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You are here: Home / Retro Garments / A Red Floral Dorothy Lara Dress

A Red Floral Dorothy Lara Dress

10/19/2018

Hi there friends!

So sorry for the my absence here.  I’ve been sewing so much, but not blogging much about it.  That’s something that I need to work on.  In the meantime, you can check out what I’m making on Instagram, as I often post WIP pics in my stories and glimpses on my regular feed.  I know there are several things (like this dress!) that I’ve shared on IG and have yet to elaborate on on my blog.

Source: Decades of Style Patterns

Anyway…. this is one of my favorite dresses of the year and I’ve been wearing it quite often since I made it May.  It’s another Decades of Style 1940’s Dorothy Lara Dress, which is a TNT pattern of mine.  I’ve lost count on how many I’ve made and I even have another one hanging here in my sewing room that I need to sew a zip in and hem (I’m thinking I should do that TODAY!).  The Dorothy Lara dress is a peasant style dress with raglan sleeves and faux smocking.  It’s a pretty quick dress for me to sew.  The faux smocking (gathers), take a bit of time to sew, but once you’ve sewn it, the next one is a breeze.

The fabric is a Milly silk/cotton voile that I bought a few years ago at Metro Textiles in New York.  I didn’t have quite enough yardage to make this dress, so after some brainstorming with Janet at DoS, I decided to pair this fabric with a red cotton lawn remnant from my stash.  This combo knocked this dress out of the park as contrasting fabrics often do.  It’s also something that I rarely think about except when I’m confronted with a lack of fabric.

The red contrast really brings out the vibrant colors in this dress and I’m so happy that I added it.  The red neck binding and waistband are just the pattern’s pieces, but the bottom hem band is added on.  It’s just a rectangular piece of fabric folded and sewn to the bottom of the skirt, which meant that I didn’t really have to hem it.

I elected not to line this dress, which means that I definitely need to wear a slip with it as the fabric is sheer.  As it’s a silk blend, this dress can also be very hot to wear, but a slip helps with that.  I first wore this dress in New Orleans this summer and where the fabric touched my upper back, I was sweating.  I was definitely reminded that silk is not a hot weather fabric.

I also have to take a minute to note my newest wicker purse that I picked up in New Orleans.  It’s my most FAVORITE purse.  I’m not looking forward to cold weather and cold weather clothes when I “have” to put it away. 🙁

When I wore this dress in New Orleans, I had so many people stop me to tell me how much they liked it.  Perfect strangers just stopping me to tell me how pretty it was.  It sure is a juxtaposition compared to here in California where I rarely get any comments on this dress…. Not that I make dresses to yield comments.  Just sharing the differences.

And this it how I wore it New Orleans.  Standing here in Lafayette Cemetery. 🙂  Oh, New Orleans. I wish I was back there now!

P.S.  Decades of Style has 20% off their patterns right now, including this dress pattern.

Happy Sewing!

  • Dress:  Decades of Style 1940’s Dorothy Lara dress in silk/cotton voile, made by me
  • Shoes:  Royal Vintage Rita 1940’s sandals
  • Purse:  Vintage mid-century via Bambi DeVille Vintage
  • Earrings:  Luxulite
  • Sunglasses:  XOXO
  • Lipstick:  Besame 1939 Tango Red (affiliate link)
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Filed Under: Retro Garments

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Comments

  1. Angela Dent says

    October 25, 2018 at 10:36 pm

    Woweeeeee what a stunner! You really suit the bright red and the style. I am not surprised you have received so many compliments!

  2. Nurse Bennett says

    October 22, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    Got to love our Southern hospitality! Another beautiful dress that suits your coloring perfectly and you wear it very well indeed!

  3. Natasha Friegang says

    October 20, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Once again, Tanya, beautiful dress! I love it that you added the red band on the bottom, it makes the dress that much better. And no need to hem, what?! I also wish I were in New Orleans. It’s amazing.

  4. bcwestblog says

    October 20, 2018 at 4:13 pm

    Missed you! You are such a source of inspiration. As I say – red is definitely your color and I love the way you used it. It made the dress a little longer too,something I like! You look marvelous.

  5. Abbey says

    October 20, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Oh Tanz! Love this one!

  6. Beth (SunnyGal Studio) says

    October 20, 2018 at 7:18 am

    I love it, perfect combo of pattern and fabric. those bright colors suit you so well. very pretty.

  7. Deb says

    October 20, 2018 at 7:09 am

    Beautiful dress and looks fantastic on you.

  8. hopflower O says

    October 20, 2018 at 7:07 am

    Wonderful to see you again, Tanya. I was wondering how you are keeping. The dress looks great as per usual, and the colour is fabulous.

  9. CurlsnSkirls says

    October 20, 2018 at 5:41 am

    Good to see you back – and in such a flattering colour – love this!

  10. CalSteno says

    October 19, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    It’s no wonder that you received compliments from strangers — this dress is gorgeous & makes one smile!! The addition of the red bands & belt are pure genius; they look like intentional design features. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing!

  11. mommaloves7 says

    October 19, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    LOVE!!! Very cute and flattering!

  12. TheYellowrose21 says

    October 19, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    VERY Pretty! I LOVE red and it definitely is a great color on you!

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My Favorites

  • The 1920’s Egyptian Revival Gown
  • The Embroidered Zig Zag Dress
  • The 1929 Pansy Dress
  • The 1930’s Silk Velvet Dress
  • Sailors are My Weakness [The Dorothy Lara Dress]
  • The California Poppy Blouse
  • The 1950’s Robin Hood Dress
  • The Broderie Anglaise Birthday Dress

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Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.

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