Red 40s Dress 2 The Prudent Homemaker

Winter originally made this dress for Christmas, using some fabric that was given to me by a reader a few years ago. 

She was inspired by the dress Queen Elizabeth wears in “A Royal Night Out.” 

 Red 40s Dress 3 The Prudent Homemaker

She used a pattern she already had, but then made lots of changes, as she was unable to find a pattern that had all of the features she wanted. She drafted a collar for the dress and put pleats in the skirt to gather the fullness in the same places as she saw in photos of the dress from the movie. 

To give the dress the fullness it needs, she wore a crinoline under it. She made the crinoline for her Halloween costume (when she went as Alice in Wonderland) and has been enjoying using it to add fullness to the dresses she is sewing.

I already had thread in this color, so the only thing she needed to buy for this dress was a zipper!

Red 40s Dress 1 The Prudent Homemaker

 I have to admit, it’s a lot of fun watching my eldest learning to love vintage dresses as much as I have since I was young!

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53 Comments

  1. I think it is just beautiful…wish I had the talent and the courage to start making something like that…your daughter is very talented!! And it is inspiring…maybe I can learn to, but maybe start with a simple skirt or a blouse!!

  2. She has a wonderful talent. I just love that color on her. It looks so pretty. She is a beautiful girl.

  3. So beautiful! She is talented and I love her name. 🙂 I know the overwhelming joy it brings to see a child create (my younger son is an artist)!

  4. Wow, she is an awesome seamtress. I have been looking to buy a dress for a wedding we are attending and I just can’t seem to find one. They are either too slim-lined for me, the neckline is too low, or the hemline too short. My husband said I may just have to make a dress. I haven’t in so many years but I am ready to dust off my sewing machine. I love vintage syle too! She is a beautiful young lady and I am sure you are so proud of her! You have been a very good example and influence to her! Have a wonderful day!

  5. Loved that movie- we watched it at home for a date night! Great dress- the jewel toned color and fabric are so beautiful!

  6. I was in the same boat and advertised that I needed a seamstress. She did a wonderful job and only charged $150 (I supplied material and pattern). Worth considering!

  7. Beautiful dress. She is a talented and hard working teen. You and your husband must be so proud of her.

  8. What a beautiful dress and a talented daughter! The last photo of her makes her look like a princess;). Wonderful photo!

  9. Bravo, Winter! What a beautiful, classic style dress she has sewn. LOVE the colour too!!!! I can’t believe she designed the collar herself. Wish I was that talented with my sewing skills. Thank you so much for sharing these sewing projects. They’re some of my favourite posts you do, Brandy.:D

  10. She really looks great in that color. I love the style–although I have not seen the movie. She is refining her sewing skills with every new project, too. Well done.

  11. Winter is so talented and did a beautiful job! Are your younger daughters beginning to show interest in sewing as well?

  12. I am a frequent reader but haven’t commented until now. I just want to say that your daughter is such a fantastic young designer. I love the vintage flair she has. She is also stunning.

  13. Now THAT is a DRESS! Just GORGEOUS! That color is simply amazing, and it suit Winter perfectly. And I must say I prefer Winter’s interpretation over the original inspiration. The brocade used in the movie was pretty, but really too pale to be complementary.

  14. Perhaps a future career as a costume designer; especially for period films or productions. She should start developing a portfolio of her work. It would also be helpful I she decides to apply to art or design school.

  15. Lovely dress beautifully modeled. It may vintage inspired but I would call it classic. With a longer skirt it would be perfect for a formal function.

  16. Winter did such an amazing job copying the dress. It is really beautiful and is such a complimentary colour for her. She is very talented – I know how slippery that fabric must have been to sew. I can’t wait to see what she makes next.

  17. I just have to add in with everyone else. The dress is beautiful and I know her sewing skills will serve her well in her future. I’m sure she will do whatever she wants to for a career, and the skill will come in handy for her when she is a mama, as well.

  18. I had to check out the movie preview on You Tube, as I had not seen it, or the dress …… Winter’s dress I prefer, she caught the neckline so well, but her skirt is fuller, and that is prettier than the dress in the movie. Yes also a much richer colour! Bravo for working with the satin Winter, it is not an easy fabric. I notice you chose to make the little sleeves a touch longer than those in the movie, possibly more comfortable too. I hope you have a happy event for your dress. Ann Lee S, Vancouver Island, BC Canada
    ps: we are expecting 5 – 10 cm. snow tonight.

  19. Gosh, Winter is so talented. She is making some stunning clothes with such attention to detail. I love that color!

  20. Such a beautiful dress and a beautiful young lady. Very becoming and such a pretty style.–elegant.
    Sharon D.

  21. You may want to take a look at eShakti (http://www.eshakti.com/), an online clothing company from India. I have about 8 dresses from them and really like each one. They can be made to your exact measurements, and the neckline, sleeve length, and hemline can be changed. Some online, overseas clothing companies are a bit dodgy, but I’ve had excellent dealings with eShakti.

  22. All of the photography is so beautiful on your site! I am a home sewer and I’m inspired by her dressmaking skills at her age. Lovely dress for a lovely girl.

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