June 2011

sponsor spotlight: branchbound

Last, but certainly not least, of the new June sponsors is Sarah Louise and her delightful shop Branchbound! I am so excited to be featuring her shop–it’s full of so many gorgeous pieces. Sarah Louis is the talented lady who creates beautiful lace accessories that are both modern but posess a delicate vintage sensibility. Her pieces are the sort I envision just as at-home worn by a bride in her wedding finery or a gal who wants to jazz up her weekend blouse and shorts ensemble.

Fleur bridal fascinator | Bryndis necklace

Please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Sarah Louise, I’m a newly-turned 25 artist from Chicago, IL. My day job is manager of a frame shop and Branchbound is a hobby that became my “second job” that I truly love.

(Happy birthday, Sarah Louise!) What inspired you to start creating jewelry with lace?
I always loved vintage collars, and I wanted to have a lacy peter pan collar on every dress. I realized it would be easy and stylish to turn vintage collars into necklaces! I was also into really long earrings at the time because I had long hair, and found some fantastic lace styles that would make dramatic yet light earrings.

Lucia earrings (gold)

Is lace one of those things that most gals can easily work into their everyday looks for a bit of an elegant touch? How would you advise someone who doesn’t wear a lot of “frills” to work lace accessories into an outfit?
I create a variety of pieces; from statement pieces that shine on their own, to little earrings and simple necklaces that go with any look. A key for this has been dying my lace in metallics; metals go with everything!

What are your two favorite pieces you’ve got in the shop now? Why?
Definitely the Dahlia earrings, they are new, and I had to keep the first pair I made. They are really versatile, I’ve worn them a few times now. I also like a new bracelet style I made, Jeneth, it’s a nice dramatic cuff that’s perfect for ladies like me who have a smaller wrist. I want to make myself one of these but I have yet decide on a color!

Chloe bracelet (red)

Any fun and exciting plans for the Branchbound shop in the near future? Working on any new designs you can share with us?
I am recently caught up with the success of my Heartsy so I have been finally digging into all the new lace I’ve acquired. I have a lot of new earring styles coming out in particular. I have been buying a lot of lace that benefits Animal Life Savers, a homeless animal shelter, that I am excited to share with everyone. I’m going to soon make some headbands with elastic in addition to the ones with the ribbon-wrapped headbands already in the shop.

Thank you so much, Sarah Louise, for answering all my questions! I hope you’ll go stop by and check out the wide variety of pieces she’s designed for Branchbound! I had quite a hard time picking out which ones to include in this spotlight; there were so many beautiful accessories. Be sure to follow Branchbound on Facebook and Twitter.

A big thank you to all the lovely and talented sponsors!

June 30, 2011 · 5 lovely thoughts
posted in sponsors ·

she’s a doll! sundress

I’m so excited this dress is finished–even though the sunshine never did show up yesterday (thank you, Photoshop, for at least making it look a little bit less gloomy!). I had been thinking about writing a tutorial for how to easily alter a fitted bodice pattern and make it into a late 50s inspired sundress, and finally got around to make it. But as I was sewing my version up–in pink gingham–I realized it had a bit of an early Barbie flair to it! Way back when I was obsessed with vintage Barbies, although the closest I ever came to owning a genuine vintage doll (I was just a young teen, and my Barbie-buying money was my weekly allowance) was a $3 vintage Francie I found in the thrift store that was missing a hand. (She just wore gloves when I displayed her.) But because of the cheery pink gingham and late 50s silhouette, I’ve dubbed this my “Barbie dress”.

But that aside, I couldn’t resist playing up the doll-influence with this dress, and SH was kind enough to oblige me in doing a little photoshoot. The sundress is one of my favorite sort of designs: a fitted and flattering bodice, full skirt and pockets. The bound neckline and armholes (that tie at the shoulders) adds a bit of flair to the otherwise simple design. It echoes the sort of easy-going summer looks that were popular right at the end of the 50s and into the early 60s. I kind of want to live in this dress right now!

I’ll be publishing a two-part how to next week (I was going to post it this week, but the week has gotten away from me!), so stay tuned! Yes; I’m going to show you how to create a similar sundress using just a basic dress pattern with a fitted bodice. So gather up your pattern drafting tools and some summery fabric! I’m really, really excited about sharing this with you!

more photos here if you care to take a peek!

Pattern: 1950s dress with fitted bodice in my stash.

Fabric: cotton blend pink gingham; the bodice is underlined in cotton broadcloth.

Pattern Adjustments: I chose a very simple fitted bodice for the purpose of altering it to fit my design vision. The skirt was completely discarded. I’ll go more into this in my tutorial posts.

Techniques: Underlining the bodice, handpicked zipper, pattern drafting/alteration.

June 30, 2011 · 120 lovely thoughts
posted in sewing · tags: 1950s, 2011 sewing, sewing

sun clothes + shorts

Another inspiration post for you today. Truth be told, I’m still feeling a bit woozy, so right now I’m just focusing on feeling better and finishing up that dress (and tutorial to go with it) I hinted at yesterday. Fingers crossed we’ll get some proper sunshine this evening so SH and I can go out for some photos (and I’ll finish the dress… Yes, I like to sew dangerously close to my self-imposed “deadlines”)!

So in defiance of the gloomy weather outside today (which I’m truly not complaining about; we had very little rain at all the past two months, and now it’s rained for nearly three days!), I’m posting some summer outfits from 1948 that are for sunny days. Shorts and sun clothes (as they were called)—just the sort of thing I need to stock up on (but always get distracted by pretty dresses…). So here’s to cute 40s playsuits and darling shorts! Enjoy!

Love the shirred swimsuit at the top (wouldn’t it make a darling dress slightly longer?). Just the thing to be inspired to try my hand at shirring with!

Though I most likely wouldn’t wear them, I do adore the full skirted swimsuits; so darling and demure.

Playsuits with detachable skirts… now this I like! Plus they’re stripes, which steals my heart straight-away!

From crisp poplin to nubby corduroy… I love these tailored style shorts.

Couldn’t resist throwing in this trio of beauties–especially since I’m contemplating adding red clam diggers to my list of late-summer-sewing.

June 29, 2011 · 27 lovely thoughts
posted in vintage inspiration · tags: 1940s, summertime, vintage inspiration

sponsor spotlight: a fashionable stitch

I’m sure most of you have seen Sunni’s lovely sewing blog by now, but did you know she also is a purveyor of wonderful sewing notions and tools? (She has single-handedly made available old-fashioned belt covering kits. I bought a couple from her and couldn’t be more pleased!) I am delighted to bring you this sponsor “chat” with you and introduce you to her (she’s amazingly talented) and her beautiful wares sold at A Fashionable Stitch.

“chocolate lollipop” tomato pin cushion | 1″ belt buckle kit

Please introduce yourself, Sunni.

My name is Sunni (pronounced like the weather forecast “sunny”) and I sew. I’ve always been an artistic sort, especially the kind that appreciates and loves to create. I live in Utah and am married to another artistic sort who is a composer/sound designer. I think the phrase “necessity is the mother of invention” would be an apt description of what I’ve become at this point in life. I’ve always had an affinity for fashion and in order to have the clothing and style I desired, I’ve had to make my own. Little did I know that it would turn out to be something of a serious addiction, in addition to being such a creative outlet for me. It’s also one of those things in life that for me, has opened so many doors. I went to school to be a musician, and though in my heart I still am, sewing is what I feel I was really meant to be apart of. I created a blog, under the alias The Cupcake Goddess in 2007 and have been documenting my journey with sewing ever since. It’s only been recently that I changed everything over to my company name, A Fashionable Stitch where I hope to continue helping and inspiring others to sew their own fashion.

What inspired you to start A Fashionable Stitch?

I’ve always had a dream of working for myself. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, even when I was young – to own my own shop! My intense love of sewing and owning my own shop sort of fell into my lap as I was looking for some specific tools at my local fabric store and was unable to find them. An idea of having a shop where everything I wanted – beautiful handmade pressing aids, pincushions, sewing patterns, fine ribbons and interfacings, belt & buckle kits, etc., – could be purchased in one place was born and now, here I am trying to make it happen.

floral print tailor’s ham | contemporary sewing patterns

You are a prolific seamstress, Sunni—when did you learn to sew? What is your favorite project to date?

I’ve been sewing since I was a kid. I started out with scraps of fabric my mom would give me and barbie clothes. When I went to middle school, I took a class in general sewing where I learned how to work the sewing machine and make a few basic things like a pillowcase. In high school I took more sewing courses and learned how to read sewing patterns and sew clothing. I didn’t sew much during my college years but after I picked it up again and this time really got interested in making my own clothing and above all, having them fit me perfectly. I think my favorite project to date is the recreation of a boyfriend’s jacket that I constructed just this past fall. It really is a pretty gorgeous piece, made from a 1970′s vintage pattern. It was my first tailoring project and one that I gush over when people ask me about it while I’m wearing it.

You’ve been steadily adding more and more notions and tools to your shop (like hair canvas and patterns); what is your vision for A Fashionable Stitch in the future?

My long term goal for A Fashionable Stitch is to carry all manner of fine sewing supplies. When I go to many of the fabric chain stores these days, I’m becoming increasingly aware of how hard it is to find fine sewing supplies. I think there are still some great items out there, but I also see items that I feel have fallen into the “quantity vs. quality” category. Things like sleeve boards – which used to be made of wood and now are made with metal which doesn’t absorb moisture the same way. My vision for A Fashionable Stitch is to sell items that are not only hard to find, but also items that aren’t measuring up and giving us the quality, we as sewers, garment sewers in particular, need.

hair canvas – sold by the 1/2 yard

What is your favorite item you’re selling at the moment? Why?

I’m very excited about the hair canvas! When it finally came, I was shocked that it was 70″ wide – alot with even just 1/2 a yard! A little definitely will go a very long way. I’m gearing up to be carrying more natural fibered stabilizers and interfacings too. These types of sewing staples are great to have on hand and even more importantly easy to buy from one shop than from several different shops – which is a big deal to me.

What advice would you give a new sewer as far as notions that are “must have” to enable a well-stock sewing station?

If you are new to sewing, I think its important to have good quality tools. If you are serious about getting into the craft – and let me add that it is and can be very rewarding – you’ll end up paying less if you invest in some of the good stuff to begin with. As far as notions go, you’ll always be in need of thread, interfacing, buttons and zippers, and a well stocked sewing stash will always have these. These are things I always need and of course, they vary with each different project. You’ll naturally accrue thread – I always check my thread stash against my next project just in case I have a color that will work before purchasing new thread. With interfacing/stabilizers, buy a little extra than you need. I always buy at least 1 yard extra, because I know I’ll be using it in loads of different projects too. It’s good to have a lightweight, medium weight & heavy weight on hand. I use silk organza and/or cotton muslin for lightweights and hair canvas for medium to heavyweights. You can also learn to be a little thrifty while at the same time investing in good products. Buttons and zippers are a great area to do this in! Before throwing out old garments, take off their zippers and buttons and keep them for your sewing stash – even if they are boring. Sometimes the right button is all about being inconspicuous.

Thank you Sunni for the wonderful interview! Be sure to check out her Facebook page in addition to the blog and shop, and sign up for her shop newsletter to keep abreast of the latest product she is adding!

A big thank you to all my sponsors!

June 28, 2011 · 4 lovely thoughts
posted in sponsors ·

a penny for your scarf

Hello, friends! My apologies for the radio silence yesterday; I’ve been feeling more than a bit under the weather, as well as scrambling to finish up a few projects I’ve had in the works (including a new sewing tutorial that will be up in a couple days! I am so excited to share it; I do hope you’ll like it!), so posting kind of went by the wayside. But today I wanted to chat a bit about one of my favorite accessories: scarves.

Maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I suspect you’re all already aware and this won’t start a stampede to your local thrift shop. (I say this all in complete fun of course!) But did you know how cheap old scarves are? As a collector (okay… pack rat) of all things vintagey, older scarves are still one of those items that are plentiful and pocketbook-friendly. Most of the scarves I’ve thrifted over the years have cost me a dollar or less; last week I picked up two slightly-newer but still pretty gems for $0.50. Even at vintage shops, unless the scarf bears a well-known and collectable name, most won’t set you back more than $5 or $8. Which considering the versatility of this little accessory, isn’t too bad!

I store all my scarves in a few old shoe boxes I’ve covered with wrapping paper. They’re not always neatly folded, I’ll admit. But storing them in the box keeps them dust-free and easy to locate. Most of my scarves are smaller—perfect for tying in my hair. Whether it’s pin-up style with jeans for a day of helping someone move, or just to protect my hair in curlers, they come in very handy. Wearing scarves around my head–whether as a headband, classic 40s turban or even a snood–is probably the reason I pull my scarves out of their little box.

click images for larger view.

But there are so many other ways to artfully accessorize with a scarf! Wearing them around my neck… now that is something I don’t do often. Besides the occasional twist and tie (a la the 1950s)—in which I usually feel as though I’m choking all day—the techniques and ability to carry the looks off curiously continues to elude me. My mom wears scarves artfully draped and pinned over her shoulder a lot, which I have always admired. But despite studying the 40s and 50s versions of this look, I always feel somehow awkward and fussing with the scarf all day.

I still haven’t worked up the nerve to wear a scarf bandeau style—and am not sure I ever will. (Image from Millie Motts.) Despite being on the small-bust side, the idea of having something move or come undone is far more frightening than my excitement to try something new. No, I think I’ll just stick to wearing scarves in less adventuresome ways.

Do you have a favorite way to sport a scarf?

June 28, 2011 · 30 lovely thoughts
posted in vintage inspiration · tags: accessories, vintage inspiration

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