Verity Vintage Studio

Vintage Goodies

Imagine how thrilled I was that my outfit won first prize in Vintage Visions' fall photo contest! They had quite a list of goodies as prizes for the winner and runner up, and I didn't expect to win, so was I ever surprised! Today the first prize arrived, in the form of a lovely package from Lauren of Wearing History.

Brown paper packages, tied up with strings...these are a few of my favorite things...

(Sorry I didn't get a picture of how prettily it was wrapped. I tore into it too fast. :-)

 

It was so exciting and I had such fun going through everything that I wanted to share it with you.

Among other things, there were vintage sewing notions that I will definitely use, especially the metal zippers - hard to find here. And I can always use more bias tape and seam binding!

 

I don't know if I'll actually use these, but aren't they pretty? I just love vintage packaging.

 

I was especially delighted with this sewing booklet. So many handy tips and tricks, and since I sew with patterns from this era it's so nice to have a reference book to look up something I don't understand. 

 

There was a newspaper clipping inside it, with helpful information on skirt zippers and waistbands - a trouble spot for me. I look forward to reading it all carefully and hopefully improving my sewing skills.

 

I may use these snaps, but won't want to throw away the cards - aren't they pretty?

One of my favorites in the bundle is this super cute sewing machine needle threader.

 

And last but not least, 4 yards of this adorable scottie fabric (photographed right side up this time) which I chose with my store credit from Wearing History. Won't it make the perfect 1930s or 1940s housedress? I haven't decided which pattern I'll use yet but I know I'll find the right one and have lots of fun sewing it up and wearing it.

Item of the Week - Crochet Pattern for Lace Shoulderette

This pdf crochet pattern download for an elegant lace shoulderette is Item of the Week in my Etsy shop, half price for one week only - slashed from $4. Make your own chilly weather wrap now - this shawl stays in place!

 

Another Outing for My 1940s Suit

I know you've already seen pictures of my 1940s jacket and the plaid suit skirt I made to coordinate. But this time I changed around the accessories a little to create an outfit for entry in Vintage Vision's fall photo contest.

 

 

 

…Red kid gloves provided a startling accent for a soldier blue jacket suit, otherwise ensembled with brown accessories was the line from the article that inspired me to use things I already had, for once. Every single thing from the stash!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got a little more creative than normal with my photo props, just for fun.

 

 

 

Waitin' for the train...

 

 

 

I was tickled to think I had originally paired brown accessories with this outfit before I saw in the magazine that it was actually recommended. (And I love any chance to wear my new 1940s suede-and-leather spectator pumps!)

 

 

 

Thanks to my sister for letting me borrow her vintage typewriter! (Whether I asked permission first or not is beside the subject. :-)

 

I have more elaborate brown hats, but for a travel-time suit, I thought something a little more conservative, like this asymmetrical beret style hat, would be more appropriate. I like it a lot since it is face flattering and fits with most hairstyles very well.

 

 

Red and blue pairings are not uncommon, nor are brown and blue pairings. But to add them all together makes it more interesting. Just the vintage fashion element that makes 1940s style special. In this case, the red gloves emphasize the red lines in the skirt, and the lipstick and red on the brooch add coordinating touches.

 

 

Whether I place or not among the other great contestants, it's got me in the Big Band mood!

 

Item of the Week - Burgundy Suede Heels

Item of the Week in my Etsy shop is this pair of lovely vintage burgundy suede and leather heels size 8 or 8.5, at half price for one week only - slashed from $17.

The Lounge Robe

Most of my sewing projects end up not being terribly practical. I wear them a few times a year. But this robe definitely is practical, filling a need, and is a much used part of my wardrobe.

 

I needed something fitted, with fullness in the front, and not see-through. This robe fit the bill.

It's one of my earliest sewing projects, so it has plenty of problems, including unfinished and untidy seams, and slap-dash assembly. However, we all have to start somewhere!

 

Judging from the pattern graphics, it's late '30s - early '40s. One of my favorite fashion eras.

As you'll notice, I changed it around a bit, doing short sleeves and skipping the ruffle.

 

I usually pin it at the top, but even still since it just wraps on the front it needs to be worn over something. It could easily be altered to close up the front if desired - and was a good early sewing project since it was quite easy to put together with the long princess lines and lined yoke which eliminated facings.

 

 

I used a thrifted sheet, and cut the straight front panels and the sleeves on the border, which accounts for the decorative inserts. Just for fun.

I realized later the border adds a somewhat Art Deco touch, making it even more '30s style. Perfect!

 

On the sewing queue is another vintage robe pattern in flannel with long sleeves for winter, but for warm weather this is the perfect comfortable vintage-style wrap to wear over a nightgown and still be dressed adequately and not too informally in case a neighbor drops in unexpectedly!

Why I Like Thrift Stores...The 1950s Style Skirt

While in Georgia recently, I did a little thrift shopping. Apparently ladies in the south wear skirts more commonly than around here, because there were lots of beautiful ones in the shops - and two of them found their way home with me in my suitcase. One of them was this modern circle skirt with a definite 1950s vibe.

 

It's a Cato brand - a perfect oversized circle skirt with radiating darts to contain the fullness at the waist - my favorite way to wear circle skirts. And a perfect fit.

 

I'm not quite sure about the print being accurate, but I know oversize prints were popular in the 1950s, so while I might not call it close enough for a reproduction, it's certainly a "vintage-style" skirt.

 

I paired it with my 1940s blouse since it matched, but that really only makes it a "1950s inspired" ensemble instead of the real thing. Maybe next time I can find something from the right decade to wear. I do love how it can be paired with white, tan, navy, or light blue just from the fabric.

 

Even worn with my vintage crinoline, there was plenty of unused fullness. I swept around all day (we were sight-seeing in southern Idaho) like a little girl playing princess. :-) 

The cost? 99 cents. That's why I love thrift stores!

Photos taken at the park above Shoshone Falls, ID.

Item of the Week & New Listings

Item of the Week in my Etsy shop is this pair of lovely 1950s earrings, half price for one week only - slashed from $7.

 

Also, check out new listings in my shop!

I have a pretty copy of an old novel...

 

 

...some more craft destash magazines...

 

...and a cute vintage wool pillbox hat. You're welcome to stop in at the shop anytime!

October Tutorial - 10 Minute Dress Shields

It wasn't my intention to bring you two sewing tutorials in a row, but we have been super busy and I needed something simple for this month. Also this is something I've just been experimenting with so I wanted to share it with you.

 

We all know how fragile vintage garments are and how disappointing it is when we find a lovely item, only to find deodorant or sweat stains under the arms that can't be removed. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so to protect your own handmade "vintage" dresses or the antique ones you might have, here's the simplest way ever to make your own dress shields. 

Thankfully this 1940's jacket's stains are in the lining only.

 

As a disclaimer, there are lots of tutorials to make your own dress shields that end up with a prettier article than mine, but they usually are more involved and take longer to make. For someone like me, I figure no one will see it so I don't have to fuss with making it pretty. If you want to take the extra time, by all means do so! But here's a way to whip up a set in 10 minutes or less, if time is of the essence.

 

How To Details

First cut 4 5 in. squares from a nice soft cotton (flannel works too if you want a thicker shield).

 

Now, holding two squares together at a time, trim off the corners and edges to make a circle. If you're not too particular, like me, the circle will not be perfect. :-)

 

Now for one of the time-savers, instead of stitching the edges and turning it right side out and hand stitching the opening, just serge or tightly zig-zag each set of 2 layers together. This sews them together and finishes the edge at the same time.

 

Next fold each shield in half to find the center.

 

Once you've found the center, move slightly off center and pinch it. This will be your fold line.

 

Stitch a 1/8 in. or 2/8 in. seam along this fold line off center.

 

Here's one shield with the stitched fold and one without.

 

Repeat with the other one, so they both look like this with the off-center stitched line.

 

That's it! The fold goes over the arm seam with the short side in the sleeve, and you can just safety pin the shield in place on the side and sleeve seams of whatever garment you wish to protect. (This only works with garments that have sleeves, not sleeveless or super-short sleeves.)

 

The fold line may look like it would be uncomfortable under your arm, but not more than any arm-hole seam, especially if the fabric you use is soft.

 

Then when you're done all you have to do is unpin them and toss them in the wash. You still might need to launder the garment, but at least you will have protection between you and the garment - and some added confidence important in a lady's well-groomed look.

Till next month,

~Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio

 

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, project journals, do-it-yourself vintage or alterations, etc. 

Remembering WWII - Outfits

Last week I posted about the Remembering WWII event I attended in Linden, TN the end of September. I had allotted myself a month to sew costumes for this event, and after some trials and a lot of last minute changes, here are the outfits I wore on Friday and Saturday (I don't have pictures yet of my 1940s cocktail dress worn Saturday evening.)

On Friday I wore this dress, the final version of an earlier trial.

It is from the very early 1940s when more fabric was still used, so it has more front fullness than the mid-'40s styles. This version has 3/4 length bell sleeves and I did 7 rounds of top stitching on the cuffs for a quilted look.

 

It could also be worn without a belt, though in Linden I opted for the belt.

 

The warm gold color complimented brown and burgundy accents very well.

My new purse (strap is removable to use it as a clutch too):

 

I ended up wearing it with a few changes...this late '30s hat instead, and with burgundy short gauntlet gloves, and carrying an ivory purse.

 

But that just proves its versatility!

Then on Saturday, I wore my special Find of the Month - a real vintage wool 1940s suit jacket - one of my few actual vintage pieces.

 

It had been on sale in a closing shop, and I watched it nervously until it was cut all the way down to 75% off before snapping it up. About $25 for this gorgeous jacket!

 

But since it was only a jacket, I needed to make a suit skirt to go with it. Thankfully I had this poly-wool plaid in my stash and the blue in it was the exact color of the jacket. I pulled out a 1940s pattern for a suit skirt and made it up - and it looks like it was meant to go together!

 

I have seen vintage photos of women in coordinating suits with a solid jacket and plaid skirt, so I knew it would still be accurate. I ended up buying the jacket the week before we left, finishing the skirt on Monday and we left on Wednesday, so I was cutting it close!

I paired it with a 1940s brown purse, suede heels, and tilt hat, but couldn't decide on the gloves. First I tried it with the green you see...

 

...and then with a beige pair.

 

I couldn't decide which I liked better, and ended up wearing a 3rd pair after all in a chestnut brown color, and going without gloves at all for most of the day. All that agonizing for nothing!

 

Since I sew so much from vintage patterns, I usually hesitate to spend my money on an actual vintage garment (often fragile), but this was one I can't duplicate. The tailoring was superb. Just putting it on makes me feel like I stepped out of the 1940s. And look at these gorgeous details!

(The pin and dickey are both also vintage, from my stash.)

 

I was so pleased how well it came together, especially for a last-minute outfit. And I got a lot of compliments at Linden!

Item of the Week - Toddler's Crochet Pinafore

This so-cute crocheted toddler sized pinafore is half price in my Etsy shop for one week only - slashed from $17.