Sharing, Inspiration and Project Photos XII

[BeeBee]

I studied a vintage glove-making book from the library a few years ago, and never did try it, but it was really in-depth, and assumed you would be drafting your own patterns, since you'd want a perfect custom fit.  They gave you directions to do that too.  I'm going to have to see if I can get to the library to get it again.

Take a look here, as well:  http://vintagesewing.info/1950s.html

Your gloves are gorgeous, and I have tremendous admiration for anyone crazy patient enough to do all that hand sewing. 
(and just for laughs, when I spell checked this, it wanted to turn glove-making into love-making.  Now that's a horse of a different color  )

[LindaF]

Liana,
I love your gloves.  I have been following along by reading about it on your blog.  They are so cute.  You may just be starting a new trend.    I need to go back and refresh my mind on what stitch you used to make them. I am drawing a blank right now.
Linda

[Zoubida]

I went home for lunch break today and I found the enveloppe from Decades of Style awaiting me on the door step.

I can't wait to sew these elegant patterns.


#2803 1928 Bridge Jacket


#3005 1930s Butterfly Blouse

I have no experience whatsoever with this pattern company. I know there's a "trick" to easily sew the gusset on the bridge jacket because Janet (the owner?) wrote me a detailed e-mail about it. Nothing complicated, just carefull marking of seams lines and knowing where to stop the stitching.

If you have experience with Decades of Style patterns, I'd love to hear about it.

[ClaireC]

Zoubida, no experience here, but I had to tell you that I love both patterns.  I had to look at the jacket for a couple of minutes as the drawing at first looked uninteresting.  Then I noticed the neck darts and the scarf piece tied in the back.  Ooh..la..la  Very chic and elegant.

Liana, I didn't realize the Vogue pattern was for knit gloves.  I can't fathom hand sewing a knit.  this is the newer glove pattern.

www.voguepatterns.com

Quote from www.voguepatterns.com FABRICS: Suitable for Fabrics with Crosswise Stretch Fusible Lightweight Knit: Stretch Micro Suede, Velour, Jersey, Stretch Lace and Stretch Faux Leather. Contrast E: Fake Fur. Optional Interfacing: Fusible Lightweight Knit. Additional Fabric may be needed to match stripes, plaids and one-way design fabric. *with nap. **without nap.

My favorite is the glove with the buckle.  (middle picture in the middle row)  Liana, I'm thinking that your foray into glove making is going to spark us all into joining you sooner or later.

[BeeBee]

OOOOh, I love the pink ones in the upper right.  But I want mine in russet or burgundy.

[BetsyV]

Zoubida

I made the 1933 Evening Gown and 1931 Parisienne Coat about a year and a half ago. My photo album is here. I don't recall any problems with the instructions or the pattern at all, excepting that when I pressed the creases out of the paper pieces, the ink smudged. I only sent one inquiry to the DOS gals, and that was to ask their opinion on using velvet. They were all for it. I thought the patterns were well drafted etc etc. I did make a muslin but that was to check the fit more than walk through the instructions.

Here are the pattern envelopes. Enjoy your jacket nd blouse - I love the blouse especially!

[Zoubida]

Betsy, both the coat and the dress are luscious in velvet. Kuddos for sewing them in such a difficult fabric. And thank you for sharing your experience with DoS patterns. Both the patterns I bought seem to be easy just reading the instruction sheet. But the pieces have a shape I'm not used to.

Claire, you're right, you have to look well at the jacket to see its potential. I agree it looks unasuming, but it can turn out pretty special if I choose the fabric and the clothes to wear with it carefully. It's such a classic piece to me. I've seen this kind of jackets a lot when I was a kid. But then I grew up in a very conservative neighbourhood, where we were taught to write with dip-pens and steel nibs dipped in white ceramic cups encastred in each desk, at a time when the Bic pen was sold by the million (I'm 44, not 85 years old). I was immediately attracted by this simple old-fashion jacket. It reminds me of my primary school years.

I never noticed the gloves pattern on Vogue site. I love them. My favorite is the charcoal one with the fake-fur trim.

[Liana]

BeeBee,  I think that may be the book!  How exciting to find it online.  Thank you!  (I think it's a little crazy too, but it was much faster than I'd thought, and actually it would be a great car project (if someone else is driving!) 

LindaF,  I used backstitch for the permanent stitching, and just a small running stitch for the basting.  And thank you!  It would be fun to feel like I was a trend-setter! 

Claire,  Sewing knit fabric by hand is no problem.  Mine was a little spongy, but it was actually easier than this woven I'm working with since there was something to get hold of.  I think I have the other Vogue glove pattern that came out earlier I think.
Vogue 7949
FABRICS: Stretch Velvet, Stretch Satin and Stretch Synthetic Leather or Suede.  The stretch factor makes them very forgiving, which I think is probably critical.

Zoubida,  I confess to having several Decades of Style patterns and not making any of them yet.    I did draft a pattern myself to copy a blouse they have, and it turned out well, but that doesn't help you with their instructions.  I have to agree with Betsy though (and her lovely gown and coat!) that the DOS gals are really nice.  I got a long email from them about a year after I got my first pattern from them which they were carefully sending to everyone who'd ordered that style with some updated instructions and suggestions for some tricky parts that look like they'll be very helpful.  I was very impressed with their customer service in this case.

[Zoubida]

They seem to have stellar customer service Liana. I recieved the special instructions to succeed in sewing the gusset of the jacket not very long after the purchase confirmation. And that email was not impersonnal or automatic.

[vtmartha]

I have the Bridge Jacket pattern but I, too, haven't sewn it.  I might have to get the Butterfly Blouse pattern.  I don't remember seeing it before and I love the 'saddle stitching' which is under discussion elsewhere.  I don't remember getting any extra information regarding the jacket but I have may have missed it - I purchased the pattern a long time ago.  I may have to check with them before making it up.  Sue Vite reviewed it on PR and that must have been my inspiration but her photo link is broken now.  I have a few others which appealed, such as the Salon Trousers.  The picture I saw later of those sewn up didn't inspire me so I haven't tried them.  I think there was a difference in body types so I may go ahead.

Liana, I recall that, as a child, I had to wear a hat and gloves when we visited relatives in San Francisco - and not the polar fleece kind!  And I had a long cream colored pair to go with my going to college suit (major mistake! - things had changed since my DM had set off for Vassar!    )

[Susinok]

Wow I have to play catch up!

Love your dress, Carolyn! The fit is fabulous and it looks wonderful and cool. I have some prints I bought just for summer dresses. We'll see if they turn into dresses this year.

Liana, the gloves are wonderful! I would love some funky gloves like the ones shown on the Vogue cover. Where do you get stretch snakeskin vinyl anyway? Doh, Spandex House, right? Need (want) some of those... badly.

I have lost my garment sewing mojo at the moment. I have a pair of pants cut out and languishing. I have a knit top cut out and languishing. I don't have the power of concentration to sew, so I'm knitting at the moment.

However, the bag I made is in use every day so I am going to sew up some more of those. I have a yarn-ball killing kitten, so all of my knitting needs to be tucked away out of sight. I have some remnant fabric I recieved in a swap which is corduroy with Boticcelli faces on it. I am going to use that to make a few more totebags.



I have a very large L-shaped piece which will make a few totes and clutches. I am already gearing up for Christmas gifts as well. Money is tight but I do have a lot of stash to use up!

[vtmartha]

Susan, I saw that fabric on your blog and I was most impressed!

[Liana]

Beautiful fabric, Susinok! I thought for sure you were doing a fancy dying, over-dying, embellishing job.  Will it become a bag? 

vtmartha,  I'm sure you looked wonderful on your way to college, even if you didn't quite fit in with the other girls until you re-wardrobed.  Gloves were well and truly on the way out when I was fairly small, but we always wore them to church and then just for Easter, and then....nothing.  Until the last several years.  I had a great source of interesting vintage gloves for a long time, and I wore/wear them.  That source is gone though.

I've been working away in odd moments on the woven gloves, and I think they're going to be just fine, if fairly fragile.  I'm doing the scalloped cuff version, and the fabric is a floral with a plain facing on the cuff and I'm just getting kind of thrilled with it.  I'm just ready to start on the fourchettes, so we shall see how it goes from here.

[fzxdoc]

My grandmother dressed in hat, gloves, suit/nice dress and heels every time she left the house, even if only to go grocery shopping.  She was quite the fashion diva.  Whenever I see nice gloves like those you made, Liana, I think of the fashionable statement they make.  Sometimes I wish we were more of a "ladies' hats and gloves" type of society still.  I love both of those accessories!

Susan, very nice fabric--and in your favorite colors!

And now I'm lusting after those Decades of Style patterns, Zoubida!  This is a dangerous topic for my overworked charge card!

Well, that was quite some excitement we had yesterday, with the server for the SG site going down and our database crashing.  I was soooo lonely without SG!    Happily, DL got it back up and running (see her comments over on this topic.)  It's nice to have my morning coffee with my online friends once again. 

Kathryn

[scottiesews]

I missed my fix yesterday but wow - now I'm lusting after gloves & Decades of Style patterns.  Please tell me how to fit more hours into the day to make all the things I now feel I must have.

[Saashka]

Looking at all those vintage patterns makes me wish I lived in a more stylish society, complete with hats and gloves and pretty dresses. But I wasn't channeling anything vintage last weekend when I decided to try Kwik Sew 2759, a twinset pattern that has been sitting in my pattern drawer for a few years, quietly whispering "make me, make me" every time I opened that drawer. So I finally listened. And I really like the result - the instructions were great.



More pictures and details on my blog. I think with some alterations, this will become a TNT. And then I will be able to turn out new twinsets like Carolyn. Is that aspirational sewing?

[Liana]

Saashka,  That twinset looks so good!  I know I aspire to Carolyn's twinset perfection too, so I know what you mean!    Will you wear the cardigan with the matching dress as well?

Kathryn & Saashka,  I'm with you on the hats and gloves thing. (Can you tell?)    I do wear hats, especially in the summer.  I think there's more acceptance of it since people are more aware of the dangers of skin cancer/sun exposure.  Not that I don't think about how stylish a hat is, at least a little bit. 

I think most women secretly wish they could wear hats and gloves at least once in a while.  I was in charge of a centennial celebration for a music club I'm in, and we (I) decided that we would all dress in period costume (any period from then to now) including hats and gloves, which were de rigeur for meetings for a very long time.  At first there were some who thought it was silly, but everyone got into the spirit and really enjoyed it.  In fact, someone brings it up every now and then and some of our newer members seem really sorry they missed it.  There was an article in the newspaper about it ahead of time, and we even had women show up wearing hats and gloves who wanted to be an audience for the day.  It really struck a chord.  Sometimes I think we're "afraid" to dress up because of all those who feel it's their duty to tell us we're too dressed up.     It seems to be perfectly acceptable to wear your pajamas and slippers in public or any old ratty thing, but heaven forbid anyone should look nice.    Maybe they think we're making them look bad?    Not intentionally.

[BeeBee]

Dressing up IS so much fun!  I just bought (yeah, bought) a dress for an event in acouple of weeks.  I'm not thrilled with it, but the color's nice and its silk and it fits well.  And I'll get to fix my hair, wear silk, put on nice hose, wear silk, paint my nails, wear silk, mince around on high heals and wear silk.  It's in Florida, so maybe a hat could be done (I can hear DH now! ), but gloves....?  not so much. 
As a child we wore gloves to church, always got a new pair for Easter along with white patten leather shoes and lace anklets.  (Yea, I just dated myselft).  And ladies always look so polished with gloves, hankie, nice hat. 
Kudo's to those of you who keep it going.
Now I'm off to cut out my retro dress from V8489       in this fabric:  , as inspired by a PR review earlier this week.  I'll be doing the bands in black, both because of the busyness of the fabric and the really bad cut I got:  I needed 2 good yards and I have a skimpy 2 at one end and about 1 3/4 on the other end  .  I won't get it finished before I have to put it away for JCC work, but I can get started.

[Karendee]

Bee Bee,

Is that the rose and lavender or the other (beige etc.) If it's the lavender/pink I'll be glad to give you my 4 yds. Just pm me with your address and it's yours. I decided that it's too busy for me; I'm much taller and larger than you and the fabric wasn't for me. But I liked the design etc.

KarenD

BeeBee,
Mea Culpa, I just tried to give away the wrong thing. My fabric is different from yours (all round shapes instead of the rectangular ones.) Both fabrics were posted on Fabric Mart at the same time, and I considered them both. If for some reason you still want mine, you are welcome to it, but it's not the same as yours.

karen

[BeeBee]

Thanks, Karen.  If you really don't want it, I'll take it.  I liked both when I saw them, but usually am a sucker for purple when available.
I squeaked out all the peices from my fabric.  It took some work, but I did it.  It's a 2 way stretch, so that helped.  And knowing that the design would be different on the bands also helped.

[Zoubida]

(...) Sometimes I think we're "afraid" to dress up because of all those who feel it's their duty to tell us we're too dressed up.     It seems to be perfectly acceptable to wear your pajamas and slippers in public or any old ratty thing, but heaven forbid anyone should look nice.    Maybe they think we're making them look bad?    Not intentionally.

Liana, I wholeheartedly agree. You expressed that so well.

[fzxdoc]

I agree, Liana.  It seems as though we must apologize for dressing up when no one seems to apologize very often for dressing down.  I really enjoy dressing up each day--not super dressy, but in pretty clothes and makeup.  But I'd be really happy if I could don a pretty hat now and again and not have people wondering if I'm heading off to church for a special service.

There is a lovely hatmaking society in Chicago that sends me invitations to their events each year.  They have a great time making their own hats and then showing them off at their own social events.

Kathryn

[Karendee]

I agree with all of you concerning "dressing up." I too like to dress each day with an outfit, makeup, hair done ready to do what the day unfolds. I enjoy looking pulled together to shop, meet a friend for lunch, visit a neighbor, or do an activity, and I look about the same for all of those events. This is really because my style is relaxed but unstructured with black bottoms (slacks or skirts) and a colorful top, jacket, jewelry, scarf etc. Unlike you, Kathryn, I don't wear heels (I wish I could navigate in them without killing my feet and legs), but  wear cute casual shoes instead. I do don a pair of small heels for really dressy occasions. I have had close friends say that I'm always dressed up, but I can work around the house (Lt. work), read, knit, sew, and go out in these outfits in comfort. I think I just enjoy clothes and wearing them--while some people really don't. I'd be willing to state that 95% of the people here at SG enjoy clothes, fabrics, and the planning and wearing of them.

While I lack the desire to wear hat or gloves, I do enjoy seeing others who wear them. I think it is a lovely look.

Karen

[Robin]

I agree, Liana.  It seems as though we must apologize for dressing up when no one seems to apologize very often for dressing down.  I really enjoy dressing up each day--not super dressy, but in pretty clothes and makeup.  But I'd be really happy if I could don a pretty hat now and again and not have people wondering if I'm heading off to church for a special service.

There is a lovely hatmaking society in Chicago that sends me invitations to their events each year.  They have a great time making their own hats and then showing them off at their own social events.

Kathryn

I agree with your agreement, Kathryn!  I am always in favor of being "pulled together".  Even when casually dressed, it is so nice to put on some jewelry and something other than athletic wear.  I am not much in favor of the way sweats & sneakers are worn everywhere, all the time.  I think a nice outfit makes a person look like they care about the impression they make.  It's almost like it shows respect for other people.
I would wear hats all the time if they looked good on me.  My mother wears them a lot and she looks fab in them.
My forehead is small so hats tend to smother my head and look funny.  But I lsure do love the look.
I remember wearing gloves for Easter, too.  I sure loved getting a new pair every year!  I played with them a lot, too, as I recall.  I have vivid memories of a pair of velvet shoes one year.  I was very young and I called them "the hairy shoes".  We are a bunch of girly girls, here, I think.

[jodiwell]

I work in an office area of an aircraft factory and try to dress "professionally" nice, when most wear jeans and tees.  I wear a lot of nice slacks, blouses, sweaters, jackets etc.  I feel so much better when I take the time to dress nicely.  I draw the line at makeup, though.  I quit wearing it in my 30s and never looked back.  I know it's not for everyone, I'm lucky I can pull it off.  And I can be ready to go 30 minutes after slapping the alarm clock.

I am appalled at what passes for acceptable "dressage" in the work arena.  I can't much want to look like many of them do even in the privacy of my own home!

jodi

[cmarie12]

Alexandra - the twinset is beautiful!  I am glad that I've inspired you to get a TNT twinset pattern.  I love mine and it works in so many different types of fabric!  I can't wait to see future incarnations!

As for the dressing up thing...try working in business casual for six years and then moving to a corporate dress atmosphere!  Even Fridays, the staff is "dressed" so I kinda understand why people who dress that way 5 days a week, every week wanted to move to a "sloppier" reality.  However, I have to admit that I do enjoy dressing up more.

And as for the patent leather shoes, hats and gloves plus a new spring coat at Easter, are the words of my childhood too...and I even carried it forth with my own children.  There are pictures of all my DD's until teenage years (the bain of my existance!) in patent leather shoes, matching purses and spring coats...the only thing missing was a hat!!!    And I wish you could see my sister's daughter and son...but then I think there is more tradition in the black church when it comes to these things!

Okay, I'm rambling maybe I should take my tired self to bed! *LOL*

[KathrynT]

Beebee, I just ordered that pattern in the Vogue sale.  I wasn't going to buy anything, but couldn't resist.  Let me know how it works out.
The fabric is also to die for.  Of course it's from Fabric mart - they have the coolest fabrics, but they don't deliver to Australia .

[Martha Domke]

Oh yes, I well-remember Easters of years past.  Always a new outfit, shoes, gloves, and a hat.  I think that the last Easter I bought a hat was 1960.  Oh my!!!! that's too long ago. 

And Carolyn, since you mentioned the black church and traditions---that is one thing I notice in our area (metro Detroit), all the women wear the most eye-catching and beautiful hats.  And they all look truly wonderful.  I would think you would be stunning in hats.  Your sewing ability is so outstanding, and I can't help but wonder if those around you notice how "put together" you look???

Now----me in a hat??  You gotta be kidding!  My body just seems to reject them now.  Wonder if that's an allergy???

[fzxdoc]

Alexandra, congratulations on yet another nice sewing project completed.  That twinset turned out so nicely!  I find that Kwik Sew patterns run large, just as you seemed to have found with your twinset.  Have you made other Kwik Sew patterns before? If so, have you had that experience with other KS patterns? 

It will be nice for you to be able to use that twinset pattern again and again.  Now when you look at certain fabrics, the idea of a twinset will come immediately to mind because you have had such success with your pattern.  That's sort of how I feel about a swing jacket pattern that I have made a few times.  Whenever I can't figure out what to do with an interesting fabric, I try to envision it as a swing jacket. Anyway, enjoy wearing your twinset, relishing the satisfaction of wearing something truly well made.

Kathryn

[mardel]

Alexandra, I complimented your twinset on your blog, but it is nice to see it again here as well.  It is really lovely and I think you will get  a lot of use out of that pattern.

I love the discussion about dressing up.  I much prefer looking pulled together and "nice" to just pulling something on, but I too hate people asking "where I am going" all too often.    I suppose if I still worked every day in a corporate environment (and it has been a long long time since I have) I would have work clothes and "play" clothes, but I don't see why the play clothes, although much more fun, can't still be pulled together.

I love hats too, and am looking forward to the hot summer days when I can wear a few to outdoor summer afternoon activities -- I have a good excuse since I burn very easily and get headaches in the sun -- a perfect excuse for wearing broad-brimmed hats to carry my shade with me.  I would wear them more, but for the comments.  Which reminds me that last night, riding back from NYC on the 11:15 train there was an elegant older lady who sat right in front of us wearing a beautiful suit, pumps and the perfect smallish brimmed straw hat with a touch of chiffon and a beautiful rose, all monochromatic.  She looked lovely and like she was from another world compared to the mostly sneaker or flip-flop and jeans clad population of the train.

[zora]

Zoubida, I love the Bridge Jacket. I can't wait to see yours.

Alexandra, the twinset looks fabulous on you. I so wish I had a TNT twinset pattern. Very nice.

Liana, that must have been a lot of work hand sewing those gloves. They look fabulous. When I looked at glove patterns in the past, I never realized that you have to sew them by hand. Somehow I always imagined it would be possible to do it with my sewing machine. Oh well, I better not buy a gloves pattern now that I know better. I can't sew by hand.

Suzinok, that fabric is gorgeous. Wish I had some of it.

[AnnRowley]

I. too, love the dressing up discussion.

First - gloves. I wear gloves to keep my hands warm and for driving - doesn't everyone?  If you mean those white summer gloves that we used to wear with everything - no, not for ages..  And hats; now only in public for weddings and funerals  - an ancient straw in the garden in the summer.

Otherwise- proper clothes all the time, even for breakfast!  What's the use of having nice clothes if you never wear them?  Like Karen, flat shoes, but hair up, jewellery on - who knows what the day will bring...

I do a lot of cooking, but just wear an apron so that I'm respectable again when I take it off.

Liana, - I just got my copy of British Vogue - there are some wonderful, long embroidered gloves by Louis Vuitton - from £3,090!!! ( around $6.000 US!) Have you missed your vocation? 

[ClaireC]

Another girly, girl checking in.  I did own a couple of hats in my teens when I attended modeling school.  Don't be too impressed, I was too awkward to model anything and the school took just about anyone...gotta make money you know.  Anyway, I did enjoy the hats.  I wish I had experienced the hat, gloves, patent shoes, dress & coat at Easter.  My mother the eternal tomboy and a bit clueless about anything dressy, didn't see the need for a special outfit for Easter or Christmas.  The only reason I had a First Communion dress was it was a necessity, however, you'll remember my rant about saddle shoes worn with it.  

I love watching the ladies who attend black churches.  They are beautifully turned out in stunning suits and matching hats.  They know how to dress.  The men too.  I love the suits so much that hunted the internet for sources to purchase or use for inspiration.

Even if I'm wearing my jeans I have on heels or boots with heels and a nice sweater, top or jacket.  This too depends on the time of year.  You won't catch me in sneakers or sloppy sweatshirts.  I can honestly said that I am NOT my mother's daughter...however, I am her oldest sister's and her mother's daughter.  

I left messages on blogs about the projects on this page.  I did enjoy seeing them again.

[Karendee]

Ann,

I can tell by your demeanor that you are always pulled together and ready for the day. That is a good feeling, is it not? I also want to mention that I absolutely adore the embroidered coat on your photo site. It is the most glorious garment that I have ever seen. You deserve a huge congratulations for that magnificent coat. Perhaps you'd post it here on this thread so others could see it.
 
Karendee

[MaryPat]

BetsyV:
I looked through your album last year and again yesterday and then had dreams last night about your velvet DOS ensemble.
You may have done it previously, but could you give some details about the event? Any pictures of you dolled up in the outfit?
Posed, good lighting, etc? In not, there should be! That is an amazing coat and dress alone, but together- wow!
Please, do tell!