How to Make a Twenties Dress

Simple, elegant dresses were the fashion norm for the 1920s.

The fashions of the Roaring Twenties emphasized long, straight lines down the female body, with no sign of breasts, waist or hips. Long and lean was the look, with fashionable drapings of soft, silky materials adding a touch of feminine flirtatiousness. Hemlines were just under the knee, with skirts raising above the knee only in 1926 and 1928. You can make a simple but elegant 1920s dress in an afternoon with satin and lace scarves.

Things You'll Need

• Foundation satin slip
• 2 yards satin fabric
• 3 triangular lacy scarves with scalloped edges or
• 2 yards of 18-inch wide lace fabric
• Scissors
• Matching thread

Instructions

1. Put on the slip or have a friend model the slip while you drape and pin the lengths of satin and lace.

2. Pin a corner of the first lace scarf to the right shoulder strap of the slip. Draw the edge across the front in a diagonal line. Pin the other end of the lace scarf to a point on the left side of the slip, lower than the natural waist by a few inches, blousing it out before pinning it down. Adjust the lace so the neckline is higher or lower. If you are using lace fabric, bring it across the waist and then from the left shoulder down to the waist.

3. Pin a corner of the second lace scarf to the top of the right shoulder strap in the back. Bring it across the back and pin it at the low waist line, just as in the front. Blouse out the lace before pinning it.

4. Measure the third lace scarf or a length of the remaining lace so that it is equal to the length of the slip from the waistline. Pin the lace at the waist, and let the long edge fall on the left side of the skirt. The dangling lace will show under the satin skirt.

5. Divide the satin in half. Cut enough from one selvage to make each piece of satin 32 inches wide.

6. Pin one corner of a satin piece to the back left shoulder strap. Pull the edge of the fabric down to the right hip. Make a generous fold, and then pin it at the low waist line. Blouse out the satin and pin it to the center back. Draw the fabric across the hips, make four folds on the left hip and pin them to the slip. Allow the rest of the satin to fall in folds.

7. Complete the front of the dress with the remaining piece of satin, attaching one corner at the left shoulder, drawing it across to the right hip, and then pinning it in place. Blouse the fabric and pin it at center front. Make four folds and pin them at the left hip.

8. Replace the pins with tacking stitches, sewing the satin and lace to the slip.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the lace when purchasing it. The two edges of the lace should be alike, and the lace should not have a right side and wrong side. If you can find triangular lacy scarves with scalloped edges, so much the better.

• Wear a slim belt at the low waistline or attach a rhinestone or pearl brooch to the four folds at the left hip.

References

• Dressmaking Research; 1926 The New Draped Vogue; 2002
• Pattern Review; 1920s Flapper Dress; 2011

Resources

• Fashion-Era; The Masculine Silhouette of 1920s Females; 2011