Emily's Vintage Visions

Thursday, July 18, 2013

A Little Delay

Hello everyone. I know I promised a giveaway this week but some things have come up that I need to take care of. Haven't had a change to take picture of the of items up for grabs so there will be slight delay in announcing the giveaway. My plan is to have everything ready in another day or two. Thanks for being patient with me! You guys are awesome. :)

In the mean time I thought I would share a collage I've been working on for part of my new portfolio page. (That will be available to view soon.) I've been using Picmonkey, a free online site for editing photos. It's lots of fun, give it a try.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Of Unfinished Projects and Summertime Goals

I was just thinking the other day, it has been a terribly long time since I posted anything 18th century! I've been so caught up in all things vintage, as well as attending fewer 18th century events, that many projects have slipped to the bottom of the "to do" pile. A new cap, linen mitts that I started last spring, and my purple and white cotton gown just to name a few. Not to mention the worsted mustard colored wool I bought when I visited Gettysburg in March for yet another gown. (I couldn't resist it!) I have so many things I want to work on but as I only went to a handful of events last summer, and have yet to go to one this summer (oh the horror!), I found myself lacking the motivation to finish, let alone start new, projects for this time period. But that is changing. There are a couple events coming up later this summer that are just the motivation I need.

Cotton check jacket, linen check apron, and linen petticoat all hand sewn. 2011 visit to Colonial Williamsburg.

I have recently learned that a reunion of sorts is being planned for those of us who took a shoemaking workshop with Brett Walker. I posted about the amazing location for the 2011 workshop here. Due to a busy work schedule at my day job, I'm not sure yet if I will be able to attend. So I'm making plans to spend at least one day with Mr. Walker while he is at Fort Ticonderoga this weekend. The fort is an easy day trip for me and I'm very much looking forward to going. I haven't worn any of my 18th century clothing since last fall! :O Those of you who are new to my blog may not know, but the mid 18th century has been a big focus of mine for a long time. It's only been the last few years that I've begun sewing more vintage and vintage style clothing.

One of the unfinished shoes. Made of blue worsted wool, lined in leather and bound with black silk tape.

The news of the Crispen reunion has got me thinking about my shoes again as well as my many unfinished projects. At least those that are 18th century related, lets not go overboard here. ;) I am one of the world's worst procrastinators. I also have a very bad habit of starting one project then moving on to an another without finishing the first. Just when I think the "to do" pile is getting smaller, something gets added to it. Bad, bad, me. :( But with this pair of shoes it's a little different I promise! This is a project I simply can not complete without the help and guidance of my instructor. Making shoes requires a whole different set of skills. There is some sewing of course, but I've had to learn a variety of new things too; making threads for sewing, working with leather and wood, sharping knives and other tools, etc. It's been a great experience and I can't wait to share more with you. Until then, a couple pictures to peak your interest. :)

Layers of leather are used to build up the instep. Tacks hold them in place while the glue dries. - Shoemaking workshop, summer 2011

Leather toe cap cut and smoothed. After the instep is dry the tacks are removed and it is cut back and smoothed out to match the measurements of my foot. A layer of whittaw is used to cover the dark leather and help protect the fabric of the uppers while on the last. The toe cap is covered as well. - Shoemaking workshop, summer 2011

The other events coming up that have renewed my historic sewing interests are Redcoats and Rebels at Old Sturbridge Village, and the Hive's Challenge Event. I've never been to the OSV event and I missed the challenge event last summer. There is also the possibility of a dressy event in October which is just what I need to get motivated and finally finish updating the trim on my green silk sacque.

So here are a few of my 18th sewing goals for the remainder of the summer.

Things to finish:
- 18th century linen mitts. I really have no excuse here, one is finished and has been for some time now, the other is about 1/2 done. If I bring these to an event I could have them totally done in an hour or two.
- Purple and white cotton gown. It's about 3/4 of the way finished. The skirts need a little work, hemming mainly and the gown needs robings and a piece at the back of the neck. It's soooo close..... My hope is to have this finished for the Challenge event.
- Finish the trim on my green silk sacque.
- Line my 1770s stays. I hate to admit this but I've been wearing my stays for about 3 years now and have yet to put the lining in them, so yeah....
- Create blog posts showing construction details on projects like my ivory silk gown and my gown based on "The Oyster Seller". I posted a little about them here but didn't go into construction details.
- And last but not least, my shoes.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Vogue Couturier Designs 919 - The Finished Bridesmaid Dress

Hi everyone,
The photos from the wedding of my good friends Kris and Erin were finally posted on Facebook. Even with the light rain (which luckily held off for the ceremony) it was an amazing day! I'm so glad I could be a part of it. The wedding was held at the beautiful Crown Point Historic Site in Crown Point, NY. It's one of my favorite places for living history events and where the bride and groom have spent a great deal of time. Being re-enactors and have a great love of history, this location was perfect for them. I recently came across a great article online about weddings hosted at museums and historic sites. What a fantastic idea!

I should point out that none of the photos you are about to see,except for the first, are my own. There are by Jeff Weeks of Jeff Weeks Photography. He has some great photos on his Facebook page if you care to hop over and take a look.

So here's my finished bridesmaid dress! I used Vogue Couturier Designs 919. You can read about the construction of the dress here.

Photo by Jeff Weeks of Jeff Weeks Photography

The night before the wedding, I put my hair in pin curls and left them in until just before we needed to change. I really liked my hair when I first took them out. Beautiful springy curls! Jeff snapped these picture which I think are really fun.

Photo by Jeff Weeks of Jeff Weeks Photography

Sadly I brushed the curls a bit too much and that combined with the humidity left my hair very flat by the end of the day. Actually, I thought the curls were rather sad when the ceremony started but ah well, what are you going to do? Lesson learned. Erin's hair looked amazing all day and that was waaay more important. ;)

Here's the wedding party in front of the old stone barracks! All the girls wore different colors, including our shoes, which looked fantastic! Erin picked bright colored Gerber daisies which tied everything together really well. The groom and best man wore Hawaiian shirts.

Photo by Jeff Weeks of Jeff Weeks Photography

And of course one of Cori and I together. He was feel the vintage vibe and decided to wear his 1940s trousers from Morning Glorious Vintage, suspenders from Who is Sylvia? and thrifted vintage bow tie. His hat was a gift that day from his mom. Not sure the date of the hat but it's a great fedora style by Knox.

Photo by Jeff Weeks of Jeff Weeks Photography

I love the colors in this last photo with Erin and Becca. That's Lake Champlain in the background, by the way. A beautiful place to go if you ever need a simple vacation. That's all for now! I have a few more pictures on my Facebook page, including silly pictures of me dancing if you need a good laugh. :)

Don't forget! I'll be holding a giveaway soon in celebration of reaching 100 followers. I'd like to know what kind of things you all would like to see. You can vote here or leave your suggestions on my other post.

Photo by Jeff Weeks of Jeff Weeks Photography

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Du Barry Pattern Catalog - 1939

Today I'd like to share another pattern catalog with you. This one sold on Ebay a while back. I didn't buy it, just saved the lovely pictures. :) This Prevue Du Barry Fashions catalog is from January 1939. The Simplicity Pattern Company began manufacturing Du Barry patterns in 1931. For a time they were sold exclusively at Woolworth Company Stores. You can read more about Du Barry patterns and how to date them here.

I have used Du Barry patterns before and really like them. The blue linen dress I made last summer for my scenic train ride was Du Barry 2413B. Like Simplicity patterns, they are pretty easy to use.

I love the black and yellow number on the cover. And the hats, want!!

Source - Ebay

Cute dresses and overalls for kids!

Source - Ebay

Flirtatious Little Frocks! Or so the caption on this page says. The blue floral dress is really charming as is the black and yellow jumper set. Which would you want?