1937 Glamorous Couture Fashion from Paris and Vogue

Shirred to a high waistline, this exquisite lamé-topped dress has the allure you need for cocktails and dinner! The black crepe croisette fabric is molded to you - seductive and slim. Note that the inspired turban matches the frock. Such sophistication - it's a movie star pose and movie star glamour. :)

Cigarette not required. ;)

1960s Mother - Daughter Mod Hats

Here in Seattle, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beatles first performance in our city. What fun!! Special exhibits, performances by cover bands that specialize in the Beatles' music, and the like are going on all week.

So in honor of the Fab Four, and the Mod fashions that spread as fast as their music (aka the "British Invasion"), here are two hat patterns that I recently posted in my shop, one for girls and the other for ladies. Looking like Mother-Daughter patterns, they date from 1965 and typify the Mod style of that day. Totally groovy!

Simplicity 6274

Simplicity 6191

And here's a Beatles tune to add a little energy to your day. :)

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Sew Yourself a Draped Turban!

Need to switch it up from cloches? This tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s provides all that you need to know to create a chic draped turban. Satin or taffeta and a buckram foundation crown are what you will need. Ruth also mentions rice net, which the Vintage Fashion Guild says is synonymous with cape net. Neither of those exist today (that I could find). I looked at JoAnn's and while ordinary nylon net might work, I think their millinery netting fabric is a better match.

Yummy fashion!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Sewing a Chic Turban

If you have a lovely remnant of metallic brocade and a bit of silk, and can get your hands on some buckram, then this elegant turban should be a snap to sew for your next formal soiree. Ruth Wyeth Spears, sewing maven for the home seamstresses of the 1920s, will show you how!

Click on the image to view it larger for easier reading.

Please note! In this tip, Ruth says to cut a circle from 14-inch square of fabric by folding it four times and then cutting. This is such a clever tip, but could be a little more specific. Here is what she means:

You can also simply make all folds diagonal and obtain the same result, as I demonstrate here:

Before and After Hit Parade: 1960s Winter Hats - Cool Fashion!

Seamstress: Michelle
Pattern: Simplicity 7326

This pattern for hats from 1967 provides both a very Mod turban-style pill box hat and beret with some saucy variations. How can you beat that combination? Seamstress Michelle chose to sew view 1.

The Results:

Don't you just love it?! What a totally charming result. Bright braid trim on a thick white wool adds up to a cute and winter wonderful look. Michelle says that she chose a "white wool that had a lot of tooth and was also pre-washed for more felting.  I also did a polartec hood from that pattern which I've worn quite a bit too."

Michelle loves to sew, although she states that she does not sew professionally, just for family and friends. She especially loves sewing vintage 40s and 50s fashion, and thinks it's too bad more women don't sew. She is becoming quite a collector of vintage patterns, so expect more of her work to appear here.