Brown Floral 1930s Style Adjustable Dress

Finally catching up with the last personal sewing project I made, way back in the summer when the world was still smoky. 

 

And...it was the first trial of a new adjustable dress pattern. It needed to be adjustable because we are expecting Baby 3 here in a few months!

 

Actually, this was a 1940s nightgown pattern. I studied it for a while and decided if I made it dress length, in a cotton fabric, it wouldn't look too nightgown-y. Hopefully that was successful!

 

I did heighten the V neckline a bit, and intended to do some decorative trim around the V. But after looking at it on the mannequin I decided it needed a collar. Being short on time, I hunted through my vintage linens stash. Didn't find a V collar that would work, but I went a bit more creative than my normal rut and used a delicate vintage hankie instead. 

 

I like how it looks, plus it was so easy. No collar to cut and interface and press, all the pretty hand work already done. Plus it helps the dress look more like a dress and not a nightgown. 

 

This was my first time making a neck with a V in the back too, and it took me a bit to get used to having my hair against my back!

 

The front is shaped by closely spaced darts. The loose back adjusts with ties (bonus for no closures needed!) Here you can see on the mannequin something of how it would look on a normal-sized waist. 

 

Even though it's a 1940s pattern, the collar and print really gave it a 1930s feel, so that's how I styled it - including some new summer shoes from BAIT footwear.

 

This is the first maternity-suitable sewing I've done so far this pregnancy, once I outgrew regular patterns. It was a fun quick and easy project, and used some long-stashed quilting cotton. Also, being brown, it's a nice color variety in my wardrobe. 

 

I haven't done any personal sewing since, being busy with a lot of other projects, but I'm starting to feel the itch again. I may have to try one or two more adjustable dress patterns before I don't need them anymore.

Comments

[Dee]

Yay, Baby #3!(Not surprised) Congratulations to you and your family! Praying all goes well :)

This does NOT look like a nightgown at all. Great idea about using a vintage hankie for a collar!

Best wishes, Dee

[Carla]

Congratulations! And this doesn't look like at nightgown at all — it's lovely.

[Lynne A Johnson]

Sweet dress! Loving the hanky collar too. Congratulations to you and your family on the news of a coming addition to your growing family. Enjoy your week!