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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 … 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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1940s Pyjama Playsuit Take Two
After I finished my 1940s Pyjama Playsuit, I had just enough fabric left to make an alternative top to match the playsuit shorts. I wanted to create another sun top, like this one I made before. That way I would have two 1940s playsuit outfits in one! So I started cutting my sun top, a different style this time but from the same pattern, Simplicity 1462*. Take a look at the process below.
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1940s Pyjama Playsuit
When I started this blog I wanted to inspire and motivate myself to make my own clothes and it looks like it has worked! I have been sewing for 10 years and finally, I have made something exclusively for me to wear; a 1940s playsuit.
I can’t believe it!
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I Made a … 1940s Crochet Hat, Again
Back to crochet hats! After the success of my first 1940s crochet hat, I decided to try out another pattern. This one is more of a bonnet or Juliet style and had a large frill around the front.
Having learnt from my previous mistakes this hat went much smoother. However, when I came to the frill around the front I decided to make a few changes.
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I Made a … 1940s Crochet Hat
I am very fortunate in that I suit every type of hat I have ever tried on. However, I am also incredibly unfortunate in that I have an enormous head and lots of hair meaning I can never find hats that fit. So I thought I would give making my own crochet vintage hat a go.
As part of my Costume Production degree, I was lucky enough to undertake a week of basic millinery. We looked at 19th century hats and bonnets and I ended up making a 1880s style riding hat. Here it is in all its feathery glory:
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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.
