A Simple 1940s Easter Ensemble

Easter sneaked up on me this year. I realized one week before that if this was Palm Sunday, that meant Easter was in exactly one week! I had already cut out some sewing projects, so I spent Monday getting them to a stage where I could lay them aside, and work on something for Easter.

 

Usually I gravitate towards 1950s styles for Easter. But this year, with the short time frame I had to sew, I didn't feel like attempting anything elaborate or fussy, so I looked over my sewing queue to find something suitable already there that I could make in time for Easter, thus crossing something off my list instead of adding to it.

 

I chose a 1940s two piece dress pattern paired with a pretty floral quilting cotton I got last fall from mybluprint.com on clearance. I made it from start to finish in one day, so you can see it wasn't very time-consuming. The gored skirt is quite basic, and the jacket also easy & quick to make, with the gathered front that is so flattering, as its only detail.

 

I have made a few pretty similar patterns with gathered front sides earlier, so I didn't have any trouble with this one. I had to size the pattern up, but thankfully it was one of these handy patterns that has "let-out" seams, so by sewing those more shallowly, it made the sizing-up job easier. I also added a few inches to the skirt length.

 

I finished the neck plain, first deciding which of my vintage collars I wanted to pair with the jacket, then trimming the neck of both jacket and facing to a V of the right depth for the collar before finishing it.

 

I don't remember where I got this lovely vintage crochet Irish lace collar, but it matched the little flowers in the fabric perfectly, and makes quite a statement. I tacked it on; it would be easy to swap it out if I decided to use a different collar.

 

I found the outfit comfortable to wear; dressy yet low key enough for an Easter at home. It will be a great easy to wear spring and summer addition to my closet - and as I've mentioned before, has my favorite versatile element of being able to mix and match with other skirts or blouses if desired.

 

It could easily go casual, but since it was Easter, I dressed it up a bit. Of course I chose my largest hat, adding a spray of vintage millinery daisies.

 

I also paired it with a favorite true vintage necklace, heels, and gloves.

 

We had a gloriously sunny Easter, but it was very windy. There was no way I could take pictures outside, so I had to experiment with indoor locations. I was quite pleased by how the window pictures turned out. The view out the window (lovely in its own right) was blanked out when the camera focussed on me, creating a nice white-box background.

 

Taken on its own, the outfit might not be terribly "Easter-ish", but I bet it will get a lot of wear - more than a fancier gown would have. And perhaps it is similar to what would have been worn for Easter in 1942, with wartime economy going on.

 

At any rate, I'm pleased to have this idea materialized successfully and now in my closet...while simultaneously managing to continue the tradition of making a new dress for Easter Sunday. It's my own little yearly tribute to the day when all things were made new.

If Christ is risen, then nothing else matters.

And if Christ is not risen...then nothing else matters.

-Jaroslav Pelikan

He is risen indeed!

Comments

[Ms Sam]

I loved seeing this on Instagram, but it is so much better seeing it up close and in all different angles! So lovely, and it plays up the collar beautifully. May I ask if it was a vintage pattern you used, or a reprint? I would love to try one with a jacket that you deem "easy", and with that lovely gathered front!

[Lynne A Johnson]

An excellent Easter outfit!The style is lovely and the collar is absolutely gorgeous!