[ weekend hunting finds. ]
Thank you all so, so much for the amazing comments about my latest sewing project! Per popular request, I am going to work on a couple sleeve support tutorials: first for puffed sleeves and then how to make 40s style shoulder pads. So hopefully those will be up soon!
[ two 50s patterns I found at the estate sale. I'm most excited about the robe/morning gown! ]
You may have noticed I skipped posting last Friday–I have a good excuse though! I was out hunting down an estate sale I had found out about and seeing if it held any goodies. This was the first estate sale I’ve ever been to (I know: really weird for a gal who has been thrifting/antiquing/yard-saling for years!), so I didn’t know what to expect. Although there were no amazing stashes of vintage clothing (boo!), I did come away with a couple vintage patterns, an old tablecloth, some notions, an old frame (slated to be made into a jewelry holder), and two matching feedsacks. Not bad!
[ vintage powder compacts! ]
Sunday the vintage-hunting fun continued when I met up with my new friend from swing dancing at a local vintage store. I got another pattern (a 40s jacket and skirt), and most excitingly: two powder compacts. I have been on the hunt for vintage compacts to add some flair to the contents of my purse for awhile, but I held out over Christmas and only just started looking with an eye to buy. Both of these, although not 100% perfect, fit the bill of functional and pretty. The black one is a bit scratched, but the lady at the store said it’s easy to fix with a bit of hobby model paint, so I’m going to raid Sailor Husband’s model building supplies and see what I can do to pretty it up. Now I just need to get some loose powder and follow Solanah’s tutorial for refilling a compact…
[ I am probably more excited about this find than is sane... ]
Otherwise, the weekend was fairly quiet: the weather was gloomy, so it was perfect for spending time reading and organizing ideas for my next sewing projects, and then Sunday evening was swing dancing. Last week I really wasn’t sure I was going to be able to learn how to dance–it just seemed too confusing! I feel a bit more confident and less clumsy after our second class. I am definitely not the most graceful or talented person on the dance floor–but at least it’s fun! What did you do over the weekend?
Have a great Monday, friends!
I went antiquing this weekend too! Though I wasn’t as successful as you in my hunt (for old phonographs). Good finds, Casey!
Oh wow! What a fun bunch of things you did! I can’t wait to hear about the estate sale. I like the compacts, and I know you are excited about the belt buckle. As for my weekend, you can guess how it went. I’ve had enough snow for one year, thank you.
Love,
Mom
Those compacts are such fun. What a great lot of finds!
Oooh, you found some great things! Good for you! I’m not sure which of those 3 patterns I’m most jealous of.
I’m still looking for a friend to go to estate sales with… my hubby’s not interested, and it’s more fun to do them with someone.
I wish I could say I spent the weekend sewing, but I *did* take some time to have my hubby shoot photos of me in my latest sewing project!
Oh. my. gosh. A self-fabric buckle. I am so jealous. I am making a 60s shirtwaist that looks like a 40s dress and I need to find one of those for myself. Don’t you just love the red and blue of those Prims packages. I have several sets of self-fabric buttons that I just love. : )
Wish we had estate sales – they look fun! xx
I love estate sales, haven’t been in a while. I have a compact just like the gold one you found that was my grandmothers. We had snow this weekend so the hubby decided it was a good time to clean out the attic and the closets. We got a lot done. Sounds like you had a marvelous weekend.:)
Ooh, I love your finds — especially that Advance pattern! The contrast collar and cuffs are so neat!
What a dandy loot!!
I have never done a fabric covered buckle….that sounds like limitless fun!! 
(But then, I am easily entertained…tee hee!) Happy New Week!!!
Great finds! Oh, and don’t feel embarrassed about your glee regarding the belt buckle. I always pick those things up when I see them — I love them! I’m also in a house-coat phase since it’s an easy way not to wear jeans around the house. I just posted my weekend finds on Sew Weekly. Yay vintage hunting!
Congratulations on your finds! That Advance pattern is such a sweetie I’m turning green with jealousy!
Lovely finds. I do not go to estate sales as much as I should eithier. I also hear this is the best time of year to visit them.
I also have that advanced robe pattern, I have been wanting to make it up for quite some time and wear it as a dress with a few changes.
♥Darla
Lovely little unexpected goodies, those are always the best!
XO~Syd
Great finds!! The patterns look great and I’m sure you’ll have trouble picking just one project for those cute feedsacks.
1…2…ROCK STEP! 1…2…ROCK STEP! (this is the chant i do in my head whenever i’ve gone swing dancing. it sounds dorky but keeps me from tripping over myself constantly!)
i love your compacts – i’ve been searching high and low for the right one and i haven’t come across it yet. the ones i like tend to be expensive! i didn’t realize you could refill it with powder – so cool!
this weekend i started to paint the breakfast nook and as it turns out, the lady at the store mixed the wrong color. (the whole time i was thinking “this doesn’t look right.”) i got them to replace it but still – more work! ack.
oh, and i picked up 2 beautiful pieces of 40s rayon, enough for 2 blouses or even really simple dresses but they both have slight b.o.! (which is weird, b/c they are just yardage, not clothes.) can you recall how to remove that? dryel didn’t quite work. i know you’re busy so if you don’t know, that’s ok!
i’ll keep poking around online.
(this may very well be my longest comment ever! sorry for the rambling!)
Ooooh, what a great haul! I’ve been searching for the “right” compact, but have yet to stumble upon it.
I’ve been talking about taking swing classes for ages but have yet to actually follow through with all my talk. At least you are out there learning & having fun!
When I read ‘new friend from swing dancing’ I grinned with positive glee. =D I won’t be happy until everyone’s dancing. Hehe.
Great finds, too!
-Andi x
Fun stuff. I found some great vintage buttons and handercheifs this weekend an came across a belt buckle and thought of you! I bought some record album drams to put the handercheifs in for my daughters room. I’m gonna paint the frame a butter yellow to pull it all together.
What lovely finds! The compacts are gorgeous!!
I have followed your blog for quite some time and think it’s just amazing! You are such an inspiration to so many bloggers, including myself! I look forward to reading your blog everyday
Love the compacts! I have an old revlon one that was my aunts and has never been used. Its still in its cardboard box. Its the same shape as the black one, but all black! I should break it out and use it really!
you got some good stuff!!! I love the black vintage compact!!! lovely! I have a sterling silver one with a B on it and its all scratched up…. it adds character!
Great finds! I’m so envious of everybody in the US, vintage patterns seems to be so much more easy to come by than here. It’s basically impossible to come by patterns from the 40s, and those from the 50s are rare.
The powder boxes are super cute! What a great tutorial you linked to, thank you for sharing!
If it’s consolation; I’ve often found that lindy hop looks best when danced more with feeling than with elegance! LOL Well, good luck with the dancing!
Oh, and as for this weekend; it’s been devoted to lindy. Friday we set my hair in pincurls, Sat was social dancing to live music and Sunday the classes started. I’m teaching beginners intermediate this semester, quite fun, but tricky with the different levels in the group. =)
Hope you’ll have a great week!
SCORE! You got some great things at that estate sale! Go you! I rarely ever find patterns at estate sales around here.
LOVE the compacts and thanks for the link! I often wondered how to do that, and now I have no excuse not to use my old compacts
Hubby and I are on our 6th Lindy Hop Class…. end of this session, and we LOVE it! We are considering taking the next session too. It is a lot to take in but definately worth it. I have been wanting to go to estate sales, but am timid because I’ve never gone to one. Good thing you went first..
You found great items! I managed to pick up a blue velvet hat with rhinestone accent and net, in great condition for $4.00 at a local antique store. I still can’t believe it.
You got some cute stuff!
I had a question about vintage pattern sizing. Is it really only the size that is printed on the front of the envelope? Like when it says bust 32, waist 29, hips 40?
I would love to buy vintage patterns but am not sure about the sizing.