The Polka Dot Project - 1940s Skirt

Recently I have become enamored with polka dots...and I realized I had a deficit of that charming, oh-so-vintage print in my wardrobe! So I promptly bought a variety of polka dot fabric, and am starting what I call the Polka Dot Project - to add polka dots to my closet. Throughout the summer you'll see more of them - I'm almost finished with my second one already. But the first installment was this 1940s skirt along with a new blouse. 

 

I was going for a very simple, schoolgirl look for this outfit. 

 

The skirt was made with 2 yards of an Ebay fabric - I don't know what kind it is, but it's fairly heavy and drapey - perhaps even a home decor fabric - with my favorite size of polka dots scattered on it. I don't like huge ones usually - 1/4 in. or smaller is my preference.

 

It was quite easy to make and a pleasure for a quick sew - I cut it out and had it sewn in a few hours. The fun detail is the top-stitched pleats on the front that gives it more fullness.

 

I did French seams and when I sewed my waistband down I used an invisible stitch, so it looks almost as nice on the inside as it down on the outside! I forgot to take a photo of it, so you'll have to take my word for it. :-) But it is so satisfying to take the extra time for those little details.

 

This was the pattern I used - I have a complete matching suit in mind for this fall, so this was also the trial of the skirt since it had to be sized up 2 in. (It turned out a perfect fit, which made me happy.)

 

I always try to find 1940s skirt patterns that are a little wider than the common silhouette, and it's certainly possible, despite the fabric rationing of that time. 

 

The blouse was a good match, though I remain undecided if it is a pale blue, a bluish gray, or a grayish blue! It also was quite simple but with some fun little details. 

 

It also looks great untucked!

 

 

I made View A of this pattern.

 

I had to make up for the boring background by experimenting with photo editing! Black & white?

Antique?

 

Or maybe just a more normal coloring. :-)

 

Polka dots figure prominently in vintage fashion photos and advertisements, and one thing I love about them is how versatile they are. You will see them from the 1930s-1950s in everything from home decor to aprons, from cotton house dresses to Dior's taffeta formal evening gowns. Sometimes (though I don't know if I'll be brave enough to try it) they are combined by a daring designer in the same dress as two different fabrics. They can stand out alone, or be used as a background on floral fabric. By themselves, they are not too busy a print so often they can be combined with other prints instead of just solids. I'm looking forward to more sewing with this print and really excited about my current polka dot project which you'll see soon!

Comments

[Kate-Em]

You have used two lovely patterns here and made such a great outfit. Love the polka dots!

[Joanna]

Beautiful! Such a wonderful job bringing these two separate patterns back to life. You look like you just stepped out of a time machine from the 1940s:) Congratulations on a successful outfit:)

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Thanks for the kind words, ladies! Encouragement always makes me happy. :-)

[Vintage Gal]

I love this whole outfit, it's perfectly 1940s everyday wear. The detailing on both pieces is just beautiful and the blouse is a great inspiration for one I want to make to go with a skirt I already have. I also need more polka dots in my wardrobe. That's something I need to fix!

[Ali B]

OMG that is so pretty. I love that style. There was so much more elegance back then. I can't believe you made it! It's so cool, I'd have thought it was bought.