Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 40s Blouse Pattern

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

As the weather somewhat cools off (silly Missouri, it goes back and forth so much), I've begun the process of "winterizing" my wardrobe.  I haven't gotten to the point of pulling out my winter clothes quite yet (still not cool enough), but I'm beginning to tone down my look a bit for the season.

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage shoes

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

I'm turning to separates that I can put on or shed depending on how the weather goes, darker colors, sweaters, and foregoing the bright red lipsticks for more muted or berry tones.  I put this outfit together using a fabulous cashmere sweater I picked up at a flea market and paired it with another vintage skirt and a button-down blouse I just finished!  (Details are below!)

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

After trying out a different shirt pattern and finding it's not exactly what I wanted, I got this one.  I adore the pattern, Simplicity 4762.  I sized down in the bust, and I didn't change a thing.  It's perfection!  It has a perfect 40s silhouette ('cuz the pattern is from the 40s...), it's simple to make up, and the options for styling and customizing are endless.  You'll be seeing my many versions of this pattern coming up on the blog, because boy do I have plans!

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage outfit

Flashback Summer: Subtle Winterizing and a Sewn-Up 1940s Blouse Pattern - 1940s vintage sewing
seller photo, from Fancywork

Are you doing any "winterizing" yet?  What are the changes you make to your wardrobe for the changing season?

Here is a summary of the pattern details and things I changed:
Fabric: 100% cotton
Pattern: Simplicity 4762
Year: early 1940s
Notions: 4 buttons
How historically accurate is it? Very accurate!  Cotton is good to go for the 40s and the buttons, although newer plastic, fit the style of the 40s as well.
Any tricky parts to the pattern?  The area around the neck is strange.  In some places it has four layers of fabric (The front facings, two collar pieces, and back facing), so it's a bit bulky.  The instructions were not very clear on how to layer them properly, so if you haven't done collars before I'd double check your process with some more experienced as you go.
Did you change anything?  Nope, I did not, but I think I'll skip the back collar facing next time and just hand sew the underside to the blouse.  Less bulk.
Time to complete: 2 days
First worn: October 5, 2014
Total cost: Geez, I never properly keep track of this stuff.  I think about $9 for fabric, about $10 for the pattern, and the buttons were given to me.
Notes: As always, size down on the bust size for this 1940s pattern, and have fun with it!  It's so easy to customize!

26 comments

  1. I'm so in love with this outfit! So fabulous! And your hair is amazing!

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  2. What a cute little blouse! And I agree with Stephanie - your hair is stupendous. Sadly, no winterizing yet here in Texas. It was 96 F this week!

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    1. Thank you! And dang, 96?! Yeah, I guess no winterizing for you!

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  3. Emileigh! This is fabulous!! Gosh, I love it; the picture of you and Dietrich looking at each other is so sweet :)

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    1. Thanks, Helen! Yeah, that dog is a good one. He often stands guard while I take pictures. (Or he refuses to get out of the frame. One of those.)

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  4. I love this ;look, especially the lipstick and hair! I have begun wearing my winter coats and sweaters, and warm boots. It only went up to 55 today. :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Katie! And geez, 55?! It's not that cold here, but I'm kinda looking forward to it. Hot chocolate and hot tea tastes so much better when it's cold outside!

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  5. Oh my! This outfit is divine, from head to heel! {Literally ~ I adore your updo, and those shoes... *le sigh* (♡ ▽ ♡) ~ ❤} It's coming onto spring down under, so no, I'm not winterising, but I will be pinning this look to use as inspiration when winter does come around! It's just perfect. ♡

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. Ha, good, please don't winterize as it gets warmer! I'm glad you like it!

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  6. This is such a classy and classic outfit, and it just suits you so beautifully! The blouse looks lovely. I think I'm going to be embracing blouses and shirts more, but I'm not sure I'm ready to make them. Buttonholes still scare me!

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    1. Buttonholes totally scared me, too, but they aren't so bad! I just practiced before doing it on a real shirt. And I don't know if you've ever tried these, but bound buttonholes are a good option, too. They're a bit more work, but they look nicer and they aren't as much pressure as the button-hole stitch and cut type buttonholes!

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  7. The blouse looks so cute! And the cardigan and skirt make is super super adorable!
    I need to stop being lazy, and winterize my wardrobe, but when it's still in the low 80's, it's kind of hard to do.
    Oh, what color is that lipstick you're wearing? It's so pretty!

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    1. Wow, low 80s?! Yeah, you don't need to winterize yet anyway.
      And my lipstick is Estee Lauder, and I think it's called... Okay, I can't remember. I'll comment again soon and let you know.

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  8. I love that sweater. I always used to find plain cardigans a bit boring, but now that I'm wearing vintage so often, they've become a real staple in my wardrobe. And those shoes are absolutely dreamy.

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    1. Same with me! I really didn't care for plain cardigans, but they really help in making vintage more versatile for different seasons. Then I can still wear my short sleeved pieces without freezing to death!

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  9. This whole outfit is fantastic! Such cute photos too. I saw that you entered one for Miss November. :) Great job on the blouse it looks great and very comfortable too. Love your hair, tutorial please! :)
    The temperature is still pretty comfortable here in New England. The days are in the 50s and 60s but it is starting to get chilly at night. A few light frosts but we haven't had a hard killing frost yet ... but it's coming!

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  10. First of all, I didn't know if I got the Miss November photo in in time, so I'm glad you said this! I'm glad they took it!
    And I got the front part of the hair from this tutorial: http://papermothballvintage.blogspot.com/2014/06/authentic-1940s-hair-tutorial.html
    Then I just kind of took the back and made a couple giant flat pin curls in the back.

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    1. You're welcome! Just shared your photo on my FB page too. :) Now to check out that hair tutorial!
      -Emily

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  11. Lovely blouse, I like all the separates, I need more of them. Great hair do!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kate-Em! I really need more separates, too. That gray skirt up there is one of my constant go-to pieces! I wear it at least once a week right now!

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  12. You look so much like my friend's aunt in these photos, who also looks so much like a young Bette Davis. ;) I love your hair!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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    1. Thanks, CoriLynn! I've been told I look like Bette Davis, and I take it as a compliment!

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  13. This outfit is darling! And what a fab job on the blouse! I adore your hair too!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  14. gorgeous! the blouse suits you so much! I had the same problem with vintage blouses Ihave tried making fitting versions of 2 or 3 1950's blouses, but they just never seem to be right but I'm sure the 1940's one I'm about to sew is the right one :-)

    look forward to more of your sewing adventures!
    Allison

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  15. There's something very wonderfully Bette Davis about this look.

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