Vintage Butterick 3738 dress

Thursday 8 May 2008
This lovely Butterick 3738 pattern is undated, but it must be around 1966 because that is when the currency in Australia changed from pounds & shillings to dollars and cents, and if you notice on the pattern the cost is 6'/- or 60c. There was even a jingle at the time to help people remember and understand the change, my mum remembers every word and can still sing it even though she would have only been about 10 at the time!

Anyway back to the dress - it's a simple shift with a gathered front panel with a long centre dart that extends from the bust to the hem. I made this from a lovely navy blue wool, lined with a polyester type fabric in navy blue with white polka dots, both purchased for bargain sums from op shops.

As per the pattern measurments, my bust fit perfectly but my hips should have been 4 inches too big, so I added a bit extra to each seam allowance to provide more room. Big mistake - I should have remembered how much ease these vintage patterns have because the dress turned out to fit perfectly across the shoulders and bust but is a little roomy everywhere else! But cinched in with a belt at the waist, it's wearable until I am bothered to take in all the seams:




Despite this being a little too big, I actually like the extra volume so I may leave it like it is. This dress reminds me of the clothes in those Japanese sewing books, clean simple lines that look a little austere but definately not boring. Whilst in plain navy blue it is very simple, I made this dress to wear with this very cool navy and cream cropped print jacket purchased from Veronika Maine last year, which it goes perfectly with:

Also, navy blue is such a versatile colour, as well as pairing it with red shoes and belt, I have a brown leather and linen belt and shoes that work equally well:

Also a yellow belt and yellow shoes, although to tell the truth I've never actually worn this belt because it's too wide to be comfortable, so lucky I bought it from Target for the princely sum of $5!:

All in all I'm very pleased with this dress, it's so comfortable and I got quite a few compliments at work yesterday so it's definately entered rotation in my wardrobe!

17 comments:

  1. Very nice dress. This reminds me of the navy blue dress I made in junior high sewing class. That would have been about 1965-66.

    It's nice to see how versatile this item will be for you.

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  2. That dress is fabulous - you look great in it!

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  3. Lovely! I don't think I like the yellow belt much but the other combinations are all hot.

    And the switch over date was 14th of February, 1966!! I can still remember the jingle even though I am a bit younger than your mum.!!

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  4. HEY! That's MY Veronika Maine jacket! I think my last comment was something along the lines of "HEY! That's MY fabric in a different colourway!" Spooky. I trust you get oodles of compliments on it - mine always does.

    Frock is grouse, as always.

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  5. alright Livebird you're scaring me know, lucky you live in Melbourne and not Sydney!

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  6. What a great hardworking dress! I love how the accessories change the look and have to remember that for my own wardrobe!

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  7. Look at you, going all Top Model on us with all sorts of quick changes! Are you really orgainzed or were you just having fun digging thru... saying, "And this will go with this and then these shoes..." Your having way too much fun! I do that with material, even before something gets made up! LoL
    Have a great day! Jean C.

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  8. Cute dress! I love that you can change the accessories to give it a different look. Definitely a great basic.

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  9. I think the dress looks great with each and everyone of those belts.

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  10. Beautiful and stylish as usual. Very nice.

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  11. Oh I love that jacket. I came this close to buying it.

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  12. that's really lovely! I can definitely see the Japanese influence in it, you're spot on!

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  13. I finally had time to spend in your blog, reading and drooling over your wonderful garments. I love, love navy and this dress looks very good on you. I like the different accessories and the different looks.

    Instead of leaving comments on every post I'll tell you here that all your dresses, etc are wonderful. I'll be checking back often.

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  14. Wow, that is one fabulous versatile dress! Well done!

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  15. thanks everyone for your comments, mucho appreciated. And Vicki I agree with you that the yellow belt doesn't work that well, but I haven't given up on the yellow combo, I just need to find a new belt! And Jean C - lol, I did go through my wardrobe trying to find things to wear with it..

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  16. I love your blog - since I discovered it, i've read it every day! I was dispairing of finding inspiration for winter dress patterns, but your blog has cheered me up hugely.

    I love the way you mix and match and adapt the old patterns. The navy dress is gorgeous and you've inspired me to make one.

    I like the idea of thrifting fabric but have no idea which op shops have fabric. How does one find them, and where are they?

    Thanks for a great blog, Dee.

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