My 1940 Sew for Victory Cotton Dress

I’ve just finished my first sewing challenge — Lucky Lucille’s “Sew for Victory” challenge!

1940 Peacock Blue Cotton Dress

Lucky me, I already had the pattern (Vintage Vogue 8811) and the fabric and the intention of making this dress for myself anyway.  I previously made this dress for a client and thought it would be cute to make for ME as well!

1940 Peacock Blue Cotton Dress

I used a peacock blue stretch cotton broadcloth and fully lined it.  I thought that a self fabric covered buckle would be a bit too monotonous for this dress and instead used this vintage buckle that I found at a sewing show in the Bay Area a few weeks ago.

1940 Peacock Blue Cotton Dress

I opted not to put the darts in the back and added a little fabric to the bodice so that I’d have more of a blouson effect.

Vintage Brass Button

I found this vintage buckle in my grandma’s button box.  It was used and probably from the 40s-50′s.  I opted not to make a thread loop for the back as I was lazy…..plus, I like ribbon better anyway.

I can’t wait to wear this dress and liven it up with some snazzy jewelry and some espadrilles!  I promise to have photos of myself in a dress the next time I post on here.

Tagged as: 1940 cotton dress, 1940s dress, peacock blue, sew for victory, vogue 8811

This post was written by...

tanya maile – who has written 10 posts on WeSewRetro.com.

I hail from a Northern California cattle ranch where I live with my husband and our fur kids. I've been sewing since I was a wee lass and am in love with fashions of the past -- especially the 1910s and 20s. I'm a former anthro-archaeologist who now spends her days rescuing Border Collies, repurposing "trash", organic gardening and adding to my fabric stash. I sew daily and mostly for myself as a girl can never have too many dresses.

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