Introducing the Demure Tea Dress

The Demure Tea Dress is a late 30s dress with shaped waistline and shirtwaist styling, based on Hollywood 1552 circa 1939.

I'm delighted to introduce the Demure Tea Dress - ostensibly September's pattern (October's pattern is on track for release later this month).

The Demure Tea Dress is late 30s dress with shirtwaist styling. The pattern a faithful reproduction of Hollywood Patterns 1552, released circa 1939. This was the first vintage pattern I purchased and made (as seen on the cover) way back in 2010, so it's very special to me.

I’ve made a couple of minor tweaks to the original pattern: I shortened the skirt slightly from the original length so it falls to below the knee rather than mid-calf; and made a small adjustment to the front facing so the collar may be convertible. Other than that it’s exactly as it came out of the packet in 1939.

The blouse meets the bias cut skirt with a shaped waistline in front, sewn with a lapped seam. Soft pleats release bust fullness.

Two styles of sleeves are included: plain darted short sleeve and a bodacious late 30s shirred puff sleeve, which is cut on the bias. There is also an optional pleated patch pocket.

*** Edited to add: I should note that the instructions are also more or less exactly as originally written - I've added some clarification but kept the steps as outlined in the original pattern. The steps to attach the collar and cuffs are unusual in that they propose sewing the inner seam first, then the outer seam, while most sewing patterns I've used (both vintage and modern) sew the outer seam first, then slipstitch the inner. Feel free to use your preferred method!