I have seen the trousers of Simplicity 4044 pop up in a lot of places recently, maybe due to Lucky Lucille’s 1940′s sewalong.
The actual sewalong slogan is “Sew for Victory”, and from the start I felt a little bit awkward about it but could not put my finger on it until last week, where my friend spelt it out. Basically the title references the second world war era, and being German I do not have feelings of victory associated with that time. It is a difficult topic I guess anyway, and moving to England at the age of 13 when the UK kids had just had WW1 and WW2 at school I was called all sorts of names.
But anyway I won’t go more into this, it is about the fashion and reproducing it! I do love 1940s fashion. See below me in my favorite 1940s reproduction dress from Vivien of Holloway.
Find more at vivienofholloway.com
For the sewalong there have been loads of posts around the make up as well, and I think there are some prizes to be won too! I however love the 1940s hair but cannot make my hair do anything ever. SO I am just being me as I will wear this outfit. 
So here is my outfit.Considering I own a 1940s style dress I wanted something different.
I added the Gertie blouse from my sewingdare. My future vision is to have a pussy bow blouse from Gertie’s book to go with it in the same print fabric.
Both items jacket and trousers are made from material I got at the craft fair a few weeks ago. I planned to just make the trousers but loved the fabric so much I thought I would attempt the jacket.
First the trousers:
1. Love the little v detail. I messed it up a lil bit but it still looks ok if you dont come too close. 
2. I adjusted the pleats a little bit. Made them a tad longer. The crotch also needed some adjusting to avoid major camel toe and wedgy!
3. The lapped zipper also came out ok. This is only the second time I have attempted to make one.
4. Overall the instructions were really simple and there is only like 4 pieces!! This was such a change from the thurlows! However being not made for the “juicy pear” shape (stolen from Gok wan) these do need to be teamed with something that balances my frame out. Otherwise I am all bum! lol
This is where the jacket comes in:
1. I love those flap details and thought these will be great to balance me out. I now feel like it just looks military … I had to use dark green! lol
2. I cut a size too big (“you did not make a muslin?” “No, i did not! ). The reason for not making a muslin was, that the fabric I was using is actually the cheapest I have around, and being the impatient seamstress I just went ahead.
3. For the lining I used the same material as for the Truffle. I still have enough for another jacket! ha!
4. For a first try I am quite happy, just a shame about the size. Maybe I need to bulk up a bit to fill it out. haha!
5. Oh the pockets are slightly misplaced too but not sure anyone will notice.
random putting jacket on pic
The fabric was exactly enough for the trousers and the jacket. I have no more left. It is lovely to wear. Really soft and warm. I am partially debating to unpick the lining and fit the jacket a tad more. What do you think?
I understand the uneasiness associated with the Sew for Victory theme. Friends here in Canada feel the same uneasiness around Remembrance Day if their ancestors are German (or non-North American, really). War is just so destructive on so many levels.
But enough about those heavy topics! Great outfit! The jacket could be taken in if you like, but its good. The fit in the derrière region is perfect, if I may say… From one Juicy Pear to another, ha ha!
thank you! Yeah just thinking about it, it is interesting to read about how other, societies or culture think of a time like that. I guess we can always all learn from each other.
Thank you! Yeah I think I my take the jacket in, because lets face it, i wont be lifting any weights anytime soon! haha!
Looks really good. I love the waist of the trousers
Very well made, I like this business look on you.
thank you! this is my day look now for work.
in variations. but like the idea of making my work wardrobe more 40s and 50s inspired 
That’s cool, I think I’ll take a leaf out of your book and do the same. I like clothes from that era, it’s sophisticated.
I completely get your mixed feelings, having also spoken to German friends, it must be difficult. But think of it as just a 40s related challenge with no war associations and it turns into some cute retro creations… I want to make the trousers too, I think they’re such a great shape (but I don’t even have the pattern so wouldn’t be able to get it anywhere near finished by the deadline!). Well done on yours, looks good. I think you should take the jacket in a tiny bit for fit but otherwise great job!
thanks you! yeah i think i have realised now i need to just bite the bullet and undo my stitches and take it in. luckily the lining and hemming was done by hand so should be quick to undo.
Oh yes i do agree it is a sewing challenge that will create some awesome outfits and it has been interesting to read a lot of articles from that time around general society.
just kinda clumsily worded my awkwardness with the slogan.
So classy! I always feel a bit idiotic in pantsuits, so I sort of envy those who look so chic in them
I think if you do re-fit your jacket, you will be very pleased that you did.
I’m beginning to feel a bit panicky about my own 40s ensemble–why am I always behind???
Thank you. I love suits but never really needed them. Think I’m secretly building up to making gerties starlet suit. :p
Oh and ur not that behind. I wasn’t even really planning to take part. Just happened to b a 40s pattern lol
I love the suit and although you have uneasy feelings maybe this can be eased by knowing there were a lot of very wonderful men on both sides that died for unnecessary reasons and Germans needed supplies too, meaning there where a great deal of German women sewing, make do and mending and going without. They all need remembering….
Like an homage. I like it.
thanks. 
It’s a lovely ensemble. It looks like it would be totally worth the effort to make the fit more comfortable for you.
A gorgeous pants suit! Great job.
Oh I think I’m in love with that pattern! I’ve been scouring the internet reading any reviews I can find of it since seeing your post. It looks like it’s made for hourglassy/pear-shapy women. Mmm!
It’s funny how parochial we/humans in general can get without realising it, blithely forgetting other perspectives. I’m glad the war bit didn’t put you off too much because that is one lovely pair of trousers on you.
You reminded me of a girl I once knew. She had the most fabulous leather coat you ever did see, it was a classic 1940s style, and fit her petite hourglass figure perfectly. I was so awed and envious! It had been her grandmother’s in the 1940s in Germany. I remember thinking then about how her grandmother’s experience must have been so different than my own English grandmother, of the war. Or maybe not…?
Thanks for your story! That is really interesting. I love pieces from the past and wonder what they have seen in the past.
I guess for civilians the experience may have been very similar. My grandparents never talked about it. they were teenagers/in their early twenties when WW2 happened. Her experiences were touched upon during her funeral, but the bit I loved was that her and my granddad met at a tea dance during the war. So they made the best of a bad situation and still went out to have fun. they were married for over 60 years before she passed away. I guess you always just have to keep going.
regarding the pattern did you see “shanny loves” review? hers turned out great!
It looks lovely
If it wont bother you to unpick the lining and take in the jacket, I say go for it. Otherwise, find yourself a 40′s style sweater and use it to bulk you out underneath 
(I don’t like making muslins either!)
Wonderful job on this – I really love the contrast of the lining, it’s very pretty
I would like to see the jacket with a 40′s style skirt too; I think that would really suit you 
thankyou! the pattern comes with a skirt, but I am thinking of cheating the era and making one of the skirt patterns from my 1950s burda magazine … hm decisions decisions!
Looks great! Don’t you just love these pants?? Looks like we will be seeing a lot of them for this sew along!
I think most Americans look upon WW2 victory as victory over Hitler and Facism and not a victory over all Germans. Even so, no one wins in war. My uncle was killed in WW2. I’m American, but like you, I don’t feel victorious either.
Your outfit’s lovely! I also dislike making muslins. It’s a pain in the neck to make the same thing twice. Instead, I compare the pattern to my sloper (aka block) and make any alterations. Then I fit as I sew. This method seems to work better than muslins ever did.
I am really proud of you! What a great outfit – lined jacket and trousers. TROUSERS! the most difficult garment to fit! CONGRATULATIONS!
Regarding the 1940′s look – you have just added this modern twist to it!
You look so lovely in this dress! so idyllic!
aww thank you! you are too kind!
:D:D
BTW… how’s winter in spring over there?
oh we had more snow. it is like -1 today. i have had enough and started sewing summer and spring dresses in the hope the sun will come out. haha!
Good idea! I will follw your example … I am focusing only on summer dressess and tops
I would wear a sweater under the jacket – very 1940s anyway. Our ancestors lived in much colder houses than we do.
Just have fun making the fashions and don’t worry about the war obsession. Not very many of the blogging community were even around then – it’s history. It’s a great shame you were made to feel so uncomfortable.
Now I’ve made my coat I’m starting on spring & summer clothes too – the better weather has to arrive soon.