Finally Making the Dress From 1948 // Rayon Crepe 1940's Dress

Took me long enough. Once upon a time I said I might make this dress from Montgomery Ward Spring Summer 1948, and finally I have made a first attempt! Larger shoulders are needed, as is the matching belt, but one thing at a time all right?
The scans of this catalog are now available on Pinterest: / 1948-mw-springsummer-1948
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Music and Sound Effects from Epidemic Sound.
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But wait there's more! A PO BOX finally wahoo!
First, a disclaimer: So many of you have kindly offered to send me things, including vintage items you may have inherited, and I am so honored you would think of me and of course I do adore vintage treasures, however, unfortunately I only have so much storage space currently! So there is a chance that if something just wont work for me, or doesn't fit me etc, that I may not be able to keep all of your lovely things. Please only send things if you are okay with the possibility that I may donate items I just cannot keep. If you would prefer I put things that I can't keep into the TCH Etsy shop to help raise funds for me and the channel, please specify this in a note or letter in your parcel. Thank you so much!
Bianca Esposito
PO Box 632177
Highlands Ranch, CO 80163
Thank you for watching!

[@amandajpuryer8286]

As a 'blind' sewer I really appreciate your voiceovers. I don't see what you're doing often, but your explanations help me. So thank you. Even on your 'brain fog' days.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Yes this dress is also supposed to have a matching fabric belt with a black floopy bow, I'll get to it sometime once I have a scrap bit of black rayon suitable!

[@charliemum]

Looks better as you did it, the big bow was the only thing I didn't like on the design because there was no black trim anywhere else it looked off to my eye 🤷‍♀️

[@loretta_3843]

@@charliemum I'd have to agree with you 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jenniferharris1280]

I love listening to you babble away at high speed. I need to learn pattern drafting but I keep thinking I don't want to invest that time and energy when I'm not a size that I'd like to build a wardrobe around. As soon as I realized I was doing that, I reminded myself that "I deserve nice things NOW!" and will have to reexamine my priorities. Plus if I have to re-do the pattern later that will be good practice. Definitely going to make a plan for future visits with my sister's oldest, who is my sewing guru.

[@ReisigSeeds]

You DO deserve nice things NOW. You GO!!

[@charlibrown7745]

Your body deserves the dignity and love of being dressed, cared for and presented the best you can no matter what your size or shape. You deserve the same love, care and dignity whether you are a size 4 or 44.

[@paulapercsi8897]

I was at the seaside with a friend of mine, we are both mid 30 and she looked at a young girl and said: I was so stupid when I was her age and thought I wasn't beautiful enough. The time passed, I didn't enjoy that time and I didn't get any more beautiful with age. There is no better time than now, because you don't know what's coming. Enjoy your body, it belongs to you. And if you just can't do that, go do some therapy! I mean it ☺️

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

I stopped sewing because of this mindset. Its taken me ages to realise that I am not wasting time or fabric if my body shape changes, it just means I get to play with more. Please enjoy your wardrobe and you now. You never get to be this age again!

[@doblemaltita]

I'm on this stage now and thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for this comment. We all deserve nice thing, even me.

[@VeretenoVids]

I'll confess that for me part of the charm of your channel is the stream of consciousness narration. 😆

[@rainicascadia5514]

My grandma was a huge influence on me! As a child I liked nothing better than to peruse her immense fabric stash in a room beside her garage. She excelled at quilting, crochet, knitting, and embroidery. Absolutely shaped my life! She died when I was 6. I still have a few fabrics allowed to me via the relatives that be. Such quality in those times! Such profound artistry. Miss that. Anyway, I thank you Miss Bianca for following in the tradition of excellence 💗

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Raini! Everyone loves a treasure room of fabrics!

[@Joo6240]

I absolutely love this dress & the gloves were such a colourful addition! I'm learning pattern drafting with the creative costume academy atm I love the freedom it gives me to draft & Design clothes! I save all your videos im an avid fan of you & what you create! I think you're awesome! Please keep it up you give me so much inspiration & motivation! Thank you 😊 Bianca! Xx

[@natrajkumari]

I'm going to be honest I wash rayon and silk all the time. I have had a few issues with silk charmeuse getting some weird damage, but charmeuse in general is also prone to all sorts of wear damage anyways. Since I always do pre-washes to the fabric I feel like it's just me preemptively marking out the future problem areas so I can cut around them, as once those areas get damaged the garments I make cutting around those problem areas never really have many issues after. For prewashing I usually add some dye fixative to my rayon prints (both for challis and crepe) and wash them on warm with a shout color catcher to make sure the print doesn't bleed, and for silks I purchased already dyed or printed give them the same treatment. Anything I intend to dye, silk or rayon, I will put it in on hot to get any shrinkage possible out since I stovetop dye my fabrics to get a better staying power and not damage my machine. If the fabric is prone to fraying then I will make a tiny hem on each raw edge so I have less of a mess to clean up. After the fabric has been pre washed and turned into a garment, I wash said garments in the machine on delicate with cold/cold for the setting as they need to be cleaned. Haven't had any problems yet, and even for the times I've had to throw them into the wash on warm with the regular clothes for whatever reason I decided I *needed* to, they've held up fine. I just generally don't recommend that because the issue is less the water and soap and more the other, heavier garments tugging on it.

[@kathrynmccarthy]

I always cold machine washed my silks too. I just put them in a delicates bag since I always washed them with a mix of clothing and then hung/lay flat to dry. Never had any problems in the wash.

[@dippiehippie9211]

@@kathrynmccarthy Same here. I put my silk or rayon item in a bag, throw it in with a load of whatever else, use cold water, and then hang them on a drying rack.

[@FlickiChicki]

Same here, it’s what Grandma P did. Aggressive wash first to shrink fabric, gentle wash after. I haven’t had a problem yet with a finished garment. Have had some fabrics fall apart, but it’s not as crushing when it hasn’t been made up yet.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

I think I need a nice giant sink in a laundry room where I can pre hand wash rayons and silks, it would make me feel more comfortable about hand washing the garments afterwards!

[@ma6kaf882]

I agree. I always wash fabrics before sewing at a higher temperature and speed than clothes. I'm lazy and don't like washing by hand. Detergents for silk and wool and the delicate cycle are my best friends. I also try to use French seams and bias binding and not leave any edges unfinished.

[@Lisa-kf4se]

Lessons of the day: Always play piano with your crepe. The adjective 'floopy', also has a noun 'floop' 😃 Teeny paper dress demonstrations are equally helpful as they are adorable. Bianca's "confusing" explanations are still better than anyone else's on KZbin and she is a legend.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Lisa!! ❤

[@rachelkanode2063]

Very pretty dress! I feel like after watching your videos every week for a long time my brain has a "Bianca speech" translator. Not that your explanations are unclear, it's just you have a certain way of explaining that gets easier to understand with the more videos/examples. Like the Victorians had their "finish in the usual manner", there is definitely a "do this in the Closet Historian manner". ❤ Thank you for being our freely accessible internet sewing teacher!! 🙏

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Rachel! Yes it can get rather "do it the way I would do it" 😅🤣

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I seldom sew anymore, but I love watching you pattern draft because it is all about geometry and creatively making 2D materials function as a 3D form. I can usually follow why you are doing something and what the effect will be, but this one has me stumped and it wasn't your explanation, which you underestimate. But, that's ok since watching it several more times will help your viewing number! Thanks again for a wonderful demonstration and lovely outcome.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kathy!

[@dianavoermans]

What a sweet little dress. 🤩 And, though you thought you didn’t, to me it was perfectly clear what you said about sewing this up. And yes please. Make another 🤩 I love all your dresses on you

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Diana!

[@kellyrose3905]

I wash all of my rayon and silk; crepe is definitely the trickiest, because it shrinks pretty much no matter what it's made of, so prewashing is critical. I pre-wash in cold water on the delicate cycle in my washing machine, and I wash the finished garment in cold water by hand; I line dry pretty much everything because the dryer is usually the thing that really destroys fabric (and I like having an excuse to go outside). For crepe, I like to cut a 4 inch by 4 inch square, and then just dunk it in cold water for a few minutes, then squeeze it out in a towel and let it dry; then re-measure and you'll see how much it shrinks. If I can live with the shrinkage, I'll pre-wash the whole thing, then steam it lightly once it's dry; if you press it before you cut, you'll stretch out the fabric and then it'll shrink again when you wash it next. It works a treat. I have a silk georgette nightgown that I've been machine washing and occasionally machine drying for a decade, and it still looks pretty good. I have TONS of rayon dresses that I machine wash regularly and they're still kicking. I cannot be bothered with dry-cleaning. Your idea for the undershirts is a good one; I made dress shields with an absorbent technical fabric, and I wear a slip. "Zorb" fabric from Waoodle is a game changer, and I can't recommend it enough for dress sheilds or other absorbent items.

[@catsandcrafts171]

I think pattern fabric is always harder to follow than plain fabric, but I followed it all just fine, I don't think you should worry. :) Also self-lining is harder to convey on camera. But hey, who wants all boring plain dresses, eh?! :D Thanks for all you do, it's great fun and your designs just seem to really catch my imagination. x

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! 💜

[@Ventura0404]

Oh my goodness you make Some of the nicest dresses

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@MysteryMommy1]

I love to listen to you chatting with us, describing what you’re doing.

[@joanneeverett3349]

So glamorous, just love those clothes and shoes from that era. I remember pictures of my mom from those days. Fun fact when the ladies were married in the winter in Saskatachewan and had wedding pictures taken outdoors the bride often stood on her coat in the snow, better lighting but at -40 and lovely shoes it got a might chilly on the feet, hence standing on their coats. Of course that could have been just my weird family!

[@historical.isolde7918]

"I don't have a shoe in the right colour" Well, all the more reason to get one! You mentioned wanting a buttery yellow shoe- Mariah Pattie did a great video over on her channel about her dying a pair of white American Duchess shoes yellow for an Emma costume. Possible future project? Or more effort than it is worth?

[@talllala]

I REALLY appreciated your mini paper dress demonstration because, as a complete beginner to pattern drafting I felt like I was watching something in another language at first. But once you showed the paper it all magically came together and made total sense! Thank you for all the effort making these videos, much appreciated!👍🏾

[@mittzygirl1820]

lOVE, lOVE Vlogs in which you show us how to cut & achieve these 45 /55's dresses. Love all your vlogs, but most especially these. I was born Sept 1949 so you're right on my street. Hugs, hugs.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@ah5721]

Hope the brain fog goes away I know it sucks . my does me in lately . I will have to rewatch when I'm back out of the mists. Thank you for showing us how to make these nifty dresses !

[@AprilAiteen]

I don’t think I’ll ever understand how you just DO that stuff. Like it’s easy or something. Looks like sorcery to me! I’m in awe.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I promise other things seem like magic to me, like all chemistry for example 😅✨

[@paulapercsi8897]

Thank you future - future Bianca for explaining. I too love past Bianca with her wrambling, so leave her alone! That wrap is genius!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Paula! 😂❤

[@rebekkawacherhausenwichman236]

Like this dress and project!!! Great you explained on the little paper model, cause I was a little bit lost for a moment, but all make sense now! I think the busyness of the fabric made it harder to see what you were doing but it is the perfect fabric choice for the dress! Please do more pattern drafting from vintage 1940s fashion plates -I love it ♥️👍😍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Rebekka!

[@jlgreer01]

Another beautiful dress! I enjoy listening to the babble… and seeing your methodology. How you get from a picture, to a dress is an amazing process!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Janice!

[@valeriewade3688]

After the wrap back top demo, I made my first wrap front dress.( I always wondered why thw commercial patterns didn't fit and you solved that mystery) You'e so right about having block patterns I can make any dress I fancy Now I have the problem of too many dresses and too much fabric Hey ho! You've gotta have some vice! Right??

[@TheClosetHistorian]

I'm so glad to hear this! I have the same problem ✨💜

[@sarahpitcher3996]

Too cute. That fabric is great! I would love to see a 1940s style ball gown dress or inspired dress!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Sarah!

[@caoimhenimhuireadhaigh1303]

Oh my goodness, this fabric is perfect for a black spring dress!

[@GrooveyBobby]

That’s a very pretty dress and I love the idea of the step through..nothing worse than your wrap taking off in the wind lol…as normal you are so very clever hugs to the furballs xx

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Tracey!

[@Braisin-Raisin]

When I was young (I am 80 now and still draft and sew), wrap-arounds were very popular and I loved wearing them - so flattering, so easy to wear. The one ypu created is stunning and it suits you to a T.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! This dress is so easy and fun to wear ✨

[@kaytiej8311]

Great video. Helpful and entertaining, as always. Your dry wit never disappoints! Hope the following helps. (It's really difficult to describe a process I do without thinking because I've done it for so long! But of course, that's what you do constantly!) Hand Washing rayon - 1. Use a gentle wool wash detergent. 2. Stains should be pre-washed with cold water only and a gentle bathroom soap. Don't scrub the fabric. 3. Never use anything warmer than a mildly warm temperature water for the wash and cold for rinse. 4. Don't agitate the garment a lot. Just massage it to move the water through the garment, not the garment through the water. 5. Allow to soak for a brief time, maybe 5 minutes tops. 6. Squeezey-massage over the garment again. 7. Lift and squeeze out the soapy water - NEVER wring or twist. Just squeeze out the excess. 8. Empty tub and fill with clean, cool water. 9. Replace garment and massage to remove soap. (May need to repeat this step until the water is sudsless. [Is that a word even?] ) 10. Lift garment and gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Longer garments can be folded over in half to make handling a little easier. Sometimes I put them through the spin cycle of my washing machine but you need to know your machine characteristics well and the fabric properties. 11. Shirts, dresses, tops can be hung on a hanger, where they can drip. Make sure shoulder seams are aligned with hanger edge and with top arm scye on the extreme curve of the hanger to reduce stretching. Skirts and pants can be pegged by the waistline to the under rail of the hanger - alternatively, peg to on clothesline on the back waistband as close to the side seam as possible. 12. Press as preferred when dry. I never dry clean anything except my husbands suits. I've washed wedding dresses, silk, wool, and all manner of things with no ill effects for decades. TIPS: Treat the garment gently but firmly. The hanging of the garment is crucial to the outcome. Think of the circle skirt, how it drops across the grain? A garment should be hung as close to the structurally strong points as possible to reduce stretching, warping or twisting. Happy to chat more on this topic. I'm not a professional laundress but I've had lots of experience!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kaytie!

[@CarolSmith_authoress_]

I wear the space age long sleeve shirts under most of my clothes for their moisture wicking properties. I'm happy to report that it does extend the time between dry cleaning.

[@criticalmaz1609]

I find it very comforting to listen to Bianca ramblings while I (attempt to) draft my own patterns. Hit a bit of a roadblock with the Butterick method but found an excellent hack on Mariah Pattie's channel so now the power of the block pattern is mine. Huzzah!

[@janethagy8871]

Those "tangerine" gloves!!! Exquisite!!

[@Sew_Learning]

This dress is gorgeous on you. The cut drawing helped to explain the process, which made perfect sense. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your explanations made sense. The fabric, although perfect for this dress, just made it a bit difficult to see what was happening. I always learn something new from you 💖 Sending best wishes from Down Under💚💚🌺📚🐈‍⬛🐈🌸🇦🇺😎

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Rhonda! 💜💜💜

[@mariejenkins8971]

You are amazing, simply amazing. The way you eyeball things, snip here, snip there and create a garment that fits you beautifully. I follow my pattern to a T, and still have fit issues. 😃

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Marie! Having a custom fit pattern helps 😅🧵

[@gowriwarrier2370]

Don’t be so hard on yourself! I understood everything you say perfectly well, and I’m a very beginner at pattern drafting and sewing. (Though the paper model explained by Future Bianca certainly helped.) I love wrap dresses, so I can’t wait to try this one out myself!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@kefirasun8963]

I'm loving the subtle bride of Frankenstein vibes the streak in your hair is giving lol! Thank you for sharing your process and thoughts along the way. I'm a self taught beginner sewist and I've learned so much from watching your videos. You may feel like its messy or chaotic, but it works, it makes sense! Messy, chaotic, classy gothic must be my jam 🤣🤣🤣 Keep up the great work. Thank you so much.

[@kfries1282]

That one little flashback of the paper model near the end reminds me of those sentimental flashbacks with Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" playing over top

[@bunnies2000]

I 100% hear you on wanting jewel tone cotton sateen and Rayon crepes! Patterned fabric is gorgeous but loud and hard to match!

[@marcellacruser951]

My mom was quite an accomplished dressmaker, and her way to render a DCO rayon hand washable was to do controlled preshrinking. She'd buy extra yardage, bind the raw edges and then wash it on cold/gentle cycle and hang dry pinned along the selvage x2. She'd then dry press the yardage first, then re-press with plenty of spray fabric sizing on our big table, making sure the grain lines were straight as she pressed, avoiding restretching it while it was damp with the sizing (slowly pressing straight down until it was dry bf she'd slide/wiggle the iron). The same technique works on silk if you're willing to accept an increase in texture/thickness/some loss of sheen. I only ever saw her do that for silk she was using for structured dresses, bottoms and suiting, and she did do test swatches first. Pressing didn't require as much fussing. I never saw her do a lightweight silk, only a mid-weight. She said that you have to be mindful that the silk would fade with each washing and to be sure to hand wash, dry it away from sunlight to preserve the color and never, ever do it with a print. She also used an alum or Cream of Tartar rinse on the fabric to re(?)set the dye. I'm not a dyer, so I have no idea about the efficacy of that but she did it. Personally, I've done the rayon (also requires a good swear word vocabulary), but I've never attempted the silk out of pure cowardice. 😁 I'd rather a good quality poly silk if I really want to wash it.

[@rinaeperron7746]

Fabulous!!!! Just FABULOUS! ( Your paper dress was a genius way to show us what you were describing!)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Rinae!

[@imdivyamenon]

this fabric is gorgeous to look at even as you're sewing it 🤩

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@cathyandersen2984]

Like a double exposure picture...a shadow over a focused picture ❤️

[@janecampbell4486]

Brilliant! I loved that. You did make me laugh and I ❤️ love your ramblings. We don't have a cat so when hubby is at work, I talk to my sewing machine. Take care.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Jane!

[@kkweldy]

The tiny paper diagram was super helpful. 😀

[@TheCatmyers]

Yours turned out much nicer than the Montgomery Wards one. LOVE your sleeves and the way you attached the side seam at the bottom - genius!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Cathi!

[@nonakabyrd5759]

Very flattering! Just lovely!!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Nonaka!

[@janicek6399]

It used to be a normal, common part of getting dressed to wear underarm pads. Those were washed after each wearing so our nice dresses were spot cleaned as needed. If you have a complete Wards or JC Penney catalog until mid 1970's you can find them. I don't remember what the cost was.😉

[@alexandraleigh]

it is well worth the wait its awesome! I love the "Cause I want to" Mantra we can all use in our sewing and designing for sure!!♥

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Alexandra!

[@quicksilvertears921]

This is one of my favorites. Of course, I say that every time you post something new. Your drawing and mini paper dress explained everything well.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!! 💜

[@colettebramwell-colyer]

I don’t mind your ramblings lol it’s basically how my brain works most days. I totally get it! The dress is beautiful. :)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Colette!

[@phranerphamily]

So cute and elegantly summery

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Darylyn!

[@traceybradshaw]

Stunning as usual Bianca. I can watch you draft patterns all day 🥰

[@reginafranklin9659]

I usually do, in the background as I work.

[@loribledsoe2795]

me too 😁

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Tracey!

[@TheFreckledLassSeamstress]

Your paper model is awesome! I learn something every time I watch your videos. Keep up the amazing work

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Amber!

[@baharpiena9246]

The little paper pattern made me understand better how the construction of the dress works😅.

[@octavia088]

I wash silk and wool in Orvus Paste, a soap usually used in washing sheep and other animals. So it’s a good product for washing animal fibers like silk and wool. You only use a spoonful per load of laundry. Dissolve a spoonful of paste in about a gallon of water, then add that to the laundry. Wash in cold water on delicate cycle. Hang to dry. You generally have to buy Orvus by the gallon at a local feed store or on Amazon. It takes a long time to use it up, but it keeps. I have a friend who washes all of her clothes with it because it is cheap when compared to Tide and others.

[@CS-lk2ys]

I never would have thought to sew a seam to the bottom half of a wrap dress like you did. It's a brilliant idea if you don't want the dress to blow open. I'm learning so much from you!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@reneemarais431]

Wash silk in very luke warm or cold water with baby shampoo. Don't wring. Softly press out water. Place in a towel and roll to remove more water. Let dry flat in a warm place not in the direct sun. Same for wool or cashmere.

[@MichelleSMV]

Watching this definitely makes me want to make a wrap dress. The fabric you used is also really pretty. I really like the pattern. Mad respect for you lining the dress with itself tho lol...I'd totally sew it inside out on accident lol 😆

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Michelle!

[@lorigillespie8729]

I love that fabric. The dress turned out beautifully, as yours always do, but this one is especially flattering on you. You have such a pretty figure.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Lori!

[@carolbarbee5653]

It's a beautiful dress I love it you look great in it😍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Carol!

[@louisegogel7973]

Very lovely design! tyvm

[@baricala]

This fabric is everything! You look wonderful in this dress!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Leonardo!

[@lynnniblock8355]

As always Bianca, I love your creations, loved this pattern drafting and fabric, the colours suits you too. Can we have more like these please. 😊✂️🧵💕💕

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Lynn!

[@lwe4774]

Everything you make is so. damn. gorgeous. ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@brokenmolar]

I started using safety pins to mark right sides and fronts and that seems to help my brain do the things. I looooove your fabric and the final product!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@lucindamerryfield1940]

So lovely, you look great. I really enjoyed watching this sewing project. Makes me want to make one of my own. Simple elegance is so appealing to the eye.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Lucinda!

[@Ventura0404]

No you explained it very well. I like your version of sewing the flap down

[@chippewagirl7299]

Love this dress, pleAse do more of this style. Thx

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Beautiful! The drape of your fabric is perfect for this style...in my opinion of course. 😁

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Dannie!

[@vnickcolvin4971]

Would love to see another dress made with this pattern 😊

[@AlabasterClay]

That was a beautiful dress! Thanks.

[@wamake11]

What a great dress!! Like to see an ather dress...love your explaning...makes my day...every time😉👍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@ShannonLambert]

The paper wrap dress model was super helpful, thank you. And I really like this dress! Beautifully done.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Shannon!

[@kathleennewbern480]

This turned out so nice! I love a higher neckline on my wrap dresses, too. Sewing the skirt at the bottom to avoid flashing during a stiff breeze is a great idea.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kathleen!

[@inkynfrost3183]

Beautiful and so flattering. It was great having you demonstrate with the little paper model how it all worked, it made perfect sense then.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@fraeuleinrosenmaier]

I like the skirt construction! Very clever!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Iris!

[@kathrynmccarthy]

Those skirts were a really interesting pattern drafting challenge. I really enjoyed watching you tackle this project! The 40s have so many interesting design details that we don't see anymore these days. 🤔Hmmm, I have some beautiful rayon batiste that would drape beautifully in a skirt like this, so I'm thinking I'll make a dress with a skirt like this! For my rayon, I've always machine washed and dried the fabric before cutting and then cold machine washed and hang dried the finished garment without any shrinkage. I think it just depends on the rayon if it shrinks or not. You could wash/dry a test square to see which ones are machine washable. If I remember right, it might be nylon that has the bigger shrinkage problem? I haven't sewn with silk in a few years, but when I did I always hand washed it or machine wash delicate + put it in a delicates bag and then hung/lay flat to dry. And that's for silk charmeuse and silk chiffon to boot! As long as you immerse the whole fabric in water you shouldn't get spots. And then steam the heck out of it to get the wrinkles out, lolll

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kathryn! I really think I just want a giant sink I can hand wash yardage in 😅

[@cathyandersen2984]

Wrap dresses suit you beautifully!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Cathy!

[@wrenfrancis7032]

Beautiful dress and very informative as always! A little hard to see the details with such a bold print, but the end result is gorgeous. You've taught me so much about drafting and helped me understand flat patterns. Thank you! I recommend reusable/washable dress shields or disposable pit shields. Costumers in film use them to protect garments and it might be a great solution! No need for a giant hand-washing sink for your delicate fabrics.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I do use dress shields in my Victorian costumes for sure, as washing those gowns is far more impossible 😅

[@rosepitts3274]

i like that this dress is wrap style but doesn't have to rely on those clips to keep the whole thing together.

[@nettie607]

Lovely dress! I would love to see it in a different fabric. And I love listening to you talk/ramble.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Annette!

[@cathyoverson]

I LOVE that dress! The fabric is perfect for it

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Cathy!

[@jacquelinewalker1435]

Lovely dress and fits beautifully. I really like listening to your commentary, it makes me smile. Keep it up please.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Jacqueline!

[@SewTexas]

Was not confusing at all. Nice summer dress and flattering to your shapely figure! Nice to know you have the 40's covered--I love those styles. I find that it is a wonderful ability to know you can create just about any design, by changing up your basic pattern pieces. Personally, my preference is to drape using muslim and draw a pattern from muslim, I get a better fit, and that is how I learned at university, so much fun and satisfying. You always inspire me!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Renee!

[@Susanfuzz]

Lovely!

[@marlenestitches7523]

Oh, you've noticed the low-quality, thin, barbed pins available, anymore. Having a sheet of extremely fine sanding paper helps, too. I enjoy watching your process. Thank you for your patience in producing your videos.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Marlene!

[@MisSiszY]

Sultry vintage has got some great dress shields / ds patterns that will help minimise washing. And also many handwash laundry tips. I think you might find the sweat wicking shirts just wick the sweat to the outside, which is where your dress will be. Maybe going old school and just getting some linen shifts would be good?

[@dellymel9840]

Another lovely creation. Great video as usuap. Thank you xx

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@Sakasha28]

Not sure if anyone suggested this and not sure if you are still reading newer comments but maybe wash like it's a hand knitted garment. No rinse wool washes can be used on delicate items as well as wool. A good brand that has nice smells is Soak. Put a small quarter sized amount in a basin or tub, luke warm or cold water and soak for 15 minutes, pull out and press the water out. You can put the garment into a washer to spin dry and then hang to dry.

[@JennLeeFoster]

Love the paper explanation… definitely helps.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Jennifer!

[@marcco44]

a work of art, Ms. B!! and love the owls!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Marcco!

[@glennanderson9340]

👋👋👋Beautiful dress that looks amazing on you!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@miriamgillham6701]

Amazing make. Absolutely fabulous viewing, i always enjoy your videos. I always follow your videos to the end. Your pattern making is so much fun. I have been sewing for 55 years and pattern making for about 40 and I am constantly blown away by how fearless you are in your approach to your pattern drafting and sewing. I am a total fan of Crepe Rayon and have sewed it for many years until it was suddenly… unavailable. Sad day actually, so I am thrilled to find someone sewing with it and also knowing that it is available, in some places. Just so wonderful and your video about this make so much fun. Super cool.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Miriam! It’s hard to find rayon crepe for sure, I’m always on the look out for it!!

[@miriamgillham6701]

@@TheClosetHistorian I’m quite envious. Made some gorgeous mermaid tail straight skirts out of it years ago, they were so swish! Lovely fabric.

[@chermarano]

Hand wash rayon and silk in a gentle shampoo and cold water. Roll in a towel to absorb excess moisture. Hang dry. Steam if it's wrinkled. The weight of the garment may help to pull out some wrinkles. I hope this helps.

[@MysteryMommy1]

Gorgeous dress

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Liz!

[@bluestar.8938]

Ace, lovely. Thank you me dear : )

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@killamoosdraree730]

For garments that are "dry clean only" I will typically extend the time between cleaning by spritzing the bits that tend to get sweaty with cheap vodka immediately after wearing. The vodka kills most odor causing bacteria. When the vodka spritz stops working too well (usually a build-up of skin's oily secretions), I spot clean using vodka again by placing a white towel beneath the spot, heavily saturating the area with vodka spritzing from the outside of the spot towards the center, covering the area with another clean white towel on top and pressing down. This typically causes the oiliness to dissolve into the towels quite nicely. I can get away with wearing a garment several more times between trips to the dry cleaners by using this method. If I spill food on the garment, it's definitely off to the cleaners however since this method does not work for all stains.

[@julieannsmithmusic]

Soooo glad for a 40's dress and a wrap one too! My favorite era. Do more please!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you JulieAnn!

[@yobespierre]

your verbal chicken scratch makes more sense than you think it does. the dress came out great!

[@sarahlongshore2605]

Not confusing at all. This dress is gorgeous!! But then again it's a 1940's style so it's gonna be gorgeous!!!!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Sarah!