My Blue Striped Pre-Rationing Dress

After plowing through a few semi-difficult sewing projects, I wanted something easy and quick. I also felt like I should be making a dent in the trial versions of some of the outfits I have lined up to make for reenacting this fall, so I decided to combine the two desires and make this simple dress from the late '30s or early '40s.

 

It had long been on my to-make list, and I decided it was time to actually make it. For the trial version I made View 1, though View 2 is what I had in mind for the final version. Just to change it up a bit.

 

It was so simple I made it in just a few hours, yet it has enough interesting elements that it doesn't look basic. Which is nice.

Incidentally, my fabric choice paired with accents of red, while intended to be more of a nautical look, fits right in with the 4th of July week!

 

I can also pair it with a belt instead of the sash for a slightly different look.

 

The fabric was fun to work with. The striped had some stretch (not Period I know) so it was very easy to ease or stretch where needed as I stitched, and the fit of course has more give. I have enough left of the striped for a blouse too, and the contrast was a remnant, so it worked out well as a stash-buster.

 

I was glad I made a trial version since I discovered a few small alterations I want to make for the final version. The front crossed panels were a bit too blousy, so I'll take a pinch out of them next time.

 

I do love the sleeve and yoke detail - very easy to do despite the skimpy instructions, since I've had some experience with similar patterns.

 

When I first got the pattern I filed it in my "Classic 1940s" section, but after making the dress and seeing the generous skirt length without any lengthening from me, I took a closer look at the graphics and decided it is more of a late '30s dress - or at least before fabric rationing had impacted fashion.

 

So now I am unsure whether to use it for my original WWII costume idea or not...I did look up vintage photos on Pinterest to see if puffed sleeves were used in the '40s, and found enough pictures of dresses with them to make it a feasible option if I shorten the skirt a bit.

 

But even as is it is a very comfortable dress - partly due, no doubt, to a modern fabric choice! - and is easy to wear. Plus blue is a good color for summer and goes with several accessory colors, so I'll still put it down as a success.

 

Comments

[Juliana @ Urban Simplicity]

Nicely done! I agree--this is def. a late 1930s pattern (I'd guess 1938/1939, going by the cover art), and I think you can totally wear it for reenacting. Keep in mind that women would have worn older styles a bit longer as rationing went into effect, particularly in Europe and Britain, which felt the pinch a lot earlier than the U.S.

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Yes, that's true. I read somewhere that many folks just shortened the hems of their '30s styles skirts to fit the current fashion trend - that was patriotic then. And anyway, 1938-1939 is still considered WWII era fashion. The war hadn't come yet to America, but was in Europe.

Thanks so much for your advice!

[Emily's Vintage Visions]

Oooh love this! It turned out grand! I'm particularly drawn to the styles of the late 30s and very early 40s. I think many people were still making, and wearing, fashions from 1938/39 (which is what I would date the pattern to) well into the war years due to rationing, financial strain, etc. with a few minor changes. There was also the whole movement of "make do and mend" so I would not worry. Love the whole look. Hope you have a great 4th of July!
-Emily