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I actually finished this dress a few weeks ago, then totally forgot to post about it! This is what was originally to be a “Thanksgiving dress”, then slated for Christmas, and it did get finished before Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t wear it. This was one of the dresses on my fall sewing list, but didn’t end up quite the way I had envisioned. Originally, I was going to use this late 1930s pattern, the zipper front view to be exact. However, since society has forever been jaded with the combination of the 1970s pointy collars and front zippers, the first bodice screamed 70s, rather than the 30s. Not being a 70s gal myself (at least, not of that side of the 70s; the more earthy/hippie/Laura Ashley looks I could do), I knew if I made it up as-is, I’d never, ever wear it.
[ excuse the silly imitation-of-a-40s-model pose! lol! ]
Thankfully, I had enough fabric to cut out another bodice (yay for over-buying!), and used the already tried and true Sense and Sensibility swing dress pattern. The skirt I had cut out from the original 30s pattern, but it was easy to work into the new bodice. The fabric is a nice, heavy rayon crepe that drapes beautifully and is perfect for the spate of cold weather right now. I’m actually kind of shocked I didn’t wear it until now! I think I have to be in a certain mood to wear a bright red dress, if you know what I mean? Wednesday definitely was one of those days; I needed a good injection of color as a pick-me-up!
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The bag I’m holding in a couple of the photos is one of my favorites, but curiously a piece I have never actually used. Partially because I believe it came from my great grandmother’s estate after she passed away in 1992 (Mom, am I right on this? My memory is a bit fuzzy!), so it’s a family heirloom. I also had managed to pack it away deep in a box and forgot I even had it. However, looking at it now, it’s the perfect shape for the 40s–I think I need to take it for a spin in public soon!
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Note: Thank you to everyone who entered the cherry brooch giveaway! I’ll be announcing the winner a bit later, so be sure to check back soon!
Gorgeous dress – the colour is perfect on you!
Hi, new reader here. The dress is magnificent. I love the half-sleeves and the tie in the back. Is that a tiny brooch or pin in the center of the neckline? Nice touch.
Stunning! Love the color, fit, everything. And that handbag — superb!
I LOVE that dress!! You know, I really like red on both you and your sister.
As to the handbag…I don’t remember either. It’s hard to remember what was from estate sales, and what was from Grandmother. Could be, but I’m having a hard time seeing Grandmother with that bag. Then again, you never know. She may have had a fashionable streak in her younger days!
Love,
Mom
That dress is absolutely gorgeous! And red is such a good color on you! I’m going to get a copy of that pattern myself and make my own version…I’m completely in love with it!
This is so beautiful. Its funny, I was watching a film set in the late 30′s the other day and was struck by the big collars that one of the female characters wore…I kept thinking, that’s so 70′s. I guess I know why now:)
Love this red dress and I must say, being a handbag addict lol, I love that bag.
Oh! It’s ever so stunning!! I do love that particular pattern! It’s so versatile!!
It looks gorgeous! I love the 1940s model poses too!
Oh its just delightful! It looks stunning on you and I love the color, so bright and so beautiful. It is THE perfect shape for you too. You look absolutely gorgeous and the dress is just beautifully made. Lovely job!
This a lovely dress! I adore the red and the 3/4 sleeves. Stunning! I really admire your blog!
Lovely! I see why you didn´t make it with a zipper
(I recently made a dress from a 40´s pattern that just looks so 80´s haha , thankfully it was just a cheapfabric try haha)
Aboute your dress,is the waist wide enough so the dress is easily pulled over your head when dressing? or is there a zipper or byttons hided somewhere?
Love this dress! I have just started wearing red (it all started with my red shoes) and I agree, there are some days when you just *can’t* summon up the moxie to carry it off.
Your hair looks perfect with this very ’40′s look, and I’m really loving those pumps! Are they vintage, or contemporary?
Absolutely gorgeous! It might inspire me to sew if I thought I could turn out anything even half this beautiful!
Love the dress! I hate how the ’70s ruined some 1930s looks too.
Nice Work Casey! I always enjoy your blog as it is pretty and interesting! Have a great day.
So elegant, I love everything about it. I have a pair of pumps like that with little bows on the front. So pretty!
just a gorgeous dress…and that bag is just wonderful
Wonderful dress and awesome handbag!
I too usually don’t wear solid bright red pieces on just any day, but it looks gorgeous on you! Just a stray thought here; is it just me, or does bright red always mean something special? In December it’s the colour of Christmas, at this time of the year it’s Valentine and in the summer it’s strawberries. Bright red always seems to associate with something, but the “something” changes! Just an idea…
Lol! I always buy way too much fabric and ends up trying to figure out a way to cut out something more from the leftovers =) Sometimes it works, and sometimes not.
Have a great day!
Man alive, it’s GORGEOUS! The brilliant red is SO your color, and all the details – the tie, the fabulous neckline – are just amazing.
Casey, it’s beautiful! You’ve converted me to sewing with rayon, it just drapes so nicely, doesn’t it? You do look gorgeous in red.
Ah! Just gorgeous. And the red really looks beautiful on you x
Casey I LOVE this dress is by far my favirote of all the ones you’ve made. This would be a nice dress to go out on a dinner date with the hubby.
so pretty! and i love the pictures on your wall
I am, as always, so envious of your sewing skills. You look absolutely amazing and the dress is beyond beautiful.
The dress is very very pretty. It looks fantastic on you and red does look great on you.
The first thing that caught my attention was that handbag. It is SOOOO pretty!
Lovely dress, and so flattering– I also cannot believe you haven’t worn it until now!
There’s a good chance your grandmother made that handbag…I often see patterns on eBay for ones just like yours! Those old bags use what’s called corde (or cordet). You can find similar threads online…the stitch definition is amazing. If you post some close ups of the bag, I can find you the old pattern images online…As much as like the bags, all too often they’re black or navy. Very rarely do you see bright colors….
Just perfect outfit!!!
fabulous! in every way!
It’s just gorgeous! I know what you mean about needing to be in a certain mood to wear a red dress, but I find that I never get bored of the red dresses I own.
Great dress! What a bold color! Looks lovely on you. I think I’m to shy to wear such a color. lol
Lovely dress…there’s something about a red dress that just makes one feel like dancing.
Really really pretty ! You’re such a talented sewer !
Wow I love the dress! Every time I see you complete a sewing project, it motivates me to continue mine…even though I’ve been working the same project for months now. I love your bag too, it’s such a unique shape!
So lovely! You look beautiful.
You look absolutely perfect! You definitely can wear it every day.
And that purse makes me swoony.
This dress is gorgeous, the cut and clour are lovely on you.
I really like the way you wear vintage style, you always look polished but never overdone. Just beautiful, well done!
Absolutely stunning. You are quite beautiful in red.
It’s very nice to see how the Sense and Sensibility pattern looks on…your blue version was so gorgeous as well, but if I remember right, there weren’t as many views of how it looked when you wore it. Your blue version inspired me to buy Hollywood Patterns 790, which is almost exactly the same pattern as the repro one (except the skirt back is one piece, with no ties), and sew my own dress in a brown and blue reversible print wool, and I love it! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love it. Perfect.
Incredible dress! Love it! I love swing dresses.
This is why I love blog.caseybrowndesigns.com. Awesome posts.
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