• Floral 1950s Dress •

This dress had a rough start at the beginning, but now it is one of my favorites! I loved the fabric, but never knew what to make out of it. I finally decided on a variation of Vogue V9000, making long sleeves and adding a peter pan collar. I was very excited to make it until I assembled the bodice and realized how terribly bland it was. With no accent colors, it was positively plain. Disheartened, I put it away, sure that I would never like it again.

About a month later, I was longing for something long-sleeved to make, so I pulled it out again to see what (if anything) I could do with it. After agonizing over it for a while, it occured to me that black accents would be just the thing! It didn't take long for me to finish it up after that, and ever since I have loved it immensely!

I used the skirt from Butterick 5920. I didn't do a very noble job of pattern matching on it, but it really isn't noticeable, thankfully. I did, however end up matching the bodice fairly well front and back! Since I was putting long sleeves on the bodice, I had to seam it in the back. The result was quite pleasing!

These glass buttons were a prize find from our local antique store. I received a weekly "Throwback Thursday" email from Blumenthal Lansing in which there was a 1940s ad for LeChic buttons. That very same day I was examining these buttons and realized that they were also LeChic! They are glass, so they shine quite beautifully.

When I made this dress, I had no black piping or black fabric, so I ended up using black seam binding to make piping. It ended up working out very well! 

I found this hat for $4 at the antique store! Although the netting is slightly tattered, it really doesn't show. I never wore the hat much in the past because it had a big cream-colored silk flower on the front that really detracted from it. I finally decided to take it off and replace it with a velvet bow. I'm so glad I did, because now it is a staple in my hat wardrobe!

We finally got done with our sewing room reorganization, so I am deeply enjoying getting back to sewing! I'm currently working on a floral 1940s dress which I am in. love. with. I can't wait to finish it!!

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