Showing posts with label flapper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flapper. Show all posts

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Found in a Bag - Yet another 1920s Dress



As many of you already know, my late Mama was a vintage dress hoarder. As an antique dealer, her specialty was vintage clothing and she was a master at restoring difficult pieces. She often hung on to many great pieces that were beyond saving -  squirreling them away to be later used in the restoration of something else. Some pieces ended up as parasol covers, beaded purse linings, or period correct doll clothes.
Others were forgotten about and tucked away in every spare corner and cupboard she could find in her home. When she unexpectedly passed away, my sister and I had to sort through hundreds of boxes. Sometimes, rather than digging through the contents of an entire box, I would follow a hunch and take a box or bag home, sight unseen. I wanted to save some of these discoveries for later.
It has felt special, opening these boxes over 4 years after her passing, savoring the feeling of discovery, and feeling close to her again in some small way.

My most recent excavation brought to light a dusty ziplock bag filled with yellowed tissue paper wrapped around something fabric-like.

Since we had so much fun with the last Found in a Bag post (this is not the first bag, but the 3rd so far!) I had to share this one with you as well.

I give you a 1920s silk evening dress in supple silk satin...

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

McCall 5044 - A 1920's Robe in Luxury Cottons

Hello my dear readers, I'm back!
I'm sorry it's been such a long time since my last post! I have been so busy that something had to give temporarily and I'm afraid that something was writing. However, I have been doing some projects in the meantime and have finally got the time to share with you. My only New Year's resolution this year was to work a little bit less and to sew a little bit more and so far, it's rather nice!


McCall 5044 Ladies' and Misses' Negligee

My most recent project was McCall 5044. I found this pattern a while back on Ebay and imagine my delight when I searched my magazine collection and found it featured in a December, 1927 edition of Fashion Service Magazine!



 I fully intended to sew this lovely negligee in silk but I wanted to make a wearable muslin first, and I decided to use some really beautiful cotton from my stash.
The main body fabric is from the Olivia Collection by Anna Griffin.


The instructions were a bit vague (quite common for 1920s McCall's) so I had some room to customize the pattern. I made version A and lined the interior with soft cotton so all seams are neatly concealed. I also lengthened the sleeve bands a bit to allow for my rather long arms.



Instead of sewing fabric carriers I followed this incredibly nifty Youtube tutorial and made thread carriers for the sash. It was so much fun to try something new, and to avoid stitching those darn cloth carriers made my day!


I also searched high and low and found a lovely art deco rose motif online, adapted it a bit, and embroidered it with my initials on the sleeve.


I know, I went a bit overboard for a wearable muslin but every step of sewing up this negligee was more fun than the last and I just couldn't help myself. It went together so easily and I can't wait to make another one in some sumptuous silk.

Update: This pattern is now available as a multisized reproduction in both PDF and print!

How about you? Did you do any recent sewing or make any sewing-related New Year's resolutions?

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Weekend Eye Candy: Pictorial Review from March of 1927.

Hello lovely readers! I have a busy Sunday ahead of me which includes cleaning my house like a mad woman in anticipation of company, and cheering on my favorite football team during the Super Bowl.
But before I do any of those things, I thought I'd share some awfully pretty things with you.

For your weekend viewing pleasure, I have pictures of Pictorial Review's Printed Patterns booklet, advertising all of the yummy patterns one could acquire in March of 1927.

So without further ado (since I have to go paint my nails blue and orange to show some team spirit) here they are!




I would wear all four of the dresses above in a heartbeat, wouldn't you?





I love the monogrammed blouse up in the right corner above. What a great idea!



And swoon, you know I'm all about the lingerie... but especially, THAT ROBE!




Sigh... a girl just can't have too many 1920's patterns, can she?

Happy weekend,







P.S. If you get a moment, check out our new sponsor Floradora Presents!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Gatsby Style - A Compendium of 1920's Digital Patterns


With the movie remake the Great Gatsby about to hit theaters, the 1920's are making a bit of a comeback (again). The 1920's are a particular favorite of mine and if I wasn't so swamped with the details that always complicate an overseas move, I'd absolutely be participating in Miss Crayola Creepy's Gatsby Sewing Challenge.

For those of you who are participating, or for those of you who just love the comfortable 'swish' of a 1920's dress, or the easy simplicity of the seams and styles, here is a collection of digital patterns by Mrs. Depew Vintage two whole years in the making.


1920's falpper tunic dress.

1920's Tunic Blouse #3024

The straight line tunic is my favorite for both modern and vintage wear. It will go both ways nicely, it all depends on the accessories!

1920's flapper one piece lace dress.

1920's One Piece Lace Panel Dress #3022

1920's flapper straight line dress pattern.

1920's Straight Line Dress Pattern #3001

1920's flapper straight line dress pattern.

1920's Tiered One Piece Dress #3021

1920's flapper shirred one piece dress pattern.

 1925 Shirred One Piece Dress #3019

1920's flapper basque dress pattern.

1920's Basque Dress E-book # 3008

1920's flapper draped evening dress pattern.

1920's Draped Gown # 3010

1920's flapper draped dress pattern.

1928 Magic Frock # 3013

Well, that covers dresses, but what about lingerie to wear underneath those pretty, diaphanous frocks?
Don't worry, ma cherie, I have that covered too!
These are my favorite styles from the 1920's. Easy to sew is one thing, but these lingerie patterns are a sure-fire formula for a comfortable piece you won't ever want to take off.

1920's flapper slip and petticoat sewing pattern.

1920's Slip and Petticoat # 3017

1920's flapper slip and teddy sewing pattern.

1920's Lingerie Set # 3003

1920's flapper slip and teddy sewing pattern.

Step-in Teddies 1926 Pattern # 1030

And of course, the perfect 1920's accessory is the right hat. Be it loose fitting toque or fitted cloche, I have a couple of each:

1920's flapper hat cloche sewing pattern.

1920's Flexible Silk Hats Pattern # 3025

1920's flapper hat cloche sewing pattern.

1920's Flexible Hat Pattern #3020

1920's flapper hat cloche sewing pattern.

1920's Large Brim Hat # 3018

1920's flapper hat cloche sewing pattern.

1920's Flexible Beret # 3012

1920's flapper hat cloche sewing pattern.

1920's Draped Crown Hat # 3011

1920's flapper hat cloche sewing pattern.

1920's Cloche # 1020

Don't want to put together a complete 1920's replica outfit? I like to wear my favorite cloche with a tank top, jeans and ballet flats, or the perfect 1920's straight line dress with a bit shorter hem and stiletto heals for an evening look.

How about you?  What's your favorite flapper style piece?

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Sew Expensive: Patou Paris Designer


 For today's Sew Expensive post, I have for you a very rare pattern. I know a lot of us were watching this little baby on Ebay and it was pretty clear that something like this was going to go for a whole lot of money.


This beautiful 1920's Pictorial Review 5565 sold on Ebay for an amazing $275.


~ On a side note, I have bought patterns from this seller a few times before and have always been very happy with my purchases. You might want to check out her shop on eBay. ~



So what was so rare about this particular pattern? Sewing patterns from the 1920's are rare just by themselves and don't come up very often. Evening gown patterns from the 1920's are almost impossible to find. Sewing patterns from Pictorial Review and the 1920's are even more rare and sought after but that's not the whole appeal. I think the biggest factor at play in this pattern's value is that it's a designer pattern. Designer patterns from this era are almost unheard of and this one is an original Patou design.

For those of you who aren't familiar with him, Jean Patou was a very popular French designer until his untimely and early death in 1936.


He is well known for eradicating the short boxy 'flapper' look by lengthening skirts and elongating the feminine silhouette.

Patou is also well known for designing sportswear for women. I have a 1931 French Modes et Travaux magazine in my collection (recently added to my etsy shop because I don't have the wall space to frame them all) that features a Jean Patou ski outfit on the cover.


How about you? Do you think that this amazing little piece of sewing pattern history was worth the price tag?

Friday, July 20, 2012

Some pretty, pretty Advertisements

For today I thought you might enjoy some lovely ads from an April 1928 edition of Fashion Service magazine. These ads in particular just tickled my fancy and they were to cool not to share with you all.

For starters...
Who wouldn't want to sell lingerie in a 'dignified, pleasant way'?

Also, I would like the ensemble in the photo,  please.
 Below, the "greatest invention ever known for the housewife". Forget about the vacuum cleaner, invented and in homes starting at about 20 years before this wonder hemstitcher came about. But who cares! Look at those hems, ladies!

Oh for the days when sewing machine attachments cost only $1.

Where do I sign up?!
 Cotton, for your protection. Seriously though, have you ever sewn something and then had it shrink on you? it made me cry.
Don't end up headed for an asylum like her. Pre-wash, for the love of all that's holy!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! Do any of you have any sewing plans?