1918 Dress: Three's a Charm

I had some extra fabric, so made myself a little beret. Forgive the bathroom selfie! 

A few months back I bought a wool/ rayon blend that was on sale. It's a lovely olive colour (autumn colours are my favourite to wear - especially gold, brown and olive). It took me awhile to decide what to make with it. I decided I would try my 1917/ 1918 Past Patterns pattern. I've had it for a few years now, and this is the third time I have used it! The first time was a bit of a debacle, as I was too large for the measurements so added a panel into the bodice. The second time, I think, was fairly successful - I used it to make my half-mourning dress, which can be seen in this post. 

Every time I use this pattern I'm a little more patient with it - and it comes together more successfully. I'm very pleased with the outcome of this third attempt. Also, this is the first time I used the small collar instead of the wide pointed one. 

I hadn't realised, till studying the pattern, that it was heavily influenced by women's uniforms during WW1. It's interesting how much war influences fashion - and the 1910s is a very obvious example of that! 

The inspiration for my beret: British Army, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (copyright IWM - Q 3257)

My sister & I went to the Salt Lake City Cemetery - a perfect place to take WW1-inspired photos! 

Inspired by some research I was doing for one of my novels, I recently bought a Kodak 'Vest Pocket Camera'. This model was used by soldiers, and I wanted to see how they worked! Post more about this will be coming! 

A view of the back.

Close-up. I'm really pleased with how the back of the dress turned out.

It was a perfect, beautiful autumn day. 

Beautiful, serene autumn day!

Clerks in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) lined up to meet Queen Mary, 1917 (Copyright IWM - Q 2494). One can see the similarity between their clothes and my dress.

My lovely sister Rebeccah, who took all the photos.