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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

Singin’ in the Rain dress

March 20, 2014 by Tasha 77 Comments

I’m singin’ the praises of my latest dress!

Singin' in the Rain dress

I know, it’s yet another dress. I think I’ve now made as many dresses this year as in the last two combined. Now that I’ve found a bodice I really love the fit of and can use as a block, I just can’t seem to pull myself away from making dresses. It’s seriously been the difference between me never wearing dresses in my closet and me not being able to sew dresses fast enough to wear.

And I’m really pleased with how this one came together. I made Simplicity 1523 from 1945, which features an inset waistband, a cut-on sleeve bodice with square neck, and a slightly gathered skirt.

Simplicity 1523, pattern from 1945

However, since I already had a cut-on sleeve square-neck bodice that fit me well, naturally there was no reason to try and fuss and fuss with the original bodiceโ€“I just went with the one I used before. Except I lowered the bust darts again, and this time was the winner!

Singin' in the Rain dress

You may also have noticed the vintage pattern is a wrap dress, but I decided I just wanted a straight up normal dress. (However, I’m totally revisiting the wrap dress idea in the future, I love how it buttons at the back waist!) In doing so it meant I had to make some changes, since the back pieces were obviously shaped for the wrap over bit, so instead I just used the front piece for the back as well. I also opted to do a center back lapped zipper although I still kind of like side zippers better, I think. I keep switching between the two as my stash dictates.

Singin' in the Rain dress

I took a chance just using the original waistband with my bodice without shortening it, and it worked out well. In hindsight I should probably have taken the bodice up a bit to account for the 1.5″ wide waistband, as the bodice does get baggy a tad bit when I’m moving around. Of course I didn’t decide that fast enough and I’d already started on a second version before realizing it, so whatever. Not a big deal.

Singin' in the Rain dress

We’re not going to talk about matching the print along the back. Because it’s not matched… because I did it wrong, like an idiot. Pretend you didn’t know that and I just didn’t care to do it, okay?

Singin' in the Rain dress

I’ve named this dress Singin’ in the Rain, and it actually rained the day I took photos! (And was also c-c-c-cold and windy.)

Singin' in the Rain dress

Everyone on Instagram went bananas for this fabric when I previewed it, and rightfully so! It’s a Tula Pink print from the Prince Charming collection that was out a few years ago.

This fabric was probably in my stash the longest of anything, so I’m thrilled to finally sew it up!

Singin' in the Rain dress

I just love the combination of coral, tomato red, aqua and dark teal with these whimsical little rain drops. Seriously, I’m still so in love with this fabric!

Singin' in the Rain dress

I don’t have any other dresses in my wardrobe with an inset waistband like this, but I’m really enjoying the look. I’m already hard at work on a second version, with a slightly different skirt and neckline. What can I say, looks like my sewing for awhile might be variations on a theme! Hope you don’t get too bored. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Singin' in the Rain dress

outfit details

Singin’ in the Rain dress: made by me
Bakelite-style earrings: custom made by The Pink Bungaloo
Bakelite bangles: misc.
shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
cupcakes umbrella: purchased in Ireland in 2010

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Filed Under: Sewing, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: 1940s sewing, clogs, dresses, finished projects, simplicity, vintage sewing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:26 am

    So cute! I love everything about this dress! The color palette is fabulous. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Thanks! Isn’t that a fabulous palette?! I’m kind of obsessing over that nice dark teal, wanting to find some yarn for a sweater to match…

      Reply
  2. Benjamin says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:43 am

    Spiffing print…kimono sleeve bodice…there is no bad here! I give you not one BUT 2 big thumbs up…I’d even consider a third but alas I have only the average number of thumbs!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Ha ha, thanks to you and your average number of thumbs! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  3. Pia Storm says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:44 am

    I LOVE that dress! Absolutely beautiful and the fabric is amazing. Well done! And of course you’re gorgeous as always <3

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Oh, thank you so much! <3

      Reply
  4. Kathy says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:48 am

    What a perfectly fitted dress. And the fabric is fabulous! Once you find a pattern that fits you it is hard to stop, and I can see why you want to sew this over and over again.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply
  5. Michelle says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:50 am

    The dress came together beautifully, Tasha! I really like the waist defining element the set-in waistband brings. It’s very flattering. And, that fabric is excellent!!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Thanks Michelle! I’m really digging the waistband too. I love belts in theory but they never seem to stay put on me (even if there are carriers), so it’s kind of like the effect of a belt without the hassle!

      Reply
  6. Gail says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:58 am

    Just perfect!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:51 pm

      Thanks, Gail!

      Reply
  7. sewlittletime says

    March 20, 2014 at 9:17 am

    i love it! that fabric is just perfect!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  8. Roisin says

    March 20, 2014 at 9:55 am

    GURL QUIT IT. This dress is too good and you look so cute in it!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:51 pm

      Aww thanks! I know you’re a gal who can appreciate a great print, too! ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  9. joelle says

    March 20, 2014 at 9:57 am

    super cute!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  10. Samanatha Rolfe says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:08 am

    You look great. The dress is amazing I love vintage patterns but sewing skills are very much lacking.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:53 pm

      Thanks Samantha! The skills do come with time and I’m always learning (and making mistakes along the way). ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Sammi says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Oh my goodness, what a darling print! And this is so well-made! I am incredibly jealous of your sewing skills. I love all the red accessories you’ve paired with it, too!

    xox Sammi
    http://www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:53 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  12. SeamstressErin says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:47 am

    This dress is amazing! And wonderful! And fabulous!!! LOVE the fabric!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:53 pm

      Thanks, Erin!

      Reply
  13. Naomi says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:48 am

    I absolutely love this dress! Tasha, couldn’t you make a mini tutorial about how you turned the Emery bodice into a kimono sleeved bodice? I’d love to do the same!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:54 pm

      You’re not the first to ask actually! lol I’m planning to do a different but similar tutorial soonish, but it may have to add this to my list. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Naomi says

        March 21, 2014 at 2:34 am

        Yay, that would be awesome!

        Reply
  14. Jane says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Gorgeous fabric, gorgeous dress, gorgeous outfit – you look FAB! That’s all.
    ps. I REALLY want your shoes…. x

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:55 pm

      Ha ha, thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  15. irene says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Wow, this dress is soo cool!! the fabric is great…
    ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:55 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  16. Jen says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:55 am

    The pattern on the fabrics so charming! I love fun prints in making clothes. I think it’s a great and flattering choice for you. And there’s nothing wrong with making a bunch of a type of garment you like. That just means more choices of something you’ll be likely to wear. ๐Ÿ™‚ I also think it would be great with a little red bolero.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:56 pm

      Yes, absolutely! I know I’ll wear and love any dresses similar to this. I agree a red bolero would be a great topper, I’ll have to add one to my to do list!

      Reply
  17. Joanna Kostrzewa says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I love it! The shape, the fit, the fabric to die for!… *^o^*
    I know what you mean about the bodice that fits perfectly, I have one as well and I keep modyfying it a bit and repeating it in new dresses.

    Reply
  18. Louise says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:10 am

    This is stunning, i think, like you once I have found the perfect bodice there will be no stopping me with the dresses xx

    Reply
  19. Marie says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:17 am

    You really are on a dress-making mission this year Tasha…and what beautiful dresses too! I adore this style on you and it’s ridiculously cool that you now have a go-to bodice. Lovely fabric choice too as well ;o)

    Reply
  20. Camilla says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Your dress made me smile. It looks lovely on you. Great shoes.

    Reply
  21. Diane says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Pretty lady!
    Love the red bracelets, too.

    Reply
  22. Shanni says

    March 20, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Very pretty!

    Reply
  23. Nicole says

    March 20, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    I made curtains for my house about three years ago in that same fabric, just a different colorway (this one: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/8b/a1/4f/8ba14fd6ea7997c51e4c89e0d1721b98.jpg). I’m moving this summer, and if I don’t need the curtains for my next house, I am totally making them into a dress like yours!

    Reply
  24. Janey says

    March 20, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    This is darling! I adore it! Perfect for spring! I have a pattern very similar that I made with a sombrero print.

    xoxo
    -Janey

    Reply
  25. Evie says

    March 20, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    I love pretty much everything about this dress! It fits you perfectly, and the pattern and colors are just wonderful!

    Reply
  26. Lauren of Rosie Wednesday says

    March 20, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    I love this one!

    Reply
  27. Hanne says

    March 20, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    This dress is adorable! I love the style and the colors in your fabric! It looks fabulous on you!

    Reply
  28. Deborah Garretty says

    March 20, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous! You look stunning. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  29. Naomi says

    March 20, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Beyond adorable!!!

    Reply
  30. Kirstin says

    March 20, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    That dress is lovely. The little pops of red are so cheerful and your red accessories look great with it! I love your site for inspiration – thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  31. Kaitlyn says

    March 20, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    The shape of this dress is incredibly flattering. Hope you get around to trying the wrap back bodice, it seems such a lovely detail

    Reply
  32. Laura says

    March 20, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    How gorgeous! The shape, the fabric – it’s all so perfect. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  33. Amy says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    That is fabulous!! I love everything about it.

    Reply
  34. Susie says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    Beautiful! It looks perfect on you. I just adore those shoes also. They look so cute on your feet. Wonder how they would look on a size 9/10 foot being that they are clog style. Would you mind sharing the style name of the hasbeens? Much appreciate!

    Reply
  35. Pam says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    Cute! You look like you should live in Seattle! Fun outfit.

    Reply
  36. Philippa says

    March 21, 2014 at 1:53 am

    This is such a great fit on you and such a fun print, too. I am learning that get the right fit, everything else follows!

    Reply
  37. Bec says

    March 21, 2014 at 3:25 am

    I want! Looks smashing, and perfect fit!

    Reply
  38. Sarah says

    March 21, 2014 at 3:39 am

    Ooo that fabric is fabulous and the dress fits you perfectly, no wonder your making a second one ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  39. Laura says

    March 21, 2014 at 3:49 am

    I love the print, and the shape is great on you.

    Reply
  40. Alyson says

    March 21, 2014 at 4:49 am

    Stunning! Fab fabric, lovely fitting and gorgeous styling!

    Reply
  41. Frances says

    March 21, 2014 at 7:42 am

    It’s adorable! I love the colors… I need to find some fabric in the same shades to redo my kitchen blinds with. I’m fascinated by the back button wrap pattern… I’ve been wanting to make a dress with a feature like that for a while, it seems very swirl-esque.

    Reply
  42. Ginger says

    March 21, 2014 at 8:22 am

    This is so cute and looks great on you! Well done!!!

    Reply
  43. Laura says

    March 21, 2014 at 8:44 am

    I happen to be wearing a dress I made from the Prince Charming line right now too! Something about these prints just scream “Spring!”. I adore your new dress, and the styling for these pictures.

    Reply
  44. emily says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:03 am

    This dress is perfection! The cut, the print, everything. I absolutely love it! And it looks fantastic on you. I can’t blame you for wanting to make more, and more, dresses!

    Reply
  45. Miss Crayola Creepy says

    March 21, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Keep the dresses coming! I love seeing all your different versions!

    Reply
  46. Stacia says

    March 21, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    I ADORE this fabric – and the fit of the dress – so lovely!

    Reply
  47. Sarah says

    March 21, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Tasha! This dress is perfect on you! I adore the colours and the shape is fabulous! Make more! More!

    Reply
  48. Jessica Cangiano says

    March 22, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Goodness, do I love every last splendidly fun detail of this wonderful, springtime perfect dress. It’s such a refreshing change of pace to see raindrops in hues other than (just) blue.

    โ™ฅ Jessica

    Reply
  49. Rochelle New says

    March 22, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    This is one of those prints that I fell in love with when it first came out and thought to myself “I should really get some of that.” and then months went by and I forgot about it until your dress shows up and I’m like “DAMN. WHY did I not ever get any of that fabric?!?!?!”. Seriously? So. Cute.

    Reply
  50. Margaret says

    March 23, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Ok, It’s wrong to be jealous, but I AM JEALOUS! This dress is absolutely tops! You got just the right combination of everything here. And as for the print matching on the back, seriously, nobody is going to notice. I notice everything and my eye was not drawn to that at all until you mentioned it. So shhhh ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  51. Kate-Em says

    March 23, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Amazing dress, it really suits you. Will be interested to see the wrap over version too.

    Reply
  52. Lynne says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    A sweet silhouette! You have a knack for choosing fabric and pattern that compliment. I wouldn’t know what to do with a large raindrop fabric. But you certainly did!

    Reply
  53. Annabelle says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    I know I am a little late in commenting here, but I love this dress! It so amazingly perfect – the fabric is gorgeous and the fit is spot on (I need to find myself the perfect bodice block).

    Reply
  54. Andrea @ Mouse in My Pocket says

    March 26, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    This is a lovely dress. I particularly love the print on you. So fun and perfect for spring.

    Reply
  55. Hannah Smith says

    May 30, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    mmm… drooling over this fabric. xx

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Make do and mend (literally) | By Gum, By Golly says:
    March 21, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    […] sewing machine to work on my current dress project, another rendition of the pattern I used for my Singin’ in the Rain dress. (Thank you for all the lovely comments on it! […]

    Reply
  2. Mastering zippers with the help of Craftsy | By Gum, By Golly says:
    March 29, 2014 at 9:01 am

    […] my latest project (another dress using the same 1945 pattern as my Singin’ in the Rain dress), I decided to follow the lapped zipper instructions from Sunni’s Mastering Zipper Techniques […]

    Reply
  3. My birthday balloon dress (aka Sew for Victory wearable muslin) | By Gum, By Golly says:
    April 10, 2014 at 9:36 am

    […] pieces I don’t know why I didn’t just use the skirt from Simplicity 1523 (like my Singin’ in the Rain dress), which (like this pattern) is gathered at each side, above the pocket. So instead, somehow […]

    Reply
  4. Seahorses wrap dress | By Gum, By Golly says:
    May 30, 2014 at 10:00 am

    […] before, it’s Simplicity 1523 from 1945. I used the bodice and front skirt piece to make my Singin’ in the Rain dress. I absolutely adore that dress and love the skirt in particular (an A-line with […]

    Reply
  5. A Coco and a Can-Can | By Gum, By Golly says:
    October 15, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    […] is actually the skirt from my Singin’ in the Rain dress (and various others at this point, it’s one of my favorites), with a waistband to make it a […]

    Reply

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Welcome! If youโ€™re into vintage style, knitting, sewing, and general craftiness, well then grab your favorite drink because youโ€™re in the right place! Iโ€™m Tasha. Read more...

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