Spotted in a Shop Window - Designer Gown Pretty in Pink

I have to stop and smile every time I walk past this fabulous froth of cotton candy pink that is a formal gown in the window of Luly Yang in downtown Seattle. The style of this designer gown is so reminiscent of 1950s gowns - positively delicious!  I love the texture of the full skirt, the way the bodice and drop waist are snugly wrapped, the sweetheart neckline, and spaghetti straps. And the color -so girly-girl pink! :D Note that langorous feather fan - the perfect accent!

Enjoying the Style of Vintage Pedal Pushers or Capris

We had a touch of spring this past weekend, with temperatures reaching the upper 60s on Sunday. Which made many pull out their sunnier clothing. Which put me in mind of capris, otherwise called pedal pushers in the 1940s and 1950s, which provide cute details that you don't see in the store-bought variety. I love the ones that add special treatments to the hemline outseams for that extra touch of spark and fun:

• Fold-back cuffs
• Wing cuffs
• Sporty vents
• Buttoned vents
• Bound and tied vents

And of course, a pattern that includes a darling blouse along with the pedal pushers is always a bargain! Enjoy these examples:

Exotic Fashion with Nehru Style

Does it look better on the envelope or in person? The following pattern, Simplicity 7994, features Nehru fashion for the ladies. Fashion influences from exotic locations (meaning anywhere but here) were a big deal back in the 1960s and 1970s. In this case, the Nehru jacket takes an A-line turn and is done up in rich fabrics, such as brocades, silks, and paisleys. Far Eastern was in!

So here is 7994 in person. It's the outfit on the right. What do you think? I have to admit, that 7993 on the left is cuter (to me). :) Is it because the dress in 7994 is also used as a tunic, making for a long tunic?

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets: Want to Go Back to Work?

Postcard 030

Sender:  Tillie
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, c/0 Mrs. Mueller, 1902 G" Terry Ave., Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St. Louis, MO
Date: June 9, 1908
Image: Country Club. Junction City, Kansas

This image conveys a country club of gentility and bucolic beauty. The Country Club in Junction City, Kansas no longer exists in this form, although there is a Country Club and Golf course there.

Message: 

Hello Lillian, how is everything,

and everybody? I thank you

very very much for the postal

and also the book of beautiful

views, I appreciate them

both very much. You ought

to come to work, next week

the Circus is across the street,

you know there won't be much

work done. Hoping you are all

well, will write more soon.

Your friend, Tillie

Lillian receives a message from Tillie, her co-worker at the homeopathic pharmacy in St. Louis, MO. From this message, we cannot determine whether Lillian is staying temporarily or permanently in Seattle for her health. Clearly Tillie thinks she might come back. And what better incentive for a return to work than the fun of a circus across the street?

Lillian has been thoughtful and generous, remembering friends by sending postals and picture books - the next best thing to being there! And check out this lovely dress and short coat - perfect for an afternoon outing - too pretty to wear to a circus?

1907 Coat and Afternoon Dress

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Trimming a Satin Frock

Reverse pin tucks! AND hand-embroidered panels! This is a win-win tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears for her 1920s audience. Can you visualize it - a black satin frock with panels embroidered in peacock blue and gold? I simply love Ruth's ideas.

Do you think it's better to embroider the panels and then stitch them to the dress, or complete the sewing of the dress and then embroider it? My guess is the former, but I could be wrong. :)

Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweet from Ada, June 5, 1908

Postcard 029

Sender:  Ada J. Matz
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1902 G" Terry Ave, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St. Louis, MO
Date: June 5, 1908
Image: Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, MO

The Jefferson Barracks still exist, and the entire area is now managed by the Jefferson Barracks Heritage Foundation, complete with museums, historic buildings, and so on. Another worthy place to visit if ever I am in St. Louis!


Message: 

Dear Lillian: - 
Many thanks for 
the beautiful card and
handsome souvenir. Words
fail to express my surprise
and great delight when
the parcel came to hand.
We have rain almost
every day and today it
is scorching hot. Am glad
to learn that you like it
so well in Washington.
With sincere good wishes, 
I remain,
Ada J. Matz

I wonder what the "handsome souvenir" is that Lillian sent to Ada. This post card is such a gracious thank you and greeting. Ada reports that the weather has been days of rain and now scorching hot in St. Louis. I suspect that is not the weather that Lillian has been experiencing in Seattle! ;)

An Afternoon Dress - 1907

Sewists Use Tip to Sew Lovely 1920s Dresses!

About a year ago, I posted this tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s:

This tip has inspired more than one sewist. I was thrilled to hear from Gabriela of the Pour La Victoire blog, who had recently created a 1920s frock and added a cascading drape using Ruth's tip. I think her results are absolutely wonderful and a fabulous testament to the 1920s. In the following images, borrowed from her blog, you can see how much the cascading drape adds to her evening frock. 

I   absolutely love the color of her frock, the beading is simply exquisite, and the total effect is simply elegant. I can't imagine the careful effort and amount of time it took to add the beautiful beading to the frock.

To read all the details of how Gabriela constructed this dress, check out her blog, Pour La Victoire. In her blog, Gabriela also mentions Lorna, who had also used this tip to accent her 1920s dress (along with a friend). Lorna kept in touch me when she was sewing her dress, so be sure to follow the links to her blog, Loran's World. Loran has sewn other wonderful 1920s dresses, and loves to knit too! So be sure to browse her blog and be inspired.