mini update

So, I've made myself take a bit of a sewing break because I definitely was spending every free second with my Bernina, hunched over deep in concentration. However, I definitely haven't been missing out on fun.

Last night I realized just how many Vintage Vogue model patterns I have and then felt really excited and very overwhelmed at the same time.

I don't even know where to start.

I went to a really great estate sale over the past week and managed to finally get my hands on a vintage suitcase hair dryer! This will definitely help with hair setting...and it's just awesome!

And also, I finally got around to WineO to see the lovely burlesque ladies! The girls really stayed true to the vintage looks, music and performances, I was really blown away. They were absolutely wonderful and at the end of the night I got a pair of pink pasties. Haha. But don't expect me to wear them anytime soon now...

happy sewing/thrifting!

etsy update

So, I'm proud to say that I have LOADS of amazing new vintage items available for July on my etsy shop.

These are just a few of the new items up for grabs!

enjoy! xoxo

1940s Port Elizabeth Dress

This is my second take on the Port Elizabeth pattern from  Burda Style's website :) Although this time, I decided to make it into a dress using a vintage print, and lining the collar with antique doily scallops. I even added a little pocket :)

All I did was lengthen the pattern significantly :) Makes a great dress that you can belt :)

dress: by me

jacket: j.crew

belt: forever 21

shoes: nine west

hat: estate sale

photos courtesy of patrick remy

HAPPY SEWING!

1962 Dress

I made this dress awhile back but it’s been hanging in my closet the whole time…I guess when i first made it I wasn’t that into it, but I tried it on today and It fit me so wonderfully that I wondered why I never wore it!

I found this amazing watercolor print satin at Karlin’s Fabrics in Philly and knew it had to be made into a pretty dress. I drafted the pattern for this dress using a pre-made bodice pattern that fits me well and then adapted it to add a peter pan style collar with a bow and a cut out back that ties to close.

I designed this dress with the early 60s in mind, when I was watching Mad Men marathons. I think it has a bit of a Betty Draper vibe.

dress: by me

shoes: nine west

camera: estate sale

photos courtesy of patrick remy

HAPPY SEWING!

1940s Play Date Blouse

I made this blouse from a children’s dress! I saw the dress at a charity shop and fell in love with the vintage fabric. It had a big gathered skirt, so once I removed the skirt there was more than enough fabric to make a blouse!

I modeled this blouse after a vintage 1940s pattern I have in my stash, and gave it a tie at the neck :)

I gave it the dark blue contrast to match this skirt I recently purchased from Buffalo Exchange because together, they make up almost a 1940s play suit sort of look.

blouse: by me

skirt: buffalo exchange

earrings: h&m

shoes: urban outfitters

photos courtesy of patrick remy

HAPPY SEWING!

1950 Dress!

The 1950 Dress is finally finished! 

dress: by me

shoes: payless

hat: estate sale

photos courtesy of patrick remy

1947 Dress Take II

I finished my second version of the Retro Butterick '47 dress last night (1.5 hours!) and it's not that bad. The fabric was quite hard to work with, but that's my fault for buying very slippery fabric. It was too good of a deal to pass up though at $4 a yard. :) I think the fabric is perfect for a 1940's dress though. We also had quite a fun time taking photos this afternoon.

dress: by me

shoes: nine west

hat: estate sale

flower: h&m

sunglasses: forever 21

The 1954 Dress Debut

It's done! It's done! It's done!

So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had such a fun photo shoot today as well!

Betty Draper, eat your heart out.

dress: by me

hat: estate sale find

shoes: nine west

sunglasses: forever 21

photos courtesy of patrick remy

a peek in tinybow's fashion history

So, by now you already know of my devoted love of all things vintage and old-timey. And of course, my love of sifting through old photos. I could look at them for hours. What I love even more is seeing old family photos, especially those of female relatives wearing awesome clothes.

Per my begging for old photographs, my amazing mom sent me a disk full of photos of women from my dad's side of the family wearing awesome clothes. These definitely serve as inspiration for all of my future summer sewing endeavors!

My grandma (second from left) and her sisters in wonderous 40s hairdos and dresses!

My great grandma (second from left) and my grandma (far right). I love her dress with the criss-cross neckline and matching belt, so cute!

A lovely ode to 1930s swimwear!

I'm not sure who this is, but her glasses are amazing.

A very pretty great aunt with the most enviable finger waves.

Ladies on the town! I loveeeee these dresses!

Adorable '40s couple.

So weird, but I have a dress just like this. Except the pattern is polka dots. 

And to further the awesomeness that is my familie's fashion history...a very very old bathing suit.

happy sewing/fashion geneology!

Weekend Pattern Extravaganza.

So, starting today I have 4 and a half days to utilize all of my sewing efforts towards my summer project of building a 1940s and 50s wardrobe. To aid me in this I have a giant pile of sewing patterns that I have to get through. The most difficult part is decided which one I'm going to do first, and which fabrics should go with which design. First world problems, I know.

These first few are from my coveted vintage pattern stash:

I would love to make this Butterick dress in a thicker gray fabric for fall. But the bubblegum pink in the photo is also calling my name!

I love the blouse on the top right. It's so adorable and feminine. I even love it in yellow!

I need skirts for my 40s project. I really like this one a lot. Maybe the ruffle blouse, but I don't know.

The short sleeve version of this is too cute!

This looks like an easy afternoon project. 

And here are more of the Vintage Vogue models I have waiting to be created:

happy sewing!