Hi, I’m Lily and I blog over at Mode de Lis! I adore vintage styles and wear them all the time, and what’s even better- my sister does, too! 🙂 When I saw Emily Hayes’ Shabby Strawberry line of fabrics I knew they were just the ticket for a perfectly summery dress and my sister made the perfect model.
I compiled a Pinterest board of strawberry-themed fashions from the 1940s and 50s to get some inspiration, and in the end I decided to keep the dress fairly simple to allow the fabric to have center stage.
Cotton dresses are perfect for summer and the boatneck and sleeveless bodice are so quintessentially 1950s. 🙂 The neck and armholes are both bound in narrow bias tape and finished by hand. A micro polka dot fabric worked as the perfect accent touch!
At first, I was a little wary of how blue the foliage was rather than being a true green, but now I think it’s perfect! So very retro, and in the best way! 🙂 Added bonus- it looks right at home in our aqua/red kitchen!
I used a vintage pattern from the 1950s and followed the suggestion to add contrasting fabric in bands along the skirt. The skirt is made according to the pattern- 3 whole widths of fabric! It gives such a great shape and I love how tightly gathered it is. 🙂
Thanks Penny Rose for such wonderful fabric!