The Vintage Journey- First Dress

Back again to 2005 we go, and two annoyingly-waisted gored skirts are the only garments in my repertoire. What do I want now? More, more!! How about a dress?, I ask Mrs. Ferguson. Why, certainly! Make your first dress!, she says.

The Pattern:

1970. Princess seams. General awesomeness, right?

Pffffffft. WRONG. Yeah, the awesomeness kind of goes away oh, I don't know, instantly when you choose fabric for an adult's dress that really should be for a five-year-old (or someone's couch-- just wait til I post the second version I made of this.) I know, polka dots are awesome, but if used in certain ways, they just don't work. I often have a problem of picking fabrics that I love visually, but in the end will look hideous or ridiculous as that garment. I wish I could shrink this and give it to my 6-year-old cousins. Definitely does not exude the hotness that the long-sleeved white version (see lower left corner on pattern) does. Maybe I'll try again one day. Currently, this one's for sale on my etsy- see right side of blog for link.

Oh, and if this says anything about this dress-- the only time I ever wore it was during this number in my college musical theatre review. Bright, bubbly, and cheesy.

Garment Features:
Princess Seams
Hand-Sewn Hem
Back Zipper Closure

Wishlist

One disadvantage to having so many cool patterns--gasp!--is that there is never enough time to be using them all! In addition, there is often never enough money to supply fabric for them! Tragic indeed. That's why I keep wishlists of projects I really, really want to do. They remain unsewn for various reasons, but my wish is that I will find both the means and the time to complete them when the calling is strong.

Simplicity #8130- The Essential Coat - 1969


Really, to me, there is nothing more quintessentially vintage than having THIS COAT in the loudest and most wonderfully obnoxious plaid you can imagine (okay, a sophisticated and earthy plaid would work just as well); hence the reason I purchased this pattern... 2 or 3 years ago. Sigh. Maybe it's the fact that I have yet to find that dream plaid for this coat. Or, the fact that it would not be one of my bang-it-out-in-one-night projects. But oh, it's calling. And one day, I shall answer.


Simplicity 5702- 1964


Pure class. I'm a particular fan of the three-quarter-sleeved view. Clean lines, clear body shape, that's what it's all about. Sure, the example makes it out to be a little formal (who cares?), but for those of you who might be a little anti-schmance, one could easily turn this cute little number into a casual one just by picking the right fabric and the right print. Although, I do think this would make the best accessory either way, don't you? (heh)

Simplicity 2441- The Classic Swimsuit- 1947(?!!)


Oh, dear. I think I just had a pattern collector's heart attack. First, let me explain that this particular photo of the pattern is not mine, as mine is in poor, sad condition and I wanted it to be seen in its full glory. So I used the best pattern site of all-time to look up its date of print, and oh man it's 1947. "So what?", you say? Well, I've always had this thing about pre-1950 patterns. I mean, when you go back that far, they're really old; that age is something that requires a different kind and a certain amount of respect. They're almost creepy. Not in an evil way, just in a very, very delicate kind of way where you know it is somehow connected to someone else. So, I misjudged this as a 1950s pattern; finding out that the ripped and torn envelope of my actually 1947 pattern is just a wee bit heartbreaking. IN ANY CASE: here we have yet another example of pure CLASS. I can just see this in classic black or some kind of adorable polka-dotted fabric. Vintage dreams.

Just What I've Been Waiting For!

I've been praying to the vintage gods for a nice, big lot of cheap and awesome patterns in my size. Well, thanks to my fantastic and wonderful Auntie Ev...

GLORIOUS! A giant lot of (free!) just-my-style patterns that happen to also be in my size! Not to mention the bonus 1947 Singer "Dressmaking Guide." I LOVE old manuals-- they're just cool to have, and they're extremely clear and useful (like old patterns). I'm freakin' excited. Thank you, Auntie Ev!

Wishlist to come.

Just As Essential-- Vintage Shoes

For any of you out there who collect vintage fashions, I bet (read: hope) that you get just as ridiculously excited about finding an amazing pair of vintage shoes that fit you as I do. Like all vintage fashions, I consider shoes works of art. They tell so much about the time they are from, and it can be very surreal (and even sometimes creepy) to slip on a pair that someone else has owned 40 years ago.

As I go through the blog experience, I'll be matching up various vintage items with the shoes that look good with them. Or various vintage accessories. Just think of it as one big, vintage puzzle!

I am the proud owners of the following fabulous finds:

The "Miss Loves"

These are my first pair, found on an awesome website called Vintage Vixen. They are extra-special, though, as they are what we call Deadstock: never sold, never worn; basically found in an old warehouse untouched, and, oh YES:

IN THE ORIGINAL BOX!


As you can well imagine, I nearly plotzed when I found these back in 2005 while wasting time online in my freshman dorm room. They have been put to very good use-- so much so that I've bad to repair the soles.

The "Keyholes"

These hold a special place in my heart, mostly because I hear constantly from others (mom, cough) how ugly they are. UGLY? More like, ridiculously charming! Love these, thank you, ebay.


The "Zones"


Being that finding vintage shoes that are 1) REALLY awesome and 2) Your size is harder than [insert something witty here], I suffered a 4-year hiatus of vintage shoe purchasing. Until a Baltimore day excursion with my lovely fellow-sewer cousin. We hit The Zone on Charles St. and all I can say is WOO to these!


The thing about vintage shoes is that they tend to be the priciest of vintage items. Probably my top search bar entry on ebay is "mod shoes." They're either ridiculously overpriced or too big, too small. When you find that right pair, you know the heavens have opened.

First Vintage Itch- The Gored Skirt

First of all, I'd like to thank my super talented and self-taught sewer grandmother, Helen Stewart for sparking an interest in me as a kid and teaching me the basics. But without Mrs. Ferguson at Northeast High School, I wouldn't have the necessary skills I have today.

In my senior year of high school in clothing construction, we had to complete a required 2 projects, and then we could do what we wanted. But I was already pretty good and really into it, and I asked Mrs. F if I could use my own pattern... and oh, could it be a vintage pattern? They really are SO much cooler in every way possible-- the actual fashions (of course), the set-up of the patterns, the directions are much clearer-- I could sing their praises all day. So, Mrs. F was loving my interest in "her" era, so...

Enter Butterick 6994, Circa early 70s.

(I didn't take this picture. I'll start scanning my own patterns soon, promise.)

Despite its annoying waistband (Mrs. F. suggested I made a wider one-- mistake), I wore it pretty often and sadly now it doesn't fit, but it's a keepsake from a great time in my life and it's not going anywhere. (I also made a red version that's a little shorter. I think it's hiding, though.)

2005. Looking a little too patriotic
for my liking.

This garment's features:

• Hand-stitched hem
• Back zipper closure with hooks and eyes
• Natural Waistband
  

~Intermission~

From this point on, I am going to backtrack to the beginning of my vintage sewing obsession and posts will try to be in chronological order as much as possible. Come with me, aaalllll the way back to...


2005.

Haha :)

The Beginning

And so it begins, my first blog. Naturally, I fear my own lack of writing abilities will interfere with anyone's interest in the blog, but in this one, the pictures are what matters!

I am going to take you through my journey of past and present vintage sewing projects that have helped me satisfy my need to connect with decades of the past.

My goal with each project is to meet that need, in addition to expanding my sewing skills and hopefully adding a little modern twist to each garment-- something I have to practice so I don't appear completely out of touch with my middle school students ;-).

I'll start with today's finished project: vintage hip-hugger wide-leg pants.

Oh, pants. How I love thee.

Maybe it's because they're so easy to make (not that I don't appreciate a good challenge!), or because they're just so...wearable. And, in my opinion, there's nothing like a good pair of wide legs...especially if they're from a 1973 pattern!

I only have one beef with many vintage bottom-half articles of clothing: the high waist. Unfortunately, not a fan... unless the waistband is super comfortable. Anyway, anyway! On to the good part:


Purchased from an awesome lady on ebay for nice and cheap (as it should be!) Vintage hunters: if you too are looking for lower-waisted pants, look for the words hip hugger and you'll be in business. In this case it's "made to be worn two inches below the normal waistline."

Long story short, Hancock fabrics-->cotton twill-->seams and topstitching and hemming and a few hours later...


Yey. Notice they're nowhere near as wide as the ones on the pattern. Yeah, that's my tweaking. Can't wait until fall so these can become a staple in the teacher wardrobe!

This garment's features:

• Hand-stitched hem
• Front zipper with snap closure
• Hip-hugger waistband