Another fall sewing project was crossed off the list a few weeks ago! When I made my gray gingham dress earlier this year, I realized it would be a perfect pattern to make again as a fall version with a solid color fabric at some point, but had no immediate plan. That changed when I found a gorgeous wool/rayon fabric on sale at JoAnn in such a nice plum color with a subtle pattern and boucle texture.

I had been pretty good at not buying new fabric this year for the most part, but JoAnn's coupons and this fabric tempted me too much. I did only get 2 1/2 yards of it, and it was barely enough! Especially because I forgot I wanted 3/4 sleeves and cut short sleeves out first. Recutting the sleeves took the very last bit of fabric, and I had to piece the belt!

This is my very favorite kind of solid fabric. I am usually drawn to prints, despite the vast amount of patterns that look better in solid fabric, but a solid like this excites my sewing and design ideas just as much.

Since this was the second time around for this pattern, I was hoping to fix the fit issues. Some of them I did, but I went overkill in shortening the bodice and it ended up way too short. Such a bother! Without a belt the dress almost looks empire waisted. The belt helps put the waist where it belongs, but the waist seam will still peek out above it occasionally. I'm still bummed since I expected this time I would have been able to fix the problem!

Otherwise the construction went easily. Doing it the second time helped a lot since I had already figured out how to do the darts. It's a good thing, too, since it was practically impossible to see the seams in this fabric if ripping out was necessary.

As I expected, the unique dart placement and construction adds such a fun, subtle touch of class and quintessential 1940s style to this dress. The large matte black buttons finish it off nicely.

Despite the dark color, the darts show up rather well. They also give it a square-shouldered silhouette without the need for shoulder pads. They don't lay quite as well as the gray version, since this fabric is thicker, but I had fairly good success with making them behave.

I consider it a perfect autumn classic, simple and classy. It's the type of dress that is interesting but understated enough to allow accessories to shine.

I dressed it up a bit more than my usual look for this photo shoot, with a black velvet-feather wreathed hat, beaded satin clutch, and rhinestone pin. I didn't have a more formal background to go with it, but this dress could easily be a day dress too depending on how it is accessorized. 

This wool blend drapes so nicely. I wish I could find more in other colors! It is one of my very few purchases of apparel fabric from JoAnn that isn't cotton, and so far I am pleased with it.

Like many other classics, I expect this dress will become a fall and winter staple. I'm pleased with how well this pattern coordinated with the fabric to create my initial idea in real life – it feels very period correct!