• Neat Tailored 1940s Dress •

This is the story of a dress that came this close to being in my Etsy shop! :) 

It all started with a pattern we bought about 2 years ago, which always intrigued me. I found that some fabric which I had bought for quilt backing (oops) matched the checked fabric I had in my stash, so I thought I'd use them to make this pattern.

(That just goes to show you that no fabric is safe when there's a sewing-happy seamstress around...) ;)

I started in on the dress, and got to the point of sewing the trim on when I started having trouble. I forgot to lengthen the trim along with the bodice, so it was too short. Plus I had been sewing my miters all wrong. So where did the dress end up? The UFO pile, of course!! Where else?

Months later, I decided to give it a whirl again and pieced the trim in order to make it long enough. (Yay for successful pattern-matching! I have to search for the seam to find it!!!) :D

I sewed and sewed on the dress, only to try it on and h-a-t-e it. I mean, really hate. Needless to say, it went back to the pile. I pulled it out a few weeks later, figuring on finishing it up and listing it in my Etsy shop. I finished sewing on it, made the belt, and tried it on one more time just for kicks. And what do you know, I loved it! :)

It was a narrow escape for this dress, but I am so glad it ended up being in my wardrobe!

The pattern called for buttons, but they didn't seem to be the right touch. I really didn't want to sew snaps on the bodice, so I stitched it down over the topstitching instead. It worked like a charm, and the neck hole is still plenty big enough to slip over my head. 

Any day you don't have to sew snaps on is a good one, right? ;)

The miters were surprisingly easy to sew!

Since the trim of the dress is asymmetrical, I decided to do an asymmetrical belt, so to speak. I rather like the effect of the side-buckle!

*shoe admiring break*

These shoes really are my favorite!!!! They are original NEW 1940s oxfords from Two Old Beans. In my size. :D :D And they're dreamily comfortable. AND, they match so many of my dresses! Bonus on every side!! :)

It was so nice to have a 60-some degree day out and not have to freeze to death for pictures!! :) I am looking forward to spring!

Thanks for stopping by, folks! Have a wonderful week! :)