Monday, March 23, 2015

• 1940s Summer Frock •


Although the weather outside is hardly summery, I'm prepared for whenever the warm weather strikes! I just made this dress last weekend, and, well, it is already my favorite. The fabric is so soft, and the design so comfortable, I simply can't help but love it!

As is the case quite often, I intended this fabric for something entirely different; a Regency apron, in fact! I picked it for that purpose simply because it is a neutral that could go with whites, off-whites, or almost any color. However, when I'm on the lookout for my next project, such plans are liable to be changed!


This 1943 Sears catalog photo was the inspiration for my gathered skirt, and I used Butterick 5846 for the bodice, like my green shirtdress.
 Since I only had 3 1/4 yards, I did not have enough fabric to line the yoke, but that turned out to be a good idea anyway because of the generally lightweight nature of the whole dress. It was a bit of a tight squeeze to fit all of the pieces into that small of an amount of fabric, but it worked!



Ordinarily I can't put my finger on a particular favorite dress, but I think that has all just changed. :)



There is a "first" involved in this dress; my first bound buttonholes ever!! My mom was thinking of putting them on a garment she was working on, so we pulled out our 1941 "Sew and Save" magazine to see how it was done. I decided to try making a practice one too, and immediately got hooked! Although they're a little bit time-consuming, I think I've just been converted to them, especially since I haven't had a very good relationship with my sewing machine's buttonhole-making talents of late. And, bound buttonholes are just so....neat!!



Although Butterick 5846 is not a vintage reproduction pattern, I just love the quintessential 1940s styling; the yoke with gathers, the tucks under the bust, the longer length sleeves. It's actually hard resisting the urge to make more dresses exactly like this. Very hard.


Since I was wearing a summery dress, I decided to wear a very summery sun hat as well! Strangely enough, in rummaging around for a suitable hat trim, I happened to pull out the sash for my floral regency dress. It ended up being the perfect length, color and size to tie onto this hat! It works out quite well since the sash never fit right with the dress anyway. Whatever works, right?!


I am looking forward to wearing my new frock to death this summer! Until then though, I'll just wear sweaters and hope for warmer weather! :)

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14 comments:

  1. What a lovely quintessential summer frock! {I just love that word - "frock"!} It's making me long for lemonade sipping, garage sale-ing & tomato picking!

    Love,
    Miss Michelle ^_^

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    1. Thank you, Michelle!! :)
      Isn't that a pretty word? It's not used nearly enough! Lemonade sipping sounds wonderful.... ;)

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  2. Oh, Esther! Your dress looks positively splendid! The color looks like it will be perfectly cool in the summertime.

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

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    1. Thank you, Brigid!! I am indeed looking forward to wearing it very much on those muggy summer days! :)

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  3. You look classy, as you always do in your dresses. The hat is wonderful

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous! I swear, you and your lovely creations have become one of my favourite sources of wardrobe inspiration. I get giddy every time I see a new post from you, dear gal.

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, Jessica! You're just too sweet. :)
      Thank you very much!!

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  5. It's perfect! Everything is so sharp and cute at the same time. I would kill (well, not literally!) for a dress like that, and it just suits you to a T!

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    1. Thank you, Milky Usagi!! You're too kind! :)

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  6. Love this dress!!! I just realized that while I follow you on Bloglovin and Instagram I was not formally following your blog...and thus the situation has been remedied:) I am always so jealous (in a good way, hehe) when I see the fabulous frocks and blouses you create....I only wish that I had time to sew all of the lovely ideas in my head, but for now I will be contented with admiring all of your lovely creations!:)
    -Madison
    www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Madison! You're so sweet!
      I'm so glad to have you "officially" following along! :)

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  7. Another pretty dress! Amazing how quick you sew all your dresses! How long does it take you to see one?
    I'm shivering looking at your picture , as much as cotton frocks are my favorite , way to cold yet to wear them, especially seing you outdoors. Brrrr!
    Always looking forward to seing your dreeses - if you ask me to pick out a favorite -I would say
    ALL of them!!
    Great job! ✂️��

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    1. Thank you, Anonymous! The time it takes to sew a dress varies based on what style it is, but this one, for example only took two days.
      Thank you so much for all of your kind words! :D

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