1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

Are you ready for a SUPER festive outfit?! Check out my most recent make, a 1940s poinsettia dress!   When I saw this fabric, I initially intended to make a gathered skirt.  Next, I thought I'd make a wiggle dress (for which my red gingham version was a test muslin), but as fabulous as that is, I am really in need of more comfortable dresses rather than dressy ones.  When this gifted 1940s wrap dress/robe pattern from Amy of Myscira Makes arrived in the mail... I realized it was perfect!

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

The pattern is Simplicity 4900, and it has both a waist tie and button version.  I used the robe view, but I shortened it to knee length. This also works really well for my changing measurements, as the wrap silhouette is really adjustable.

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

I sized down and used a 30" bust pattern though I'm a 33" bust in actuality.  As you can see, it still isn't tight and I've got a comfortable amount of ease.  The only thing I changed in the pattern was to remove 1" from the shoulders of each of the front bodice pieces and add about 3" to the hips overall.  Everything else I kept the same, and the proportions actually worked pretty well for me.

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

The only other thing I changed was to add a ribbon tie to the inside layer of the dress. Just a bit of added security and it helps keep the inside layer in place.

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

This only took me a couple of days to make, and it was surprisingly simple. The hardest part was actually the ruffles! I did them manually (no ruffler foot in my sewing room, sadly) and I will not be making ruffles again for a long time. Too much work! It looks good on this dress and I'm glad I did it, but I'll have to work up the motivation to do them again in the future.

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

I wore this dress for a Monday work outfit, to meet my friends' new baby, then to grab a late lunch and coffee with Jacob.  It was really comfortable all day, and I felt ridiculously festive for the Christmas season!

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

Flashback Summer: 1940s Poinsettia Dress - Simplicity 4900

TLDR sewing details
Fabric: cotton Poinsettia & Holly on Ivory
Pattern: Simplicity 4900
Year: 1940s
Notions: none
How historically accurate is it?  Cotton is always a 1940s winner, but I doubt there were many poinsettia dresses floating around back then!
Any tricky parts to the pattern?  Not really! I had to read the waist sash and ties instructions a couple times, but once I looked at the actual pieces it wasn't hard to figure out.  
Did you change anything?  I took 1" off of the shoulders of each front bodice piece and added about 3" to the hips. I also added a ribbon tie to the inside as well.
Time to complete: two days
First worn: December 11, 2017
Total cost: I used about 3 yards of fabric and the pattern was given to me, so less than $20.
Notes: This is really comfy and versatile for times of changing measurements or weight fluctuations. I also like the sash or button options and ability to mix and match some of the pieces. You'll be seeing a lot of different versions of this! 

9 comments

  1. That print is so pretty, and the fit looks perfect!

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  2. It is indeed ridiculously festive - nothing wrong with that! You must have so much patience to tackle ruffles...

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    1. I don't know if I had patience as much as ignorance when it came to these ruffles! Now that I know how tedious they are... you probably won't see ruffles for a while, haha!

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  3. That looks fantastic! Very, very festive too. What a great pattern too with both a button and a tie option. I can't wait to see what else you do with this pattern.
    Jennie from theuglydame.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Jennie! I'm excited to try some different options!

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  4. What a gorgeous Christmas dress!absolutely perfect for the festive season!

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  5. This is a stunning dress. Glad you bothered with the ruffles, they really make it.

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  6. Oh my goodness! This is too adorable and perfect for the holiday season! Marvelous job!!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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