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 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 moreVintage Coat Renovation - Sewing a 1930's Inspired Ensemble
Do you ever have fabric that feels like it’s money burning a hole in your pocket? Well, I sure did when my friend Laurie Ann gave me this gorgeous polka dot viscose shantung. Oh, my, it was love at first site. And it was gifted along with a coordinating brown trouser weight fabric as well. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sew up a new outfit, perfect for our cool autumn weather.
Read moreSewing my 4th of July Outfit + a Finished Sweater
During the week of Independence Day, I had the week off from teaching. What better way to celebrate than to get to sewing. I had just found a beautiful 1930’s style floral quilting cotton that coordinated with a blue and white fabric I’de been saving for a blouse. My plan was to re-make the Wearing History Smooth Sailing Blouse with a coordinating from the floral fabric.
Read moreSewing a 1930's Fall Ensemble - Silk Blouse & Wool Trousers
It’s Fall here (finally) in Northern California and the trees are starting to turn. And by Fall I mean it’s gotten hot in the days (upper 70’s F) and cools off at night. Not quite jacket weather, in the daylight, but it feels good to dip into the fall colors.
Read moreSmooth Sailing Sports Togs- A Pattern Review
Pictured here is a 1940's (or late 1930's) outfit that I sewed up using the Wearing History Smooth Sailing Sport Togs Shirt and Trousers pattern. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! This pattern is great. The blouse needs a little work in the armhole, but otherwise...
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