I originally had this thrifted vintage wool fabric slated for a coat dress, but when I went to cut it out I discovered there were only 2 yards of it. Thankfully a wide width, but certainly not enough for a dress with overlap. Time to find another option.
The cobalt blue and white striking houndstooth print is probably from the 1960s, but I don't really do 1960s style, so I went with a later 1950s pattern instead. One that would hopefully fit on the fabric!
I was prepared to cut facings out from a different cloth, but was pleasantly surprised to find it just so barely all fit on my wool! As long as I kept a short sleeve option, that is.
The fabric is a bit thick perhaps for this use. It probably would have been better suited as a jacket or coat. But I'm reasonably well pleased with the dress.
I really like the notched neckline!
But I am not a fan of the darts. I did them exactly as placed on the pattern, but they are angled strangely. Before I wear it again I'll have to redo them.
Actually, I'm glad I went with short sleeves, even though wool seems to call for a cold weather style. I think it would have been just too hot with longer sleeves.
It has a skirt yoke and the notches at the neck for interest, but otherwise is pretty basic.
I love how my brooch from VivaLaLux is exactly the right color! Also, I notice that my first two projects of the year were both blue, and in the same shade of blue! That was unintentional, but it's funny to see them side by side on the blog. :-)
I paired this outfit with gray, mostly because I had a new hat I wanted to wear. I was given an Etsy gift card for Christmas, and I ended up purchasing two vintage hats with it. I was originally going to go with a more flamboyant 1930s hat, but talked myself out of it when I realized that I already had several favorite hats in that color and I almost always end up wearing the simple, tailored beret styles.
This was a happy decision (though I did end up getting a flamboyant hat also!) because I loved this hat even more in person. The subtle details, flattering shape, and that matching hatpin are all just perfect! Classy and elegant without being ostentatious. Plus it was a new color for my collection.
While not a house dress, the weather was not cooperating for outdoor pictures, so my kitchen background will have to suffice.
The whole dress came together smoothly until the very, very end. Somehow I managed to get one buttonhole an inch too close to the one above, and didn't catch it until the buttons were on and the buttonholes cut! I thought I was done, and then saw something was wrong...I was so bummed. But it was way too noticeable to just hope for the best.
Patching was not really an option. The fabric is too loosely woven and too noticeable a print. I ended up fixing the problem by adding 3 more buttonholes and doing sets of 2 smaller buttons instead. Not what I originally wanted, and some of the buttonholes are larger than the others because of this fix, but at least it's fixed.
It was an enjoyable, fairly quick project, despite the buttonhole fiasco at the end - which was certainly frustrating. I thought I was on the home stretch, and instead had to put another hour or two into it.
It probably won't be a top favorite dress, but it is certainly colorful and unique.
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