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This weekend was spent relaxing, and by relaxing I also mean some much loved creating and sewing time! I made this dress from Eva Dress’ 1932 Tea or Street Frock. I cannot even express how much I loved sewing this pattern! It was really fun! I haven’t sewn a pattern that was this fun in a long time. I don’t know really why I liked it so much. Something about piecing the pieces and making them lay “just so” when doing lapped seams, and having the pattern pieces match up just perfect, and doing my hems by hand so they were night invisible. It was all very satisfying (and now you know the depth of my sewing dorkiness) ;)
I made this dress from green rayon crepe and I used a vintage 1930s deco print fabric for my collar accent. I had been holding onto this fabric for years waiting for just the perfect project to come along and inspire me, and this was the one! I have a little bit left over, so will have to ponder an equally fun project to use my leftover fabric.
Now, I just need to come up with an excuse to make a tea frock and use some sort of wispy floaty fabric… Mmm… maybe printed organza with a silk chiffon drape… gotta save up first.
I am short waisted, so I shorted the pattern 1″ in the torso, and then had to shorten the collar and drape likewise. The only real fiddly bit for me was doing the rolled hem on the sleeve. Getting that darn point was rather difficult, so I think if I do it again instead of a rolled hem I’ll make a facing off of the pattern piece.
The pattern did run a little large for me in the waist and lower hip, though the high hip fit just fine, and was meant to be loose at top, so I had to make a conscious decision to leave it fitting loosely though I did take in the lower hip a bit. My gut instinct is to make everything rather fitted, but since this is early 30s I wanted a bit more “drape” to the fit. I kept literally fighting with myself over this! But I think I might make a little self belt with brown deco buckle as an extra accent, just to snug in the waist a bit. For the side fastener I did the original snap and hook and eye closure, which I usually think is a bit of a pain but I wanted to keep it period.
The hem length is the actual length of the pattern for street length- even though the illustration shows it a bit longer. This is the second dress I’ve made of this age, so I’m guessing it was a rather common thing. I’m a little taller than the average height (which I just found out is 5′ 4.6″ for women in the US), so if you’re average height or a bit shorter it might hit where the illustration shows :)
I have just enough of the green left over to make a matching jacket. Now I just have to do it ;)
For the pictures I paired the dress with a vintage 30s hat (which has cute smocking on the crown, but you can’t see it in the pictures), and brown 30s oxfords.
Happy Thursday!
BaronessVonVintage
March 3, 2011 at 5:53 pm (13 years ago)>stunning creations!! I love the fabric you chose and your hat is darling!
Miss Margarita
March 3, 2011 at 6:07 pm (13 years ago)>Lovely outfit! Very flattering colors! :)
Laura
March 3, 2011 at 6:10 pm (13 years ago)>Just beautiful!
Adelaide B
March 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm (13 years ago)>This is very lovely!
Jitterbugdoll
March 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm (13 years ago)>Very pretty–that shade of green suits you so well!
Debi
March 3, 2011 at 6:24 pm (13 years ago)>LOVE it!!! You'll have to enter it in the contest! I absolutely ADORE the color combo…love that contrast fabric! And the hat is beautiful! It picks up the beautiful color of the trees in the background!
Dejah Thoris
March 3, 2011 at 6:29 pm (13 years ago)>Fantastic! The vintage fabric that you used with the newer fabric is a win-win! And i love how it all drapes on you!
Lauren
March 3, 2011 at 6:33 pm (13 years ago)>Thanks so much, gals :)Debi, I sent it to the contest, too. Thanks for the encouragement :D I can't *wait* to see your suit! Dejah, that's so sweet of you. Something about the cut of these earlier dresses makes me a little self conscious of my figure (or lack thereof), so your comment was a morale boost :)
Tasha
March 3, 2011 at 6:35 pm (13 years ago)>That is simply breathtaking! You look like you just stepped off an old movie set. The collar accent is just outstanding with the main fabric, they look like they were meant to be together! You certainly found the perfect use for it. And the drape of the dress is divine. Just can't say enough good things about the whole ensemble. :)
Tickety Boo Tupney - A Dash OF Worcester Sauce.
March 3, 2011 at 6:45 pm (13 years ago)>Oh that’s beautiful too! Lovely colour combinations. I’m really trying to get more thirties clothes into my wardrobe, but it’s proving quite difficult at the moment to kick the habit of not having a more fitted waist and blouse- Probably should stick to the mid- late 30’s then! My sewing hands are itching…. You are so inspiring! Tups x
Miss Virginia
March 3, 2011 at 7:09 pm (13 years ago)>Absolutely gorgeous, the drape is breathtaking, fabric cute, and shoes to die for!!
Sherry Baby
March 3, 2011 at 7:23 pm (13 years ago)>This is beautiful!! Just love it!
Ms Sew-n-Sew
March 3, 2011 at 7:23 pm (13 years ago)>Wowza, I absolutely love it! The fit is incredibly flattering and the accent fabric is rather droolworthy. Have fun wearing it and looking fabulous – congratulations!
Vintage Girl
March 3, 2011 at 7:47 pm (13 years ago)>You look stunning! Love your work on this one. Looks very professional, wow to sew like you would be great. Super Job!
Tasia
March 3, 2011 at 8:35 pm (13 years ago)>Gorgeous dress! It's beautifully styled with the hat and shoes. I love the accent fabric – what a perfect choice!I'm a sewing dork too, I love taking extra time on the details. Nothing wrong with that! :)
Carys
March 3, 2011 at 9:01 pm (13 years ago)>Amazing dress, I love it!! The colour and shape are beautiful!From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
honey hi
March 3, 2011 at 10:41 pm (13 years ago)>great job! its beautiful!
Tilly
March 3, 2011 at 11:35 pm (13 years ago)>Oh my, this is just lovely! It is so pretty and flowy.
bonita
March 4, 2011 at 3:39 am (13 years ago)>~ * ♥ * ~Lauren you look amazing! This dress is positively darling on you. It suits you perfectly and the make is soooo polished. It just looks stunning… ^ u ^ xox,bonita of Depict This!~ * ♥ * ~
Jane
March 4, 2011 at 9:50 am (13 years ago)>I LOVE this dress, especially the colour and the deco print accent. Beautiful. x
LandGirl1980
March 4, 2011 at 11:23 am (13 years ago)>How fabulous is that!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Stunningly lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Applause.. applause.. applause!!
FoofandFaff
March 4, 2011 at 4:15 pm (13 years ago)>LOVE your dress, it looks amazing, well done! :)
Lauren
March 4, 2011 at 5:29 pm (13 years ago)>Thank you all so much!!! :D
Fleur de Guerre
March 4, 2011 at 6:45 pm (13 years ago)>Super fabulous! And one of my favourite colour combos! High fives all round :)
Tia
March 4, 2011 at 11:14 pm (13 years ago)>I really enjoy your blog, so I would like to give you a Stylish Blogger Award. :)
Janice
March 5, 2011 at 6:52 am (13 years ago)>You look great! I love the teal on you.
fredericaknits
March 5, 2011 at 10:29 am (13 years ago)>I love the colours and it hangs beautifully. 5ft 4.6"? That's very precise!^.^
the Citizen Rosebud
March 5, 2011 at 3:06 pm (13 years ago)>I have just stumbled onto your blog and can't believe how I've lived without it up until now. The.DRESS. Amazing. You sewing period pieces. So awesome my throat just went dry and I need to get some water. I am so looking forward in exploring your blog! -Bella QEnter to Win My Shabby Apple Dress Give-Away- the Citizen Rosebud
WendyBee
March 5, 2011 at 7:37 pm (13 years ago)>Oh this dress is amazing in so many ways! Your fabric choices and how perfectly it fits you and how beautifully it suits you. You have a lovely figure! So slim and long-legged, like the drawings on pattern envelopes of the era. This outfit is a huge success.I'm dying to know about the shoes. Are they antiques (in great condition), or reproduction? Where does one get a pair like that? I have seen a lot of repro 1940's shoes, but not nearly as authentic as those look to the '30's.
Lauren
March 5, 2011 at 7:56 pm (13 years ago)>Thanks so much, everyone!Citizen Rosebud, I'm so glad you found my blog! What a lovely compliment :)Wendy Bee, thank you! I guess we all have our little figure insecurities. hehe. I'm glad you think it suits me.The shoes are originals. There are some lovely shoes on Remix. Although I don't personally own a pair, I have seen some of them in person and they look lovely and on the one I picked up the leather was very nice. One basic pair would probably be a good investment and is on my wish list :)http://www.remixvintageshoes.com/Here's a link to their 20s/30s shoes:http://www.remixvintageshoes.com/2030spumps.htmlAnd on their new shoe page I think the Myrna is just delightful!http://www.remixvintageshoes.com/newstyles.html