Mrs. Hughes

Retro Inspired Sewing

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A Barkcloth Lamour Dress

01/13/2020

Hi friends! I’m dusting off this old blog yet again! I created so many wonderful things last year and have yet to share them. I either get indifferent about blogging or too busy creating to document it much further than IG. I’m hoping to stop doing that and start sharing again as there is more […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

The 1939 Soutache Dress

04/10/2019

Hi there! Well, I’m dusting off this blog and getting back to it. I didn’t intend to stay away for four months, but I have. I’m pretty indifferent about computer work these days. When I sit at my laptop I think about all of the sewing or outside work I could be doing rather sitting […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

The 1939 World’s Fair Dress

12/30/2018

Hi there, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas [if you celebrate] and I wish you a prosperous new year! I intended to share my Christmas dress — which is made from the same pattern as this dress — but something yucky got on it at some point and stained it around the […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments, Vintage Patterns

An Early 1850’s Christmas Dress

12/17/2018

Hi there, friends! Long time, no see.  I do have a non-historical costuming post coming up next week, so for those who may not being into costumes, just know that this isn’t turning into a solely costuming blog.  I am admittedly very slow about getting blog posts written lately and I have a lot of […]

Filed Under: Historical Costuming

An 1840’s Wool Pelerine

11/21/2018

Hi Friends! *This post includes a review of a product from Organic Cotton Plus as well as a promotion for upcoming sales.  I received this fabric for free in return for a review and promotion.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.* I hope you’re enjoying a lovely Thanksgiving if you celebrate the holiday, and […]

Filed Under: Historical Costuming

A Red Floral Dorothy Lara Dress

10/19/2018

Hi there friends! So sorry for the my absence here.  I’ve been sewing so much, but not blogging much about it.  That’s something that I need to work on.  In the meantime, you can check out what I’m making on Instagram, as I often post WIP pics in my stories and glimpses on my regular […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

A Blue Gingham Penny Shirtdress

08/6/2018

Hi Friends! Long time no see! I’ve been in a bit of a sewing funk lately with a lack of sewjo.  It may be because it’s summer and the heat and smoke from the wildfires are killing it or that my husband is off for the summer (he’s a teacher).  Or …. maybe I burnt […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

1950’s Style Ames Jeans and Harrison Shirt

07/3/2018

Hi friends! One of my favorite things is to take modern patterns and put a retro spin on them.  Two such patterns are the Cashmerette Harrison shirt and the Cashmerette Ames Jeans — both classic separates that happen to be in my size.  Two of my favorite vintage bloggers are Tasha (By Gum, By Golly) […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

A Red Gingham 1940’s Dress [Vogue 8811]

07/1/2018

Hi there, friends! *Portions of this post originally appeared on the Cali Fabrics blog* Have you ever dreamed about a dress and then found that it turned out exactly as you imagined it would once you’ve sewn it?  That’s me with dress.  Since last summer I thought that this 1940 dress pattern (Vogue 8811) would […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

The Embroidered Zig Zag Dress

05/30/2018

Hello friends! I’m super excited to share this dress!  It was a dream of mine to create and I finally got around to putting it on and taking photos of it.  I was sewing a red velvet 1920’s coat at the same time as I was sewing this dress and loved how the two paired […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

DYLG2 WINNERS!!

05/25/2018

Hello! It’s time for me to announce the winners of the Dress Like Your Grandma challenge. As stated in this challenge’s description, this is a non-competitive sewing challenge and not a contest. That means that there was no voting and no competition involved in choosing the prize winners. Winners were chosen randomly by me, using […]

Filed Under: Dress Like Your Grandma Sewing Challenge

Dress Like Your Grandma 2 FINAL PROJECTS

05/23/2018

Hello Everyone! It’s been quite an amazing journey for this years’ Dress Like Your Grandma challenge.  It’s been so heartwarming reading your family stories and experiences as you’ve shared your projects with family members.  I’ve loved getting a peek at your photo albums and watching you recreate treasured photographs.  Although the basis of this challenge […]

Filed Under: Dress Like Your Grandma Sewing Challenge

The DLYG Mid-century Patio Dress

05/20/2018

Howdy Friends! Well, I managed to cross a “goal dress” off my list with this years’ Dress Like Your Grandma dress!  I bring to you my patio dress! The stars very much aligned to make this dress.  I discussed this more fully in my “plans” post.  I recently unearthed photos of my grandma in one […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments, Vintage Patterns

The Wildflower TLC Caftan

05/2/2018

Hi friends! This is my latest installment of the “Summer of Caftan.”  There will also be the “Summer of Gingham” heading your way soon.  I do have several finished projects yet to blog, but eventually they’ll make it here.  I finished a lengthy project with multiple pieces recently and was sewing like a madwoman.  My […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

DLYG 2: Deadline Extension

04/23/2018

Hi Everyone! I’ve extended the deadline for this years’ Dress Like Your Grandma sewing challenge to MAY 15, 2018.  I hope an extra 2 weeks will help us all finish up our projects! 🙂 If you’re planning on entering your project for giveaway prizes, make sure to do one of three things: Send your photo(s) […]

Filed Under: Dress Like Your Grandma Sewing Challenge

DLYG2: My Plans

04/6/2018

Howdy friends! If you’re joining us for this year’s Dress Like Your Grandma challenge, how is your project coming along?  We’re about midway through the challenge and I’ve already seen some finished projects popping up.  Y’all are some dedicated and productive sewists!  It’s also been so amazing as well as heartwarming to view your family […]

Filed Under: Dress Like Your Grandma Sewing Challenge

The Peach Tree Shirtdress [McCall’s 6891]

04/4/2018

Hi Friends! I’m very into sewing for spring right now and this shirtdress was on the top of my queue, so I had it cut and sewn within two days!  Just in time to wear it on Easter.  I have a backlog of projects that are already photographed to share with you, but being sick […]

Filed Under: Retro Garments

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My Favorites

  • The 1920’s Egyptian Revival Gown
  • The Embroidered Zig Zag Dress
  • The 1929 Pansy Dress
  • The 1930’s Silk Velvet Dress
  • Sailors are My Weakness [The Dorothy Lara Dress]
  • The California Poppy Blouse
  • The 1950’s Robin Hood Dress
  • The Broderie Anglaise Birthday Dress

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“Dress Like Your Grandma” Host

Behind the Scenes on Instagram @tanyamaile

Meet my new favorite dress! This is the @gertie18 Meet my new favorite dress! This is the @gertie18 Charm #cinchitdress in cotton linen from @lafinchfabrics . It is my third and favorite version thus far. I did several alterations to this pattern for both fit and preference. This is a size 22/24 in upper cup sizes. I'm not sure if it's because I am on the lower end of the bust sizes at a D, but I raised the bust darts and also raised the shirring line a few inches. I took a wedge out of the back for a swayback adjustment, raised the armholes as they're too low for me and lowered the neckline slit. This version has the banded collar. Other versions I've made have sleeves and no collar. I also lengthened the skirt and am wearing my lightweight petticoat with this. It's difficult to see, but this version has a triangular pocket from a similar vintage 1950's tent dress pattern, which I also used to add more width to the shoulders and create a bit of a sleeve, which I'll be extending out more for my 4th Cinch-It dress. I just had my second dose of the Pfizer vax, so if I feel okay, I'll be cutting out another dress. 😉

This is a great every day dress. It's so comfortable and quick to sew. Without a belt or shirring, it looks a bit like a muu muu, which really isn't a bad thing, but I like some waist definition. My first one I made out of rayon challis, and that's a bit too drapey IMO for this pattern and I prefer this cotton linen and version 2 in chambray, which I'll share when I finish with the appliques and pockets on that. I love this pattern so much that I was going to use one of my treasured vintage Hawaiian fabrics, but didn't have enough yardage to cut this pattern out as that 50's fabric is narrow.  Now that I have this pattern fitted exactly how I want it to, I may just sew 5 or 6. 😉

#charmpatterns #lafinchfabrics #polynesianAF #vintagesewing #plussizesewing #sewistsofinstagram  #sewistsofcolor #curvysewingcollective #sewing #1950ssewing
I made a dress and took photos of it! 💃💃 Thi I made a dress and took photos of it! 💃💃 This is a @gertie18 Charm Lamour Dress and Dorothy Bolero made of cotton linen from @lafinchfabrics. 

#lamourdress #dorothybolero #charmpatterns #1950sfashion #plussizevintage #vintagedressmaking #vintagesewing #lafinchfabrics #curvysewingcollective
My new hussif/housewife sewing wrap that I made in My new hussif/housewife sewing wrap that I made in @the_sewing_room_alameda 's class at the @gbacg virtual costume academy last weekend. I sewed it in class and added the binding today. I love how it uses remnants and that I had everything to make it in my sewing room. It was perfect for this little piece of vintage fabric (printed off grain). I'm planning to make another one to go in my 18th pockets and do some embroidery on it.
I feel incredibly grateful that I've had my first I feel incredibly grateful that I've had my first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. My husband (a teacher) has also had his first dose. It feels like being on the path to some sense of normalcy and being able to breathe again after a tumultuous year. I'm also looking forward to seeing my grandma and my aunt who is in a care home -- both of whom I haven't seen since before this pandemic began.

If you're curious, as I live in California and we are not doing great amongst the states with our vaccine administration (currently ranked 38) and my county has not reached my age group yet. On Monday, I became eligible in my state as high risk due to BMI (fat privilege!). I would have had to jump through hoops and wait to get a shot at the only vaccine option  my county has (I was on the list), and looked for other options. Our state vaccine website (MyTurn) gave me clinics in other counties which I am not eligible for as I'm not a resident or worker. VaccineFinder gave me locations at area pharmacies and I tried to get an appointment and they were all booked. Finally, a friend told me about Walgreens and I went on their website and made an appointment on Tuesday and had my first shot today. 🎉🎉
This lady head brooch by @lipstickandchrome really This lady head brooch by @lipstickandchrome really made my day. Thanks to @wanderingwhipstitch for telling me about it. 💖
It was pretty unbelievable when my husband and I f It was pretty unbelievable when my husband and I found these Pyrex orange butterprint Cinderella bowls at a thrift store the other day. The orange (along with pink) butterprint were promotional pyrex from the late 1950's/early 1960's and very hard to find. I never thought that I'd have some in my collection as I've never seen these for sale in person and there are so many pyrex collectors in my area. These are mint, but missing the 444 (largest size). At $75, these were not a thrift store price, but a steal considering the current going rate. Plus, I love them, which makes them valuable to me. I rearranged this hutch of my favorites so they could be displayed there. 😊

#pyrex #vintagepyrex #pyrexcollector #orangebutterprint #rarepyrex #pyrexcollection
Today, @mommarainbows and I had a Castle Cake-Off. Today, @mommarainbows and I had a Castle Cake-Off. Who wins? We both do. 🤣 I present to you my Count Chocula cake. 🧛‍♂️ It's a chocolate malt cake with malt fudge sauce, chocolate malt frosting, malt crumble and some somewhat charred marshmallows. I used the recipe from the Milk Bar. 

This is the fanciest bundt cake I've ever made as I usually just pour a glaze on with coconut, sprinkles or berries.
Just finished: A crewelwork pillow with California Just finished: A crewelwork pillow with California poppies and bachelor buttons. I made this from a vintage 1970's Bucilla crewel embroidery kit. This is the second Bucilla crewel kit that I've made and I just love using them. I was fortunate to find this one with my state's flower on it and it was a pretty quick embroidery project.

#bucilla #crewelembroidery #crewelwork #embroidery #handembroidery #1970sembroidery #1970sstyle #californiapoppy
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Copyright 2012-2021. Tanya Maile Hughes. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or reproduce any content from this site without approval and credit. Sewing graphics by katieshoestring and California poppy graphics by DigitalDesignsAndArt

Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.

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