posts tagged ‘vintage inspiration’
chilly weather inspiration
Hello everyone! How was your weekend? It’s good to be back in the blogging world–I missed you all and writing posts quite a bit! I didn’t get as many projects done as I had hoped (mostly due to my slightly unrealistic expectations about how much I can accomplish in a 24 hour period!), but I did end up having some time to just refocus on the why of my creative processes. It was wonderfully refreshing to be able to gain a bit of perspective about why I had been feeling a bit apathetic in the creative/projects department lately. I also was able to get some planning done on my fall sewing list! But more about that a bit later… I’m just excited to returning to blogging this week–I have a bunch of new ideas for posts and such. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and emails throughout the week–knowing that I was missed was rather sweet!
So for this week’s scans, I have a smattering of coats from 1944. I know–it’s far too warm and early to even really start thinking about such things, but I decided to participate in Gertie’s Lady Grey Jacket sew along, and have been scoping out ideas for my version of the Lady Grey pattern. So of course I flipped open the Sears catalog to take a peek for inspiration! I think what I love most are some of the lovely colors that coats were available in–the light blue is especially catching my eye! Hope you enjoy looking through these as much as I did!
I love these topper style jackets.
Check out some of the details on these, like trapunto quilting.
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Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 11 lovely thoughts
fall inspiration from 1945
We’re taking a bit of a break this week from the Sears catalog scans. I’ve been in the mood for autumn the past few days, so I pulled out one of the fall edition magazines from my collection and scanned a handful of things that are making me just even more anxious for cooler weather! lol. Between my sudden predilection this summer for knitting sweaters and scheming over what I want to sew and thrift for the fall, I can’t help but be a teeny bit discontent that there isn’t any end of summer in the immediate future. Oh well–maybe this will spur me to get out of my sewing funk and start working on some new things for my fall wardrobe–for when it is cool! Enjoy these scans from 1945!
I love these easy seperates that are still so classic today! I’m kicking myself for getting rid of a pleated plaid skirt I had… teaches me not to go wild with closet purges!
The fantastic Betty Hutton (wearing a suit designed by Edith Head)! (I love listening to her sing; I think this has to be my favorite of her songs… it always cracks me up!) I really love seeing the colors of the suit–the bright chartreuse suiting is quite fun!
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Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 14 lovely thoughts
shoes! glorious shoes!
I’m back to subject you to some more scans from that 1944 catalog this morning! (Are you getting bored of these yet? I admit, when I tend to be excited about something, I go a little overboard… lol.) This time it’s the thing that makes my heart go pitter-patter: shoes! I’m not always a huge fan of 40s shoe styles; some just aren’t flattering to my legs. But there are many styles that I’d still love to own if they were still available. Of course, modern reproduction companies like Remix make it mighty easy to have those perfect 40s shoes! I’m still drooling over (and saving my pennies for!) a pair of Rita bow-pumps. One day they’ll be mine (definitely going on my Christmas wishlist. Now just to decide on a color…)! Enjoy this post!
I like the pair at the top right best, which were available in two different heel heights! They don’t really offer that sort of variety very often any more. I dare say I’d opt for the higher ones, even back in 1944–although 2-5/8″ high isn’t terribly tall compared to some of the shoes in my closet! (I tend to be in the 4″ to 5″ range…)
Spectator wedges!!!
I really love the ankle strap sandals (top right)–so cute!
Of course, what shoe post would be complete without stockings? I’m a bit of a hedonist when it comes to wearing stockings and usually ditch them except for occasions that call for it and the coldest months. But I have a few pairs of vintage stockings that a lovely reader sent me last year that I’m dying to break out and wear–once the weather cools down! I rather love how 40s artists idealized the model’s legs in these drawings; mostly because I have muscular calves too! lol.
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Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 20 lovely thoughts
friday distraction
I was planning on posting an update about the small amount of progress I’ve made on my swimsuit this week. But I hit a snag, and frankly had to put the darn thing aside before I got too cranky at it. Hopefully twenty-four hours away from it will give me some perspective. So instead, here are some scans from 1950 that I thought you might enjoy… Just to round out your week a bit–and hopefully offer a bit of visual inspiration to kick start your weekend with!
[ fabrics inspired by South Pacific*--how cute are they?! ]
[ I'm in love with not only the amazing color of this suit, but the equally stunning design treatment on the shoulders and pockets. ]
[ a seriously sweet checked dress--I just love the neckline! ]
[ I've been a bit "meh" about black flats lately (even though, honestly, my wardrobe could stand a pair). too bad these aren't available--I'd snatch them up in a heartbeat! ]
[ another cute South Pacific inspired fabric. isn't the sailor print too adorable?! ]
*Admittedly, I have never seen South Pacific –perhaps I need to swing by the library to pick it up to add to my stack of movies to watch? Have a lovely weekend, friends!
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Posted to: 1950s, vintage inspiration. | 24 lovely thoughts
sew it yourself!
[ polka dot fabric! ]
Continuing on with the 1944 Sears catalog, this week it’s scans of sewing material and patterns you could mail order back in the 40s! Judging from these pages, you could not only order some lovely patterns, but fabric I would covet now! I ran some of the prices per yard for material through an inflation calculator, just to see what the “amazing” 1944 prices would cost in today’s dollar. Surprisingly, it’s pretty close to what one can pay now for material! For instance, rayon faille crepe in 1944 cost $0.86. In today’s dollar that’s about $10.66. Most rayon crepes I’ve spotted cost between $10 and $18, depending on the quality. Or how about a rayon-wool blend gabardine at $2.37/yd. in 1944? It works out to $29.38 with inflation, which is pretty on-par for what you see in finer fabric shops for a wool blend! Putting the costs in these terms, I’m wondering how much credence the argument I hear often that sewing “was cheaper” in earlier decades. While it may have been a bit more affordable overall (and certainly supplies were easier to find!), was it really that much more affordable? That is something that could be interesting to research further! (Although today is neither the time nor place… I don’t have enough brain power right now. lol.)
[ click for a larger view. ]
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Posted to: 1940s, vintage inspiration. | 15 lovely thoughts
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