The next installment in my historical sewing video series is here!…and long over due!
Today it is all about pattern drafting. Join me as I show you how to take a simple grid pattern or pre-made paper pattern and alter it to fit your desired shape and look.
Close up of pattern grid used:
Images of my 1870’s Plaid and Brown Day gown which the bodice pattern was used….and altered! 😉
Alright, today’s talk is all about vintage sewing! When I was planning out my talking points, I only had a few highlights to go over. But jeepers, put that camera on record and the words just flowed! So join me as I go over what is vintage sewing, how to find patterns (both modern and vintage), along with special tools and fabric needed!
Helpful Links:
Missed last week’s chat on Historical Sewing? Check it out HERE!
Want to see how to take a modern sewing pattern and adapt it for a more vintage look? Check out my video tutorial HERE!
Recommended Vintage Inspired/Reproduction Pattern Companies:
There are, of course, numerous other businesses out there that create vintage/vintage-inspired patterns! If you have a favorite, please share it below in the comments! 🙂
As you may have noticed, my blog has undergone a few cosmetic changes. Nothing to worry about….just trying to streamline and revamp the overall look with the aim of expanding topics and tutorials! I am slowly starting to get back into the blogging swing of things and have planned a few fun posts and videos to come out over the summer – as long as nap times stay consistent (you know #MOMLIFE!) More details and such will make their way over the next few weeks, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy today’s post.
It is half way through June and I finally feel that summer is officially here! My gardens are overall doing well…although I have certainly fretted and fussed over my kitchen garden sprouts. While I may not be able to spend hour upon hour in the garden, I can definitely squeeze in a solid twenty minutes after my daughter goes to bed. And nothing feels more therapeutic then slipping into garden shoes and my garden apron. Although based on my neighbors reactions and gentle ribbing, it feels as though I am the only person in the world who wears an apron to garden. I suppose I may be the minority, but it sure beats having to change into “work” clothes which can mean a loss of precious gardening minutes. So I proudly don my apron, step into my small yet efficiently designed garden, and weed away!
Are you looking for a garden apron? I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites!
Hello Friends!!
My goodness but it has been a long time since I’ve last posted. Please know that this is no indication that I am planning on closing or shutting down my blog….not at all! It is simply a reflection of going with the flow of life and my creative juices. But here on this slightly rainy and grey Saturday, I felt like writing and sharing a little of what I am into and planning this spring!
So lets start with some sewing…my favorite thing to talk about! 🙂 I have discovered a secret love of bustle gowns and completed my first just a few months ago! I most definitely feel a little late to the 1880’s party, but oh boy am I here to stay!! I relied heavily on Prior Attire’s Victorian Dressmaking book (link HERE) and have to say I am very pleased with my first attempt.
Sometimes its fun to get back to basics. With the long, hot days of summer upon us, having a simple and fulfilling project to complete in the cool air conditioning is all a person needs to feel refreshed. Here are a few of my favorite (easy) vintage inspired sewing projects!
Click title to be taken to website for project instructions.
Retro Drawstring Bag by A Spoonful of Sugar Designs
Make these little bags up in various sizes to fulfill all your needs. I love having a few little bags like these for quick trips to the library or farmer’s markets. And of course my one year old loves toting bags like these around to hold all sorts of random toys!
Sewing Machine Pillow by Quilting Digest
This little project is a quick way to get a quilting fix without having to commit to a larger size. Go stash diving to use up all those odds and ends you know you have lying around!
Camper Pincushion by Crafts Beautiful
This little camper is the epitome of summer vacation! Let this little cutie grace your sewing table and help you keep track of all those rogue pins.
Creating a Vintage Blouse from a Modern Sewing Pattern
If you want a little more of a challenge, why not take a pattern you already have and mix it up to create something more vintage. In this video tutorial, I’ll show you how to create two different blouses using one modern sewing pattern!
I will never, ever, and I mean NEVER EVER get sick of looking at and admiring vintage kitchens! Even though I have personally just redecorated my kitchen into more of a farm style, I know that it won’t be too long before the vintage look makes its way back. Anyone who loves or appreciates anything vintage will understand exactly what I mean. But when trying to write this post, I found myself struggling to put into words just what it is about the vintage kitchen look that I so much love. Upon thinking, I have found that it contains both physical and mental attributes. The idea of family, homey-ness, and just good old fashioned cooking makes up the mental appeal. But to describe the physical, I had to find some examples…..
First off, take a look at this kitchen below:
Ahhhhhhh! It looks so appealing, clean, sunny, and fresh! From the striped cushions, the plate rack above the sink, to the geranium in the windowsill, everything oozes welcome and home. But what is stopping me from creating a kitchen just like this? Well besides the fact that I would have to do some major reconstruction, the idea of a tiled wall just seems a little out of date.
There comes a time when all business sewing needs to take a pause, and personal sewing needs to take over.
You see, I don’t often sew for myself.
I think the last time I created a gown just for me was at least a year ago. Most of the time, whenever I sew it is either for a client or to sell on my shop. But with a little more free time on my hands (thanks to longer naps by my little one), I wanted to try something new and different. …something for me! 🙂
After thinking about what I wished to create, I decided on an outfit to wear at next year’s French and Indian War Reenactment…in July. The tricky part about making a gown to wear in the summer while it is still winter is the fear that I am going to sweat like crazy! More about that later!
So, as always, whenever I begin a brand new decade or project apart from the norm, I begin with an inspiration board. This is where I gather images of actual gowns, paintings, or pieces of a gown I want to try and incorporate. The problem with this particular gown is I wanted to include WAAAAY to many aspects and techniques, so I had to really cut down.
Here is the inspiration board of this particular project:
I can’t believe we are already at Thanksgiving! While I feel that the summer went by at a normal pace, this fall has simply flew!!
I have been very busy sewing these past days, not only getting ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday on my shop (click HERE to see all the deals), but also with some fun projects just for the heck of it! One such project, was this 1810’s day gown in such a fun shade of coral-ly pink.
Aimee's Victorian Armoire 
