weekly visual moodboard | be sure to click on the image to view picture sources.
- Ever want to try hemstitching? There is a great tutorial from the Coletterie blog.
- A lovely example of a WWII era dress sporting a propaganda print.
- I’m really quite happy it’s summer right now (all my favorite sundresses can be worn!), but this cute outfit with it’s autumny colors and cape is making me wish just a tiny bit it were fall!
- I love this collection of 1940s summer snapshots. So many gorgeous vintage looks to inspire this summer!
- Faced with rain? Take some inspiration on classy vintage rainwear looks over at Couture Allure.
weekly Instagram photos (my username is “elegantmusings”).
Hello, friends! Seems I disappeared again toward the end of the week, eh? Right smack in the middle of the week I developed some weird ailment, that while it didn’t have me totally down, meant I had to take a trip to the doctor’s (not my favorite thing to do) and found myself really sleepy for a few days. I seem to be on the mend though from this Mystery Illness (yay!)–just in time for the weekend and spending some time with SH at some local events, soaking up the sunshine.
I want to say a big thank you regarding your enthusiastic response to the launch of the Pattern Grading 101 series! I am so excited many of you are curious about this and are eager to learn more. The first technical post won’t be up until next week, but I can’ wait to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years. I think LBC put it best about how pattern grading can revolutionize your sewing toolkit: “. I don’t want to sound hyperbolic, but it has honestly been one of the most empowering things I’ve learned in the past . . . I don’t know how long.” I was fortunate enough to learn about grading just as I was beginning to seriously sew with vintage patterns (about age 17/18), and it opened my world to a lot of new possibilities as I was no longer tied to the numbers on the pattern envelope! Which might be a bad thing considering how many vintage patterns I have… *ahem*
Enough rambling about pattern grading… I have a feeling that I shall do plenty of that in the next month over the course of the series! Hope y’all are having a lovely, sun-filled weekend!
That WW2 propaganda print is so cool! I’ve not seen that one before.
xx Charlotte
Tuppence Ha’penny Vintage
Your weekly snippets and inspiration inspire me too!
And the pattern grading…thank you so much for doing the series! As a person who is built bigger with a tinier waist but wider shoulder and hips, I can ever find patterns for my exact measurements. But now, thanks to you, that won’t be a problem anymore. 
I love that propaganda print dress, and found it interesting that they printed the words as a mirrored image as a way to support the need for discretion during war time, as well as give the wearer a patriotic boost whenever she looked in the mirror. So clever!
Isn’t that so neat?! It’s amazing to me how much of the idea of keeping things discreet and secret permeated so many areas of life during WWII.
♥ Casey
Thank you so much for including my photo of George! He is a very proud cat now
. I hope you feel better soon!
You’re very welcome!!!
Thanks for the get well wishes too–I seem to have felt a lot better the past 24 hours. Yay! 
♥ Casey
That coded message WWII dress is incredible – I am having severe lust over it right now! What a perfect example of propaganda in fashion.
Penny Dreadful Vintage
Of course, I love the cat picture, and want to try that chocolate chip cake……and I want a fluted pan like that to bake it in. Spelt flour is going on the grocery list.
Mom
Beautiful pictures!!! I loved the WWII dress and the floral dress! Anything with flowers and amazing patters is awesome!!
Ooh, now one of your snapshots is making me hungry for the pizza baking book I just ordered… though may have to try it on the grill, way too hot right now to bake. lol
That propaganda dress is just fascinating! This weekend I cut out pieces and started sewing another dress after finishing up my first post-sewing-slump one (yay!). It’s actually making me think of Fall too, with an apple tree print that may be just screaming for a red cardigan to knit as a cover-up to carry it out of summer into fall! It’s so hard to just focus on the same season when my mind is bouncing around for inspiration.
Oooh! I can’t wait to see how your dress is coming along!
♥ Casey
I am so stoked about this pattern-grading series! I just hope I can stick with it…I’m prone to procrastinating! I also adore your instagram shots…your cute bangs and the turban — love! Thanks for sharing! …Cassie
Hi, that WWII dress is marvy.
Color me happy! I happened to be a visiting a charity shop one day with nothing in mind to buy. While browsing around I spot a rocking chair that happened to be just my size. And I’ve been wanting to buy a rocking chair for awhile. The price tag was for $45 and it was also on sale 40% off. I did a tiny dance and cheer and snapped it up right away. http://m253.photobucket.com/albumvie….html?newest=1 its so comfortable and in fantastic shape.
Reposting correct rocking chair photo link. http://m253.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/katia357/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG-20120604-00091.jpg.html?newest=1
Hope you are feeling heaps better soon Casey. Hugs
xxoo
Thanks, Alli!
♥ Casey
I always adore your weekly inspiration posts. They balance serenity, beauty, and interesting topics so perfectly well. I’m especially touched (and honoured) that you included my real world gals of the 1940s post amongst your links, sweet Casey, thank you so much.
♥ Jessica