I got this cute quilting cotton off the clearance rack at JoAnn a while ago. I liked the scattered blue flowers, and the larger print. I paired it with a simple post-war 1940s house dress mail order pattern.

I wanted more of a utility-type dress – something that would be cool for summer, and easy to wear for dirtier work when I don't want to wear one of my prettier house dresses.

The comfort of built in cap sleeves gives me a complete range of motion (a common issue with vintage patterns is the tighter sleeves) and they are nice and cool. The only details are the top stitched tucks on the front bodice.

I did not get the fit perfect on this one, but that's ok since this is a casual house dress, and my size fluctuates a lot anyhow. Somehow it ended up too big, even though I just made my usual alterations to make it my size. I may adjust it a bit more before wearing it again.

I intended to use navy blue buttons, but didn't have enough blue in my stash for a button-front dress. I went with these textured clear plastic vintage ones instead.

The pattern also had a tie neck version, but I opted at the last minute for the square neck since it would be easier to wear. If I make it again I'll do the tie version, but I will also make some other alterations or pattern substitutions to make it better fitting.

With such a basic dress, there wasn't much to making it. I think it was completed in just a couple days. I had soooo many buttonholes to make, and so many buttons to sew on! I thought I'd never be done with them.

So this is not my favorite make of the year, or my prettiest house dress, but for down-to-earth busy days, it's certainly practical and not too utilitarian work wear.