Hola, Amigas! I started this outfit last summer and ta-da! It’s done 8 months later! As I continue delving into my UFO sewing collection, this one is the latest to become a wearable garment, or in this case — an outfit! I used Simplicity 1261, a vintage peasant blouse and skirt pattern from the 1940’s. […]
A Wool Crepe New England Dress
Hello, friends! I hope you’re doing well and keeping warm (or cool!) wherever you are in the world. I’m happy to share my latest retro creation — the 1940’s New England Dress from Decades of Style. As the weather here in Northern California is returning to “normal” and we’re experiencing a cold and wet winter […]
The Broderie Anglaise Birthday Dress
Hello, friends! I’m super excited to share this dress with all of you! It’s one that I’ve been dreaming of making ever since I set eyes on it’s inspiration and put a plan together to sew it! I call this my “birthday” dress as I bought the fabric with bday money back in May 2014. Yes…. […]
A Nanette Lepore Embroidered Floral Dress [Butterick 5982]
Hello, friends! I’m ecstatic to share this beloved dress with you! This fabric definitely came before anything else and is the star of the show. It’s a red Nanette Lepore embroidered cotton from Britex Fabrics in San Francisco. I coveted this fabric for a couple of months, visiting it regularly at the store and lamenting […]
The Poppy ESP Dress
Hey there, friends! It sure feels like spring around these parts! Quite apropos for this dress, me thinks! This is one of the fabrics that came before the pattern. (You know — “what came first, the fabric or the pattern?”). This large scale print needed a pattern as wonderful as it is to […]
Sailors are My Weakness [The Dorothy Lara Dress]
Hello friends! Here’s a bit of a special treat today as I finally get to share this dress that I’ve been lusting after [in my head] for a couple of months now! This is the 1940’s Dorothy Lara Dress pattern by Decades of Style. It’s a 1940’s style raglan sleeved dress with gathers […]
The Jenny Lee Dress [Simplicity 1459]
Hello, friends! I’m happy to share this retro shirtwaist dress with you! This dress is inspired by this lovely striped shirt dress worn by Jenny Lee in Call the Midwife. I couldn’t find any photos online, so these are screen captures from season 3. I used Simplicity 1459 to make my dress, along with […]
A 1950’s Embroidered Peasant Dress
Yay! After over a year from planning to finishing — I’m finally done with this dress! This dress was in my mind long before I found my vintage pattern. I’ve been in love with 1950’s peasant dresses for a long time and now I have one perfectly suited for ME. It’s like a dream that […]
An Anna Sui Peasant Dress
Hello there, friends! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Before I tell you all about my latest creation, I’ll show you a sneak peek at what has been occupying a lot of my sewing time. This is embroidery on a 1950’s “Mexican-ish” peasant dress. I have not done any embroidery for quite a while, […]
Fall for Cotton: 1954 Patriotic Seersucker Picnic Dress
Nothing like finishing at the last minute! I made this dress for the Fall for Cotton challenge, hosted by Rochelle (Lucky Lucille) and Tasha (By Gum By Golly). I chose Vintage Vogue 2960, a reproduction pattern from 1954. My version is made of red/white/blue cotton seersucker that I found at Joann’s. I noticed this fabric […]
