Happy Christmas to Me!

I thought I'd share a few of the vintage goodies I got for Christmas / graduation this year. Some are gifts and some I picked out myself with gift money. I was very lucky in my goodies this year. Aside from a nice fabric haul, I got some great stuff!

Vintage patterns galore! Can't wait for early 40s sewing this year!

Simplicity 3523, Simplicity 3468, Simplicity 3424

Simplicity 3702, Simplicity 4413

Simplicity 3457, Simplicity 3301

Wearing History's Deliah 1940s blouse and 1930s Day or Evening blouse and skirt pattern

 A Complete 1950s Guide to Vintage Makeup, Hairstyling & Beauty Techniques and Beauty, Glamour & Personality A Complete 1940s Guide to Vintage Makeup, Hairstyling and Elegance

I also got a new pair of Freddies on sale! :D

Did you get vintage lovelies for Christmas?

Classic Casual

I do a really bad job of capturing my more casual outfits and I want to do a better job of that this year.

For a chilly, rainy, gray day, sometimes a pretty dress just doesn't cut it! I paired a vintage Pendleton style plaid jacket with Freddies jeans and saddle shoes for a comfortable, cozy look!

This style of wool jacket tends to be rather boxy so I opted to belt it to show off my shape.

I got this jacket for a great price since it has a few moth chews but I couldn't pass up the gorgeous color combo! I really need more of these jackets in my wardrobe!

I love these brown on brown saddle shoes! I feel like the white and black/brown color combo can look costume-y if you're not careful. I don't wear these shoes much which is a shame because they are so cute!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my hair decision post a few weeks ago! I went back and forth a couple of times but ultimately decided to go for short again! Love it! This is my original hair cut but I've since tweeked it a bit since the bang section was still a bit long but it feels so nice now.

What is your favorite comfy casual vintage outfit?

Picture Perfect

 Sometimes, a great photography shoot just happens (at least it does when you are married to a professional photographer). And this is one of those shoots.

 I wasn't particularly planning on shooting this outfit but my hubby had the backdrop and lights all set up for a client so I jumped on the chance for some nice photos.

I tend to prefer outdoor shoots for outfits because the lighting is easier and we can often get away with no flashes but studio lighting can be magical too!

This setting needs some hair light since shooting black hair against a black background is hard but I'm loving how I look in this shoot!

I know I'm so lucky to have a professional photographer as a hubby because he makes me look good on film (or, you know, in pixels).

 Thanks to my hubby for making me feel more glamorous than usual!

 photos by: Will Thorpe Intelligent Design

2013: A Year In Review

With 2013 almost gone, it's always time to take some time to reflect on things I've accomplished this year.

Sew Alongs: Sew for Victory and Historical Sew Fornightly

Most worn make: A Touch of Western Dress / Most made pattern: Wearing History's WWII Home Front Overalls

Favorite Make: BBQ Dress / Least Favorite Make: 1940s tropical wrap dress

Favorite Outfit: Bubble Gum / I wish I'd worn more often: 1950s patio dress

I'm proud that I: made more separates this year / I'm excited that: I finally got retro glasses

I'm most proud of making: 1950s plaid silk dress with crazy plaid matching skilz on the set in sleeves / Favorite knitting project: Teardrop Bolero

Thanks for making 2013 a great year! Happy New Year!

Historical Sew Fortnightly: A Year In Review

Phew! It's been a busy year on the costuming front! This was the first year that I actually felt like a costumer rather than a seamstress who occasionally makes a costume. Participating in Historical Sew Fortnightly really helped keep me motivated and get stuff done for Costume College.

Challenge #0: Something Simple-19-teens bra

Challenge #1: Centennial-1913 combinations

Challenge #2: UFO-1930s style pjs

Challenge #3: Under it all-1916-ish corset

Challenge #6 Stripes, Challenge #7 Accessory and Challenge #8 By the Sea-19-teens striped skirt, belt and middy blouse

Challenge #12 Pretty, Pretty Princess-Late 19-teens Renaissance inspired fancy dress

Challenge #15 White- 1914 day dress

 

Challenge #18- Remake, Reuse, Refashion-Elizabethan Sleeves

Challenge #19- Wood, Metal, Bone-Elizabethan fitted kirtle

Challenge #20-Outerwear- Faux fur partlet

In the end, that makes 12 of the 27 challenges and I've already started on things for next year!

New Year's Eve Glam

This week's tutorial is a glamorous look for your New Year's Eve party. Enjoy!

HSF 2014

With a new year of Historical Sew Fortnightly just around the corner, I've been thinking about what I want to focus on. With the inclusion of 1938-1945 for next year, I'm sure there will be some early 40s sewing but my Elizabethan court dress needs some major work.

When I first made this dress, I was 30 lbs heavier and not nearly as good of a seamstress. I decided that the easiest thing would be to completely scrap the current bodice and start from scratch. I've already made two corsets for this dress and I really want to wear it with my new wool kirtle since it gives me such a good shape.

First, I drafted a new pattern from my kirtle pattern. I shortened it since my kirtle is a bit long in the waist, added a point in the front to match the original design of the bodice.

Next I added a bit of boning in the same locations as the original bodice-three on the front and one on each of the back pieces.

Next, I'll be using more period construction techniques to make the bodice and then I'll make hand sewn eyelets.