I really love this little vintage dress! It’s adorable, I think, and was so easy to fit and make! Here’s the pattern envelope:
I used a quilting/apparel cotton by Amy Butler called “Lotus” in the blue/cream/grey colorway. I just love this fabric! I bought it from my local quilt shop a long time ago and have been hoarding it for the perfect project.
Here’s a couple of pictures of the dress on me, while the sun was setting this afternoon.
This is a “half size” dress pattern, in size 20-1/2 or bust 41. I did make a muslin of the bodice to check fit, and found that it was wonderful through the bust right out of the envelope! I just had to lower the “point” about 1/2 inch. The waist hits just above my natural waist and because of the style I left it as drafted. The neckline was just a bit too wide, which leads me to believe a vintage 18-1/2 would probably be perfect.
A couple more changes…the neck was choking me on my first fitting, so I dropped it by about 1/2″ in CF, tapering to nothing at shoulder seams. But I’m particularly sensitive to things tight at the base of my neck. It really doesn’t “look” that different after the change, but it feels different! I also lined the bodice with batiste rather than use the facing pieces in the pattern.
The skirt was drafted for 6 pleats in front and 6 in back. I just barely had enough fabric to cut this dress out (I even had to seam the CF!) and I ended up a bit short when I went to pin in the pleated skirt to the bodice. The math to reduce the pleats equally all around hurt my head, so I went with a gathered skirt instead! I love the “just to the knee” length. I took a 3″ hem, stitched by machine.
I really wish I had a nice yellow ribbon to use for a belt, a’la the pattern illustration, but I just don’t have any the right color on hand.
I love this dress for its simplicity, and for the classic boat neckline and fitted bodice, even if that closed up neck/chest and sleeveless armholes aren’t the most flattering look for a busty girl with rather full upper arms. I don’t mind though, it’s a pretty style and easy enough to add some things to accentuate the good parts yet still keep me cool in the hot summer months!
I also have a vintage set of large yellow faux-pearls (I’m wearing the earrings in these photos!) and they look grand on the high neckline.
One interesting thing about the pattern that I just haven’t seen before (but I haven’t made many 60s era patterns either) was a “dart” line on the back neck. It’s just a printed line, not an full “dart”. The directions instruct you to sew up approximately 1/8″ on either side of the line to fit the back neck. I always have trouble with the back neckline gaping, so this little dart was a lifesaver! The back neck fits perfectly!
Tonight, I added a J Crew mustard yellow “Jackie” cardigan (from ebay! Love ebay!). This is probably how I’ll wear this dress most of the time.
My cardigan is held with a pair of 1950s gold & pearl sweater clips. So sweet! (Also from Ebay, although I have a pair or two in my jewelry box from Etsy too.)
I can easily see a couple more of these sleeveless cotton dresses in my near future!
You are so cute!!
I loves me a good neckline dart. When I first started sewing vintage patterns, the neckline dart was a revelation to me. Finally I could fit my small shoulders and broad(ish) back, at the same time. Wonderful.
Adorable. You are so Emma Pillsbury. Love it.
I LOVE it! Aren’t those half size patterns great? They always fit me perfectly right out of the envelope. I hope you have plans to make more because this dress looks fabulous on you.
Adorable! I was thinking Emma P. too!
Fabulous! You look stunning. The yellow shoes are perfect with the whole look.
I have the same problem at the neck too. I took a flat pattern design course in college and when we were measuring to make slopers I learned that my neck is 1/2″ different from the standard pattern. That’s why it’s hard for a lot of commercial tops with a “normal” neck just don’t fit.
Such a beautiful dress and material. I just discovered this
blog and want to make myself some of the vintage 1920-1970
patterns I inherited from by Granny and Mom for myself. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
FABULOUS dress….love the fabric and it looks fantastic on you! I also love your cat sneaking into the picture too….how adorable!
It looks gorgeous particularly with the cardigan and shoes.
Adorable. The color combo is so great. I loved the shoes so much that I went to the website and tried to find a pair for me. Anyway…I digress, you look so pretty.
[…] Angie wrote about the pattern and dress, with more views, on her Quality Time blog and also on her fun community vintage sewing blog We Sew Vintage. […]
Looks terrific; your bust and arms are not the problem. Drop the neckline to more of a scoop and the arms will look great and so too the pearls. I know, my body is much like yours but next size up. Play with the neck some. The sweater really finishes the look.
Love your dress!! I just found your vintage site and am thrilled to find others who love the vintage clothing and accessories 🙂
Have any of you tried the vintage Lutterloh system??
It started in the 1930’s and continues today. I’ve bought a book form the 1960’s and am drooling over the patterns (280+)! I am taking a bra making class right now, then a vacation with hubby…so won’t get to dive in to the book until July. Will let you know hoe these work out.
this dress is sooo cute! it looks great
That is adorable!!! If you like that one you might try the modern simplicity 2591….it looks almost like it and has pockets…I’ve made 3 already….
it would be much better if we could buy a Jewelry box that is gem studded-~;