Now I’ve Gone and Done It!

Turns out Pinterest changed their policy a few months ago, so all that is needed to join is an email address!  Whoo-hoo!

Now all of those starred bits and bobs from my reader are easily accessible.

I still have a lot to learn, and I am doing my best to spend a limited amount of time . . . we shall see how long that lasts . . .

Do you pinterest?  Or do you know of any fabulous accounts that will feed my new habit?

Things you can do with a Scarf

I rarely find rayon at JoAnn Fabrics.  When I do, they are generally prints that do not interest me.

But I did happen upon this floral rayon twill as I was feeling my way down the fabric aisles a couple of years ago - and it is always exciting to feel something other than polyester.  The large abstract floral was just my style!  Unfortunately, the fabric was bordered by a brown design and stopped after approximately 40" with a bunch of white and a dotted line.  What the heck!?

Turns out, the yardage was printed as a scarf design.  The dotted lines and white portions of the fabric, I suppose, would be hemmed out of sight.

Not to be deterred, I bought three sections of “scarf” and hoped I could find a suitable pattern.

The 1940s seemed like a great place to start, given the fabric rationing that dress designers were working with.

Although I was unable to cut completely around the brown and tan border, I incorporated it all on one side of the dress so it would look like part of the design.

This is, without a doubt, the most worn self-made garment I have in my closet.  It has been in rotation quite a while now, and is beginning to show signs of wear (there is a small pull in the skirt) but I am not going to give it up just yet.

I wish I could find another rayon, silk, or wool with a similar print (without the border)!  Because, to be honest, that is my favorite thing about the frock!

Dress:  Made by me, Butterick 5281

Shoes:  Banana Republic

An Oldie but a Goodie

These pictures are from a couple of months ago.  The last couple of days have turned cold (well, cold for me!) so the cotton sundresses are going to be living in the closet for a while.

This dress was finished years ago, but it has not had very much wear.

The thing that has always bothered me about this dress is the hem.  It is extremely uneven.   I originally added a thin horsehair braid to the dress, which looked ridiculous.  

Believe it or not, I actually ripped out the hem at the side seams and let them out quite a bit before I wore it this time around.  It is still far from perfect, but plenty of vintage dresses have the same issue, so I am just going to pretend that it is meant to look that way.

Another problem is that getting into the dress is a pain in the neck, quite literally.  The opening is on the side seam and extends toward the back about 3 inches and is kept in place with snaps (or press studs, if we are using the vintage verbage).  After twisting around to get things snapped up, my neck was sore for the rest of the day.

And that is enough of my boo-hooing - because I still love this one.  

The print is one of those wonderful novelty looks that includes a lady at her daily chores (hanging laundry out to dry and ironing everything to a crisp finish) not to mention the doggie!  I believe that I have some leftover yardage hiding in the stash, so as soon as Spring returns, I will have to come up with a suitable project.

Dress:  Made by me, Vogue 2561

Sweater:  Made by me, Lace Trim Bolero

Shoes:  Colin Stuart

Necklace:  Rafael Jewelers

Earrings:  Gift

Hair Bow:  Made by me

Laura Mae Life Blouse

Christy brought this photo and brand to my attention today - thank you Christy!  Which took me to The Nifty Fifties and this pinterest page and this one and this one.  Vintage overload!

It almost makes me contemplate opening a Facebook account just so I can play along on Pinterest.

I had no idea that my name was a vintage brand!

Not exactly sure what “washes like a hanky” means.  I assume this is a positive thing?

But I do love their slogan, “My Laura Mae Blouse comes first.”

It reminds me of those Calvin Klein ads with the tag “nothing comes between me and my Calvins” - only much better.  

Does anyone own a Laura Mae?

Miss Elliette

It is always a challenge to attend the Tuesday performance following the Gala event.  What they heck am I going to wear?

The trick is to forget all about the full length gown and not attempt to top that outfit.

Instead, I decided to pull out some vintage.

This dress is, without a doubt, my most awesome thrifting score to date.  I was performing in Sonora, CA years ago, and decided to go into an antique store to look for a brooch for the opening night party.  

They had this dress hanging on a coat-rack and one other black sheath made of what looked like woven ribbons.  

I still kick myself for not picking up that second dress, even if I did not think it was going to fit.  But I had the good sense to pick this one up!  The price was so ridiculously inexpensive it was embarrassing.

The label indicates that the dress is a Miss Elliette design.  From the inside finishing, it is clearly vintage.  I assumed late 1950s, but thanks to Vintage Fashion Guild, it seems that it may be 1960s according to the tag design.

Whatever the year, I love my lace dress.

Dress:  Vintage

Belt:  Thrifted

Clutch:  Banana Republic

Shoes:  Franco Sarto

Brooch:  Vintage

Hair Flower:  Made by me

Earrings:  Vintage from Shadows

Accessories à la 1948

Here are a few lovely items from the 1948 Sears Roebuck Catalog.

I was a bit obsessed with 1948 for the past month and meant to share some of these between construction posts, but the sewing took precedence!

And while these items are certainly not what I would consider to be the height of fashion or evening elegance, I would not mind having some of these lovelies in my closet!

Some of these bedroom slippers are gorgeous, and some of them look like something I could buy in Sears.

Look at these hats!  

So many amazing choices.

More hoodies!

And even more exquisite and over the top choices!  Did these ladies have an entire closet dedicated to hats and hatboxes?!

These purses are adorable!  Although I am not sure how I feel about "suede-like plastics."  What do you suppose that material feels like?

[Images from 1948 Sears Roebuck Catalog]

Dreamy Dresses & Divine Details

Have you seen any YouTube videos of the Dior couture shows?!   Style.com has always been my go-to for pretty Couture pictures - but nothing is quite the same as seeing the actual runway show.  The level of detail is stunning when you can see how all of the sequins and beads catch the light and how the spectacular fabric moves with the wearer.

As I have spent the past month ensconced with yummy fabrics and been busy hand sewing, this is my dessert!

I could easily spend an entire day drooling in front of my computer screen watching these again and again.

Talk about the ultimate distraction!

Do you have a favorite design house?