Vintage Maternity Styles

Spring and babies go hand in hand. While taking a stroll, little children were everywhere playing in the grass, on the swings, and in the bushes.  With the laughter of little ones lingering, a question arose. How did they do it back then? What did the ladies, that made the Baby Boom possible, wear during the time the stork was so close? Upon searching online, I found some pattens with amazing adaptations to the growing condition.
Basically here is a large shirt, but take a closer look at the expandable skirt.

This skirt has the expandable front but also includes a buttoned front.

Here is a wrap skirt with extra room to grow and a roomy blouse.

Next up is  the wrap dress with built in expansion for your growing family. I noticed within my search, there were numerous dresses with this extra fabric and cinching belt technique. Included with this pattern is a flowing top button jacket.

Then there are these late 50's peddle pushers/pant ensemble, with an ingenious twist.

So if you are a vintage style lady and are thinking about becoming in a "family way", you can still be in style with these and many more lovely classics. Take a click or two away to Etsy or Ebay and find a new dress pattern that will grow with you.  If you have any amazing stories or designs please add a comment below.

49's jacket outfit

I was planning on going out today and so I fought with my long hair to make a bang wave. I think I need to have my hair bit shorter to make this an easier process. Anyone know any good vintage hair style and cut place in Portland, Oregon?

Today's outfit was a mix matched affair of wools. It is still a little chilly up here in the Northwest coast.  I finally am fitting into some vintage goodwill skirts. The last time I tried them on they were a bit snug, today I slid right in. I guess its all the extra roller derby skating I am doing with the Rose City Rollers.  The shoes, belt, scarf, and skirt were purchased from Goodwill. The Pendelton 49's jacket was a Ebay find, and the shirt came from Hollywood Vintage in Portland Oregon. If you live in the area and are looking for some stunning vintage eye-wear, Hollywood Vintage is the place to go.

Red Beret

It is finally spring and the leaves are appearing on trees and the tulips are blooming. Time to infuse the wardrobe with a splash of color. I knitted this red beret from the book A Stitch in Time, Vintage knitting patterns 1930-1959 Vol 2. The beret was a easy knit although I will have to warn everyone out there, use a 100% wool yarn. Some wool blend yarns will stretch and you will end up with a huge hat.  The book "A Stitch in Time Vol 2"  is wonderfully put together and gives patterns in the updated version along with the original.  I have my eye on a few of the sweaters in this book. One day soon, I will pick up the knitting needles and cast on one of those excellent vintage creations, but for now I am enjoying the tulips with a pretty new hat perched on my head.

Fundraiser night Outfit

Night on the town! I went out for a fundraiser and thought I should post a outfit for you.  I found this pants suit at a Value village in the vintage clothing section. Although not a 1940 vintage, the fit was too good to pass up.  Top the ensemble with a curly Persian lamb wool stole for warmth which is from the 50's. I found the stole at a local thrift store many moons ago while living in Oakland, CA. Anyone living in that area try your luck at Urban Ore in Berkeley. Lastly how can any girl go out properly without a few choice pieces of jewelry.

Next week I am planing giving a tutorial on grading vintage patterns. Stay tuned.

Knitting Needle organizer

Today I made a carrier roll for all my knitting needles. Prior to this, they all resided in a large vase, which my cat found irresistible. I felt it was time to cat proof my knitting by using some quirky fabric I've been saving for a special project.  The fabric is images of a devious rabbit doing terrible things to an unsuspecting raccoon.   I was told that it is from a Japanese folktale. As you can see Mr. Raccoon is on fire in one frame, stabbed in another, and drowning in another. Yes it is quirky and perhaps an acquired taste.  I should have taken step by step photos, but I was finished by the time I thought about it. Here are some key pointers to making a knitting needle organizer.  First lay out your fabric.
Cut the center fabric (shown here in red) longer than the roll by 2 to 3 inches and finish their edges prior to assembling. I edged mine with white and red bias tape..

 

Leave the cover off and lay down the inside fabric (shown here in blue) and the two pocket (shown here in red) for the needles. Pin an one inch edge to start. Lay the first set of needles next to the pinned edge and pin up the other side of the needles, then lay down the next set of needles and pin, ect. ect. ect. until all the needles are in place. The key to the pinning is that you leave the back (blue) fabric flat, and use the other fabric (red) to make raised pockets to hold the needles. This allows the back and cover to lay flat and makes a better finished project.  Once everything is pinned, take out all the needles and sew up the pinned lines to make the pockets. I did add some interfacing to the cover fabric for some stability. Lastly decide how you want to close it. Rolling, zipping, or folding are all options. I added a zipper to keep it closed an my needles away from my prying cat. 

 

Now I am ready for any knitting project.

Pin Cushion

Prior to sewing, I needed a good old fashioned pin cushion. Something to store my needles away from my cat, and is big enough so I can always find it.  All that is needed mason jar, glue, fabric and batting.
 I found this cute reproduction 1930 girl with bubbles fabric, perfect for the job at hand.

 

Cut out a circle large enough to fold over and glue at the bottom.  I used a bowl to make the large circle.

Stuffing batting between the lid and the fabric, glue the fabric down.

 

It will end up looking like this when it is all glued down. Then cut out a piece of felt smaller than the lid circle.

Insert the top into the mason jar lid, and glue the smaller felt circle in place.

 

Now I have my very own balloon girl with pins. This has the perfect amount of kitsch and whimsy.  I love it!

Waffle Machine Madness

Fridays are Estate sale days for me.  I take the day to venture out to see houses caught in a bygone Era.  Some houses are wonderful snap shots of time, where if something wasn't broke why replace it with a newfangled contraption of the current day. I came across such a house today filled with amazing mid-century Americana.  Within the kitchen of fine Pyrex, a Mirro Cookie press, and large slotted spoons, I spied this lovely waffle maker.  A General Electric Twin Waffle Iron with chrome plating and Texolite handles, dated to from 1930 to World War II. Each lid has a wheat design (incised design) and a temperature gauge. It makes 4.5 by 5 inch waffles perfect for reheating in a toaster. (Thanks to http://www.toastercentral.com/waffles3.htm for the detail information)
 I did plug it in, prior to purchasing it, to make sure it warmed up, but would it get hot enough?  After spending a lovely sum of $8, it was time to find out.  I promptly came home and my loving husband went to work on cleaning it and setting it up for a maiden voyage in its new home. We got out the batter and went to town making some Friday Night Waffles topped with blueberries. It worked like a champ! We both ate a double helping of those golden brown waffles and had some to spare.  It was the best find of the day.