Birthday and Anniversary Swag

It just so happens that my birthday and wedding anniversary are just two days apart (and usually right up near mother's day for when we get to that stage). Which means May is everybody loves Stephanie month. :) And this year I got gobs of vintage and sewing related things from people who love me.

Patterns! These I picked out myself with birthday money. I love birthday money especially since the stuff I really like other people would have a hard time picking out for me. But I never ask for it because it's just awkward.

This little beauty I had spied a few months ago at a used bookstore. It's a huge 1951 catalog.  It was still there when we went back last weekend and my hubby sneakishly bought it for me. :D

And look at all of the pretties! I really want to make some scans to share but we'll have to see how the scanner behaves.

I also spied these vintage confetti earrings at a near by vintage store the same day I spied the catalog. They too were still there so they just had to come home with me! I like to do that sometimes. Wait and see if something is still there. If they are, great. If not, it's not meant to be. If I completely forget about it, then I must not have really wanted it that much in the first place.

A local sewing store called Sew Dayton was having a vintage fabric destash sale so I picked up these two beauties. The left one is a suiting and someone had bought almost the whole bolt because there's 7 3/4 yds here! The right fabric is possibly cashmere and it feels divine. Only 5/8 yd here but I couldn't pass it up! My dad also got me a Jo Ann's gift card. Yay for sewing!

And last, but certainly not least, Wearing History's 1940s overall pattern. The hubby and I weren't planning on doing anything big for our anniversary this year. (We did go to Disney for last year's though.) So this is what I asked for.

What kind of birthday gifts do you like? Do your friends and family buy you vintage or sewing related things?

Spring.....or not

It seems like for the past several months, the gorgeous weather has been all on the weekdays when I have to work and it's either rainy or cold on the weekends and this weekend was no exception.

So I pulled out one of my favorite winter dresses to wear! Just goes to show you that you can never really rotate your closet if you live in the midwest.

I've been loving the cute 50s do's my hair has been cooperating with lately!

I also wore a new (to me) pair of vintage confetti earrings. I've never felt any desire to have bakelite jewelry because it's sooooo expensive for plastic costume jewelry but I'm in love with these confetti earrings.

 

Accessories can really make or break an outfit so I'm excited to add to my vintage jewelry collection.

Hopefully, this is winter's last attempt and spring will be here for good!

1950s Summer Hat Hair

Summer is coming (if the winter weather ever decides to go away for good!). And my hair is long enough to really do some cute dos. So that means it's hat season! :D

This video features a darling 50s hat I found at a local vintage store. Enjoy!


Speaking of local vintage stores, I've been wanting to host a blogger meet up for forever! I know some of you local(ish) ladies have also wanted to do a meet up, so let's do it! If you're interested, please email me at girlwiththestarspangledheart [at] gmail [dot] com.

A Touch of Western

I'm not really big on anything western or country or farm, but I do go to church in a barn so it had to happen sooner or later.

I've wanted a blue chambray dress for summer for a while and I'm so happy I finally made one!

 

Fabric: blue chambray cotton ($5/yd)
Pattern: Simplicity 2851
Year: 1949
Notions: western style buttons, zipper, belt kit
Hours to complete: 6
First worn: May 2012
Total cost: ~$25
 

I just adore this pattern! Late 1940s looks are so flattering. I've also made a winter version of this dress. Don't you love reusing patterns? I've been keeping an eye out for patterns that have both short and long sleeved options so they'll work for both summer and winter.

I found a set of vintage "pearls" among my stuff that's still at my parents' house a while back and I really like them! They are a bit daintier than my other faux pearls and will be great for summer.

I bought these metal western buttons on a whim at Costume College. They go great with the blue chambray for just a touch of country.

I know that this will be a favorite all summer!

The Let's Have a BBQ Dress

I saw this fabric over on Bernie Dexter's site as one of her dresses and I feel in love! I spied it again a few weeks later on fabric.com and I just had to snag some!

Tada! Retro 50s BBQ fabulousness!

Fabric: quilting cotton ($5/yd)
Pattern: Vintage Vogue 2960
Year: 1954
Notions: black piping, covered buttons
Hours to complete: 12
First worn: May 2012
Total cost: $30

I did make some modifications to the dress. It has quite a low back line so I raised it so I could wear a bra with this dress. I do recommend making a muslin for this pattern since the seam under the bust makes that area a bit different to fit. I did not make bound button holes like the pattern suggests (mostly because I was feeling lazy) but I did do the waist stay. I also added piping to the seam under the bust.

I had a lot of fun styling this outfit. Pearls were an easy choice but I went a bit bolder with my leopard print rose.

And my favorite polka dot shoes!

The event I wore this to was put on by a local group called Up Dayton who are working to revitalize the downtown area and get people involved in the city. This particular event was held to give exposure to the three candidates for mayor and to encourage everyone to vote.

It was held at a local bar called Brixx Ice Co. and they had some super tasty food.

Several local bands played too and it was really a fun evening. I've never gotten so many compliments on an outfit before! And a lot of guys complimented me too (in a non creepy way).

 

I can't wait to wear this dress all summer!

Have you ever sewn up a Vintage Vogue dress?

Youtube: Books and Nerdy Things

I just love books! I don't have nearly as much time to read as I used to but I still love my books. Enjoy this bookshelf scavenger hunt!

An easy weekend look

I love things that are classic, easy to wear and look great too! This dress certainly fits the bill!

Fabric: black and white gingham cotton ($4/yd)
Pattern: Simplicity 2502
Year: 1948
Notions: buttons (from stash)
Hours to complete: 6-ish
First worn: May 2012
Total cost: ~$12

I love the shape of late 40s dresses! And it's crazy comfortable. It was a bit light for the weather when I wore it but it'll be perfect all summer long!

 I made a self fabric belt, but I can imagine this paired with all manner of brightly colored belts and accessories!

I had a lot of fun with the construction on this dress. I used black and white striped bias tape for several of the seams. I found this delightful vintage bias tape at Sew Dayton, a super cute local sewing store.

This pattern uses a button fly front so the buttons are hidden! I happened to have matching black buttons but this would be a great option for left over or odd ball buttons since you can't see them anyways.

Here you can see the two layers that the buttons are hidden between. It was quite easy to do and I really like the look of it.

The first Friday of every month, Dayton hosts an event called First Fridays to encourage patronage of local businesses and this is what I wore my dress for. We popped in to quite a few local places including a new to us wine bar!

I was quite happy with my hair since I did a hot set! It's been pretty dry for this time of year and the lack of humidity has really made my hot sets last.

I'm so excited that I can go out and do stuff and look cute since the weather is finally getting nice!