I always try to have or make a new dress for Easter Sunday each year – and always pair it with a big hat! Starting then officially I add white and ivory shoes and hats, and light colored lace and floral prints, to my wardrobe for the spring and summer.

This year's Easter dress was made from a 1950s Butterick pattern.

It has a little story behind it, because it was this same pattern in a smaller size that first caught my interest almost exactly a year ago and launched me into an interest in sewing (formerly hated) from vintage patterns that has become a passion.

The first dress was very problematic and sized up a lot by an amateur (me!) so it didn't fit well and was a mess in several ways. It was one of my earliest attempts, and was a big learning curve. So when I got the pattern in my size, I quickly paired it for my second version with this vintage flowered sheet, bought contrasting fabric and buttons, and then it sat in my stash for a while. When I pulled it out to make an Easter dress I realized it was a perfect bookend to my first year of sewing.

Needless to say it turned out much better than the earlier attempt!

I love the double breasted look, asymmetrical shawl collar, and self belt. The buckle in my stash was almost the same shade of plum as the buttons – I called it close enough!

Notice the first debut of my refurbished ivory heels! This was also the first outing of my slightly-stained but still lovely crocheted vintage gauntlets; but the hat is a few years old and I wore it last Easter as well.

It's amazing how much easier it came together than my first poor attempt. It is true that practice makes perfect! Well…maybe not perfect. 🙂

What did you wear for Easter?