Easter sneaked up on me this year, so I didn't have time to make an elaborate Easter dress. When I realized Easter was just next week, I quickly looked through my immediate to-do list to see if I could make one of those projects do double duty.

Sure enough! I realized this lovely floral cotton would be just the thing. Even more fun? It's from a new quilting collection by Riley Blake Designs called Faith, Hope & Love. How appropriate was that???

I love pink and blue together; in this print the touches of gold are the perfect highlight, and the watercolor floral was so springish. It comes in several colorways, so I highly recommend you check it out if you like it!

I paired it with a vintage mail order 1930s pattern I have long owned and never made. It doesn't open down the front, but my baby girl is weaned enough that I knew I could wear it for a few hours on a Sunday morning.

The front has some cute neck detail with the pleats and shoulder yoke, but overall it was definitely one of those quick and easy dress patterns that only take a few hours to make. Which was good, since Easter was rapidly approaching!

The front and back bodice gather into the skirt, so for a good fit I just made the skirt fit me, then gathered the bodice into the skirt. Easy peasy.

The illustration showed buttons on the neckline between the pleats, and I liked the idea. Instead of using matching ones, though, I chose several of my different white ones so I could use up some orphans.

Trust the 1930s for their attention to sleeves – this pattern did not disappoint. It also had a flutter sleeve option, but I love the darted V sleeves the most.

Things are slow greening up this year, and no flowers are blooming yet here, so I wasn't able to get the kind of Easter photos I would have liked. But I didn't want to wait to document it and I have enough flowers on my dress to make up for it!

I love the longer length of this decade's fashions. I did a 2” hem and still had a nice graceful length to the skirt. BUT I did have trouble squeezing it all onto 3 yards. I ended up having to cut the sleeve cross grain as well as taking a big pleat out of the height to fit it on – but it turned out just fine. You would never know!

So another long-hoarded pattern finally sees the light of day! I am thoroughly enjoying my spring sewing thus far. It's a delight after several months' break to have lots of ideas and motivation.

Since I have started sewing, I've made 4 1950s patterns and 1 1940s pattern for Easter. It was definitely time for a 1930s style Easter dress.

Happy Easter!

His glories now we sing

Who died and rose on high –

Who died eternal life to bring,

And lives that death may die!