• 1940s Ensemble in Navy •

This gorgeous ensemble is my mom's most recent creation, and it's already a favorite! We both sewed outfits in red from the same patterns for vacation, but haven't photographed them yet.

She made this dress from fabric she purchased while we were on vacation. It is the loveliest quality fabric, nice and thick, and it doesn't wrinkle! The bolero is made from some interesting cotton twill-like fabric we had in our stash.

The bolero is made from a vintage 1940s pattern, the same one I used for my purple bolero. It is a very easy pattern to put together, and makes a very flattering, fun-to-wear garment! And you could easily change the look just by reshaping the revers, adding lace, etc.

She used Simplicity 1692 for the bodice of the dress, adding darts instead of tucks, altering the fit a little bit, and altering the neckline to be a sweetheart-shape, based off of another vintage pattern we have. The skirt is from Butterick 5951. It's so much fun being able to put different patterns together to achieve a new look! :)

A pearly belt buckle adds the perfect touch. We both *love* belt buckles with prongs. They are so comfortable to wear, and although it's a bit of a pain making eyelets for them, it's worth it for how secure the belts are. 

The neck edge, hem and revers are faced with contrasting fabric and slip-stitched in place. It's such a fun design! And the dress looks lovely with or without the bolero. It's the perfect sundress, and is so versatile for casual or dressy wear!

What a gorgeous dress, don't you think? 

Thanks for stopping by! :) Have a lovely week, and enjoy the springtime!! 

Meanwhile, don't forget about the sale going on in my Etsy shop, through March 31st. Use coupon code SPRINGTIME to save 20% off your purchase. :) 

• Black and Purple 1940s •

It's so nice to have a new way to wear my black dress! A friend of mine got married this past weekend, and I needed a special outfit to wear. I had started a dark teal rayon 1930s dress, but I just wasn't having fun with it at all, so I decided to go with something easier. 

I bought this purple fabric (polyester satin-backed shantung) probably a year ago, with the intention of making it into a regency ball gown. Yeah. Yikes. Even I, who am not a fabric snob by any means, just couldn't do such an abominable thing. Using it for a 1940s garment is still rather unethical, but at least it's a little more appropriate. 

In any case, after searching high and low for something remotely appropriate to make, and seemingly ruling out everything I came across, I finally decided to make a bolero! I used Simplicity 1578, a pattern from 1945.

I made a mockup of it first out of some cotton I had in the stash, but never really expected it to fit. I was already planning on listing it in my Etsy shop. Well, to my great surprise and happiness, the Etsy shop did not and is not going to get a glimpse of it! It fit beautifully, and I just loved it. Unfortunately, I haven't a thing to wear it with, but I'm still quite content to hang onto it until I do. 

Meanwhile, I could get to work on the real bolero!

I really didn't feel like facing the bodice all the way around, so I decided to line it instead. And rather than having the same fabric showing on the revers, I used the back (satin) side of the fabric. It gives it a really neat look; just different enough to be contrasting, but not blatantly shiny. And, it was a breeze to sew it together! The hardest part about the whole bolero is clipping all those curves!

I had two buttons leftover from my 1950s Floral Dress that were perfect to accent the revers. Plus, I can take them off and switch them out with something more "fun" when I make a dress out of the remaining 3+ yards of this purple fabric! Yay! 

This rhinestone necklace is my new favorite. I had gazed at it for probably a year and a half, every time we went to the local antique shop, but never felt like asking to get in the cabinet to actually look at it. I finally did last week, however, and I am so glad!! It fits perfectly, looks beautiful, and only cost $6. 

Since my bolero is lined with the reverse side of the same fabric, I thought it qualified rather well for this month's HSM!

The Challenge: #10 - Sewing Secrets

Fabric: 1 3/4 yards of polyester satin-backed shantung

Pattern: Vintage Simplicity 1578

Year: 1945

Notions: Thread and buttons

How historically accurate is it? 50%, if that, because of the polyester fabric. But the lining, the pattern used and the bias-faced sleeves make it a little more acceptable. ;)

Hours to complete: 4-5

First worn: Last Friday, to a wedding.

Total cost: I can't for the life of me remember how much the fabric was...so, I have no idea! 

because you just *have* to be silly sometimes....

This purse is also one of my favorites! It's such a neat size and shape, and that satiny stripe on the front is gorgeous. One can never have too many vintage purses!! :)

It was a lovely wedding! It was wonderful to see Hannah and Josh get married, AND I caught the bouquet, so...it was a VERY good day. ;)