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I Made a … 1940s Sun Dress | 2 in 1 Pinafore McCall’s 7475
My 1940s sun dress has proved to be the perfect all year vintage dress as it doubles up as a pinafore too! I made this using the vintage pattern McCall’s 7475* during the summer, but have found that I get more wear out of it now that I can layer it over a shirt.
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I Made a … 1950s Vintage Dress – From a Vintage Sewing Pattern Simplicity 3274 – Part TWO
My 1950s vintage dress is complete! This post is part TWO, where I make the skirt and finish up the bodice. I suggest you read part ONE before getting stuck into this post. You can find that post here.
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I Made a … 1950s Vintage Dress – From a Vintage Sewing Pattern Simplicity 3274 – Part One
My latest vintage sewing project is a 1950s vintage dress. I used a vintage pattern that I bought from Wave of Nostalgia in Haworth; Simplicity 3274. I wanted to try and create a really authentic feel for this dress by using vintage fabric, notions and techniques. This post details the making of the bodice. The making of the skirt will follow in my next post.
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I Made a … 1940s Vintage Dress Butterick B6485
This 1940s vintage dress is actually a modern reprint of a vintage sewing pattern. I have been collecting these types of pattern for years and I decided that it was finally time to actually make one and I chose this Butterick pattern from 1944 for my first Youtube project video.
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I Made a … 1930s Knitted Cardigan
This 1930s knitted cardigan pattern was a the top of my Knitting Wishlist and came from Subversive Femme on Etsy*. Bex has a wonderful selection of vintage knitting patterns from the 1920s to 50s. She also has an amazing blog with lots of free knitting patterns. It’s well worth checking out!
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I Made a…. 1940s Winter Coat
My 1940s winter coat is complete! I am so thrilled with how it turned out and really pleased I was able to finish it before the cold weather truly sets in. I used a vintage Vogue pattern from The Vintage Pattern Store* with a selection of new, vintage and organic fabrics. Take a closer look below.
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How to Start Dressing Vintage?
How to start dressing vintage is a question I hear so often as if vintage is a mystery that I have somehow unlocked the answers to. I get it, it can seem intimidating when you are surrounding yourself with images of professional pin up models and hairstylist thanks to Instagram and Pinterest. But it’s important to remember, those people ARE PROFESSIONALS. They have dedicated a lot of time and money to getting to the point they are at. If you’re New Year’s Resolution is to take up jogging you’re not going to be running a marathon in February are you?
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On Costume and Vintage
Today on the tube, a man told me he liked my costume. I smiled and said thanks and then he got off the tube. But actually I was a little unsettled by this encounter, not just because anybody talking to you on the tube is a bit weird, but because my first thought was ‘what costume?’
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Are you ever too old for hand-me-downs?
As I sit here wondering how to begin my very first post for Retro Claude, my mind struggles to find something to talk about. Believe me, I am not lacking in things to say, far from it. My issue is how to introduce the ideas and concepts behind this little project of mine in a way that sets the tone for things to come, doesn’t give too much away but leaves you all wanting to come back for more.
