2434 Webb Ave

Alameda, CA, 94501

510 332-9807

Building CONFIDENCE through Sewing

Your Custom Text Here

Re-Creating My Grandmother's Dress - Gatsby 2018

October 1, 2018 Jennifer Serr

Every year the Art Deco Society of California puts on the The Gatsby Summer Afternoon. This Gatsby Event is the highlight of my year, as far as vintage events go, and this year was no exception. The weather was perfect (high 70 degrees and breezy), the picnics were exquisite and the company eclectic and entertaining.

For this year’s ensemble, I chose to replicate a look that my grandmother wore (see photo above) in one of her modeling photos. I’ve admired this dress for years and have not quite had the nerve to re-create it until now. That front neck detail with the capelet and ruching really had me flummoxed.

Creating a 1920's Style Velvet Evening Coat

September 10, 2018 Jennifer Serr

Well, because you asked, here is a blog post about the Blue Velvet Coat I wore to Miss Fisher Con. In this photo shoot (Thanks Mom!) I paired the jacket with a true vintage 1920’s silk lace and chiffon dress, along with some rhinestone / crystal accessories and coordinating shoes and bag.I think it all works together quite nicely.

Miss Fisher Wardrobe: Antique Faire HATS to UPCYCLE & Trim

December 5, 2017 Jennifer Serr

Last Saturday, I had planned a field trip to SF for some super vintage trim and ribbon shopping. As it turned out, time was short for everyone, and none of us could make it in the end. The silver lining turned out to be a trip to the Alameda Antique Faire on Sunday. Our main shopping stop on the field trip was to visit the showroom of Jennifer Osner who is a collector and dealer of antique textiles and ribbons. Guess what? She had a booth at the Antique Faire. This was so fantastic, because I REALLY wanted to knuckle down on my hats for the 2018 Miss Fisher Convention.

Vamps of '29 - a literary event at the Bellvue Club in Oakland

July 11, 2017 Jennifer Serr

Who would have guessed that our seemingly demure and always impeccably attired, Art Deco Society of California Secretary, Alice Jurow, would write a book about Vampires? Set in Paris 1929, 3 impossibly chic fashion models work their way into the hearts and souls of numerous suitors, while drinking of their blood, just a little bit. It's a delicious helping of fun, dripping with scrumptious details describing the opulence of the time...

Making an Art Deco Inspired Shrug - 1920's Inspiration

June 29, 2017 Jennifer Serr

My friend Jonathan invited me to his 30th birthday party. He wanted to leave his OWN roaring 20's in style and asked everyone to come dressed up for the occasion. What a great opportunity to play dress up and put on a made-by-me gown from my favorite era!

Creating a Skirt from a 1930's Dress Pattern

June 6, 2017 Jennifer Serr

Vintage Pattern Lending Library Pattern #T3221

Recently, I've given myself the task of creating a "Miss Fisher" wardrobe....

The Making of a Hat - How I achieved my 1920's Miss Fisher Look

March 28, 2017 Jennifer Serr

Having acquired all the materials - wool hat (a la Old Navy), millinery wire, ribbon aplenty and a beautiful feather rose, I was ready to make my hat for the Girl's Inc. Hat's off to Women Who Dare event. Yay! I love decorating hats and making them very special.....

Designing my (Art Deco Preservation Ball) Gown

March 7, 2017 Jennifer Serr

For me, it usually starts with Fabric. This time, I was lucky enough to be gifted two beautiful pieces of silk from my friend, assistant and fellow fabric-lover, Maria Chenut....

The Beginning of a Hat - a Visit to Lacis

February 28, 2017 Jennifer Serr

Chuleenan Svetvilas in front of Lacis in Berkeley

After I interviewed Sewing Blogger and Hat Enthusiast, Chuleenan Svetvilas, I asked her if she would meet me at Lacis to help with some of my millinery choices. We met inside (where I as already busy picking out boning for my foundation garment) and then did the tour of the Millinery section.

1920's Straight Coat and the Art Deco Member Party

February 7, 2017 Jennifer Serr

Every year the Art Deco Society of California celebrates it's members with a cocktail party in January. This year, the party was held at Flora in downtown Oakland. It was a lovely event in a wonderful Art Deco building, gloriously restored to it's original beauty. There was a grand crowd all dressed up in cocktail attire from the era. Some are serious vintage collectors and some, like me, enjoy making their own creations from vintage inspiration...

2015 Art Deco Preservation Ball

August 20, 2015 Jennifer Serr

FUN TIMES AT THE ART DECO PRESERVATION BALL!

Finishing my 1920's Art Deco Dress for the preservation ball

August 20, 2015 Jennifer Serr

The Gown is almost finished.  just need to add a little sequined detail at the shoulder and Waist. — The Gown is almost finished. just need to add a little sequined detail at the shoulder and Waist.

Finishing the 1920's ensemble

1920's Lingerie

August 20, 2015 Jennifer Serr

1920's Lingerie!

Starting my dress for the Art Deco Preservation Ball 2015

August 20, 2015 Jennifer Serr

Every year in May the Art Deco Society of California puts on an amazing Soiree in an authentic Art Deco Setting. This year the Preservation Ball was at the Scottish Rite Center in Downtown Oakland, right across the street from Lake Merit.

One of my favorite things to do when creating something like this, is to use materials i have on hand. Luckily, I had some lovely silk hanging around. I did NOT however, have large pieces of anything in particular.

This incredible gold color peacock pattern silk jacquard was the only fancy fabric I had enough yardage to start with. It also coordinates very well with my gold art deco t-strap shoes, so it was an obvious pick. A friend had given me an amazing piece of green and gold lace. There was only about a yard of it, but combined with the gold peacock silk and a lighter green washed silk, the assortment of fabrics really worked.

Here are some photos of my dress in progress.

Hi, I'm Jennifer ! Owner of The Sewing Room and the host for these blogs. I love everything about sewing and fashion and have been doing it professionally and personally my whole life.

Inside my blogs (yes, there is more than one), I hope to give you some insight to the fashion world as well my daily design & sewing practice (which tends toward the Vintage).

Disclaimer - We use affiliate links which means that we get paid a few pennies for each click and when you purchase the items.

See how much fun we have at Fashion Sewing Camp!

Voted Best Sewing Circle 2018 in Alameda Magazine

The Sewing Room

1419 Park Street, Alameda, CA 94501

510-332-9807 or Jennifer@TheSewingRoomAlameda.com

Sign up for Blog updates

See how much fun we have at Fashion Sewing Camp!