vintage sewing « Grandma's Sewing Cabinet

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: I Spy a Dress

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on February 15th, 2012%

The storytelling on the ABC series Pan Am isn’t the most inspired but there is usually at least one dress per episode that I want to replicate. Last Sunday’s Romance Languages was no exception.

Kate, the stewardess turned spy, always seems to be wearing dresses/costumes that I would want in my own collection:

Image . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: I Spy a Dress

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: 1940s Vogue Blouse

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 2nd, 2012%

One of my goals for 2012 is to start thinking of my sewing in terms of “collections” rather than “projects.”

Another goal for 2012 is to only own beautiful and/or confidence-building clothes by the end of the year. This year-long challenge is inspired by Solano of the Vixen Vintage blog. On December 5, she wrote:

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Rita Hayworth Inspired Party Dress

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 26th, 2011%

Raise your hand if you’ve been known to start a party dress the day before (or the same day) as the party. Yeah, I knew I wasn’t the only one! We’re in luck, though, because we still have five and half sewing days until New Year’s Eve.

My Vintage Vogue put this photo of Rita . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Rita Hayworth Inspired Party Dress

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: 1952 Van Houten Double Peplum Suit Jacket

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 12th, 2011%

Perhaps it is because I spent all those years standing up in front of people either teaching or conducting workshops, but I am enamored with beautiful suits. And as I was indulging my addiction to vintage clothing over at My Vintage Vogue, my breath was taken away from me when I laid eyes on this . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: 1952 Van Houten Double Peplum Suit Jacket

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Pleated Drop Waist Dress

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 7th, 2011%

Yesterday I posted a semi-swirly dress that is ideal for jitterbuggers. Well, what about the rest of us that don’t dance? I found this dress on Flickr.com. It also has a dropped waist but it is more mature looking. It looks like something I’d wear now that I’m a woman of a certain age.

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: When the Jitters Start Bugging You

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 6th, 2011%

Joni Marie Davis sent this photo of her parents to me. She writes,

This is my favorite picture of my mother and father, probably around 1940 or so. What do you think about that dress? They loved to dance. My mother was an accomplished jitterbugger. I just thought you might enjoy it.

Joni Marie . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: When the Jitters Start Bugging You

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Soutache Dresses Up

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 5th, 2011%

One of the things I learned in design school is that there really are a limited number of silhouettes in fashion and the details are what set designers apart.

For today’s inspiration, we have a 1940s white pique garden party dress being offered by Vintage Frocks of Fancy on Etsy.com. If you look at the . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Soutache Dresses Up

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Swing, Swing, Swing Coat

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 3rd, 2011%

We are slowly recovering from the wind storm. Instead of sewing today, I’ll be catching up on stuff I couldn’t do when we lost power.

In my fantasy world where I am the epitome of Hollywood glamor, I look like Grace Kelly and can wear whatever I want. One of the looks I’ve always wanted . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Swing, Swing, Swing Coat

Vintage Inpsiration of the Day: Let It Snow!

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on November 30th, 2011%

My brother-in-law reports that they received 7.8 inches of heavy snow in their upper midwest area. I would say that is definitely coat weather! But we don’t have to limit ourselves to giant snowsuits that inhibit our mobility.

"Randy" in his snow suit from A Christmas Story

The key to wearing a cloth . . . → Read More: Vintage Inpsiration of the Day: Let It Snow!

Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Becoming Marilyn Day 3

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on November 23rd, 2011%

Although she was known for being a sex-symbol, Marilyn Monroe wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. In order to play up that side of her, she was often seen wearing more subdued clothing than her costumes when she was with her husbands.

Here is a photo of her walking with Arthur Miller in . . . → Read More: Vintage Inspiration of the Day: Becoming Marilyn Day 3

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