This pretty 1960s style A-line shift dress in vintage cotton with paisley print with its empire line, scalloped edges and slightly gathered 3/4 length sleeves evokes perfectly the typical silhouette of the era. Fastens with a zip at the back.
This sweet mid-1930s style cotton dress in a lovely geometric Art Deco print has a front yoke with turned collar joined by original green Bakelite buttons and a jabot, both in cream Egyptian cotton muslin. The arrow shaped belt also in the same cream fabric fastens with a Bakelite button. It also features a centre pleat in the skirt hem, both at the front and back, formed by a triangular peak very typical of the era.
An interesting detail at the back is the triangular shaped yoke with fan like darts in the middle of the peak in the centre.
The 3/4 length sleeves are of the very popular balloon variety, narrower at the upper arm and ballooning towards the sleeve bands.
The dress has a side snap fastening.
Ah, the 1920s. One of my favourite eras in fashion history. As I rarely get the chance to make dresses of this bygone era, I sometimes take the liberty to use yours truly as the dummy and what better way than this sweet little number to prove it. A late 1920s style flapper dress, something Ms Bow or Ms Brooks could have worn.
Made in navy wool jersey, the skirt has two godets both front and back, giving it a beautiful flared effect. Tucks at shoulders and the neck at the back. The jabot is made of original printed 1920s vintage silk crepe. The collar unites with the ends of gabot that have been inserted in two slashed openings at front of dress creating an interesting crossed effect. The fitted narrow sleeves have small triangular wedges at the wrists in printed silk crepe. The dress can be worn with a without a belt, here adorned by a beautiful diamond shaped original mother of pearl Art Deco buckle. Fastens with snap fasteners at the side.
This plaid linen and cream cotton darling is the little sister to the original Nettie dress. Also cut on bias gives it a beautiful silhouette very typical of the 1930s. It features an original vintage 1930s button and buckle.
This dress was originally going to be part of my 2014 “The 1930s bow dress collection”, which didn’t make it at the time, but I’m now adding as a latecomer to the party, in this case minus the bow. And as I always wanted to use this particular original vintage plaid cotton fabric, here is the result;
Cut on bias, with panelling, instantly forming the very popular zig-zag motif of the era, contrasting with the geometric art deco style front panel peaking towards the waist and adorned with a bakelite button, with a slight cowl neckline. Also with a similar v forming at the back. Complemented by a belt with bakelite buckle. With snap fasteners at the side.This sweet little dress would have been perfect at a summer gathering in the early 1930s.
Sometimes you get the time to treat yourself and here’s the result; this sweet early 1930s inspired dress in seersucker cotton has that vibe of the feedsack fabric dresses of the Prohibition era. A very big favourite of the era, cutting fabrics on bias, in this case a stripey one (if they weren’t already printed diagonally) creating the diamond effect, both at the front and the back. The contrasting square collar in navy cotton has the fun, tie like finish and with beautiful diamond shape burgundy bakelite art deco buttons. Fastens with snap fasteners at the side.
This lovely mid to late 1960s style cream wool crepe dress, although very simple in style, has got it’s crowning glory and best detail in it’s large pilgrim collar embellished by golden floral appliques. Fastens with a zipper at the back. It also has pockets sewn into side seams.
This is my very first homage to the early 1940s and the wartime girls. These beauties are all made from original 1940s fabrics.
All available here: etsy-early 1940s dress collection
Lettie
Mildred
Ava
Dorothy
Photography by Claire Pursglove
Here the lovely Lila dress from my early 1930s bow dress collection gets a revamp in navy blue seersucker cotton. The vertical and horizontal panelling with it’s double triangles give the dress the familiar deco touch. It also has Bakelite buttons and belt buckle. Snap fastening at the side.
This beautiful early 1930s inspired dress in navy organic hand-weaved cotton with white stripes is the perfect example of structural deco panelling in horizontal and vertical, creating an interesting visual with peaked Vs both front and back. The large collar is also very typical of the era. The white early plastic belt buckle and buttons compliment the dress perfectly. Side closing with fasteners.
The Vintage Dressmaker 