![Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Cxhtt6ihFl07NgT7J2Eg3M8HS0wNNunEz82iTboI9xKRvYYkYZP-q_69L35vRkSHKuw70lf_EUl5M2lu57CDfTCs3bd4h_RKd4hPA2lJy84bTyF-3vq8frJDzdkmvFrw72ORQuKEgYP_/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress+5.png)
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 Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkyYDUp7pLAN74Cg0iXszbO_hITHr560w9YYhL05FEH0uCHtRr9hlBWl6URxBdfBj_HphenGVzLfWyJts5xVUjXVXoCI3iVRrSDavG_AUaw9GXkuj3mPD7DNykt-eNdfDHyw8QR538ajS/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress+2.png)
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 Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLVyfaIyubGo5W3fzF9fTR5wUi1kJcqqquPBTgigH-iQcaP_8I81D0nkAy4XXPrZ0klXDvwNb44QzzhbaekgEG7nj6gOnJidpawnQOMsBBtMq08G2pWSrZh53-dB0RTexfeFQxEjZwaov/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress+6.png)
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 Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXvyeK-fvKu6GPCE7cnj9Z0MAGB7X3fS2bDKFBJtlPgoNJ2uqwvCJBTOFMXFc0XPlS9N6-wK6wlZKJEZyq0UZsF9HmR9qOsxWn-5yTbX6kTQ0kTVOLbPouNrmgz4OGqh5DWKZMBgYxrQV/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress+3.png)
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 Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhnXGsf7Sjh4iR3JY0ogveO_JP4UzAtcfRLNl1YOEyP_NAsphXzOgXGgtrY3Nt1405-xEL-oNNrz-nIeOW7i8pIpx2_HOz60-j6UG2MWxGqJZujyr0wG2g_t7bbOg9T4HXO7OdK1MRLWf/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress+1.png)
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 Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D_1_f-rgjlTVUTFdfL6qtAY4g4Vey8PC6fD0PkiiCh484_FKZu9CdwaK5meDQXr-KC_papsWMhEK40f9WmaGbDkCcL5qYS1GgrN1b6XG8jl9xWulFDkpOCCREW8PpeK2_HaLZ9Icl8PO/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress+4.png)
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 Flashback Summer: Early 1940s Valentine's House Dress](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6er3mJoE40CcDXQQGgnXp-p7JekzTzHRn3RnJKe6eQJTvdw62_hka5xLE9_YQrDztjOAHY-k2zRuQNex3VIuTdnDZ7xw-Rx76OTp2ZcdsaGNq9koOYsd2I0o-xi5ZMzJRcdEndnVnqMz/s1600/Valentines+1940s+House+Dress.png)
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!
This is super cute and looks really comfortable to wear! I love the side buttoning feature.
ReplyDeleteEmily
It IS! Thank you, Emily!
DeleteSO BLOODY CUTE!!! I love the fabric you chose it's perfect for this look!!! You look gorgeous with that hairstyle too!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much, Nora! 😀
DeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteHaha, well good! This time I broke my own rule of “Don’t cut things out when you’re tired” and I paid for it! 😂
DeleteThat's so cute, and the fabric is dreamy!
ReplyDelete