A couple of years ago I purchased a bolt of Irish linen manufactured by Belfast Mills. The linen is off-white with a beautiful feel and nice light weight; probably produced in the 30s or 40s, but possibly earlier. I’ve been hesitating to cut into it, but I finally got up the courage.
The machine appliqued apron motifs were cut from a piece of vintage novelty chintz, and the dress was made with new fabric that I think has a vintage look. It was a nice surprise that my local Joann’s has begun carrying some good quality cotton fabrics. There were several designs I liked, and it gave me an opportunity to use some of those ubiquitous coupons.
This dress and apron were made using a vintage size 3 pattern, although I made a few changes. The pattern pieces (dress and apron) were lengthened by several inches, since contemporary toddler dresses are worn a bit longer than their vintage counterparts, and I added the scalloped edge. The entire yoke is faced so it has a finished look inside, which these patterns almost never call for and which I don’t understand at all. There is a 4 1/2″ hand stitched hem.
Belfast Mills Label
