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Kelly B.'s Blog (80)

One "Smartt" 1940's Outfit: my Bow-Neck Satin Dance Dress

     Fun and flirty, fancy and feminine, my new vintage 40's dress is made using Simplicity's new Fall 2013 pattern release (#1587), and it turned out to be wonderful in all its satin beauty. I had the perfect reason to get to making this dress sooner than later, for hubby and I had a 40's dance to attend.  I (well, both of us) received many compliments on our outfits. I could proudly say, "Thanks, I made my dress myself!"  Thank you Simplicity for another great vintage pattern!…

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Added by Kelly B. on November 22, 2013 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Yikes! Lots of Stripes! My 1957 Cotton Sundress

     Cool, comfy, and amazing day dresses for women of the 50's are as classic as a '57 Chevy - both are still oh so dramatic.  No wonder their popularity never goes out of style.  Who doesn't like a taste of glamor for everyday use?  

     My 1957 striped cotton dress has been long in coming to completion, and now it is such a joy and relief that I finally get to wear a project visualized 6 years ago. (I had kept my sales receipt tucked in with my striped fabric, so I can see a…

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Added by Kelly B. on November 7, 2013 at 12:00am — No Comments

Summertime Blues - A Knit Top with a Twist

     What do you do with your leftovers?  Do you chuck 'em for fear of adding clutter and forgetting about what you have in the house?  Maybe your leftovers get thrown off to the side with a half-hearted wish to make them useful sometime soon.  Or perhaps you judiciously sort, file, or store any scraps for later use. 

     Whichever category you fit in, and I'm sure there are more divisions to add, this post is meant to show what I did with some precious leftovers...of fabric, that is…

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Added by Kelly B. on October 28, 2013 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Retro Rewind - a Modern 60's Style Babydoll Blouse

     Some clothing creations of mine I like almost instantly, while some others just have to 'grow' on me a bit before I can say I like it on myself.  I was so proud of hitting my 50th sewing project mark with this little blouse, but the 60's inspired top itself took some getting used to. 

     Baby doll styles have never really appealed to me.  However, I don't like to be stuck in a style rut and I am willing to try new things.  My version of a 60's Baby doll blouse has finally won…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 30, 2013 at 7:00pm — No Comments

The Tap Dancing, Scalloped Collar Dress from "The Artist" Movie

     Out of all the Silver Screen look-alikes I have made yet, none have been as rewarding to see finished, as fun to wear, or as tiresome to make as my newest Hollywood imitation: a dress from the movie "The Artist".  This dress is also one my best fitting creations, amongst my modern and vintage sewing alike.  I simply can't help but break out and dance like Peppy in this dress, especially since I now have a good excuse to wear my tap shoes!…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 27, 2013 at 8:00pm — 1 Comment

An Urban Chic Refashioned Sundress

     Once upon a time, there was a young lady (ahem, myself) who walked in a Goodwill store with the desire to find something to refashion.  Then, she found a neglected strapless sundress, having seen little wear as of yet, that caught her eye amongst the discount rack.  The sundress received the best makeover treatment in its lifetime and made the young lady both very happy and looking great as well.  A happy ending is enjoyed by all...…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 24, 2013 at 10:00pm — No Comments

My 1946 Cotton Dress - It's a Wrap!

     There is faux fur, there's faux leather, and a multitude of other imitation items, among which I have made myself a faux wrap dress. 

     This dress is made from one of my vintage original patterns, still in good condition for the year 1946.  I am proud of how well I redrew/re-graded this pattern to my size measurements - it gave me good practice in drafting and fits like it is made for me, which is true.  Another great point for this dress is the on trend color scheme (it has…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 20, 2013 at 10:30pm — No Comments

"It's De-Lovely" - My 1936 Puff Sleeve Polka Dot Blouse

     The year 1936 is very interesting to me.  Americans of that year seemed to have had a new-found, hopeful, upbeat outlook due in large part to the Presidency of Roosevelt and the second round of the New Deal programs  (enacted 1935 to 1938).  The Civil Works Administration was providing people with some money, Prohibition was now…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 6, 2013 at 10:30pm — No Comments

My Fall "Fast Fashion" Skirt - An Easy Project with Modern Styling

     I recently found a very interesting math equation that produces an excellent result.  Here it is: 1 yard of easy care, super soft knit fabric, plus 2 hours of time devoted to cutting and sewing, equals 1 very happy Seam Racer, a.k.a. Kelly.

     At that time, I needed a no-fail, instant satisfaction project which was a change out of the ordinary for me, and this skirt was my lucky number.  Besides, I had been wanting to make my very own version of the "high-low hem" style that…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 6, 2013 at 10:29pm — No Comments

Strutin' My Feathers - A 1937 Pin-Tucked Satin Blouse

     The peacock and his feathers have long been very symbolical, and its popularity seems as immortal as its typology.  However, in the 1920's, the peacock began a new emergence of popularity.  Suddenly it's fan shape and distinctive eye feathers were reproduced everywhere - in fashion, as decorative building motifs, and even as bouquets.

     Peacocks have a very personal connection for…

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Added by Kelly B. on September 1, 2013 at 12:30am — No Comments

"Water for Elephants" Imitation Knot-Neck Halter Dress

     The thrill of the circus was a welcome distraction to lift the spirits of people of the 1930's, who were so busy trying to eke out a living.  Television wasn't around yet, and radio broadcasts were not a common mode of entertainment, either.  This is why so many stars and performers of big (and not so big) traveling circuses were…

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Added by Kelly B. on August 31, 2013 at 8:00pm — No Comments

A Frustrating 40's Retro Blouse Pattern

     Every so often I happen to pick a pattern to make, only to find it makes me want to throw it in a corner out of exasperation.  As long as this occurs "every so often" I can see it as a challenge and make the best of things.  This subject brings me to admit how a new (as of this spring/summer) Simplicity "Vintage 40's" blouses pattern was trouble hidden by a very enticing envelope drawing.   

     Don't get me wrong - I really like my blouse and have worn it plenty of times…

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Added by Kelly B. on August 25, 2013 at 4:48pm — No Comments

"In the Mood" to Swing in My 1940 Floral Bed Sheet Dress

     Who doesn't love an all-around good deal, especially when it is chock full of value, quality, and practicality?  Well, I hit the jackpot here, spending less than five dollars with this dress, which is a 1940 Vintage Vogue reprint.  Who would have guessed that some vintage bed linens could turn out something great like this! 

THE…

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Added by Kelly B. on August 2, 2013 at 2:00pm — No Comments

A Palette of Color "Gathered Up" into a 1946 Satin Dress

    This is a vintage Post-WWII dress which automatically cheers me up.  My finished dress has a great combination going for it - comfort, easy dressing, ability to match with a wide range of accessories, cool design features, and a pretty satin shine with the bonus of a knit. Plus, I had the opportunity to do plenty of gathering, which is one my most enjoyable sewing techniques.  Here is one of those projects where everything fell together just perfectly.  The frequency of compliments seem…

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Added by Kelly B. on July 28, 2013 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Hats Off to a Star-Spangled Red (White) and Blue Dress

     It's that time of year to see all sorts of things proudly showing off our country's colors, and I will be no exception. 

     A new dress can't get any more fun than going all out  in a full circle skirt, contrast lining to highlight my "burnout" designed knit, and bold red color to boot.

 THE FACTS:

FABRIC:  1 1/2 yards…

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Added by Kelly B. on July 13, 2013 at 11:00am — No Comments

A Hollywood Look-Alike - Doris Day's Striped Collared Blouse

     As much as my family enjoyed watching the movie "Romance on the High Seas", released 1948, I enjoy even more being able (on account of my sewing skills) to wear today the fashion from a movie of over 60 years ago.  The music, together with the many outfits that Doris Day wore as the starlet of the movie, are all stuck in my head, and Butterick's 150th Anniversary Sewing Contest gave me the perfect excuse to whip up one of Ms. Day's signature Hollywood looks.  To make the blue and white…

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Added by Kelly B. on June 20, 2013 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Great Gatsby! An Early 1920's Tunic Top and Belt

     This is the outfit I made to see, on opening weekend, the new "The Great Gatsby" movie.  The tunic is very cool, loose, and breezy, just like the ideal 20's silhouette.  My outfit was so easy sew!  For once I spoiled myself and took my good old time to make it, resulting in a very fun and low stress project.

     I was channeling the early 20's with my combination, in which the large fancy hats from the late teens were still popular, but quickly loosing favor to the flapper…

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Added by Kelly B. on May 31, 2013 at 8:30pm — No Comments

My Hankie-Hem Dress of 1929 - the Year of Ups and Downs

     My dress is, I believe, quite historically accurate.  I have taken a good amount of time and patience to get this project right, done plenty of historical and fashion research, and my public approval has come unwarranted in the form of comments from strangers.  The best part about my hankie-hem dress is the way it fits, how it feels so fun, and is very comfortable to wear!

     My dress is meant to channel the 'turn of the decade' 1929 look, as evidenced by my early 30's…

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Added by Kelly B. on May 30, 2013 at 11:30am — No Comments

History Under Cover - My 1920's Tap Pants

      An interesting facet of fashion history is the rather quiet and not so well known area of what is the first layer, what goes hidden -and often forgotten- under peoples' clothing.  I personally would consider it a good thing to bring back at least some of the beautiful and practical vintage lingerie, especially tap pants (or tango shorts  and French knickers as they are also called).   There was, and still is,  an easy decency, discreet fashion, and happy practicality about these pairs…

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Added by Kelly B. on May 18, 2013 at 12:42am — No Comments

"Pretty In Pink" - Twist Neck 1935 Blouse

     Re-releasing vintage pattern 2859 was one of Vogue Company's best moves, in my humble opinion, and I really enjoy the finished results.  My version of the blouse/top from V2859 embodies three of the most popular, most distinctive fashion trends for women in the 1930's, not to mention the fact my top pays homage to two of that era's top rival designers, Coco Chanel and…

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Added by Kelly B. on May 3, 2013 at 11:00pm — No Comments

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