Early 40s Valentine's House Dress

Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress

Today you're seeing something rare in my wardrobe: the color pink and puff sleeves.  But I like it and it's Valentine's Day appropriate!

Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress

This pattern was kindly given to me by Amy of Myscira Makes, and I already made view 1.  For this version, I thought I'd give view 2 a shot.  It's almost the same, but the front bodice pieces are different and it buttons on the side instead of tying with a sash. The sleeves are different as well.  Isn't it so early 40s fantastic?!

Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress

I'll admit... I don't know what happened when I was cutting this dress out. I had just enough fabric, and I managed to cut the skirt pieces out incorrectly. As in, they would have opened on the opposite side of the bodice top.  Major face palm.

Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress

Happily, in 1940s skirts they're isn't too much hip shaping on the side seams, so I cobbled them together in a different way and made it work.  Obviously, in my next version I'm going to cut them out correctly and I think there may be a bit more ease in the hips.  I'm a sewing sleuth, I know.


Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress

However, the rest of the pattern came together pretty easily. The only adjustments I made was to narrow the shoulders by a half inch and let out the sleeve holes a bit to fit my biceps. I also neglected to stabilize the front bodice neckline... so it now gapes a little bit.  I thought about it, then I forgot to do it as I sewed.  So if you make a wrap dress, definitely stabilize that section since it's cut on the bias. 


Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress

All in all, this dress was an exercise in forgetfulness and troubleshooting along the way. However, I went the extra mile with adding fun trims and making a matching collar; I'm proud of that.  Honestly, I'm not sure how long this dress is going to fit as the arms are still a bit fitted, but I'm definitely going to enjoy it until then!


Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress


TLDR sewing details
Fabric: 1930s Pindot & floral repro cotton
Pattern: Simplicity 4900
Year: 1940s
Notions: four buttons
How historically accurate is it?  Very accurate!  Vintage style fabric, vintage notions and a vintage pattern!
Any tricky parts to the pattern?  Not if you read thoroughly and cut things out correctly.  
Did you change anything?  I took 1/2" off of the shoulders of each front bodice piece and added about 1-2" to the sleeves at the biceps. I also added trim.
Time to complete: two days
First worn: February 8, 2018
Total cost: I used about 3 yards of fabric and both it and the pattern was given to me, so no cost to me besides thread and time.
Notes: This is a comfortable, super cute dress. I'm going to make it more alteration-friendly in my next version, for I'll definitely be making it again and experimenting with fun trims! 

7 comments

  1. This is super cute and looks really comfortable to wear! I love the side buttoning feature.
    Emily

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  2. SO BLOODY CUTE!!! I love the fabric you chose it's perfect for this look!!! You look gorgeous with that hairstyle too!!

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  3. The perfect Valentine's dress! I love the crossover details and the trim on the sleeves and collar. I'm glad you were able to salvage the project after cutting out the pieces wrong- I am always so paranoid about doing that when sewing. . . although I don't think I ever actually have!

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    1. Haha, well good! This time I broke my own rule of “Don’t cut things out when you’re tired” and I paid for it! 😂

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  4. That's so cute, and the fabric is dreamy!

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