Like many others out there, I’ve been kind of obsessed with #cottagecore of late. And admittedly, I’m a little late to the game. That being said, pastoral life has always held my interest, at least in the last couple of decades. While I dream of my country home and peruse the Son de Flor & French General websites, I found a very practical way to show my love for this aesthetic and lifestyle.
Read moreSewing a 1950's Day Dress from Printed Cotton Lawn
This dress started with the fabric. I bought the fabric for the shop and when it came in, fell deeply and completely in love with it. It was so nostalgic for me, in part because of the vintage novelty print, but also because the print is actually of landmarks around Great Britain such as Buckingham Palace and Edinburgh Castle to name a few. I’ve been a huge Anglophile for eons now and love everything British, from High Tea to Bag Pipers in full dress. The varied and historic cultures within the British Isles holds a deep romance in my heart. It could be because of my respect & awe of the recently late Queen Elizabeth , my honeymoon in England & Scotland or because my first serious boyfriend was in a bag pipe band, but that story is for another time.
Read moreSimple Sewing - Sewing a 1940's Dress Using Vintage Silk and a Vintage Pattern
For me, the seasons are measured by the school year. It’s been that way since I started teaching children how to sew about 15 years ago and when my daughter started preschool. So this season, while technically (and temperature wise) Summer, is really the beginning of Autumn. It’s back-to-school for all the kiddos and back to normalcy for my schedule.
That being said, you might imagine that my time for sewing has been a little bit too little lately, so my next couple of blog posts will be a little brief. I’ve been enjoying sewing for the sake of sewing and for getting to wear something new.
Read moreHow to Gatsby - Tips for Sewing your own Art Deco Era Garden Party Dress
For myself, one of the most fun parts of getting ready for The ADSC Gatsby Summer Afternoon is making my outfit. It truly brings me so much joy to plan what I’m wearing from my hat and hair down to my stockings and shoes. Sometimes I have more time than other times to figure it out, so depending on my schedule I can make the experience as simple or as complex as I can handle at the time.
Read moreSewing Overall's for a Victory Garden Picnic
Hello readers! Thanks for hanging in there with me. It’s our busiest time of year at The Sewing Room and I have very little time to write and post blogs. I DO want to share with you, this wonderful picnic I had with friends over Memorial Day weekend. Our theme was Victory Garden with a Farm-to-Table menu. We all tried to bring something that came from either our own garden or freshly made using natural ingredients that were locally sourced. We are wonderfully blessed to live in an area with local organic produce and many of us have back yard gardens.
Read moreSewing a 1940's Tropical Dress using a Vintage Butterick Pattern
A little over a month ago the Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire started posting information about their upcoming event running from March 20-22 at Michaan’s Auctions. The theme this time is “Tropicanaversary, Celebrating 10 years”. What a fun theme and so many era’s to choose from, when deciding one’s outfit for such an event, and to enter the contest on Friday. The Sewing Room is giving a way a $50 certificate to one of the lucky winners.
Read moreBeads & Velvet Reimagined from a Funky Vintage Upcycle
Hello There! It’s been a while. My mother had been very ill and then passed away in March. That is the reason for my absence here. It’s been a time for both grieving as well as endless amounts of sorting and figuring out of #allthethings in relation to my mom’s transition. Thank you for your patience!
These are the last photos my mom took of me, and of my projects. It was in early January. I had intended for this to be a Christmas Tea outfit, and then a New Years outfit. But alas, neither ended up working out. So goes life! Some times are less sparkly than others….
Read moreThe 2021 Make it With Wool Contest - and my 1930's Tweedy Ensemble
Last November I entered the 2021 California Make it With Wool Contest. The Contest promotes the use of wool as a textile and is supported by the National Wool Industry. For me the California contest is local, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, so it’s fairly easy to attend and participate. I used a fabric I was gifted last year, at the 2020 Contest. It was a beautiful piece of wool in a black and tan tweedy check. Lucky me! We were able to choose our favorites and I chose this one because I knew it would coordinate with pieces I already owned. It felt especially nice to use it in the same contest the following year.
Read moreSewing a 1930's Dress for a Cemetery Picnic
photo - https://www.mementomoda.com/
I stumped when told about our Picnic Inspiration for October - Gothic Cemetery - and our picnic was to be located in a cemetery. The Mountain View Cemetery in Piedmont, to be specific. My daughter Emma had lots of suggestions, but when she told me I should dress like I was going to a funeral, it just clicked.
Read morePerfect for a Picnic - Sewing 1950's Style for Everyday
A couple of weeks ago, I had a weekend picnic event that I had been invited to attend. The theme was “Posh/Glam 1950’s New York City”. Discussions with friends Led to talk of Mrs. Maisel and big full skirts. Not really my era, but I remembered that pedal pushers were quite popular and so were dolman sleeved blouses. I also realized that I could make these things for my every day wardrobe instead of making something over the top for just one event.
Read moreMaking a One Hour Dress - Evening Style
At Gatsby, I heard that the Art Deco Society would be holding the Preservation Ball this year in November. A thrilling discovery as it had been cancelled twice last year due to COVID19. With a look toward this Fall Event, I thought to make my own “One Hour Dress”. My friend Jone wore a version of this dress to Gatsby and it was created with so much ease that I thought it would be perfect done up in fancy fabric.
Read moreCreating a 1930's Ensemble for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon
Wow! I can’t believe it actually happened! Gatsby Summer Afternoon was in full swing last Sunday and it was so much fun. There was a collective feeling of joy throughout the event and I couldn’t have had a better time.
Read morePattern Review - Wearing History 1930's Day or Evening Blouse Pattern
Straight from the Unfinished Objects post and over the Finish Line! This little Summer Staple has hit my closet. Boy, am I excited, because it’s HOT right now. Let’s jump right into the pattern review.
Read more1930's Capsule Wardrobe - Sewing Separates
You might remember, from the Fall, when I started working on my capsule wardrobe. At the time, I was able to sew two dresses, a velvet bag and trimmed two hats….
Read moreUFO's At Home - The Truth is in Here!
My Home and all the UFO’s are making me feel like I’m living in the X-Files of Project-land. Over the last year, it’s been a bit hard to keep my focus and I seem to get distracted with new ideas and projects at every turn. I’ve not finished much of anything lately, so I thought I would give you all a taste of the UnFinished Objects (aka projects) that are currently in the queue at HOME. These do not include the projects at my SHOP, some of which are mine and also some left behind by students. I’ll leave those for another post. Oh, and there are also those imagined (but un-started) projects lingering in the tubs of fabric - Ha! another post perhaps. In the meantime, this is what I have currently underway.
Read moreSewing my Own Bras
You know when it’s TIME, right? Things are looking a little rough around the edges, elastics are getting stretched out and the color has become just a touch on the dingy side. Well, that time arrived for me not so long ago, so I ordered supplies from our Bra Instructor Linda Sepeda, and set my self up to make some pretty new bras.
Read more1950's Dress Mending and Remodel
This is a quick little post to share with you my most recent garment renovation. Last year, my friend Joy gave me this darling vintage 1950’s turquoise dress. It was stained (on the front bust and neckline) but in decent shape otherwise. It’s been hanging on my rack waiting for a makeover. I knew right away, that it needed a neckline overhaul, so that it what happened after I finally decided to tackle it.
Read moreHow to Mend a Vintage Dress with Busted out Armholes
A few years ago, a friend gave me this gorgeous 1930’s/1940’s era dress with rips in the armhole. She thought I could use the fabric or make a pattern from it. She didn’t think it was ever going to be wearable again.
This blog post is about how I fixed the dress so it could be worn again. I was lucky, in that the dress had side ties the could be removed and used for extra fabric. After undoing those seams, and pressing the fabric, I had enough to make patches that I eventually sewed back on.
Read moreRemodeling a 1920's Dress to Give it another Life
First, I’ll start out by saying that I believe vintage textiles are special but not necessarily precious. They are something we should treasure but that we should also use. This is a somewhat controversial point of contention between archivists, historians and collectors when it comes to clothing, especially historic clothing that marks an era in time. Some feel that they should be put away for posterity and preserved for history’s sake. Others feel that they should be worn and treasured personally. I’m kind of in both minds about this, , depending on the garment. However, my own line is drawn when a garment will likely go into the landfill, because someone deems it unwearable for whatever reason - in this case, deteriorating and falling apart. I’m SUPER-NOT into the landfill. My hope is that we can re-use parts of garments that are falling apart and that will extend the life of the original textile.
Read moreThe Folkwear Sailor Pants - A Pattern Review
When Folkwear Patterns reached out to me to try out their new Sailor Pants Pattern, I was beyond excited. I love everything nautical and thought new sailor pants would be a great addition to my Fall wardrobe. The pattern design is very cute, being cut from an original pair of US Navy issued Vintage Sailor Pants. The design has the classic button front with laced up back waist, flared legs (with a gusset) and some darling hidden pocket details.
Read more