1940's Floral Swing Dress

Dress: Make by me, Pattern from Sense and Sensibility as a downloadable PDF
Shoes: Guess
Hair clip: Hot pink double flower from Bad Seeds

You may recognize this little number from my previous post, I also used this pattern to make a red version.



This was my first attempt at Sense and Sensibility's 1940's swing dress pattern and it took forever. Half of me wanted to burn the pattern and the other half wanted to struggle through. I can't say the instructions were terribly easy to understand in regards to the bodice/yolk portion. After staring at it on the dummy for weeks angrily I mustered up my google-fu and found some directions from other people who have completed the dress and voila, it all came together just in time for my once a year romantic holiday with my honey to Newport, RI where we attended a rousing polo match.

We picnicked on a three wolf blanket and William donned his "Nantucket Red" slacks for the occasion.

Put a birdie on it!

Dress: Vintage 1940’s, bought at Café Society
Shoes: Nicole Miller, Thrifted
Hair clip: Blue Flying bird, from Now Voyager
Necklace: Vintage sparrow pendant, bought at Café Society



I remember when I found this dress, it was summer, two years ago. I was driving home and passed Café Society on my way. It was customary for me to look in the window every morning and evening to see if there are any new items.



On this day when I glanced at the mannequin I was not intending to stop in but when I saw that this was in the window I new I had to turn around and try it on. It came with me obviously and so did a pair of silk tap shorts in case a stiff wind was to blow the skirt up (speaking from a lot of experience on this.)

Yes, those are badminton shuttlecocks!

I did make a minor alteration to the dress. Originally it was a crew neck which I find suffocating, so I cut a square neckline instead.

Casual Friday!

Pants: Vintage 50's denim, online purchase from Kitch Cat
Top: Vintage sunflower blouse, online purchase from Rococo Vintage
Shoes: Aldo...a billion years ago
Hair Flower: Double Blue Hibiscus from Sophisticated Lady

About four times a year I will come to work in denim on a Friday. I'm of the thought that when at work, dress to be at work. This is easy for me to do as my my wardrobe is almost entirely comprised of dresses and pants generally make be feel self conscious about my figure. Today was different, today I really wanted to get these pants out on the town... or at least the office for now.

Robin's Egg Blue

Dress: made by me, McCalls pattern #9712
Shoes: Nicole Miller, thrifted
Hair FLower: White Lily from Crafty Aple

Stepping into the 50s today for no real reason other than I wanted to wear these shoes.



There is something about polka dots that makes me go gaga. I flip every time I find a fabric with just the right colour combination of dots to background and this one just jumped into my arms. There is never enough robin's egg blue in a girls closet if you ask me. Anyway, I think I started sewing up this dress the day after I received the pattern (which was an Etsy purchase from My Sweetie Piepie's shop.) My special touch was the all silk lining I added to the skirt.

No, I didn't create the bolero jacket from the pattern but I intend to when I get the right colour cotton. My thought behind the shrug I designed was due to the necessity of keeping warm in winter with a sleeveless dress. I found this perfect shade of brown wool and lined it with the polka dot cotton of the dress. I thought it was a nice touch even if it makes the shrug a bit stiffer than it would be.

1938 Frock

 Dress: Made by me, Pattern from Eva Dress 
Shoes: Guess (DSW) 
Necklace: My Grandmother's 
Hair Clip: Made by me 

Finally a warm sunny day in Boston and every spring like day deserves a floral dress. I lurved making this dress. The pattern was purchased from my favorite online shop Eva dress and the fabric was a random rayon find at the local fabric shop. I think I was so excited about this pattern I got the whole shebang completed in one day, and this is including surging on all exposed edges and the belt. I did try to update the pattern (okay, to the 40's) by not including the ruffling and sortening the hem closer to my knee line. 1930's dresses hit mid calf on me and as flattering as I think it is, it does make me look more matronly and I would rather look like i'm going dancing than to a nunnery.

 

P.S. Before you mention how cute the shoes are I must say that they are killing my feet.

1940's Red Swing Dress

Dress: made by me
Shoes: Tahari (from DSW)
Hair flower: made by me 

I loved this dress pattern from Sense and Sensibility. I've made two so far and would make more if the first few steps to making this dress were not so frustrating. I nearly gave up the first go around until I found that a sew-a-long was done on Elegant Musings and careful step-by-step photos were posted which calmed the madness. This red dress was my second attempt and with enough patience I will make another with some rayon fabric I bought.

   

Champagne. Sashay

This dress always makes me think of an old nursing uniform even though it looks nothing like one. It must be the bodice and neckline. The fabric has become delicate in the underarms and I think it might be time to take it apart and create a new pattern from it.

Ahoy, matey!

 It's a grey cold and wet day out, why not put on something nautical? Blouse is vintage, Skirt made by me using the skirt portion of an old 1930's dress design I have, and the shoes are thrifted. 

Hepburn Slacks

The fabulous Katherine Hepburn was a fashion icon of her time. Her best fashion accessory, a long pair of slacks that went all the way up. No "whale tails" here girls.
Blouse is vintage and slacks were made by me about two years ago.





Pattern number 1002 from Wearing History

Pleats

The last day of our Boston March summer experience before the more seasonable weather arrives so I needed to take the tissue thin polka dot blouse out of the closet. Blouse from Red Dress Shoppe and pleated skirt, made by me!



My first time with pleats and I was frustrated and addicted, I had to make another in Navy.





I really doubled down on the polka dots today.



The pattern used for the skirt was Du Barry #5910. I need to make the matching blouse soon.