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 

Simplicity 2591

View B Simplicity 2591

I've included the line drawing so that the side panel with side pocket application is visible. That sounds so professional (got it off the pattern back). I'm referring to the curved piece that hooks the front onto the back. The busy print on this fabric doesn't show off this design detail. If I make this one again I will make it in a solid, or at least a less busy print. I enjoyed making this and the unusual construction kept me entertained until the very end. I did not make this dress this fall (although it only recently has seen closet rotation). I have been lately referring to this dress as the suitcase dress.

I must be in a Fall frame of mind - I brought home a vintage dress in these same colors. Not on purpose. In fact did not even realize it until Jenny pointed it out. In fact she said, "Don't you already have a dress just like that?" To which I say, "Nope, this one has sleeves, and rhinestones."

Just for fun I found cute versions of this dress here, here, and here.

don't give up on me I'm still working on the pocket pdf.

 

Tulip pocket wrap-dress

 Working out the construction bugs. Another Swirl knock-off.

 Little different pocket detail.

In action. Modeled by my sister-in-law Jenny. 

I've already started another. :)

Vintage Suitcases

D: "You have twenty-seven suitcases, I counted."

Me: "They aren't just suitcases,(duh) they're vintage suitcases."(the duh is silent)

D:" It's not a problem, I'm just sayin' that's a lot of suitcases."

Me:" I need that many in case I ever leave you, I need something to pack my stuff in."

D: "You can only take whatever fits in your suitcases."

Me: ..........

I'm mentally counting suitcases (including the ones I'm pretty sure he didn't count).

Must. get. more. suitcases. ;)

all in good fun. this photo makes it look like I'm outta here (I'm so not). I actually found this from last fall. I never blogged this dress. It's a simplicity pattern that I'll post in the next couple days.

Swirl Girl

 copy of a trademark swirl tag- original here

 In the forties the Neat 'N Tidy pinafore apron made by L. Nachman & Son Company became the "Ty-Wrap By Swirl" dress we know as Swirl. Most of the info I could find was in this article.

In all my thrifting/estate sale adventures I've yet to find an authentic Swirl dress. (sigh) 

I have followed and even occasionally bid on an ebay auction. These dresses are collectible. The ending price always reflected this fact.

Swirl dresses are wrap-around dresses that tie and fasten with a button. The sleeves and bodice are most often in one piece (unusual to see set in sleeves).

The more I thought about these dresses the more I wanted one. So... 

This is what I came up with. The fabric is a thrifted sheet, I didn't want to cut into my vintage fabric on the first one in case it was a bust.

Pretty happy with this one, although I am going to change a couple of things before I make another.

Pattern: Self-drafted

Fabric: Thrifted sheet $2.00

Trim: Salvaged from a vintage dress in poor condition

Buttons: Mother-of-pearl from a tin I won at auction 

vintage sheet apron

 vintage sheet + embroidered tablecloth + section of crochet trim from a curtain + stripey blue bias tape

and...three vintage mismatched buttons

pattern: self-drafted

Simplicity 2586

 Pattern: Simplicity 2586 c.1958

Fabric: vintage gingham from the stash

I was a bit lazy and changed the skirt,  I didn't want to match plaid on each of the six gores.

 

 Pattern description of the sleeves; short kimono sleeves cut in one with yoke. The pattern went together very smoothly. Don't you just love vintage patterns? Almost every time they work up with no issues.

The triangular opening at the neck edge with cutie fabric bow.