My second spring project since digging out the cottons was this 1940s house dress. It was a very quick project since it was so simple – I chose a basic pattern to allow the cute print to shine.

I am really enjoying utilizing my plain and basic patterns to make up in print fabrics, like I talked about last fall. This pattern, for instance, I got for the redingote (which I have made in brown and in red) but while I thought the dress was kind of cute and liked the shoulder dart tucks, it wasn't interesting enough for me to push it to the top of my sewing queue. But when sewing with busy prints, a simple dress pattern is essential, so I gave this one a try – and really liked it! 

I actually chose this pattern over my other basic dress patterns because it had no collar or contrast fabric, because I wanted to pair the fabric with pink buttons and belt, and wasn't sure what contrast color to use. So I picked a pattern with no contrast.

It was very easy and fast to put together, which is one bonus of using simple patterns. It probably took me an hour to put the bodice together, and another hour or so to get it ready for the hand work and buttonholes. 

Of course, there wasn't much handwork since I chose the quick and easy route of top stitching a narrow hem on the skirt and sleeves. 

Typical to the 1940s war era fashion, the top is a little blousy and the skirt is more fitted, being only slightly flared.

I used 3 yards of a repro quilting print gleaned at a good sale price from Craftsy and really loved it, despite the need to press it after laundering. The green and pink is not my normal color scheme, but it is so refreshingly spring-like and I actually like this shade of green on me. The fabric was cuter in person than on the website – look at the tiny polka dots scattered through the print. And you know I love polka dots. :-) 

The pink glass buttons were a natural pairing, and perfect since there were 6 of them. 

This is also the first outing of my one and only Rocket Originals reproduction shoes, which were a new acquisition this year. They are directly copied from a 1950s sandal, even down to the style of buckle – which is great, because usually reproductions have modern hidden elastic and that tends to stretch out for me.

The detail on these is so cute, and I love the double strap – although because my foot has such a high arch the one strap is slightly too tight, and the other slightly too long. I am hoping they will stretch to fit my foot better with more wear. These are a nice off white that fills a need for summer comfortable footwear. The off white is light enough that they go with most outfits I would normally choose a true white to wear with. But I still am on the lookout for a true white pair. 

This really was a fun and easy outfit to make and wear. The cotton is very comfy for warm weather wear (once it stays warmed up, anyway) and also goes well with a pink sweater I have so I can layer while it's still cool. 

Plus I love adding this pretty print and cheerful color to my everyday rotation. I feel very 1940s when wearing this dress!