Verity Vintage Studio

1940s Novelty Blouse

Sometimes 1940s and 1950s novelty prints can be a bit wild and over the top for my taste, but depending on the design, I think they can be fun. So when I saw this whimsical cloud & wind & blowing face quilting cotton, I decided to make it into a 1940s blouse.

 

It's a subtle novelty print, but still a novelty print nonetheless. 

 

I've made this pattern a while ago as a two piece, but this time I just did the blouse. It was a pretty straightforward project, other than careful cutting since it is a directional print.

 

When taking these pictures I realized I really need a new blue 1940s skirt! This is an old make and not quite the right style. But as usual I end up making the fun new things instead of the staples I especially need to pair with things like this.

 

Also I had to seize the opportunity to wear my new vintage sandals! They were an eBay find. I rarely buy vintage shoes anymore, but sometimes the size and price are right. That toe detail is too amazing!

 

The hat is one that I retrimmed. The cherries are just pinned on, so they can easily be removed if I want to change it up.

 

I really like jacket style blouses since they are more flattering, and also much more nursing-conducive, than tucked in ones. So this one is a nice addition to my summer wardrobe.

1940s Pinafore Duo with Poppie Cotton

 

I'm a sucker for strawberry prints, so when I got the chance to work with this new fabric from Poppie Cotton, of course I chose to sew with the strawberries to make a 1940s style coordinating pinafore set with my little girl.

(Isn't Betsy's Sewing Kit the cutest name??)

 

For her I first considered making an apron, but since she's growing out of all her 2T clothes, I decided to make an apron-style dress instead so she can wear it for everyday this summer and next year too.

 

I used a vintage DuBarry 5643 pattern from my stash, and did a little color blocking with a coordinating print, which both stretches the fabric and accents the design elements of the dress pattern.

 

I usually would opt for white or red accents with a fabric like this, but this time I stepped out of my comfort zone a little and used some yellow vintage rick-rac from my stash.

 

Red heart buttons were the perfect closure in the back. She's such a great little kitchen helper already!

For my coordinating pinafore, I did an apron pattern long on my list. It was reissued by Simplicity a while ago. It is definitely the most elaborate apron pattern I've ever done! It took almost as long as a dress, and took some concentration to figure out since the pieces are not as intuitive as a dress.

 

It had facings, top stitching, and darts in the back section. But I love how it turned out! I used a coordinating blue to color block for this one also, to stretch the strawberry print, and I think it even accents the scallops more to do it this way.

 

It has a full front, half sides like a regular apron that wrap almost the whole way around, adjustable waist fit with a sash, and a T back to keep it in place on the shoulders.

 

I love the scalloped hem especially, and the amount of dress coverage it gives.

 

It was certainly the right time of year to be sewing with strawberry fabric, and I enjoyed working with these lovely summery prints. The dress is a new favorite for my little girl, and the apron is finished just in time for canning season.

 

It reminds me why I love the fashions of this era so much - practical, yet always unique, feminine and flattering. And made in a high quality quilting cotton like this, I can wash and wear it, without bothering to press it, many times!

 

There are lots of other pretty prints included in this fabric line. Check out the other makers on this project tour! It's always so fun to see the variety that different people can come up with, out of the same lovely fabrics.

Monday, August 15	Instagram: @emmas_crafternoons
Wednesday, August 17	https://verityvintagestudio.typepad.com/my-blog/
Friday, August 19	http://happylittlecottage.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 22	theredfeedsack.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 24	www.freshdewdrops.com
Friday, August 26	https://www.nannygoatquilts.com/
Monday, August 29	http://prettybyhand.com/
Wednesday, August 31	http://neverlandstitches.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 2	@elliebugmakes

 

Forget-Me-Not Dress

Yet another versatile basic...pin dots! Poppie Cotton has a lovely quilting cotton basic called Country Confetti, and with some new Bright colors coming in, I had the opportunity to make a dress with one of them. Of course I had to pick the forget-me-not color... a lovely light periwinkle sprinkled with tiny pastel dots. Perfect to make a dress with some details!

 

I have a long love for this pattern. In my early sewing days, it was one of the first more complicated patterns I tried, and also one that I actually took more pains with... and appreciated the result. It made me begin to realize that taking more pains with the process was actually worth it, and more than that: even could be fun!

 

I don't have that first dress any more, and I did make it again with vintage semi-sheer fabric years later, with lovely results. BUT the pattern doesn't have a  front opening, so I haven't been able to wear it for a long time. So with this remake, I altered it to have a front opening.

 

My very first version was made from a thrifted periwinkle sheet, with an embroidered border that I made into a belt. I re-channeled that same look with this periwinkle version, by making a floral belt that I embellished with 2 strands of floral lace overlapped and sewn down with seed beads. 

 

Instead of using the roll back collar on the pattern, I recut the front bodice to not only open in the front, but also trimmed off the collar part and made it a V neck so I could use some of my vintage collars. 

 

 

It is indeed a late '40s or early '50s pattern, but doesn't it have a Titanic or teens era feel?

 

It's quite a unique construction, since the front skirt (in two horizontally pleated pieces) wraps around to the back darts, so there are no side seams in the skirt. And I just love the back details!

 

I also skipped the cuffs on this make, because I wanted a light summer feel. AND since I'm using a vintage collar, I can swap it out for different looks if I want.

 

This fabric is perfect for this application, since to the eye it reads like a solid, but it is more interesting with all the tiny dots than a plain solid fabric. I have used it before for a background fabric on a quilt, and also a backing. It just works well for everything!

backing on my puff quilt

background for my 2 stars a day quilt

 

 

I'm super pleased with how it turned out! It's one of my favorite makes this year so far.