A 1938 Ensemble in Paisley

I absolutely love sewing for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenges. It gives me just the incentive I need to get going and sew! This fortnight's challenge was Paisley & (or) Plaid. I knew I would be making something out of my beautiful pink paisley, but I was at a loss for what to do with it. I searched and searched through our pattern stash, looking for something that was 1945 or earlier, and only took 4 yards or less. I finally decided on this jacket, made a successful mock-up, and then started in on the real deal!

I really like my new jacket. It's comfy, and such a cute print! The sleeves are very comfortable, and have plenty of room in the shoulders (amazingly enough!)

The Challenge: Paisley & Plaid
Fabric:  Rose Garden Jaipur Paisley by April Cornell
Pattern: Vogue V8767
Year: 1938
Notions: Buttons, Thread
How historically accurate is it? About 98%. I serged around the hems of the sleeves. Other than that, I think it is quite accurate.
Hours to complete: 6-8 hours (?)
First worn: Today for pictures
Total cost: $35, approximately. I don't know the exact original cost of the fabric.

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I also made a new skirt to go with the jacket. I wanted something kind of 1938-ish, so I used Butterick 3134, lengthening it by 10 (!) inches, and replacing the waistband with a facing. I'll definitely be using that pattern again. It is very easy to sew, looks good on, and is comfortable!

Inside view of the facing

The fabric I used is a really annoying, sort of stretchy, iron-resistant polyester. It isn't easy to get a nice flat hem, but I think I managed it.

I love that peplum! It's not super full, so it doesn't accentuate the hip area.

Sleeve

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All in all, I'm really happy to have a whole vintage outfit to add to my wardrobe. It feels amazing to have made something!

I am starting a 1950's polka dot nautical dress from Vogue V9000. I can. not. wait. to have that done!

Special thanks to my mom for the loan of her hat! :)

All photos copyright © Dolly Creates.

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A Peek at My Photography Blog

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Stop by my photography blog to see my latest mini photo shoot!

Leazing

Yep. We did it. We went leazing.

I'm afraid there's a vacancy in the 1890's dress department, however. I still hadn't finalized my plans for the design, and since the field had been harvested, we decided it was time to leaze, dress or no dress. 

I didn't know how much wheat there would be to leaze, if any, but I was in for a nice surprise. There were about 4-5 rows along one side of the field that the farmer didn't harvest, and there was a whole patch of it around a fallen tree. All in all, it was a big success.

I really like how my leazing apron came out. I'll post some pictures of it later on - right now it still has wheat in it!

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I'm working on the jacket from Vogue 8767 for the HSF challenge, which is due later this week. I can't wait to finish it up and share some pictures!

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The Pickin' Apron

Today I'm sharing a past project which I made way back in February. I think the cold, never-endingly wintery weather had gotten to me, so I decided to take revenge, and sew something decidedly springy. This apron is actually my mom's ('cept when I borrow it...). Its original purpose was to be a garden apron, but mostly it just gets used for picking vegetables. 

I got the fabric at Meijer, of all places. We discovered that they had some really nice quality, American-made cotton duck. If that alone wasn't reason enough to buy it, it came in 45x54" pieces, for only $6 or $7. I wanted to buy ALL of it at once. Well, as the story always goes, what does a store do when they sell something awesome? Why, discontinue it, of course! The reason why, I really can't imagine. Long story short, we did end up snagging a bunch of it towards the end of the clearance sale.

So much for words - let's look at pictures!!

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The front has ties, which go through loops at the corners, so that it is....

...folded together, and you can carry veggies! It is reallly handy to pick beans into. I would know.

I'm prodigiously proud of my topstitching. It's kind of hit-and-miss with me when it comes to that, but thankfully, that was one of my good days.

The tie and the loops are made from the selvage, which happened to be really nice and wide. I folded it over several times, then zig-zagged it.

Loops...

The other side is solid green, with a couple of nice, sturdy pockets.

I sewed several lines on the pocket hem for stability.

The ties are opposite colors from the main colors...just 'cause.

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I started my leazing apron - I love how it is looking! I can't wait to see it with the dress. Speaking of which, I need to make it. Now. The farmer started harvesting his wheat, so the clock is tick-tick-ticking.

Aaaannnddd, I need to get my pink paisley dress done before August 1st. I made a mock-up of my Anne Adams pattern, but it ended up being way too big. So, I think I will make Simplicity 1777 instead.

I'll post pictures as I get the things sewn up!

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~ This Week In Pictures

Unfortunately I've haven't had any time to sew this week, due to a very crazy schedule. Here's what I have been doing though:

I got my first pair of American Duchess shoes EVER!! Eeekk!! I love them so much. I want to wear them everywhere. I can't wait to get my colonial outfit made!

Until then though, I'll be wearing them with my soon-to-be-made Emma Timmins dress. I found pictures of 1890s shoes that are of a very similar style. I'm really happy about that. I had no idea what I would wear with it before!

We went fishing on Lake Michigan today, and caught 4 steelhead and 1 coho. My two were 11 lbs ^....

And 13 lbs. That was a lot of fun. (Somebody needs a new hairdo)

Tomorrow we'll be canning salmon for the first time ever!

For two days in a row we were painted a room in our church, transforming it from a hideous 70's green, to a nice, neutral tan color sceme.

Here's sort-of an after picture. This was after the first coat. I can't wait to see how it looks on Sunday!

Phew! It's been a busy, busy week. I hope to get my Emma T dress done, (and a leazing apron), and start on a 1940's Anne Adams dress in pink paisley for the Historical Sew Fortnightly. It's due the 1st of August!! (Pressure = on.)

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HSF #13: Under $10

I just discovered the Historical Sew Fortnightly yesterday, and I immediately was sold on the idea. Then I noticed that the deadline was Monday. Yikes. But I actually made my bonnet in time! Hooray!

The Challenge: Under $10

Fabric:  Little Farmhouse C. 1870 by LB Krueger for Windham Fabrics.

Pattern: Self-drafted, based on Emma Timmins' bonnet on Lark Rise To Candleford.

Year: 1895-ish

Notions: Thread

How historically accurate is it? Very, I think, other than the fact that it is machine stitched. I have forgiven myself, however, because the deadline is tommorow, and I made it today.

Hours to complete: 3

First worn: Not yet, except for try-ons.

Total cost: $6.99 for fabric, plus maybe 50 cents for thread. $7.49.

I designed my bonnet based on Emma Timmins':

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A Regency Chemise

At last...a post about my Regency chemise. I decided one day that I should make one, but guess what; I didn't feel like dishing out $15 for a pattern. I mean, it's not like they are already perfectly sized and ready to make or anything. Hehe.

So, really, a simple chemise shouldn't be hard to design, right? Nah...it only takes three days and three partial mockups. And that's just to get the silly pattern made. Then I could finally start the actual garment.

After a few days of off-and-on sewing on it, I got it done. This was my first time flat-felling seams. I really like how it looks, inside and out. There won't be any ravelling going on there for a good long time.

I did sew it all by machine (I know...historical accuracy just went down the drain). I'll save that task for the next one.

I found Sense & Sensibility Patterns' Regency Undergarments Instructions to be very helpful. She shows a picture of each step, making it nice and easy to follow.

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On to the pictures!!!

Front

Back

Sleeve gusset

Inside view of gusset seam

There is a ribbon drawstring inside, which ties and just tucks in. I embroidered an (of course pink) E on the front...just because.

My apologies for the less than stellar photos. We have a serious lighting problem, as well as an inexperienced photographer. (Yours truly). Working on that....

I am going to make a bodiced petticoat next, but first in line is my leazing dress. I'm counting on the farmer not to harvest his wheat until I get my dress done, but I think I need to hurry just in case.

And, HSF's challenge, Under $10 is due Monday. I want to get my leazing bonnet done in time for that. I really need to hurry!

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Vintage-Inspired Patriotic Blouse + A Milestone

Yayy!! It's my 100th blog post! You may have noticed my completely new blog design. I'm still messing around with the header, so it may be totally different next time you look. I want a vintage-style design, rather than modern chevron.

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All that aside, here's my new blouse!!

I haven't had a chance to take pictures of myself in it, so those will have to wait until I find a coordinating vintage hat.

I used Butterick B5890, adding a button closure instead of a zipper. I also took it in approximately an inch on each of the front tucks.

I absolutely love this pattern, and I can't wait to make more of these blouses!

I adore the row of shiny red buttons down the back.

The sleeves are self-lined, giving them a very nice, neat, finished look.

My first collar ever!! It is sewed onto a band, rather than directly onto the blouse.

Ahhh...buttons.

Up next is a post about my Regency chemise.

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Preview // Vintage-Style Patriotic Blouse

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You never thought I'd actually get a blouse finished in time, did you? 

Well, neither did I. It did happen, however, and I can't wait to share some more pictures with you.

But for now, have a wonderful 4th of July. Thank God for our freedom, our independence, and those who have fought for our country.

~Vintage Blouse Chronicles

Well, well, well....I decided to try whipping up a vintage blouse, because I didn't have one. I got some blue gingham (*swoon*) and red ricrac the other day so I could make a 4th of July-inspired blouse.

 I pulled out Simplicity 1590 - it's cute and retro-y, right? I knew there was a very good chance that it would n-o-t look good, so of course I made a toile (aka muslin aka "fake top") first. You know how they say that everyone can look good in a peplum top?

 Uh, yeah, that's not true. At all. It wasn't slimming in the bodice, and the peplum made my hips look like a freight train. (definition: not good)

It looks lovely on Thelma Lou...I guess it'll have to be her shirt from now on.

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Well, I was still determined to have a vintage blouse, so next I pulled out Simplicity 1692.

This is cute, easy, and ought to look pretty decent, right?

Wrong. 

This blouse didn't even look good on Thelma Lou, much less on me. It pretty much looked like a gunny sack with sleeves. I tried taking it in, but that didn't help a bit. 

So here I am with no vintage blouse pattern that works, and July 4th is only a few days away. I'll have to put on the ol' thinkin' cap, and see if there are any other patterns I can try. 

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So what have I been up to, anyway???

-attending orchestra concerts and recitals at a local classical music festival (LOVE it!!)

-picking and canning green beans

-drafting a pattern for and making a regency chemise (next up is a bodiced petticoat - *groan*)

-starting a 1890s "leazing dress," reminiscent of Emma Timmins' outfit on Lark Rise to Candleford

-hand sewing another chemise for a nightgown

....amongst other things.

~Happy Independence Day!!~