Hello, friends!
I’m still sharing my summer sewing…. Yes, I am stretching this out so far! I still have another dress left to photograph, plus 3 that are kind of UFO’s. I may not do anything with those until next spring as I am moving into fall/winter sewing and I don’t need another sundress right now. At least I hope I don’t! (We just had several days of 90+ degree temps here in Northern California again)
Source: Vogue Patterns
This dress is made using Vogue 8728, a pattern reissue from 1946. I’ve had this pattern for a while, but had yet to sew it. It’s been widely sewn throughout the SBC and there are many reviews on Pattern Review. A lot of versions seem to be in knit fabrics, but I doubt that I would ever sew this up in a knit.
I made this dress out of a yellow multi-colored polka dot silk crepe de chine that I purchased from Fabric Mart a long time ago. It’s been in my stash for a while as I considered what to do with it. I always thought it would make a good 1940’s dress as the colors/print seem like something I’ve seen before in vintage fabrics from that era. I was all about yellow this summer, so it seemed like an opportune time to pull this fabric out and sew it up.
I also sewed up a Muse Jenna cardi that goes perfect with this dress. I made this cardigan out of a lightweight yellow with white flecks sweater knit that I purchased from Fabric.com a while back. I had been looking for a yellow sweater knit for a while (why are they so hard to find?!) and happened upon this one. I wasn’t entirely pleased when it arrived as it seemed to sheer for a cardi, but it works perfect as a summer sweater and I’ll no doubt wear it for years to come. I found these lovely yellow buttons at Stonemountain and Daughter in Berkeley.
This pattern is perfect in silk crepe de chine as it drapes so beautifully and makes this peasant dress style a little more luxe. This particular crepe de chine is not very pleasant to sew. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it kind of sticks to my machine and doesn’t glide easily whilst sewing. I’ve never had this problem with other silk crepe de chines. I also went through 2 needles sewing this as my Schmetz Microtex needles seemed to dull whilst sewing this together.
Catching a breeze. The skirt is not that full.
I fully lined this dress with a yellow cotton batiste (yes, I am failing at photos of the insides lately!). I gathered the bodice front together first and then cut out the lining piece, which is not gathered. The silk slips and the band on the neckline shows occasionally and you can see my hand sewing stitches. At least they’re neat when they poke out! 🙂
I didn’t use the belt pattern piece included with this dress and instead cut my own. I wanted to use this vintage Bakelite buckle and as it’s a slide buckle with no prong, I wanted the belt to be longer so I could tuck it in. This belt looks great and stays in place on my dressform, but not on me. I spent the entire time wearing this fiddling with the belt as it slides around and doesn’t stay buckled. I have it safety-pinned for these photos, but I’d like to come up with a solution for this slippery fish. I’m not sure how much belt loops will help, but I might add them and see. I wore this dress out to dinner in Little Italy (NYC) and skipped the belt as I was tired of messing with it.
I know I say it quite often that I love the dresses that I make, but I really love this one. It feels so wonderful and light to wear and it’s a style that I’m drawn to. Peasant dresses are the epitome of summer to me and 40’s style peasant dresses seem a little less 70’s boho. This dress is comfortable and was a nice, easy sew. For some reason I thought that the midriff would be close-fitting, so I avoided this pattern for a while. I was happy to find that it wasn’t. This will definitely be a pattern I revisit when I get back to warm weather sewing as this dress is one of my favorites..
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Vogue 8728 in silk crepe de chine, made by me
- Belt: Self-drafted in silk crepe de chine with vintage Bakelite buckle, made by me
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
- Earrings: BaubleBar
- Hair Flower: VeeVee Vintage on etsy
Thank you for sharing this! It looks so good on you. I am always envious of your ability to wear yellow! When you first linked me to this dress I didn’t really like any of the makes I saw but then I realised that the woven ones I liked a lot, and the knit ones didn’t do it for me. Something about structure and drape? They look ok but also it’s not the look I’m going for, myself. I also thought the waistband would be tight so it’s nice to know it’s not!
You look gorgeous in this yellow dress,really cute polka dots outfit.This is such a perfect color for summers.
What a cool style, and yellow dresses are the most fun to wear! I’m really surprised many have sewn it in a knit–crepe de chine is just the kind of lightweight fabric that would be perfect for this style. That’s a shame with the belt. I’d definitely try loops. Vintage Bakelite deserves to be worn. 🙂
What a fun dress. I love the multi-color polka dots. I am always on the look out for the “right” yellow for a dress but it can be elusive. I am pretty sure you nailed the right yellow for your skin tone.
The cardi looks like such a work horse. I can imagine it will be seen with many other items in your wardrobe.
Yellow is a great color for you! I love this dress. You always do a fabulous job making them, Tanya! Thanks for sharing. Very inspirational.
Fab dress, you really suit bright colours and look great in this super dress
super cute fabric and perfect choice for that pattern, a dress that makes me smile – the color is great on you. I have always wanted to sew that pattern…one of these days.
Another pretty dress!
Another gorgeous dress and the cardi is a delight!! I have a love affair with yellow but sadly it does me no favours.
This dress is beautiful. I love the yellow on you. It really is a very cute style and the Bakelite buckle really sets it off. That is a shame that the belt is annoying when it is on. Great cardi too. It is a lovely match. Xx
another great dress Tanya, I consider yellow to be the ultimate summer colour and it looks fantastic on you. about your belt, how about adding a snap next to the buckle to keep the belt in place? it might work and it will not be visible.
Thank you! Yes, yellow is such a summery color. 🙂 That’s a great idea about adding a snap. I’ll have to try it.
This pattern and this color look divine on you! Being a fuller-busted woman myself, I was hesitant to try this pattern. How gorgeous it is on you has given me inspiration. I wonder if a nice rayon would work and would drape well with all the gathers.
Thank you, Jen! Yes, a rayon would be perfect for this pattern.
I love that dress, especially in yellow. I made the same dress several years ago and wore it often. Mine was a made out of a light weight cotton and the gathers in the bodice didn’t lay over the bust as nicely as yours. I think your choice of fabric is what makes it so lovely, and the fact that you lined it. I look forward to reading your blog and seeing your wonderful pictures. Happy Fall Sewing!
Thanks, Barbara! I wonder if having a non-gathered lining changes how the fabric lays over the bust? I believe I read on a review of this pattern about lining it in such a way, so I followed suit. I probably would have ordinarily underlined the bodice pieces.
The dress looks great! Yellow suits you. I have a couple sheer cardigans that I was initially disappointed in when they arrived in the mail, but have since grown to love. There’s a nice texture, and your cardigan definitely has that!
Thanks, Kelly! Yeah, I do really like this sheerer cardigan. It’s a great layering piece for when it’s not too cold.
Tans, I love both of these!! The monochrome yellow look is really nice on you!
Thanks, Abbey! I love yellow so much! I never thought that I would!
You look great! Love the dress on you! I must try it.
Thanks, Mickey! Yes, it’s a really nice pattern to work with. More so than I thought it would be before sewing it.