Sunday, March 18, 2012

Fifties Re-visited a Modern Interpretation


I don't even have words to express how much I like this.

images from Vogue China March 2012

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Perfecting the Pencil

 I've made a few pencil skirts. It's due to that ongoing thought process that won't let you stop until you get it just right. Please tell me that I'm not the only seamstress that does this. Is it a bit compulsive? I'm sure. But I can finally say, I'm happy, I'm moving on, I'm over it...

 The final pencil skirt is my favorite. I found the lining fabric at the thrift-store. It's silk and it is amazing.

The belt is a re-cycled neck tie.

sweater, jcrew, thrifted
tee, screen print, my friend
skirt, self-made, vintage wool
belt, up-cycled, vintage

Thursday, March 1, 2012

McCall 6256

 McCall 6256

 I made this 1940 pattern using 1950 vintage fabric.  I found the fabric at a thrift store.  It was a small piece but by careful layout during cutting, I managed to barely squeeze it out of the the 35" width.

 The top has self-covered buttons down the back.

I love the fabric, and while it is a little more pastel than color that I am generally drawn to, I think it will be fun for Spring.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A picture is worth a thousand words...

...or my new favorite thing to do, covering unsuspecting little lampshades in vintage fabric.


Saturday, February 4, 2012

E-Z Self-Fabric Buttons

 In progress: McCall 6256
The kit for the self-fabric buttons is so cute. On the front it makes the claim - make them round or flat. When you turn the card over to get the instructions the flat version is made by smashing them flat. copyright 1957 by E-Z Buckle, Inc. 

Finished: Covered lampshade with granny chic crochet edging.
the instructions for crochet edgings can be found here
the covered lampshade tutorial I used  



Friday, February 3, 2012

More Linda Permann

I am making trim from the Crochet Adorned book. The is about the fifth or sixth time I've used instruction from this book. If you don't own it already -  I recommend it highly. This trim is going on the bottom of a lampshade that I covered using instruction found on pinterest.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Simplicity 5877

 Shirtwaist dress with notched collar, set-in sleeves, bodice front button closing and side zipper.

Fabric used: Vintage cotton found at a yard sale
I would grade this as an intermediate  pattern. There is a fiddly step with the side zipper set into the pleats, and on the other side it has a side seam pocket. Mostly straightforward and the only change I made was to shorten the sleeve length. The fit was great on the first try, I will make this one again.

photo taken in just a sweater at the end of January
it's insanely warm for this time of year in Colorado
and no snow??

 


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Working on...

a banner made of vintage fabric

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Speakers, Sofa Cushions, and Emily Chalmers

 It's been awhile, so I will try as best I can to remember the speaker conversation. Pretty sure it went something like this.
"Honey, do you remember me talking about how since high school I've wanted to own a quality set of speakers? You know the kind I mean - blow the roof off your house speakers." Then he is getting a call and has to get off the phone.
Then I get the second phone call. "Johnny was at a yard sale when he saw these speakers. He actually drove off and left them there. I told him to go back as fast as he could and get them." 
I remember having a fairly lengthy convo about said speakers, but I'm thinking you get the picture.
It's to hard to type inflection so you'll have to trust me when I tell you I recognized right away that I was being entreated. I do remember the punchline he said, "Did I mention that they are kind of big?"
Now I've widened my shot to include the speakers. Not only are they kinda big, they are kinda black, and sitting in the living room, that prior to their arrival didn't have a speck of black in the decor, at least not on purpose. So now I have a serious problem. These speakers are a force to be reckoned with. My first thought was making a big slip cover to camouflage them. Then I remembered the photos of the Emily Chalmers loft and her use of black as an anchor, or point of interest, in an otherwise white space. Viola. Decoration born of desperation my friends.

Oh by the way, he redeemed himself when he came home after the living room re-do and said, 
"I like it, it's very Anthropologie."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Curtain Skirts Re-visited

Fine Design

 Some time ago I saved this photo to my desktop. I could not believe there was actually a kindred spirit out there, one who like me, had such obvious love of skirts made of curtains. In fact, I made a very similar skirt to the one on top. I've actually made quite a few skirts from vintage drapery fabric.  Time went by and I couldn't remember the source of the original image.
 Then in December I happened to be visiting the decor8 blog and the images of a stylist named Emily Chalmers almost took my breath away. You know the feeling you get when you see a space and declare, "I could seriously live in that space." Everything about it... just lovely. So I got curious about you Emily Chalmers. I googled you. I tried to find every image that was out there. So there it is. The image I found so long ago and loved is your closet, in an open loft, in London. I love your loft.
Then I discovered not only are you a stylist, you are an author, and shop owner - with adorable personal style to boot. 
So yep... I ordered your books, not all of them, there's a lot.  

these photos belong to Hilary Walker