It all started last fall when a student asked me if I was interested in 40 boxes of donated fabric. It may sound like heaven but, think about all the space that takes up. What am I going on about? It was heaven. I sorted through everything, prepared it for sale (I love finding homes for unused fabric) and then picked a few things just for myself. Inside this treasure trove was a collection of lovely coordinating silks, wools and rayons that had just the 1930’s look, I’m gaga for.
Read moreSewing a 1930's Cotton Summer Dress
It’s been a long hot Summer around here. Well, not that hot really, but the temperature here is starting to rise and it’s time for a new cotton sun dress. August and September are the hottest months around here. I won this blue cotton swiss dot in a raffle at the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild Open House, earlier this year. It’s the perfect weight for a Summer Dress.
Read moreSewing a 1930's Capelet and Another Silly Hat
It’s super hard for me to decide which I enjoy more, this silly little 1930’s hat or the luscious capelet in a Japanese Cotton. They were both very fun makes and great additions to my wardrobe. You might have guessed by now, that Navy is my Black. I much prefer a little color to my basics and navy blue really fits the bill.
Read moreVintage Coat Renovation - Sewing a 1930's Inspired Ensemble
Do you ever have fabric that feels like it’s money burning a hole in your pocket? Well, I sure did when my friend Laurie Ann gave me this gorgeous polka dot viscose shantung. Oh, my, it was love at first site. And it was gifted along with a coordinating brown trouser weight fabric as well. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sew up a new outfit, perfect for our cool autumn weather.
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 moreRevamping a Men's Sport Coat for the Sacramento Tweed Ride - Part 2
After being invited to the Sacramento Tweed Ride, by friends Lisa and Robb, I had only two weeks to get something together. I took my inspiration from vintage hunting/riding/sporting attire and my imaginings of vintage country living. I hope to one day, own a country home. Until that happens, I can just dress as if I do, right?
Read moreSewing a 1930's Fall Ensemble - Silk Blouse & Wool Trousers
It’s Fall here (finally) in Northern California and the trees are starting to turn. And by Fall I mean it’s gotten hot in the days (upper 70’s F) and cools off at night. Not quite jacket weather, in the daylight, but it feels good to dip into the fall colors.
Read moreRepairing a 1930's Orange Chiffon Evening Gown
My Vintage Fairy Godmother has been quite active over the last few months. In fact, I’m actually quite lucky to have friends that give me vintage pieces that they no longer want or don’t know what to do with. The story behind this ensemble, definitely falls into this category.
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 more1930's Sleeves - Weirdly Wonderful and Over the Top!
I’m getting ready to put together a Fall outfit and am very excited about working with some of the fabrics I’ve put aside - lots of luscious wools and silks in gold tones. And I bought a terrific 1930’s hat at the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire, last weekend. So when Wardrobe Shop and Nataya approached me to do a sponsored blog post with this article, I couldn’t refuse.
Read moreSide Tracked from my Sewing Goals - 1930's Green & Peach Ensemble
Have you ever come across the perfect fabric that goes with another fabric you've been waiting to do something with? Well, this darling plaid came into my life and I just had a to make a new outfit around it. It's a synthetic Charmeuse, which is not a regular go-to for me. I much prefer silk. However, when I saw this plaid which was printed on the diagonal, it really screamed 1930's blouse, right at me! AND it matched perfectly with a beautiful green wool that's been waiting to be made into something for quite some time.
This outfit doesn't exactly fit into my "Miss Fisher Wardrobe" goals, but it does kind of echo some of silhouettes of the (Miss Fisher) era worn between 1928 - 1932, and definitely covers the "Colorful" way she dresses on a regular basis. The emerald green of the wool is one of my favorite colors and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make this skirt, for which I had a pattern waiting in the wings. I've used this pattern twice before, once recently using a wool tweed and made slightly shorter. You can see the post for that skirt by clicking here.
Having more fabric than I needed for the skirt, my mind wandered into the world of accessories. I've been wanting to try out a couple different patterns - one for a 1930's hat and one for a clutch from a book that I had on my shelf. I found a small piece of velvet in a coordinating color (to the green) that I was able to use for both the hat and the clutch to give them each a little depth and contrast. The top piece of the hat, which makes the point is actually a circle that is gathered in 3 spots fitting into the circle of the next piece. The hat is comprised of 4 hat pieces (3 for the top and one for the side) and a hat band that finishes off the bottom edge. The pattern did not call for lining, but I added some because it gives some structure to the finished piece. I really like the very 1930's, whimsical nature of this silly little almost "beret".
For the clutch, I had originally planned to add a trim between the velvet and the wool, but got so excited to finish the bag, that I forgot. In the end, It's fine without the trim. I added a stone and filigree broach to give it some pizazz.
The Blouse was made from a Simplicity re-issue of a 1930's dress pattern, and shortened to blouse length at the hip. I used the version with a v-neck & 3/4 length puff (at the cuff) sleeves, that seemed to suit the fabric being used. It is a raglan sleeve made from what appears to be a kimono style shape, with a dart at the shoulder. If I do use this pattern again, I will re-shape the raglan armholes and side seams so it fits a bit better under the arm and around the bust. It does not hang perfectly in this area, which is my only disappointment with the whole project in general. No reason to complain overall.
Also, I added a little tab at the front neck so that I could loop a bow through it or hang a flower from it which is a very '30's detail. In the photo above you can see the flower I made by creating a long double sided triangle and gathering the bottom straight edge. Rolling the gathered edge and sewing it at the bottom, creates the rose-like shape. The fabric color pattern, serendipitously, arranged a black point at the center of the flower. The flower was finished off with a tab of it's own that snaps in place around the tab on the dress.
Here is the lineup of all the patterns used along with my accessories:
- Blouse - Simplicity 8247 reissue of a 1930's Dress
- Skirt - Vintage Pattern Lending Library - 1936 Ladies Skirt - #T1047 - re-sized to fit my body measurements
- Hat - Vintage Pattern Lending Library - 1930s Ladies Hat, Scarf & Gloves - #H2851
- Clutch - Making Vintage Accessories: 25 Original Sewing Projects Inspired by the 1920s-60s by Emma Brennan
- Shoes - Decobelles and Angels Shoes from Argentina - Style Leah
- Necklace - Hotcakes Design
- Scarf & Pin - both vintage and gifts from either a friend or my mom
- Belt - 1 1/2" wide vintage grosgrain ribbon and vintage green celluloid belt buckle. Buckle bought from VictorianButtons on Etsy
- Earrings - Feathered Outlaw Alameda
Until Next Time, Happy Sewing!
Jennifer
