1950s Blue Sweater Dress

Very suddenly my autumn leaves were covered with snow and my my first winter sewing project had a background to match!

During a thrift store trip a few months ago, I found a 4 yard length of fabric for $3 or $4. I'm not sure what the content is (probably at least mostly polyester), but it was the most beautiful shade of heathered blue – just my color! Plus it was a fine knit weave, yet without stretch. I knew it would make a perfect 1950s winter dress.

I paired it with a pattern I've had for a while, with a full flared skirt and an unusual button closure/embellishment on the bodice. Definitely time to give it an outing.

While putting the bodice and collar inset pieces together, it looked for a moment like nothing that could resemble a dress, but I eventually figured it out!

Otherwise it was pretty easy. The knit doesn't press well (the bonus is that it also doesn't wrinkle!), so I topstitched the collar and closure edges to help keep the corners crisp, and it worked.

I was very pleased with the fit once I'd tweaked it a bit.

That heather! I love the flecks of purple in it. The rhinestone brooch belonged to my husband's grandmother, and it's one of my favorites.

I originally wanted to go with black or silver buttons and buckle, but when I got to making the belt I found I had absolutely no buckles in either color, and the buttons just didn't look right either. I eventually chose the same shade of buttons, and this belt buckle was an exact color match – a recent lucky purchase and the only buckle that possibly would have worked!

I top stitched the belt 4 times evenly across the width to add some sturdiness since I was not going to add interfacing to that thick fabric before turning the belt.

I usually go for a contrast in buttons and buckle, but actually like how this turned out with it all one color. Plus doing it this way adds versatility in accessorizing.

It's definitely warmer than some of my other dresses, and I love how the knit fabric gives it a unique element among the woven fabric dresses in my closet. It looks very period correct even if it feels too polyester-y. Plus it is very comfortable and non-restricting to wear.

The snow on the ground certainly complicates things. Leather soled vintage shoes are slippery and thin! And my yearly challenge begins to find suitable backgrounds during the winter… I need a good indoor or sheltered spot!

I've written before that sewing is no longer usually the economical way to clothe oneself, at least for a thrift store shopper – but this dress was an exception. The whole thing, notions and all, cost me around $3.50 or $4.50 at the most. Now that is definitely the budget friendly way to go.