An Edwardian Blouse

Hello Ladies!  I realize this is more "vintage" than "retro", but I thought you would still like to see photographs of an "Anne of Avonlea" blouse that I sewed from the "Beatrix Shirtwaist Pattern" available at http://www.sensibility.com/ .  The pattern had many options to choose from, and I used the 3/4 length sleeve pattern piece so it could be worn year-round .  I love the way it turned out, and it reminds me of Anne Shirley's or Dianna Barry's heirloom outfits.  Hope you enjoy the pictures!  You can read more about it on my blog here. 

Calais Lace

Not exactly Retro in the common sense but I thought all you SewRetro-ers might enjoy this. A friend of mine visited the lace museum in Calais, France and sent me her pictures.



Go visit Dart&Hem for more!

Mail Order 1839

Here’s what I’ve been working on this week!


This sweet little cap blouse is from this mail order pattern “#1839″:


I must be getting old, because I can’t remember where I found this great little pattern! It’s a mail order pattern, and its without envelope so I have no idea its origin. There was an ebay auction of this pattern in another size with an envelope intact, and the return address was partially visible, showing “Idaho”. That’s all I’ve got as to pattern maker. :)

I love the lace-trimmed cap sleeve version, so that’s the view I chose to make. It was very easy to fit (the pattern was a bust 38). It needed a 3/4″ FBA, and some additional width at waist/hip.

I used lavender cotton eyelet, because it’s so fresh and summery and has a vintage feel. I also used cotton French laces, which would have been more readily available (and in domestic form most likely) during the 1940s.

I think this pattern probably dates to the later part of the 1940s because the skirt seems a bit full and long for early-mid 40s. If you’d like to see more pictures, I have a few more detail shots on my blog!

Lace Crochet Fingerless Gloves

I just started knitting and crocheting last year and I am still getting used to reading patterns and using different yarn weights. I found a great pattern for lace fingerless gloves and stitched some up in some left over yarn just to get the feel for the pattern. As you can see this gold yarn was way too bulky and my glove looked more like a strange wrist cast. I recently bought some finer yarn shown below that I am really excited about. I will keep you posted on my progress with the new yarns.