Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved to dress up. I'd spend hours skipping around the house in my 'Dorothy dress,' with my little stuffed Toto inside my little basket. When I was older, little bits and pieces of thrift store items mixed and matched didn't quite cut it for a costume. I wanted something customized, something carefully crafted, something perfectly exquisite.
So my mother taught me how to sew, and I began creating all sorts of Edwardian era outfits. I was in love with the grace and elegance of the Edwardian era, and frankly didn't give a hoot about retro fashions. Too new, too modern, not interesting enough.
Ah, the follies of youth! I was straightened out as I reached my mid-teens. By the time I was seventeen I was absolutely and totally addicted to retro fashion. I still love the Edwardian era, but vintage is the fashion love of my life. What was it that rescued me from my contempt of vintage, and turned me so completely around that now I find myself hooked on it?
A movie called
High Society, and a woman called Grace Kelly. When she came sweeping into the room in that full-skirted blue dress, with the sheer overlay and darling little striped collar, I realized that 50's fashion was beautiful, elegant, flowing, feminine, and, true to the lovely actress' name, graceful. She's still my fashion inspiration, for while I love other retro decades, the 50's will always be my favorite.
Yes, so now I dance along the vintage trail, scouring antique shops for old hats and gloves, for patterns, for beautiful old coats. I break my heart over Ebay auctions, and bid sad farewells to the hats and patterns I hoped to have. I exult when at Lanetz Living or other vintage pattern sites I find an old favorite, just in my size, and not yet claimed.
And I'm constantly impressed and inspired by all the beautiful creations at this blog here. I'm so glad to be part of the fun, and I hope that I can add a little inspiration, too.
So concludes my introduction; but I'd like to share one of my vintage sewing creations before I go.
The pattern was McCalls 4086, a sweet and lovely summer dress. I just love working with this pattern... it's
just my size, so I don't have to worry about getting it fit properly, it's very, very easy to put together, and it's a lovely style. As I was using it for a Christmas dress, I modified it just slightly by adding sleeves, which was simple to do. I just cut back some of the excess on the shoulders that form the cap sleeves, and added a basic long sleeve.
The most difficult part was the buttonholes, as I hadn't figured out how to do them on machine when I made this dress. They had to be done by hand, and for me at least, that's a lengthy process. So I sometimes call this dress 'The Great Escape dress.' Those three buttons and buttonholes took me the three hours of the film, and I can't look at one without thinking of the other.
Memorial Day sewing! I needed a new suit, but couldn't bear to do any more sensible sewing... so I busted out the green tweed. With the bright purple lining (hence Poison Ivy, like the supervillainess). Its Butterick 2571. Details at sewinginthecity.blogspot.com
And my interpretation of the pose on the pattern envelope! It's Butterick B4790 Retro 1952!
Marian Martin 9768
For Mother's Day, I made this apron up for my mom. The pattern was given to me by my grandmother, who found it amongst her stored stuff. You can see that a mouse has chewed on the priceless heirloom a bit. When Grandma gave me the pattern, my mom strongly hinted she'd like one, so here I am (for once) obliging her wishes.
