Verity Vintage Studio

1950s Three Piece Outfit, Part One

I had no intention of making another navy blue 1950s suit so soon after my Christmas suit. This one happened by accident. At first I thought it was black but after I cut into it as contrast for a dress you'll see next week, I realized it was actually a dark navy blue. Oh, well! It is a light cotton blend instead of a wool blend, so I can wear it in warmer weather after putting away my Christmas suit.

 

And I made it as different as I could. The jacket has contrasting revers and cuffs, and front slashes that made for some unique sewing instructions. Imagine sewing the front darts last! And incidentally, I found I have a terrible selection of black buttons!

 

I used this jacket pattern, and though I am undecided about whether I like dolman sleeves on myself, I liked the way this jacket turned out. So I guess I have to weigh each pattern's sleeves on their own.

 

 

 

The facing was cut all in one piece, so I had to patch it when adding the contrasting revers - I'm pleased with how it turned out. I wasn't sure how many buttons I would want so it was hard to estimate how much contrast I would need, but it works out well this way and the contrast stops at the bottom of the V. 

 

The skirt was taken from this pattern and was quick and easy, though I don't like it as well as other narrow skirt patterns so I don't know if I would make it again. 

 

Once in a while, you have to tell the photographer to behave!

 

When putting this outfit together, I wore a vintage dickey, matching 1950s bracelet and earrings, and a coordinating brooch.

 

Also my favorite black vintage pumps and an open crown hat which used to have a giant taffeta bow on the back, but I found it much more wearable when the bow was replaced with a few black millinery flowers garnered from a great Etsy shop.

 

And...since the weather was balmy and I already had a jacket on, my vintage cape was the perfect wrap.

 

This suit was actually an afterthought when I cut out the jacket and realized I had enough fabric left for the skirt. I thought, why not make 3 coordinating pieces of different styles so I can wear the jacket with both of them? The more ideas the better, right?

 

So that's what happened. Come back next week to see part two of this ensemble!

The Magic of Fur

A dear friend gave me this coat last year before we moved from Pennsylvania to Idaho. I've found it a treasure this winter - it's the right length and fit, so nice and warm, and the lovely shade of gray wool goes with everything! 

 

I think it is comparatively modern, though it's one of those classic styles that pop up now and then through several different decades of fashion and I do wear it with my quasi-vintage outfits sometimes. But the best part of it is the lovely soft genuine fur collar, which someone (with a definite sense of style!) sewed on over top of the small lapel collar already on the coat.

 

The collar gives the coat an instant sense of glamour it otherwise wouldn't possess. I'm picky about my furs - no heads, no leopard or cheetah spots, and I don't really like the feel of mink. I don't like to be swallowed in furs, unlike the pictures you might see of the 1940s full length coats or a 1950s model swathed head to toe in fur, including her hat. To me, it's a "less is more" approach and I prefer it as accessories or trim. I might even choose a good quality vintage faux fur item over genuine fur because it is easier to care for and won't shed all over my clothes.

 

But a touch now and then of the real thing is just the right touch. It's indefinably glamorous and instantly makes the ordinary very special. That's the magic of fur!

Sewing Recap for 2015

When 2015 came to a close, I intended to do a sewing recap of my projects during the past year, and am just now getting around to it. It's actually very encouraging! I feel like I have come a long way since 2014 - even a long way since my early projects in 2015.

                                  

 Swing dance dress trial and finished version.

 

This was the year I started using the serger, and actually began to enjoy the process of nicely finished clothes. It was also the first time I tried my hand at outer garments like coats, and sewing with wool - or actually, sewing with anything other than cotton and cotton blends. Some of the experiments were not so good, others turned out well. My fabric shelves are now stocked with a good sprinkling of rayon, wool, linen, or blends thereof, along with the cotton and cotton/poly. Fabric is not nearly so scary now - but I still have a long way to go before I'm familiar with the different kinds and how to handle them.

                                     

                                                                

 Reversible 1940s coat;

wool version of 1940s coat

This March marked the one year anniversary of my serious interest in sewing, and the year was quite prolific - though not everything I made ended up on the blog, so you only get a good representation of my projects for the year.

                           

1950s Easter dress; 1940s blouse and vest (skirt was made late the previous year).

 

Doing a recap with all the photos in one place is also helpful to sort things out - I can glance over my projects and notice what I like to make, my favorite eras and colors. Blue keeps appearing, I see! Also I can see the way my modeling and my sister's photography improved over this past year.

                        

1930s blouse and polka dot skirt;

dress-up slip to wear with my New Look polka dot dress

This was also the summer of my craze for polka dots, as you can see! It's still one of my favorite prints, though doesn't pop up so much in my winter projects so far.

     

1950s sundress; late 1930s housedress

                      

1940s overblouse; 1950s pin dot dress

This year also shows my fashion taste evolving. I began to experiment with more skirt styles than I used to and also discovered that just because I like the fun details of a garment on a pattern drawing doesn't mean I'll like it on me - each body type has its blessings and limitations, and sewing your own clothes means you have to be observant. Also I learned more about "winging" it - combining pattern elements and adjusting hem and neck lines.

1950s car show dress

 

While I apparently enjoy making dress-up dresses the most, I also have a nice sprinkling of house dresses which are actually more practical and useful for my everyday wardrobe. And I make a lot of (more or less) wearable muslins! Interestingly enough, that's something that is changing as my confidence improves, though I probably still will make a trial if I am sizing up considerably or cutting into some expensive fabric.

                 

striped 1940s housedress; polka dot 1940s dress;

1930s housedress

 

       

 

1930s concert blouse trial and finished version;

1940s eyelet blouse & 1950s skirt

 

From these pictures I can tell that I have an eclectic sewing taste - dresses and separates, three different decades and all their unique styles. I love them all and really don't have a favorite so far. I've learned I tend to love prints but am usually drawn to patterns that look best with solids or subtle prints - self control is needed here when fabric shopping! And an excuse for sewing, like attending an event, is something I can't resist!

                   

1940s plaid skirt, gold dress, and cocktail dress - all made to wear to Linden

 

One thing I still need to learn is how to let go of some of the pieces I don't like so much, because of fit or fabric choice or whatever. I am finding it interesting to discover which of my new pieces I actually end up getting wear out of. Of course, fancy dresses may only get one outing a year, but I know I tend to keep something in my closet just because I made it and should get some wear out of it rather than finding it truly fills a gap. 

                  

gold 1930s blouse, 1940s Thanksgiving dress

1950s housedress

 

Of course a recap is fun for other things too - to remember places we went and things we did, to see how my hairstyles evolved, and it certainly gives me a sense of satisfaction when thinking that at the beginning of the year all these things were yet to be made - all these patterns still on my to do list! I enjoy looking through them now and seeing the increasing number of ones I have put to use, though of course the to do list is ever growing.

       

Christmas 1950s suit; 1950s vest and beret

 

So far 2016 has already been a busy sewing year, though sometimes I have to take a break from sewing to focus on other things, but I am really looking forward with excitement to the coming year! Who knew that little ol' me, who hated sewing with a passion, would enjoy it so much? I guess that just goes to show - you never say never! :-)

Item of the Week - Teal Crocheted Earrings

These vibrant crocheted earrings are Item of the Week in my Etsy shop, at half price for one week only - slashed from $10.

1950s Vest and Hat Duo

A tailored vest has been on my list to make for a while, and when I decided to make a trial beret for my Christmas suit, I thought a vest added to it would make a great pair to be worn together or separately. And a stash buster at the same time!

 

I used this pattern, view B. Incidentally, don't you love the variety packed into vintage patterns? You get virtually two different vest patterns in one package, with this pattern. A far cry from modern patterns when sometimes you have to buy skirt and jacket patterns separately when they are pictured as a pair! I've seen 1930s dress patterns that have two or three separate bodice patterns to pair with a skirt, for totally different looks. Just one of the fun elements of using patterns like this one.

 

This vest was not hard to make, and has some fun details with the points in the front and back, the top stitching, and the covered buttons - I've found I love to do covered buttons!

 

The beret was not quite so neat, being a trial version, as my 2nd version for my Christmas suit, but overall I liked the result (have I mentioned I am not a perfectionist? :-) and this shade of gray a great neutral color for versatility in wearing. 

Incidentally, this was another hair day saved by my favorite hair nets! One of those days when you're almost ready to leave for church and your curls just are not being manageable or presentable - so at the last minute a hair net was the magic fix! Have I said I highly recommend them? :-)

 

Anyway, though this vest pairs well with many colors, I chose to go quasi 1950s with this outfit and wear it with a modern lace blouse that had 1950s elements in its wing collar and cuffs, and a thrifted skirt in one of my favorite colors with neat pleating detail.

 

I had a few fitting issues since the vest had to be sized down several inches, but overall it was an easy and quick project and adds a very nice staple to my fall and winter wardrobe.

Item of the Week - Vintage Novel

This vintage book is Item of the Week in my Etsy shop - half price for one week only - slashed from $6.

January Tutorial - How to Make a Refillable Footwarmer

There's nothing like a foot warmer. On a cold night - and Idaho nights in the mountains can be cold! - it's incredibly comforting to snuggle your chilly toes into a deliciously warm spot down under the blankets when you crawl into bed. I used to enviously read in old novels the description of hot water bottles that were used as a matter of course when the weather turned frosty, and suffered with cold feet myself until I was researching hot water bottles and discovered the novel idea of foot warmers! I hate to wear socks in bed, and without the sloppiness of hot water bottles, a foot warmer like this one can be reused again and again, laundered and refreshed when needed, and keeps heat for more than an hour, without electricity. Plus you can make one in fifteen minutes - how handy is that?

 

You'll need...

8 1/2 x 25 in. piece of all natural fabric

sewing machine

cotton sewing thread

cotton string (crochet thread works great)

wide mouth funnel 

rice, corn, or oatmeal for filling

 

You want an all natural fiber because you don't want to put anything synthetic in the microwave. Believe me, you don't want to try it. So stick to 100% cotton fabric, like the retro printed quilting cotton I used, or something similarly completely natural like linen. You can cut it a different size if you want it shorter or fatter or longer for use in a wide bed. 

 

So, start with your rectangle of fabric - press it first.

 

Sew a narrow hem on each short side.

 

This is how it will look with the short ends hemmed:

 

Now French seam the long side together. To do this, hold it wrong side together (counterintuitive I know!) and run a 2/8 in. seam.

 

Turn it wrong side out and run a 3/8 in. seam to encase the raw edge. 

 

Now you have a tube that looks like this:

 

Turn it right side out:

 

The simplest part - use your cotton string (I use crochet thread to make sure it's 100% cotton) to bind one end a few inches from the end. 

 

Using your funnel, fill the tube with your choice of filling. I like the texture of oatmeal, but you can use shelled corn or rice. Each one has their fans. Any of them will have some scent after heating, so I like to mix in some dried lavender blooms with my filling. So when I take it out of the microwave it smells something like lavender porridge!

Tie off the other end and you're done! When you want to use it, microwave it 30 seconds at a time until you get it to your preferred temperature. Any time you want to launder it, or refresh your filling, just untie one end and dump out the filling. Super simple! 

 

 

And believe me, a warmer is so cozy to tuck against your back if you're not feeling well, or at your feet on a cold night. They are better to sleep with than electric heating pads because the heat gradually fades. But I find them long lasting enough.

 

That's all for this month's tutorial. Thanks for stopping by!

~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.

 

Vintage Cookery

I've stated before my love for vintage reading material, particularly women's magazines from the 1930s-1950s. I love reading them, including the ads, and immersing myself somewhat wistfully in that world. Some of the articles are amusingly dated; some of the fiction is quite good; the fashion pages are especially fascinating! But the one aspect I can't get excited about are most of the recipes and menu plans. For some reason, they don't...sound appetizing enough to tempt me.

But I did find an exception in this ad, found in a 1936 issue of Women's Home Companion.

 

And we just happened to have some chicken and gravy to use up. So I decided to give it a try, and share it with you here as a fun vintage dish to try.

Since the instructions were rather skimpy, like most old recipes, I've rewritten it below in slightly more detail. Me being me, I also added a few seasonings not in the original recipe and made a few other changes.

The result is a tasty dumpling type dish with the chicken baked in it. 

 

Chicken Puff

Men like hearty dishes, rich in flavor. Women like them delicate and interestingly new.

Here's a delightful new recipe that appeals to both. Chicken Puff pairs delightfully

with cranberry relish, candied sweet potatoes and buttered cauliflower. Try it!

 

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs, separated

1 cup milk

1-3 cups chicken, cut fine

2 tsp scraped onion (I used dried minced onion)

I added a sprinkle of garlic powder, celery seed, dried parsley, and chives as well

1/4 - 1/2 cup grated raw carrot

2 T melted butter or chicken fat

1 1/2 cups chicken gravy

 

In the mixing bowl of your stand mixer, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; add beaten egg yolks and milk.

Add chicken, onion, carrot, seasonings, and melted butter or fat; mix well.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Stir by hand into chicken mixture just enough to combine.

Bake in a 9-10 in. greased casserole dish at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until center is no longer doughy.

Serve with hot chicken gravy. Serves 6.

 

The amounts can be played around with, with no bad results. If you have extra chicken or grated carrots, sling 'em in. I made a batch and a half and baked it in a 9 x 13 cake pan, which of course affects the baking time. Next time I want to try replacing the carrots with grated cheese. A nice hot dish for lunch, and a perfect way to use up leftover gravy. Time to tie a flowered apron over a house dress and head for the kitchen for some '30s flavor!

 

Item of the Week - 1950s Skirt Pattern

Item of the Week in my Etsy shop is this vintage skirt pattern from the 1950s, half price for one week only - slashed from $6.