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!

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Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - An Easy Evening Wrap with Corded Shirring

You need only 4 yards of velvet and the same amount of silk. Ruth Wyeth Spears describes how to turn all that yardage into this luxurious evening wrap . The shirred collar is extra warm, since it is shirred over cording then doubled over cotton padding and stitched. The wrap is also corded at the hip for a bloused effect.

This is one wrap this is, literally, wrapped around you, and simply held in place. That's 1920s evening elegance!

1950s Refashion - Slacks Convert to a Sporty Stole!

A nifty stole with pockets in the end and a belt to keep it close - this is perhaps the easiest refashion to make, requiring no purchased pattern.

To make, begin by ripping apart a pair of worn of outdated slacks, using the side with little to no wear (in this case, the back side). Cut each leg on an angle, and then sew along the cutting lines (rounding off the point). New fabric was used to line the stole. Two patch pockets were cut from scraps and sewn to the ends of the stole to cover wear marks. The slacks waistband was re-stitched along the open side to create a belt that fits your waistline, and fastens with hooks-and-eyes.

This could be a fun item - you could play with the lining, using different colors and textures in the fabric. And the belt and pockets could be optional.   

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - A Luxurious Shawl Wrap for your Evening Frocks!

This wonderful tip provides instructions for an easy-to-sew, yet elegant wrap for your evening frocks It uses just over 3 yards of velvet and less than 2 yards of metallic brocade. Count on Ruth Wyeth Spears to help you sew up a luxurious evening wrap!

Just click the image to view a larger, easy-to-read version.