My lucky life brings me so many wonderful experiences & last night I was privy to something very very special. My dear friend Laurie Gordon, whom I know through the Art Deco Society of California, invited me to a special dinner at Avalon. Avalon isn’t something known to the public, it is the residence of two very talented individuals - Barrett and AC. I was told the attire was to be “Deco Deluxe in a Black and B & W movie palette that includes Grays and Metallics”. Thankfully I had just the right thing to wear.
Read moreHow to Gatsby - Tips for Sewing your own Art Deco Era Garden Party Dress
For myself, one of the most fun parts of getting ready for The ADSC Gatsby Summer Afternoon is making my outfit. It truly brings me so much joy to plan what I’m wearing from my hat and hair down to my stockings and shoes. Sometimes I have more time than other times to figure it out, so depending on my schedule I can make the experience as simple or as complex as I can handle at the time.
Read moreTransforming a 1980's Pink Lace Gown into a late 1920's style Garden Party Dress
This 1980’s pink lace dress has been hanging in my closet for a couple of years. It was donated by the lovely Art Deco Society Member Cheryl Stanton, who thought I might be interested in turning it into something more Art Deco. I’ve been quite busy, but had a vision of how it might turn out, just this weekend. Sometimes a dress just needs time to simmer for a while.
Read moreSewing a 1940's Tropical Dress using a Vintage Butterick Pattern
A little over a month ago the Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire started posting information about their upcoming event running from March 20-22 at Michaan’s Auctions. The theme this time is “Tropicanaversary, Celebrating 10 years”. What a fun theme and so many era’s to choose from, when deciding one’s outfit for such an event, and to enter the contest on Friday. The Sewing Room is giving a way a $50 certificate to one of the lucky winners.
Read moreFor Tips for Becoming a Flawless Flapper - Getting ready for the Art Deco Preservation Ball
The Art Deco Society of California reached out to me to write a piece that might inspire you to attend the Art Deco Preservation Ball, which is coming up in a few weeks on March 19th at the City Club in San Francisco. The Ball is always a fabulous event and lots of fun. I’ve attended year’s past and have such lovely memories of dancing, people watching and dressing up, which is my favorite part because it helps me feel like I’m living in another era, if only for just a little while.
Read moreCreating a 1930's Ensemble for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon
Wow! I can’t believe it actually happened! Gatsby Summer Afternoon was in full swing last Sunday and it was so much fun. There was a collective feeling of joy throughout the event and I couldn’t have had a better time.
Read moreRecent Vintage Events - One Busy Weekend in Alameda
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the Downton Abbey Movie as I’m sure some of you have been as well. It just so happens that our local renovated and Historic Alameda Theater was having a special event to celebrate the opening of the Film on Thursday September 19th. And as it happens, there were two other Vintage-y events happening the same weekend.
Setting my hair more than once in a week is unheard of. I usually only do it once a month or so. Ha Ha! I’m a vintage muggle most of the time. In any case, each event was worth it so read on to see and hear how the weekend went. I’ll give you a hint, I had a lot of fun!
Read more2109 Gatsby Summer Afternoon - Making my 1930's Dress
photo by Connie Ricca
Another Year, Another Gatsby Summer Afternoon put on by the Art Deco Society of California. And this one did not disappoint. I think it’s my favorite Vintage event of the year because I get to meet and catch up with other people who have similar interests as myself. That, and it is quite magical to have the estate turned into a giant vintage scene and party. Really, if you get a chance to go, you must. It’s truly fabulous.
We’ll start with a few photos from the event and I’ll talk about my dress at the end.
Read moreTales of Gatsby Past with Plans for Gatsby Present - Sewing Costumes for Art Deco Events
With the Art Deco Society of California’s Gatsby Summer Afternoon right around the corner, I’ve been planning the outfit I’ll wear this time around. I’ve also been taking a little tour of Gatsby Afternoons I’ve attended in the past. They were filled with friends, fashion and a maybe bit of Champagne. I’ll warn you in advance, some of the photos are a little fuzzy. One can still see how much fun we had, however, so I hope you can enjoy.
Read moreSewing a Miss Fisher Style Jacket with Vintage Chinese Silk
Today’s post is about a 1920’s Short Car Coat I finished just last week. The fabric for the jacket/coat has been in my stash for the last several years. I was planning on making it to go with the blouse and skirt I’m wearing in the photos, for Miss Fisher Con, which was almost 1 year ago (already?). It didn’t quite happen in the time I originally planned to make it, but an occasion came up and It seemed like a faster make than finishing a sweater, so off I went.
Read moreAlameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire and Costume Contest
All photos courtesy of Daisy Coby - Memento Moda
Last month on a beautiful fall evening, Michaan’s Auction House opened up it’s doors to the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire produced by Sandra Michaan with a little help from Jonathan Belmares and a host of a dozen (or more) others. This is an annual (and sometimes bi-annual) event that happens at the Point and the opening of the event is really quite special, happening the first evening of this, weekend long, event.
Read moreRe-Creating My Grandmother's Dress - Gatsby 2018
Every year the Art Deco Society of California puts on the The Gatsby Summer Afternoon. This Gatsby Event is the highlight of my year, as far as vintage events go, and this year was no exception. The weather was perfect (high 70 degrees and breezy), the picnics were exquisite and the company eclectic and entertaining.
For this year’s ensemble, I chose to replicate a look that my grandmother wore (see photo above) in one of her modeling photos. I’ve admired this dress for years and have not quite had the nerve to re-create it until now. That front neck detail with the capelet and ruching really had me flummoxed.
Read moreCreating a 1920's Style Velvet Evening Coat
Well, because you asked, here is a blog post about the Blue Velvet Coat I wore to Miss Fisher Con. In this photo shoot (Thanks Mom!) I paired the jacket with a true vintage 1920’s silk lace and chiffon dress, along with some rhinestone / crystal accessories and coordinating shoes and bag.I think it all works together quite nicely.
Read moreCreating a Miss Fisher style hat by Upcycling a Vintage 1970's hat
This was a fun and quick upcycle to create a 1920's style cloche like the ones that Miss Fisher wears in the series, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. While not totally period correct, the style similar to some of the hats Phryne wears on the show, designed by Australian Milliner, Mandy Murphy.
Read moreGoing to Miss Fisher Con 2018 - my favorite moments
It's been almost two months since I attended the 2nd annual Miss Fisher Convention. If you don't know about Miss Fisher, she is the main character in a series of books by author, Kerry Greenwood. The books inspired an Australian TV Series called Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. A quite liberated lady detective, Miss Fisher, lives in 1929 Melborne, Australia. The Convention, celebrated everything "Miss Fisher". If you haven't seen it, you should. Fantastic show and books and her snappy dressing (ie. beautiful costume design) inspired me to create a whole wardrobe and rope my friends into coming along for the ride.
Read moreSewing a Velvet Evening Coat for Miss Fisher Con
A 1920's evening gown is not quite complete with out an evening cloak, a headpiece and the right jewels. Luckily for me, I had a lovely piece of velvet and some pink silk crepe-de-chine along with matching crepe back satin, tucked up on my fabric shelf just waiting to be used.
Read moreMiss Fisher Con or Bust - Fitting my Art Deco Inspired Evening Gown
Miss Fisher Con is less than a week away and my wardrobe is getting the finishing touches (even as you read this!). Here is a little sneak peak into the fitting of the evening gown I'll be wearing to the masquerade on the Saturday Evening of the Con.
Read moreMy Sewing (& Knitting) Plans for 2018
What are your Sewing Plans for the New Year? I already have a long list of things I would like to accomplish with the knowledge that there probably won't be time for everything on my list. In any regard, I'm very excited to get started. Take a look below at some of the things in the works....
Read moreA Year in Review - My best Sewing Projects of 2017
It's truly amazing how fast this year has gone and I when I look at this image it seems crazy that I made so many things. I've virtually created a brand new (but vintage inspired) wardrobe. It's been so fun making things for myself and a long time coming. I haven't really done anything like this since High School. Since then, sewing has meant mostly business - pattern making, fashion education and custom design work with a little bit of sewing for the home or for friends on the side.
Read more1930's Dress Complete - Gatsby Summer Afternoon 2017
The Gatsby Summer Afternoon is an annual event presented by the Art Deco Society of California, every year on the 2nd Sunday in September. This is an event I look forward to each year and get ready for, pretty far in advance. For the 3 years, my mom has been joining me and then last year, my cousins Kathy & Maurice came along for the ride as well. AND this year, I even roped my friend Jone in, who ended up having more friends there than me!
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