back bodice, but it’s meant to be a blouson peasant style dress, so it doesn’t bother me.
This dress is so comfortable and perfect to wear in the hot California summer. It was also comfortable to travel in, which is always a plus. With the faux smocking, I’ve made this dress now in silk, silk/cotton, cotton voile and now cotton lawn, and I think perhaps lawn is the best fabric for ease of sewing the gathers.
Sorry that I forgot to take a clearer close-up photo of the gathers
I’m not sure if I’ve seen a lemon print in a vintage 1940’s dress before, but I like it! 
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Decades of Style 1940’s Dorothy Lara Dress in cotton lawn, made by me
- Shoes: Saltwater Sandals
- Earrings: Bauble Bar
- Sunglasses: ModCloth
Really like the dress. You sew so well. Do the patterns fit when you pick your size or do you have to alter them? I am wanting to learn to alter patterns patterns. I think the ladies on the curvy site do altering. If you do-do you have a favorite book that explains it well.
Thank you! I highly recommend “Fit for Real People” by Pati Palmer. It covers everything you need to know about fitting patterns.
Swoon!!!
Gorgeous dress and you look fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I love your blog and all the great dresses you sew. Very inspriring.
What a gorgeous dress. The fabric is a really cute print and that colour way is lovely. I really like you earrings to go with it. A prefect match. You look fab in it. Xx
Super dress, the print and pattern work so well, it looks great on
I simply love it!
Thank you, Carla!
Wow! Beautiful!
Thanks, Meg!
This is lovely, Tanya! I have this print in the black background, but now wish I’d snapped up the blue, as well. It’s such a great match for the Dorothy Lara for a summer dress, especially. Gorgeous work!
Thank you, Mary! The colors of the blue/yellow one would look splendid on you, if you can find the fabric.
Definitely putting this dress on my short list to make! All your versions are so lovely!
Thanks, Jessica! This pattern will look so beautiful on you!
This is seriously adorable, Tanya! Every time you make this dress I think that its such a cute style, but sadly I’m not sure its something I could work into my every day geologist life
I need to keep it in mind for a special occasion though!!
Thanks, Megan! Yeah, I don’t think you’d want to wear it out in the field, but maybe a weekend dress or for something special.
The lemon print is lovely. I think I’ve only seen the black background one and not this pretty blue. I think this print/pattern combination is a winner. You look great in your new dress!
Thank you, Kate! I was entirely sold on the color combo initially, but I definitely am now!
so beautiful on you. I like the lemons, the dress looks so fresh in the summer. The colors are made for you.
Thank you! I’m really into yellow right now, and this definitely fit in!
I love this! I really like the gertie lemon prints but I find the colours a bit meh, although somehow the combination of this pattern is making it look perfect to me! Such a lovely dress on you.
Thank you!
I know what you mean about the colors… there were a lot of grays in the first line which didn’t suit me and some others I wasn’t totally into in the fabrics since.
that is so pretty – great version of that pattern. Love the colors on you.
Thank you, Beth!
I love this print and the dress pattern so much on you Tanya. You could wear this dress every day and I’d love it.
Thanks, Laura! If it washed and ironed itself I might!