• 1950s Projects •

Today I thought I'd share a few projects that I made towards the end of last year for different folks!  This first one was a custom order in my Etsy shop for a lady who was going on a vacation to Europe, and wanted a vintage-style formal gown to wear to a performance of Swan Lake that she was attending in Paris, on Christmas Eve!  The dress has been referred to as "The Swan Lake Dress" ever since.  ;)

I was halfway scared out of my wits to make such a dress, out of satin, in what appeared to be a complex pattern (Vogue 8850), for someone else, just based on their measurements, but it ended up being a pretty easy task!  The pattern is actually quite fun to make, and the satin was not nearly as difficult to work with as I expected.

My customer chose this gorgeous seafoam green crepe-backed satin for her dress, and I *love* the color.  Positively gorgeous!

The only major change I made to the dress was the sleeves; the ones that come with the pattern are very fitted in the upper arm as-is, so I believe I cut the sleeve on a larger size, and then tapered the seams down to the appropriate measurement at the forearm.

Hand-picked zipper!  This picture makes it look all bunchy, but it really was not in person. 

A really fun aspect of this dress is the skirt overlay, which actually hangs about 2" below the skirt hem!

It is a quarter circle, gathered on top, and ideally rolled-hemmed by hand all the way around (nope, didn't do it - just ironed under the edge twice and slip-stitched), and then tacked to itself on the underside so it lays just right.  It's so nifty!!

The top gathers are part of the right bodice piece, but the gathers on the lower part of the bodice are a separate piece that is gathered on both ends and blind-stitched down on the edges.  The button tab is also cut in one with the right bodice piece.

Next up is this cute '50s blouse that I made for a friend last summer.  I had gotten the fabric on sale shortly beforehand, and it seemed like just the right print for her.  I used a vintage blouse pattern in my stash, and whipped it up in no time.

I love the details of the blouse, especially the neckline with bow!!  It was a bit of a trick to do that narrow of binding around the neck, and then to turn the ties afterwards, but it came out good, thankfully.

Can I just say, YAY for pattern-matching?  ;)

Covered buttons are always a good thing.  ;)  I also made a vintage-style tie scarf to go with the blouse out of the green polka dot fabric.

Another *yay* for armhole facings!!  So much easier than bias, and it lays much more smoothly when it's finished.

This dress was for the same lady, also from an original 1950s pattern.  My mom cut out the dress, seeing as she is the pattern-matching master in the house, and I did the sewing.  ;)  She did a smashing job of it too!

I love the style of this dress - it's such a classic style of vintage housedress.  The front just closes with a zipper that extends below the waist, so it's easy on-and-off!

And that's all for today, except to say that there is a SALE going on in my Etsy shop right now!  Use the coupon code WINTERSEND to save 20% off your purchase, now through Monday, March 20th.  Check out the shop now!

• Introducing Northern Shore Vintage •

Something very exciting has been cooking in the background here for quite a while!!  :D  My dear friend Sarah and I have started an Etsy shop together, called Northern Shore Vintage, selling vintage clothing and accessories from the 1970s and earlier.  Since we both love vintage styles; the classic, beautiful, modest, incredibly stylish and timeless fashions of yesteryear, we decided to open up a shop together, selling just such items! 

We don't have a huge stock yet, admittedly, but we are both working hard on building it up.  Meanwhile, since it is our grand opening, we have a sale going on!!  Take $10 off your purchase of $50 or more with coupon code "OPENINGSALE", valid through Monday, October 3.  

Behind the name: Sarah and I both love the North Shore of Lake Superior; there's just nothing quite like it.  So when we were trying to come up with a name for our shop, we both thought of it simultaneously, and knew it was just the thing.  ;) 

Be sure to stop by the shop and check it out!!  I'll be posting updates about the shop from time to time, about new listings and sales, so stay tuned!  :)

Thanks for stopping by! 

• Aprons Galore •

It has been a long time since I posted about aprons, don't you think?  I really didn't think there would be this many to post, but I was happily surprised upon looking back through photos and finding so many of them.  Unfortunately for us (but good for everyone else!), not one of them was for us!  We need to break down and make ourselves some aprons!

Without further ado, let's jump in.  :)

I made this apron just a week or so ago for a friend's birthday.  The fabric seemed like her style and color, and was *just* enough to squeeze an apron out of.  It is an 1850s-1870s reproduction print, actually, and the fun part is that my mom and I have about 13 yards of a black and cream version of this exact fabric that we have grand plans for.  ;)

The style of this one is pretty simple; rounded corners, slight gathers at the waist, contrasting topstitching, and ricrac edging around the "skirt", waistband seam, and pocket band.   I did throw in a fun surprise though, which was lining the pocket with coordinating polka-dot fabric.  :)  (And yes, it IS the same fabric as the dress shown in the pictures)

Next up is this 1860s apron, which I did in fact make for myself, but I ended up cutting it too short for my height.  *tears*  It is for sale in my Etsy shop, so do check it out if you are in the market for one!  All stitching visible to the outside is done by hand, so it is perfectly period-correct, and made from reproduction fabric.

I love this fabric to pieces. 

The skirt is made from two widths (90" total) of fabric, so it is nice and full and hangs beautifully with or without a hoopskirt.  

I made this little one last fall for a wedding present, but sadly did not get many pictures of it at all.  Thelma Lou happened to be wearing this particular outfit, so it got to be the involuntary (and mismatched) backdrop for an impromptu photoshoot.  At least I have photographic evidence of it, anyway!

Contrasting waistband and ties, pleated skirt, and a sweetheart waistband.

*cuteness alert*

Another wedding gift, this little '50s job was made from feedsack reproduction fabric.  The contrasting gingham binding was from an old jumper or some such that we had saved just for this purpose.  :)  

The gal this apron was for *loves* ladybugs, so I had to sneak one on there.  :)

This gorgeous '50s sweetheart one was made over a year ago, particularly for the shop.  Click here to see the listing.

This particular gingham fabric has been used on SO many projects!!  I should pick up some more, methinks!  ;)

And last, but definitely not least, this gorgeous blue one my mom made for another wedding gift.  She made it using an original apron of her grandma's as the pattern.  I just love this style!!!! 

Fun blue polka dots accent the pretty floral.  Recognize that fabric?  It's the blue-toned version of my purple dress fabric!!  :)

Scalloped hem.

The pockets on this apron are the cutest thing; adorable little triangles!!  :)

I hope you enjoyed this post!  It's so much fun to share the smaller projects we make from time to time.  Thanks for stopping by!!  :)

• New Items in the Shop! •

These lovely new items are new in the shop! An 1860s pinner apron, an Edwardian Era skirt, and four gorgeous vintage patterns. Don't forget, you can save 20% with the coupon code BIRTHDAYSALE, through Monday, May 31st! 

Happy shopping! :)

• Spring Sale •

That's right, it's SALE time!! Through March 31st, use coupon code SPRINGTIME to receive 20% off your entire purchase in my Etsy shop.

Have fun shopping! ;)

• 1930s Polka Dot Dress •

It's time for yet another throwback post! :)

I made this dress late last summer, after buying a gorgeous vintage pattern on Etsy. The design seemed perfect for the fabric, and I even had two big buttons that coordinated perfectly! 

As much fun as I had making this dress, it just does not receive enough love from me. So as a result, I've listed it in my Etsy shop! Click here to see the listing.

The pattern I used, 1937 McCall #9225. I have used the skirt pattern for several garments, one of which is raglan sleeve 1930s dress.

The design of the bodice is very interesting; the collar only comes to where the yoke ends, rather than down further like an ordinary collar, and the lapels are nice and big. You've just got to love 1930s fashions! Always something out of the ordinary. ;)

The construction was a bit tricky in places! The placket was sewn onto each edge of the bodice, and then the bodice actually was lapped over the placket and topstitched. It was pretty fun seeing it come together!

I paired this dress with my 1930-40s fedora, made from the Wearing History  Pattern. Although it was blogged first with my raglan sleeve dress (and then the plaid Christmas dress), I actually made it to go with this dress! I am looking forward to making another one, only in wool this time to match a 1930s dress that I'm making next.

The dress is very comfortable due to the design, and the light-colored fabric is just perfect for summer!

Eeek!! My sandals!!!

I found these amazing Remix Vintage sandals on Ebay late last summer, and was thrilled to be able to get them! They ended up costing only $56, which is approximately a 70% discount from the normal price of $188. Good deal? I think so!!

They are very comfortable, and *so* 1930s. Of course, it felt a little funny buying sandals as summer was coming to an end, but I'm so glad I got them. They're very comfortable, and I needed some truly vintage-compatible sandals badly! I am looking forward to wearing them again this spring and summer.

Oh, and this post makes me miss my vintage watch very much! I bought it at an antique shop last summer for about $15 or so - a gorgeous vintage, wind-up watch with an expansion band! It fit, kept time perfectly, but then one day......yep. Something inside snapped and it will no longer wind up. It makes me so sad! I'll have to see if anyone around here fixes watches like that, although I rather doubt it in this day and age of battery-powered everythings!

Oh well, I can still wear it....only I will know that it's not tick-tocking. ;)

Be sure to check out the listing on Etsy! 

In the mean time, have a lovely rest of the week! Thanks for stopping by!

• Sale Time! •

~

It's time for a sale in my Etsy shop! I reached 50 sales last weekend, so to thank you, my lovely customers, there is a sale on through Monday, February 1st. Use coupon code CELEBRATE to take 20% off your purchase.

Also, I just listed some new patterns in the shop!

These patterns and more just hit the shop yesterday. Vintage patterns from the 1970s-90s, plus some more modern styles in a wide range of sizes. And use the coupon to save 20%! :)

Thanks again for all your support of both my blog and my Etsy shop! :) You are all very much appreciated.

• Thanksgiving SALE! •

It's time for a sale! Starting today through Monday, November 30th, save 25% off in my Etsy shop using the coupon code THANKFULNESS.

I've added a few new items of late as well, so be sure to stop by and check it out.

Happy shopping and Happy Thanksgiving! :)