• 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! :)