40s-Inspired Jacket and Peasant Dress

Well, I couldn't have picked a worse day to take outfit pictures. Beacon is being deluged with rain, and the skies are gloomy. (And not that "flattering overcast light" gloomy.) But I'd already done my hair and makeup, so take pictures I did!

This outfit is completely 40s-inspired, a little detour from my beloved 50s. The jacket is my take on bomber jackets of the time period, but made with Burda 7140, view D, a contemporary pattern. I loved the styling on the pattern envelope.

I made mine in a deep navy brushed cotton, and added contrast hand stitching around the zipper and collar.

Have you seen the movie The Master? I didn't really like it (that's a whole other post), but the 40s period costumes were great. I noticed a lot of contrast stitching like this on casual jackets, and decided to try it out. I used regular embroidery floss (4 strands).

I mostly liked the pattern. The fit worked well for me, but the raglan sleeve dart is a bit funky. It sticks out strangely on the shoulder. (That must be why the model is wearing those big shoulder pads!) I just extended the length of the dart, and that helped. The pattern instructions are definitely minimal compared to others.

The pattern is cut rather slim, which is just what I wanted.

The lining is a polka dot ivory silk jacquard and feels rather luxurious.

You may recognize the dress from my Creativebug peasant dress class. (The pattern is adapted from the Portrait Blouse pattern from my book.) It was also 40s-inspired, so it seemed a good match for my new jacket. I never really showed you all the fabric up close. Strawberries!

It's a stretch charmeuse from Banksville Designer Fabrics in Connecticut  and I love how it looks with that delicate bias binding.

A fun little outfit for fall!

Okay, back to my coat!