Regency dress

Well friends, it's been a bit since you have heard from me, in a word homeschooling is taking much of my time. I am finally getting back into a routine of sewing again. I've been on a quest for a long, winter dress that is easy to wear and warm.  Last spring,  Casey had a sew along for a swing dress from Sense and Sensibility patterns.  Looking around the web site I couldn't resist the idea of making a winter dress from the 1700's regency style. This dress was a lot of fun to put together. I really like the high waistline, it's very comfortable. The material is heavy linen and it's lined for warmth. I really love this dress, my husband really loves it too.

 I also wanted to give a short review of the pattern for those of you who may be considering making this dress. The overall pattern is printed and packaged on heavy paper. The instructions are fairly simply, she also has step by step instructions (with pictures) for this pattern on the web site. The biggest problem I had with the pattern was fit.  The bodice is on the short side for me, it fell  above my bra band. In addition to it being short, it came down too low in the front. If I bent over you could see my whole entire bra. So I took the challenge to fix these problems and drafted up a new pattern using the pieces from the original. I added about 3 inches too the bottom of the pattern. I have narrow shoulders, so I  brought the shoulders in, which helped the dress from felling off of me. It was worth making a muslin for this dress, I highly suggest it. I had three goes at it before getting it right. I am 5'6 so the length was great and no adjustments were needed, if you are taller you will need to cut more length for your dress. I will be making this one again. Do you ever wear dresses in the winter?

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina

Biltmore!

We have been on vacation, sorry for my silence, but I was having a lot of much needed fun! My birthday was in September and I have always wanted to see the Biltmore house.  So my family took me there.  It was just beautiful, like traveling  back in time. I felt like a character from a Jane Austin's book running around the estate.  While we were there I found this ring.  As part of being a vintage gal, I have always wanted an antique ring. So everyplace we go I look for one. My hubby bought this one for my birthday, it was a bit expensive, but I really love the retro styling of it. We also went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and stayed in a cabin. I found these second hand shoes and felt they go with a lot of long skirts I have. It was really nice getting away.

The last few day I have been doing some sewing. Pants have been on my sewing table. I am hoping to have something to show you soon, but I don't like the outcome so far. The rise is always an issue for me, so I have a bit of adjusting to do.

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina  

Closing another gap! Red skirt!

I top-stitched this skirt!

I am thinking about these for fall.

I am thrilled to have a red skirt in my closet now. It was so needed! This lonely 1960's blouse was without a match for the whole summer.  I will be honest, the making of this skirt came to a haul because of the belt hoops. They are made from gaberdine fabric and wouldn't iron flat without a fight. So, it took me awhile to get them in shape and looking right. I am pretty happy with how this skirt turned out. The pictures are not the best, they were taken with a low battery, so sorry for the bad lighting. How are things with your sewing? I have been thinking a lot about culottes, I wore them back in the 80's and loved them.  My closet is full of some great winter fabrics, that are begging to be pulled out.  It's getting cold here in Ohio. Oh, I think I hear  my sewing room calling!

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina

40's dress

I often come out to our pond to think, it's full of huge fish!

No, I didn't make this one. I bought it a while back at our local antique store.  I fell in love with it. My dream was to wear this dress some summer evening while on a date with my husband. Sadly, I never did, so I thought before packing it up for the fall I would get a few pictures.  This little white dress has a metal zipper and shell buttons. For it's age it's in great condition, I am guessing it's 40's or 50's. I don't have any plans to change it at all. I can't get myself to even shorten it. Someday, I hope to pass this dress on to another in the best condition possible! Until then, I will wear it gently. Do you wear your vintage clothing or keep it for admiring?

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina

The chickens on our farm

We love our chickens. They fit well into our "vintage" lifestyle. I thought you might like to see them in this short post. Sorry I have been so quiet! This last week we started our second year of homeschooling, so not much has happened in my sewing room yet, but I am gearing up for a fall wardrobe. Be back soon!

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina

Sewing mishap!

This pattern doesn't look interesting, but I feel the lines may yield something rather pretty. This fabric is a stretch from the thrift.

If you have been sewing for very long, you know there are wonderful sewing days and hard, frustrating days. Even with the best intentions, a project can quickly turn to disaster in one misstep!  That's what has happened here. Sometimes I struggle with interpreting a patterns instructions, mostly because I am a self taught seamstress.  I have learned to mull over a pattern's instruction before jumping in, but still can be caught off guard by an arrow or dot.  Today was one of those days. I had to laugh at this little bump that was created by my mistake in sewing up the seams. Somebody find me a seam ripper please!  So it's time for a little laugh and a restart button. Take heart if you have had a sewing day like this. It can happen to anyone and the "fix" most times is a seam ripper and a good read of the instructions one more time.  

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina

Green Ginger

I've been jumping back into the sewing scene this week with the ginger by Colette patterns. This skirt makes me smile. Colette makes a lovely pattern that is easy to use. I've so enjoyed seeing different versions of this skirt on the web, you all are so creative. There is something about it's shape and lines that have bewitched me. The skirt is made with fabric from the thrift, I am thinking it's a broadcloth.  I am not pairing it with this blouse, I just needed a way to show the belt area a little better and this solid peach blouse did the trick. I can't tell you how good it feels to sew again. I really love it so much. I would give up my T.V. any day for my sewing machine and my iron! Can't sew without them!

If you had to, what would you give up for your sewing machine? Just wondering.

Have a great vintage day!

Gina