Still on the lookout for everyday dresses that don't need a belt, I loved the look of this early 1940s pattern, with the interesting, easy construction and belt-less option rare in vintage styles.

I wanted to make the 3/4 sleeve version in a more pricey fabric, so my first trial was with a thrifted sheet.

I did like the pattern and how easy it was to adjust. I made a few minor changes, including cutting the dickey across the grain to have some fun with the stripes.

And I have to say, I have tried shirt-collar patterns before and they never turned out well, but the one on the dickey was done differently and it was soooo much easier! It consisted of basting the collar to the dickey, then sewing the facing right sides to the dickey, with just a few inches left open for turning. I'm going to try that method on my next shirt-collar project.

I liked working with the fabric, and the border print on the sleeves, but it is most emphatically striped!

Of course it can also be worn with a belt.

I especially liked the fullness the pleats gave the skirt, while retaining a more slender silhouette and a practical working width and length. You can see it clearly because of the busy print, but the back pleat is topstitched – something not in the instructions but on the pattern illustration, so I did it too.

The dickey could be sewn in place if desired, but I just pinned mine in to allow for the possibility of wearing it with one of my other vintage dickeys.

I may actually like this look better!

But worn either way, it was fun to make and a helpful first trial of another vintage pattern on my ever lengthening and evolving to do list.