Despite all the new patterns clamoring to come first in my immediate attention, I actually found time to make another version of my atomic dress - this time in what is possibly the most retro print possible…blue and white polka dots.

When I first had the idea for this dress, I thought, "I bet that pattern would look great in blue polka dot fabric with white band and cuffs! Wait…That sounds familiar…" and sure enough, one of the pattern illustrations was blue and white polka dot with white band and cuffs.

So, perhaps I'm not terribly original. Or perhaps it's just that…great minds think alike??

The 2nd time around, this dress was much easier through the trouble spots I had the first time. The neck band assembly went smoothly this time, and I got the band seams even with the shoulder seams this time as well. Woohoo! I decided to do the alternate band view or this version, but while it matched up on the shoulders it didn't lay right in the front for some strange reason so I ended up having to take a tuck in it on the center front. It's not too noticeable, I hope.

The cobalt blue, white-dotted cotton was fun to work with. Other than the band, I made few changes from my last version except that I made this version a little longer than the other, and chose to wear it with a purchased belt. Doing a pattern the 2nd time really makes assembly a breeze!

Of course red was the appropriate accent color! Just touches of it, for a vibrant summerish nautical look. Heels, lipstick, purse, buttons, hair bow.

To help make the front seam on the band look like it was intended to be that way, I pinned three vintage red buttons. Pinned because they are glass and I didn't want them to go through the laundry, and also so I can remove them and use a brooch or something alternate.

I wore this dress to help serve at an afternoon tea hosted by the ladies of a local church for the folks at the local assisted living center. It garnered a lot of compliments, and several ladies knew it was 1950s at first glance! That makes me feel like I'm doing something right. 

My first Polka Dot Project this year – it's about time! I enjoyed exploring this versatile print last year, and hope to continue this year. Starting with this dress.

It's a classic…and I have enough of the fabric left to make another dress too, which is exciting. I'll have to think of something different to use up the rest of it. But for now, I'm happy with how quintessentially 1950s retro this dress is.