Recently, I posted about the 1930s wedding dress I made for a friend. This is the dress I wore to the wedding.
The sewing deities were with me on this, as I had very little time to make a dress for myself. I was juggling a few paying gigs at the time and managed to pull this project off in less than a day. Luckily the pattern (a re-pro 1930s EvaDress) was pretty simple, with few pieces, and I happened to have some perfect red rayon with small white polkladots. The only slightly finicky part was gathering the bodice pieces into the skirt panel. I doubled the material on the top as a self lining/modesty preserver.
EvaDress SP-7121 (reproduction 1933)
EvaDress SP-7121 By Heather Lee Bea
The belt is separate in this version (Figure 3), and I really should add some belt loops to keep it in place. The skirt panels are cut on the bias which gives them a nice drape, but the top is on the grain, so it does not move as nicely. I’d love to make this again in a soft rayon knit. I might attempt to alter the bodice front to set the gathered bust panels a little higher (closer to my under bust) so they sit in a place more like the illustration. One must also always keep in mind that fashion illustrations especially in the 30s are quite leggy. As a shorter lady with hips, I have to resign myself to the less willowy look…
EvaDress SP-7121 By Heather Lee Bea. Back view.
The pattern actually has the back bodice cut as one piece but I was working around my fabric, so there is a seam at centre back on my version.
EvaDress SP-7121 By Heather Lee Bea. Bow/fabric detail.
It’s nearly impossible to see the tiny polkadots in the full body shots, but I like the subtlety.
I think this would be lovely with a shorter skirt as well (although I did manage to ride my bike in this one)…
Has anyone else tried this or other fun 30s patterns?
~ Heather
