Hello, friends!
Do you ever have a project in mind and then you gather all of the materials to make it, but you don’t? Yeah….that’s this dress! I planned to make this last summer and never got around to it. It was on my sewing list and yet it lingered on the bottom. Of course cold weather drifted in, so short sleeved dresses aren’t generally a high priority for me. But then an event rolled around and I thought: “How nice would it be to wear this dress?” And then the dress was cut out and sewn up in a few days and I could cross another project off my list. 🙂
Source: Decades of Style Patterns
The dress in question is the Decades of Style 1940’s New England Dress. I made this pattern once before and had planned on sewing up a short-sleeved version. It’s a nice sweet pattern that lets you showcase some cool buttons.
This fabric is admittedly not the best, but I just love this print. I bought the fabric up in Sacramento at an indie fabric store and it was super cheap. Sometimes you get what you pay for… It’s not a terrible fabric and it definitely isn’t going to fall apart. It’s a midweight cotton that was really stiff when I bought it. I washed it three times with fabric softener and it got better, but it’s really more of a quilting cotton and it’s very sturdy.
I used some of my vintage notions for this dress. Y’all might think: “Why are you using precious items for cheap fabric?” Why? Because I like it and I like the combo. Also, this dress is going to last for YEARS. This fabric isn’t shredding any time soon. It’s made to last.
Aside from grading up a couple of sizes, I did a swayback adjustments and a full bicep adjustment. I should have added about a 1/2″-5/8″ in width to my sleeves for a little more ease, but I didn’t for some reason…. Otherwise, this dress is pretty much the same as it was drafted.
The aforementioned vintage notions may both appear to be bakelite, however, the buckle is, but the buttons are painted wood. I purchased the buckle at an antique store in Cambria and I found the buttons on etsy.
I finished all of the seams with rayon seam binding, however, I failed to share with you insides. Take my word for it — they are neat. Finishing my seam allowances in that matter takes a while, but it sure makes them look pretty.
This pattern doesn’t include a belt, so mine is self-drafted. Although, self-drafting a belt is super easy. One just needs to make sure that it’s the right length. Here’s a tutorial, if you want to learn how to make one from scratch.
I love wearing this dress, as evidenced by the photo below. I usually delete these “outtakes”, but here we are. 🙂
I’ve also been wanting to take a photo with our Dutch door ever since I noticed Maureen O’Hara standing at hers and yelling at John Wayne with the door half open in The Quiet Man. I guess I should have yelled at the dogs or something while I took the photo below instead of looking welcoming and happy. 🙂
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Decades of Style 1940’s New England Dress in quilting weight cotton, made by me
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
- Brooch & Earrings: Luxulite
You looks so fierce in this dress!!
Love the fabric and the styling with the watermelon earrings!
Xo
My in-laws have a Dutch door up in Eureka! It’s such a great house feature. My eye went straight to the vintage notions. They match the cherries so well and the 40s styling of this pattern. I will check out the Quiet Man too. I’m always looking for good classic movies.
That dress is so pretty and you do vintage looks perfectly. Plus your accessories are always great. love the Dutch door photo – and Quiet Man is one of my favorite movies!
Darling dress! It will be great in the summer, too. The good thing about buttons and buckles is that you can always take off the nice buttons if the dress doesn’t make it or it just doesn’t fit your style anymore. Love the rainy backdrop too 🙂 This winter has been amazing!
So cute! Its always nice to finally make those projects you’ve been thinking of for a while. I’ve got a couple of those around too…maybe some spring weather will motivate me!
Tanya, this is a lovely dress. The fabric and notions makmit cheery and and distinctively you. I always enjoy reading your posts.
This is such a great dress on you ! All the extra details you used made it a beautiful make !
This dress is absolutely gorgeous. I love the styling and the pattern is great. I have an almost identical vintage dress and always wondered what decade it was from. Never a waste to use vintage notions in something that you love and will wear a lot. The fabric is fabulous. Xx
Always a joy to see what you create and how well it all fits and flatters! You can get away with cheaper fabric with killer notions…love the candid shot!
Love this dress! Everything you make looks fabulous. I’ve been eyeing off this pattern for years, and your version is really making me want to try it
That dress is fabulous! I love the fabric and it looks great on you. You are really good at this sewing stuff. 🙂
Thanks, Natasha! Lots and lots of practice!!! 🙂
Superb! Love this dress, and the notions and accessories are excellent. Love your little photo bomber too.
Thanks, Deb!!! I always look forward to using my vintage notions that I’m always on the lookout for! 🙂