The Polka Dot New England Dress

Hi there friends!

I’m going to start off this post with pointing out that I didn’t use the right fabric for this dress pattern, so it has some issues.  The issues don’t stop me from wearing it though!  This pattern needs a fabric with more weight than this lightweight cotton shirting that I used for this dress.  I was aware of that and didn’t care because I wanted to use this fabric and I’m a Taurus. 🙂

Source: Decades of Style Pattern Co.

This pattern is the Decades of Style 1940’s New England Dress.  This is my third version of this pattern.  The other two are in a midweight cotton and wool crepe.  If you look at those two previous versions, you’ll see how they don’t have the wrinkly issues that this dress has.  It’s a good example of how the weight of fabric is important.  All three of these dresses are the same size and made by the same person, so it’s easy to see the difference.

lightweight cotton / midweight cotton / wool crepe

I could have underlined this fabric to help with the wrinkly issues, but no….. I didn’t.  Instead I just made it and ended up having to line the skirt as it was way too sheer and showed the skirt pockets too much.  Something that a slip wouldn’t help.  (Also, I’m wearing a slip in these photos)

This fabric is a beautiful navy and red polkadot lightweight cotton shirting that I bought at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco a few years ago.  It’s been languishing in my stash for so long that I don’t even remember what pattern I had in mind for it other than a “1940’s dress”.  I didn’t even remember it being so lightweight until I pulled it out and started cutting.

Why does this pattern require a sturdier fabric?  This dress has details that need more structure like the pockets on the skirt and the faux bib on the bodice, as well as all of the top-stitching and buttons.  It makes it look a little messy without that structure, even though I had just pressed this dress before I took photos in it.

Don’t mind the pet hair

I used covered buttons and made a self-fabric belt with a vintage 1930’s/40’s Bakelite buckle.  I didn’t have any buttons that matched that buckle, which was the reason why I went with the covered buttons, but I prefer this look as the buckle stands out.

I really love the sleeves on this pattern, so much so that I think the sleeves and the cuffs are my favorite part of this dress.

Regardless of the problems I have with this dress from choosing the wrong fabric, I still love it and have been wearing it.  In fact, I’ll probably wear this outfit again this weekend.

So much wrinkling going on here…. If I pull the bodice down, it actually does less of that

I also have to share my Royal Vintage Evelyn 1930’s oxfords!  I am so in love with them.  I was on the fence about ordering from Royal Vintage/American Duchess as I wear a size 10.5 C and the shoes only come in B width.  However, I took a chance and ordered a pair in an 11 and was happy to say that I have no issues whatsoever.  They fit well, are comfortable with arch support and are well made.  I love them so much that I also did a pre-order on a the Hepburn 1940’s Golf Shoes and I can’t wait to get those!  If you haven’t noticed, I love shoes, but most of my shoes are sandals.  I’ve been yearning for some retro oxford style shoes as I get more into everyday vintage dress.  These Evelyns fit the bill and although they’re very comfortable and I wear them all day, I wouldn’t exactly call them walking shoes as I couldn’t walk miles and miles in them.  I’ve heard that the Claire Oxford (which I’ve seen photos of my great grandmas wearing those exact shoes) are shoes you can walk miles in and the Hepburn’s have the same heel and fit, so I’m hoping that those will be walking shoes and I am excitedly waiting for them.  Sorry for the long shoe rant, but I love shoes and tend to only purchase shoes that are comfortable, which is why I’m a huge fan of my Aerosoles and now Royal Vintage. 🙂

Happy Sewing!

• Dress:  Decades of Style 1940’s New England Dress in lightweight cotton shirting, made by me
• Shoes:  Royal Vintage Evelyn 1930’s Oxfords (affiliate link)
• Lipstick:  Besame 1931 Carmine (affiliate link)