Eye Candy: Mid-1960s Evening Dress with Cape

This elegant formal gown with a short cape from 1965 is inspiring fashion to think about when planning for formal occasions this winter. Exquisite!

1930s Party Frock with Cape Chosen as Wedding Dress

I just listed in my shop this pattern (Butterick 4720) for a fabulous party frock from 1932. The frock features eye-catching asymmetry in bodice and skirt, wonderful and equally eye-catching sleeves, and is topped with a short fur-banded cape. Positively inspiring!

Written on the pattern is this remark: "Wedding dress pattern Nov. 18 1932". What a spectacular wedding dress this would make. Totally gorgeous.

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - A Short Cape to Match Your Frock!

This beautiful short cape looks easy to make using Ruth's clear instructions. And if you hesitate at cutting the half circle, just refer to Ruth Wyeth Spears' tip for cutting a circle from a square (and illustrated by me!) scaling it up as needed.

I love the tall stand collar and ribbon tie closing. Would you trim it with braid or bias binding? I guess it would depend on your choice of fabric. Happy sewing!

Neutral Grays for Spring - 1952 Fashion

Soft pleats distinguish the skirt of this lovely dress and add back fullness - a trend from the late 1940s that continued into the 1950s.

A big ribbon bow accents this soft gray capelet - beautifully matched with the dress.

White contrasting "punchinello" cuffs trim the eye-catching sleeves of this gray dress, also trimmed with bows.

It's Time to Celebrate All Things Scottish!

St Andrew's Day is coming up at the end of this month (November 30th to be precise), so I've decided to use the whole month of November to honor this patron saint of Scotland by celebrating all things Scottish in my shop! 

Be watching for postings of patterns that either feature designs for, or simply illustrate patterns with, plaids, kilts, and hats such as tam o'shanters and glengarries.

Here is a peek of some bonnie things to come for the lasses and the wee lasses!

 

Spotted in a Shop Window - A Short Cape!

This cute short cape in extra large houndstooth was spotted in the window of Nordstrom's in downtown Seattle. I love the toggle closing. Sporty, fun fashion!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - A Petal Collar for Your Evening Wrap

This sewing tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s adds a petal collar to a straight evening cape - a "luxury of the feminine wardrobe"! According to Ruth the collar is the most important part of the cape, and given the straight lines of these capes, I have to agree. :)

This tip includes a pattern for velvet petals that are sewn in tiers and create a soft, becoming frame for the face. 

Enjoy!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - The Straight Cape

It's another practical evening wrap, this time the 1920s version of the cape. Sewn of crepe satin, and trimmed with thin strip of fur at the base of the neck frill, this "tip" provides all the instructions you'll need to look "Great Gatsby" gorgeous and Flapper Era fabulous. Note how the neckline ruffle or frill is interlined with light canvas so that it stands up well. Thank you, Ruth Wyeth Spears!

asldkf

1950s Refashion - Fur Coat Remodeled into a Cape-Stole

While real fur coats are a current fashion heresy, nonetheless, they were definitely a sign of wealth and high fashion in the 1940s and 1950s (well, and in a lot of decades). In this 1950 refashion, a worn out fur coat from the 1940s or older (it's hard to tell) is remodeled into this chic cape-stole, using a Woman's Day 3269 sewing pattern. The pattern was especially designed for real fur and actually included a real furrier's needle (not easily available in those days).

Here is the "before", a short coat of caracul fur. The caracul is an Asian sheep with a dark, curled fleece when young. The coat is old and very worn, with not much good fur left. The cape-stole is the perfect pattern for using small amounts of short-haired fur worth saving.

I love the cape-stole result, whether made of real fur or faux. The tie closing is a lovely touch.