Vintage Inspired Sewing Projects for Beginners

4 Comments July 17, 2018 aimeevictorianarmoire

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!

So don’t let the dog days of summer get you down! Grab some ice tea and head to the sewing room!

I am now accepting custom orders on select items for August and September. To see current offerings please click HERE. To see my online portfolio click HERE.

How Retro do You Go?

7 Comments May 2, 2018 aimeevictorianarmoire

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.

Peekaboo!! I’m back!

4 Comments April 24, 2018 aimeevictorianarmoire

Hi everyone!!

My goodness but it has been quite a while since I have posted anything here on my blog! It has been for good reason, and I’ll explain that a little later on, but boy, is it wonderful to be back!!! Not to mention that the warmer weather is finally, and I mean FINALLY, starting to show up! I don’t know if any of you have been suffering for want of warmth like us in the northeast, but it has been a most painfully long, cold spring so far. I have found that the older I get the more the drab, rainy, and cloudy spring days get to me…but I guess I’ll worry about that depressing future another day!

So where have I been? I looked the other day and saw that I haven’t posted since December! Yikes!?!? I by no means intended to take such a long break from blogging…it just sort of happened. I, like many of us, got caught up in the busyness of the holidays and the start of the new year. A wonderful influx of custom orders with limited sewing time compounded the issue. And then there was the fact that I had a little baby girl who struggled sleeping at night. Between night feedings, midnight crying sessions, and one whopper of a cold for the whole family, I spent my days just trying to function. There were times when I tried to sit down in front of the computer and write, but the words just got stuck. I realized that I had to be relaxed and rested to write otherwise I was just staring at the computer screen watching the precious minutes of a nap tick away with nothing to show for it. So I just let the block stay as it wanted and focused on enjoying mommy-hood and sewing for my daughter as well as my business. Two things that really kept me sane and provided a much needed creative outlet.

Well, as of a week ago we have successfully weened off of night feeds (a little late for many babies, but right and proper for my now ten month old little nugget) and a full night sleep has been added back into my day. I’m still enjoying the novelty of not having to get up every three hours…its wonderful! 🙂 And as a result I have found the rest greatly increased my desire to write and create blog posts again.

So I’m back with a goal of trying to post four times a month. A goal mind you. 🙂 I have found that with many creative aspects of my life, to just relax and embrace the dry times as much as I do the days when creativity oozes out of my fingertips!

So thank you for your patience and your continued support and readership!

Have a wonderful day my friends!

~Aimee

Creating a 1750’s Gown…For Me!

6 Comments December 6, 2017 aimeevictorianarmoire

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:

On My Inspiration Board: Coral Gowns

2 Comments November 19, 2017 aimeevictorianarmoire

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone!!

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.

Creating an 1850’s Bloomer Gown

7 Comments October 31, 2017 aimeevictorianarmoire

A few weeks ago, The New York State Museum reached out to me to acquire a Bloomer Gown I had created to display in their upcoming exhibit Votes for Women: Celebrating New York’s Suffrage Centennial which runs from November 4, 2017- May 13, 2018 in Albany, New York.

I was thrilled and honored to be apart of such a wonderful exhibit and celebration that I thought I would share a some details of not only the gown I made, but also the women who made the outfit popular.

To start with the Bloomer gown, as we know it, was not first worn by Amelia Bloomer but actually by Elizabeth Smith Miller of Geneva, New York. Elizabeth Miller, who advocated for dress reform using the Turkish style of pants, quickly caught the attention and support of Bloomer. With her newspaper, The Lily, which focused on women’s issues, Amelia popularized the look to the point where her name became associated with the gown.

Invitation Designing with Basic Invite!!!

Leave a comment September 27, 2017 aimeevictorianarmoire

I think that sending out invitations, announcements, and actual holiday cards are such a wonderful way to share good news and good wishes in this digital day and age! I mean, when you think about it, receiving a thick, beautifully designed card in the mail is just as exciting as receiving a gift…at least in my book! It is a way to send a lovely thought to someone special whether they live just a few doors down or across the country. I have even taken to shopping thrift stores and flea markets for vintage cards as they are lovely to display!

Just look at this sweet one:

And of course the same can be said of cards and invitations today!

Well, a few weeks ago a lovely invitation business called Basic Invite reached out to me to share their wonderful designs with all of you! Having just had a baby and wishing to share the news with EVERYONE, I had stationary on my mind so was thrilled to learn all about this company!! From designing your own party invitations whether for a boy or your daughter’s elegant sweet 16, this company has you covered! Talking to one of their lovely associates Kaytee, I learned all about what makes Basic Invite different….in all the good ways of course! 😉

Almost Unlimited Colors

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. I personally love this option as many companies only give you options of what “they” think would look good…and sometimes I have other ideas!

How sweet is this first birthday invitation?!?!

Custom Samples

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. Who wouldn’t LOVE this?!?!? Sometimes a digital image just doesn’t cut it and when it comes to something as special as a wedding invitation or announcement….you want to make sure your vision translates well on paper!

I love when you can combine a family photo and a greeting card all in one!!

Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes

Basic Invite is just as colorful with their envelopes as they are with their invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of their envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed. This last part really appealed to me as I have spent way too many hours licking envelopes and…well…that glue certainly doesn’t taste all that great!

Having the option for both an invitation and matching thank you card I think is such great idea!!

Free Address Collection Service

Use their free address collection service to request your addresses with just three simple steps. Share a link, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing.

Say what?!?!? Sign me up for that!

Where I can read my own handwriting…sometimes…a beautifully printed one just looks better!

This sweet invitation is a great choice for a baby shower where the gender is a surprise!

So while I am still a few months off from sending out my daughter’s first birthday invitations, I have already picked out the most perfect one to use from Basic Invite! 🙂 I’m thinking something like this…

I just love the happy colors!!

If you are anything like me, invitations and cards are special keepsakes that should be cherished and treasured for years to come! These beautiful bits of paper truly are tributes to wonderful memories and times made and shared with all your loved ones!

Happy Party Planning Everyone!!

Simply click below to access Basic Invite’s website and social media:

Basic Invite Website

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September Favorites

Leave a comment September 8, 2017 aimeevictorianarmoire

FALL IS HERE!!!! I am so excited and can’t wait to embark on all my favorite autumnal activities! From apple picking to watching football, I plan to enjoy each and every deliciously cool day!

And with the start of a new season and a new month, it is time for another favorites post…and boy, do I love what I have to share today!

So lets not wait another minute and get right into it!

Scarlet Red 1865 Day Gown

Stunning, vibrant, and delicately trimmed, everything about this gown is stunning! I especially love the ribbon and medallion on the skirt.

The Wardrobe Shop

A week ago, I was contacted by the Wardrobe Shop. They are a lovely online shop and blog that specializes in vintage clothing from the early 20th century! Definitely worth a look. One of my favorite pieces is the pearl handbag!! Very elegant!!

Click links below to check them out!

Wardrobe Shop

Vintage Inspired Pearl Handbag

Cardigans from Loft

I am obsessed with cardigans this season! One of my favorites is this wrapped version from Loft. Not only do I love the color, but I love how it closes in such an elegant way!

Loft Wrap Cardigan

Two Weeks in Love

So I know I have mentioned this movie before, but it has become one of my favorites! A sweet coming of age story that is only made better by a young and feisty Debbie Reynolds!

Essie Nail Polish

I love all things green right now and this nail polish fits the bill! Not only is it a fabulous color for your nails, but I love the name!!! Click link below image to purchase.