Friday, September 19, 2014

Vintage Sewing for Little Ones · 1940s Floral Dress


While I was sick, I didn't even feel like sewing, but when I started to be on the mend, I decided to try a miniature-sized project. I intended to make a different pattern at first, but I soon found out that I didn't have enough fabric to make it. This adorable little dress didn't take much fabric, and when you're working with scraps, that's just what you need.


The pattern is Anne Adams 3807, which I haven't been able to find online anywhere. It is not dated, but I'm guessing it's from the 1940s.


I didn't realize it at first, but this is actually a wrap dress! The back buttons to the front, and the front ties around the back. I just love the design - it is incredibly adorable!!
The construction was really unusual (I thought so anyway) in that the front is all one piece, which you then slit on the sides, gather, and sew back together. It's actually a really nifty design!



I happened to have some cute little purple buttons in the stash. I wanted to bring out the purple color that is in the middle of each flower. A gray button just wasn't up to the mark.


I ended up varying my version of this dress a little bit from the pattern. For one thing, I lengthened it an inch, and then narrow-hemmed it, rather than doing a 3 inch hem like the pattern says. I like dresses to be longer than they were back then, which you can see from the pattern picture were above the knee. Ideally, I will make little dresses like this with a 3 inch hem in the future so that they can be let down as the child grows. This time though, I didn't have ample fabric to do so.
Another slight variation is, I made the neck binding continue into ties, rather than sewing on a separate bow. It seemed more logical somehow (and I didn't read the pattern until I finished sewing that step).


All in all, I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I can't wait to sew more vintage dresses and stash them away for future use. It's so fun!!

Meanwhile, I'm working on a dress and long-sleeved jacket from Vogue 8767. It should be a really nice fall wardrobe staple, and the dress, being short-sleeved, will be nice year-round!

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P.S. I'm going to try (emphasis on try) to start posting regularly on Monday and Friday, rather than spottily blogging like I have been doing. We'll see how it goes!

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4 comments:

  1. It is very pretty. So simple and yet still very original. What a great way to practice and use up scraps!

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  2. Hi Dolly ... I first saw this blog entry probably 1.5 years ago. I just adore this pattern and periodically search for it, which always brings me back here! I'm wondering if you would ever consider making a copy of the pattern pieces (either by hand or machine) and the instructions?
    RetroMel

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    1. Hi RetroMel!
      I would be happy to trace off a copy of the pattern for you! I've actually done that before with this very pattern - apparently it's a popular one!! The price is $18 + shipping (typically $3.50). If you would like a copy, send me a convo on Etsy (the link to my shop, DollyCreates, is on the top right hand side of my blog sidebar) so I have your Etsy username, and I will get the custom listing ready for you.

      Thanks so much!! :)
      Esther

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  3. Hi Dolly .. I first came across your blog about a year and a half ago and enjoy it tremendously. I just adore this dress pattern and periodically search for it, and as you noted, it cannot be found anywhere online. My search always brings me back here! Sooo, I was wondering if you would ever consider making a copy of the pattern pieces and instructions?

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Your comments always make my day!! I will reply here on the blog, so be sure to check the "Notify Me" box or check back soon! Thank you :)