Cascading Drapes - Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s & Spotted in Shop Window!

It's "Spotted in a Shop Window" and "Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s" in one post!

In this tip, Ruth Wyeth Spears describes how to add graceful drapes to the skirt of a charming frock (with frock construction illustrated as well). Note the interesting tucks in addition to the cascading drapes (I just love tucks).

While hardly identical, of course, this beautiful strapless formal gown I spotted in the shop window of Luly Yang in downtown Seattle just yesterday also shows the luscious effect of draping on the skirt of a dress. 

A close-up of the drapes shows construction that looks more similar to the draping in my post on Sunday. Regardless, whether a 1920s frock or a 2014 formal gown, I find draping on a dress so elegant and beautiful.

Enjoy!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Creating an Evening Frock from Draped Squares

Well, what do you think of the first episode of season 4 of Downton Abbey? I think they set the stage for lots of shenanigans in future episodes!

Lady Lily, the niece that Lord and Lady Grantham are supervising certainly has the heart of a flapper. And her dress for the local dance outing reminds me of this dress described in the home sewing tips from Ruth Wyeth Spears. Ruth assembles squares of chiffon and attaches them to a foundation slip to create bias drape and an elegant "scarf" style frock.



I think this could be described as an "easy to assemble" frock. :) How would you like to dance the One-Step in this?

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Adding Draping to Your Frocks

With the 4th season of Downton Abbey starting this evening (it's 1922!), it's time to resume the home sewing tips from the 1920s by Anne Wyeth Spears. In this article, Ruth writes about the use of a cascading drape to add a touch of elegance  and grace to clothing.

































Add a cascading drape to your favorite Parisian frock.  And doesn't the model look a bit like Lady Mary Crawley? ;)

More Resort Fashions - Hit the Beach!

It's time to dream of hitting the beach, dressed in wonderful vintage fashion. And it is my goal to post beach wear, swimsuits, and other resort fashion in my shop daily for the month of January. Let's look at some of the  wonderful 1950s summer wear available for the kids and adults!

 Love the high waist shorts and the cropped top!

Wonderful ensemble with bra top, shorts, and cover-up - don't you think that beach cover-up with hood is cute?

Another bra top with shorts and cover-up - and pedal pushers too!

 Super cute beach wear with a kiddie version of the bra top with mock-shrug cap sleeves.

Scraps from the Past - 1940s Snug Jerkin with Trapunto!

I think this is a gorgeous pattern for a very snug jerkin (vest), decorated with cables using your choice of hand embroidery or trapunto - wonderful techniques! From 1941 and McCall, the hip-length jerkin offers 3 neckline variations, so you can have fun making more than one. :)

Tucked inside was the "V" cutout for view C, in a soft dark navy blue wool. It's a nicely woven fabric - be sure to click on the image for a close-up view. The transfer is partially used (only view C is unused). I wonder which technique our mystery seamstress used - embroidery or trapunto?

Can you picture it?

Resort Fashion Month!

It's January! Yippee, that means it is time for resort fashion - vintage, of course! What could be more fun during the heart of winter than to peruse summer styles for the beach and resort?

Do you need sexy swimwear from the 1980s?

Maillot or bikini ... or both with McCall's 8089!

Or perhaps you'd prefer this very cute beach ensemble from 1954?

 

Love the sunny bra top with shorts and a great cover-up with or without hood!

Pre-war Skirt Leads the Way to Wartime Fashion

Are the holidays over yet? Nope, and I can only hope you all are having the most wonderful season. It's been busy, busy, busy for me, with hardly a moment to blog. But I miss chatting with you all in cyberspace, so I am squeezing in some time today with a short post about an interesting pattern in my shop.

It's 1939 and war is looming on the horizon, but is not yet declared in the US. This now-classic skirt from Vogue and 1939 features the shorter length required for those in the war zone (Paris!). It is super easy to make with only two pattern pieces. It has lovely flared swing style that led the way in wartime fashion. And it was so popular in 1939 that Vogue re-issued the pattern in 1940. What's not to love?!

The skirt has bias flare, dart-fitting at waistline sides (over the hips), a fitted waistband, and back (surprise!) zipper or snap closing.

Vogue 8354

It's timeless style and a cleverly simple construction. Follow the pattern number link above to the pattern in my shop.