Finished Project: 1920’s Cruise Dress

Catching up on a finished project post!  This was made for the Queen Mary Art Deco Weekend, so I’m a bit tardy in posting it!

Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

I was going through a bit of a 1920’s phase lately.  First I made this dress, secondly I have another dress nearly finished.  I like how cool and causal the 1920’s are. No fuss, no nonsense. It is what it is.  And it’s ridiculously comfy to wear.

I had found this neat Art Deco-esque silk in the Los Angeles fashion district a few years earlier and intended to make a 1930’s blouse from it, but it was telling me it wanted to be 1920s instead.  I also pulled out a green silk charmeuse that had been in my stash and used the wrong side of the fabric so it wouldn’t be too shiny for the contrast.

For this project I delved into my neglected 1920s patterns and picked out Pictorial Pattern 4799.

Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

Making it was a royal pain in the rear.  I fought against that wiggly silk and finally basted and stitched down my pleats.  Next time I do one of these I’ll chose something simple to pleat like linen!

It was very hard for me to fit, too, since I’m pretty unfamiliar with the 1920s.  In the end, after asking for advice from friends, I ended up taking it in a good deal at the sides, on the shoulders, and adding back darts to it.  Even though it was supposed to be my size, it was so NOT my size.  And a little too shapeless for my liking.  Adding those fish eye darts at the back really helped!

Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

It actually is a sleeveless dress but I REALLY wanted a jacket, so I pulled out one I had made previously from a 1929 German pattern book and it worked perfectly!

Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

I also got to pair it with a vintage cloche I bought ages ago on Etsy, and a lovely celluloid brooch I got at a local auction.

Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

And my little crocheted purse was a Missouri find when we were back visiting my husband’s family a few years ago.  Shoes are by American Duchess.  See the way the pleats on my dress like to flow and move with the wind? It totally made it worth doing all those fussy pleats.  So fun!

Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

Hamming it up at the top of the ship.
Wearing History- 1920's Cruise Dress

And boy, are those hallways windy!

Yay!  A finished project :)

Do you sew 1920’s clothing?

10 Comments on Finished Project: 1920’s Cruise Dress

  1. eimear
    October 17, 2015 at 2:32 am (8 years ago)

    fabulous………….brilliant choice of colours

  2. Alli
    October 17, 2015 at 3:52 am (8 years ago)

    Oh my gosh!!!! Super cute!!! <3

  3. PepperReed
    October 17, 2015 at 9:17 am (8 years ago)

    Love your dress! I’m getting ready to delve into 20s sewing, altho I prefer early 20s (1923-ish) and it’s *quite* hard to find patterns and even images from the era between WWI and the ‘Flapper Years’. I really liked Charlotte Fiell’s Fashion Sourcebook -1920s for inspiration.

  4. Mrs. Hude
    October 17, 2015 at 9:35 am (8 years ago)

    It’s the Bee’s Knees! :)

  5. PinhouseP
    October 17, 2015 at 9:50 am (8 years ago)

    It ended up really sweet! Love that hallway pic, it’s hilarious :D

  6. Esther
    October 17, 2015 at 12:56 pm (8 years ago)

    LOVE it!!! You look gorgeous! And those hallway pics are the best!! :)

  7. Carla
    October 18, 2015 at 3:50 pm (8 years ago)

    Oh goodness, Lauren that dress is super super cute! I keep meaning to make myself one of those one hour dresses. I’ll try it when I have a free weekend!
    Those hallway photos crack me up.

    Carla, Tiny Angry Crafts

  8. brigidboyer
    October 19, 2015 at 5:29 pm (8 years ago)

    The dress looks splendid! Now you are renewing my desire to delve into my “new-to-me” 1920s patterns and give them a go.

  9. Gina White
    October 21, 2015 at 10:22 am (8 years ago)

    Your ensemble is just too adorable for words Lauren! You look like you time traveled here from the 20s!! Job very well done!
    Blessings!
    g

  10. Stevie
    November 4, 2015 at 4:59 am (8 years ago)

    the cardigan works perfectly. Lovely outfit and blog Lauren. Straight from Brideshead Revisited !

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