1940s Aqua Floral House Dress with Lori Holt Fabric

Sometimes when fabric companies do their 1930s style fabric lines, it feels more "inspired" than authentic to me. But here's a print that's a real winner! Probably my favorite Lori Holt print ever, I really got excited over this one. It's from the Riley Blake Designs recently available Cook Book fabric line (which has several other garment-appropriate, authentic prints too), and I just love it. It looks like it stepped out of a real vintage feedsack, and has a large enough floral to work well for garments.

 

Of course I wanted to sew something with it that I also would love - something that would get lots of wear, without too many details to get lost in the print, and that wouldn't take a lot of tweaking to fit me. A favorite fabric will still get pushed to the back of the closet if it's a dress that doesn't fit well or feels too fussy for everyday wear.

I remembered a simple 1940s dress pattern I'd made twice, years ago - neither of them versions I own anymore -  and pulled it out again.

 

Because I had made it before, I had the bodice pattern pieces shortened already, so the bodice didn't take any more tweaking to make an instant good fit. Also - I love shoulder dart tucks!

 

The only other detail is the asymmetrical pleat in the skirt. This meant it takes slightly more fabric, and I had a few extra pieces to cut out, but even still it was still a super quick sew.

 

I got it finished for Memorial Day, since it's close enough to red, white, and blue to have a patriotic flair. 

 

I made two belts - one in a coordinating blue solid from Riley Blake, and one in the same aqua floral. I like the blue best, but I also enjoy versatility.

 

Because of the basic design and the wide bodice overlap, it was the perfect choice for some large buttons. I quickly settled on some big white plastic toggle buttons, probably intended for a coat, but they add a little extra character and quirkiness to the dress.

 

It's so trim and comfortable to wear and forget about. Reminds me again how much I love WWII era house dresses!

 

I was so pleased, I was inspired to break out of my usual brush-out and try something a little more creative with my hair this time.

 

I'm super delighted with the happy combination of pattern & fabric, and the way it turned out. I'm sure I'll wear it a lot...and I still had some fabric leftovers to save for a quilt, so that's a win-win!

Comments

[Carla]

Really cute dress! Those colors are perfect in your kitchen, too, as well as being very good with your complexion. Nice work! (as usual)

[Tena]

I simply love all the dresses you make. Where do you find your vintage shoes? I wish you could tell the pattern name and number of the outfits you make. They’re all so beautiful! ♥️

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Hi Tena,
I find vintage shoes on Etsy or eBay usually. I also have a lot of reproductions from companies like Remix Vintage Shoes, American Duchess, Memery, and Rocket Originals. The ones I am wearing here are Rocket Originals reproductions in the Bella style and have several color options.
I will try to remember to add the pattern info when I post in future. Thanks!