1940s Tropical Print House Dress

Finally, I can share pictures of one of the few makes from last fall that didn't get a proper write up!

 

This dress was not on my sewing queue at all, until after Davy was born. I had so many rough nights that often I wasn't able to get dressed until late in the morning. That is not me at all! I have never been a pajama-all-day sort of person. So I had the idea to whip up something super quickly that I could just step in and go without taking the time to add all the right accessories and undergarments, yet would not feel like pajamas.

 

My late '30s/early '40s dressing gown pattern made years ago - and now starting to wear out - came to mind as something that would potentially be perfect, if it was made in a dress length (and a full front closure added). 

 

I had a twin size flat sheet on my shelf that I've had for probably 4 or 5 years. I originally intended it for a 1940s dress, but it never quite made it to the top of the queue. I saw it in the fabric stash and decided that for a wearable muslin sort of informal dress/robe I didn't want to use a nicer cotton, so I grabbed the sheet. I couldn't fit sleeves onto the sheet when cutting it out, so I patched them out of a contrast color - again, not really putting much thought into it or caring what the final product looked like. I just wanted something to wear!

Then when I tried it on, I had placed the ties inches too low. It looked terrible. Back onto the mending/alteration pile it went. Finally months later I took the time to rip out and move up the ties, tried the dress on again - and loved it!

 

I really was pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out. Like I intended, it's super quick to put on, retaining the comfort of a robe but with a more formal appearance and doesn't feel like pajamas at all.

 

Because it was so quick and simple, and I didn't care how it looked, I added a few trial elements like top stitched decorative bands on the sleeve cuffs and rickrack edging to define the back yoke. I really liked how both of those ended up, so I intend to use them on more project to come.

 

The fabric is comfortable and cheerful, just the thing for a spring-ish house dress to brighten up winter, or wear in warm weather. It's a different color pattern than I usually choose, so it adds a nice dimension to my weekly rotation. It doesn't need ironed after washing, which is a huge plus.

 

Even though I intended to wear this as an in-between-pajamas-and-properly-getting-dressed-for-the-day outfit, I actually find myself using it as a house dress and wearing it all day. Definitely one of those sewing projects that finished out better than I initially expected it too!

 

And the princess seams and adjustable waist ties makes it a perfect fit no matter my current size. I filed away the idea of making this pattern again as a dress I can wear during and after pregnancy, yet it doesn't look "maternity". 

 

I know the background is futuristic, since the stove wouldn't have been made until over 10 years after this dress was in style, yet when you're photographing a house dress on a gray day, it still makes a good setting.

 

So, quite accidentally, this project was definitely a success! And since I'm in the mood for floral cottons after sewing with darker, heavier fabrics all winter, it will get a lot of wear. 

Comments

[April Henry]

Timeless! And, the shoes!!!

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Yes, they are the Twin Strap wedges from Remix - my priciest pair of repro shoes thus far but they are pretty, so comfortable, and coordinate with almost everything! I blogged about them in more detail here: http://verityvintagestudio.typepad.com/my-blog/2017/08/chatting-about-vintage-casual-shoes.html

[Irene]

the colors and print of your dress is so pretty! Love how you designed the sleeves.
It looks like you have a retro kitchen, love that too! Iam sure you encourage many
women to get out of the of the habit of dressing lazy and frumpy and have more
interest to dress more attractively and feminine.
Blessings
Irene 🤗