The Polka Dot Project - 1950s Coat Dress

This dress is one reason I wrote last week's post about procrastination. I cut it out over a month ago, then there it sat. I couldn't get the impetus to start it, until I forced myself to sit down and work on it for half an hour. That half an hour turned into an hour and a half, and when I stopped for the day, I had the bodice and one sleeve done! After that it was a breeze and I enjoyed finishing it.

 

 

It's my first 2017 Polka Dot Project, and I have to say, I love getting back to using the print, and love the fabric. It's some of the higher end quilting cotton at JoAnn's, gotten on sale, and there is definitely a difference with how it handles and launders compared to their cheaper bolts (makes sense, right?) It has polka dots of three different sizes, and the narrow plaid pattern made it ideal to help me make things straight when putting it together. It presses and lays like a dream, and I'm hoping it won't need ironed too badly when washed, because I will wear it a lot more often if I don't have to iron it first. 

 

It's also my first attempt at a 1950s classic - the coat dress.

 

It's funny that whenever I do a project that closes with a zipper, I think, "At least I don't have to do buttonholes!" and when I do a project using buttons, I think, "At least I get a break from putting in a zipper!" :-)

But all bets are off now, because I got to use for the first time my new one step buttonhole foot (came with my new Singer machine I purchased when I got married) and I love it. It's so easy, does everything all on it's own, and I get perfectly sized buttonholes every time. I don't think I'll dread buttonholes any more!

 

Speaking of buttonholes, I came to a grinding halt with this project when I realized I literally had no buttons in my huge stash that would work. I was toying with the idea of covering some, but not completely happy with that notion, when we happened to stop in at a thrift store the next day and I asked them if they had buttons. They did, and most of them were navy blue! I wish I would have had one more card of these, since I didn't have enough to button it down quite as far as I'd like, but they were the perfect match.

 

After listing all the "firsts" about this dress, let me get back to the details. It really is a basic dress. I interfaced the buttonhole side of the skirt, and the bodice, with some muslin. It is easy to adjust to fit, because you can try it on so handily and adjust the various seams. I omitted the cuffs on the sleeves since I wanted this to be a practical house dress with no fuss to it - I definitely need some transitional everyday dresses in my wardrobe, so that's what I'm working on supplying, and this one fits the bill since it's cotton (I can layer with a slip if needed) and has 3/4 sleeves.

 

The sleeves were interesting too - my first time doing a sleeve in 2 parts like this one was. A front half and a back half, with a seam running down the center, matching the shoulder seam. Interesting. I think they must have done it that way to cut out a lot of the ease at the top, which otherwise would have been puffy if it had all been gathered in to the shoulder. I actually think these sleeves are a little too full for my taste (though more comfortable than the fitted 3/4 sleeve style). I already have wide shoulders, and don't want to look like a football player. :-)

 

The skirt has a nice fullness and flare, without being too full or needing a crinoline. I don't think it would fit over my crinolines anyway. 

 

Because this is a house dress, I paired it simply with navy blue vintage heels and the classic strand of pearls. The belt is a modern one. I later found a different belt that would have looked better, but too late for these photos.

We were hurrying to finishing photos before an upcoming winter storm reached us, and the wind made things interesting!

 

The collar is another alteration. I did the mandarin collar version originally, but it turned out larger than I expected, and didn't lay right against my short neck. I fixed it by tacking it down and so I ended up with a small turn-down collar instead. Still Period, and more becoming.

 

(Sigh...These certainly aren't my favorite outfit photos, but we still have enough snow and slush everywhere that I have a very limited range of photo spots at the moment, and have to take them when and where I can.) 

 

So there's my latest sewing project. I'm not absolutely in love with every element of it and I don't know if I'll make the pattern again, but it was fun to do, fills a need in my closet, and is certainly a classic!

Comments

[Kaitlyn]

I really like this one. It suits you well, and is very elegant.

[Sukie]

It would be a total waste if I buy something expensive and only wear it for a few times.So,after reading your article. I finally made my decision with a long dresses with sleeves

[Sukie]

http://www.zaful.com/s/long-dresses-with-sleeves/

[Esther]

This is such a stunning dress - I LOVE IT!!! Perfect fabric and style, and it looks beautiful on you!!!!