Yard Sale Finds

This might be to coolest yard sale score ever. Check out my new dress form!

 I got her for $45 (talked down from $60). The adjuster on top says "Pat. Pend. 1908," so I assume she is about that old.

I don't know how useful she will be, her proportions are crazy - The smallest she can be is a 38 bust and 26 waist, and you can only adjust all the measurements at once, you can't adjust each separately like the newer ones. Much larger than my bust and a smaller than my waist. She also totally has an "S-curve" the way she is standing.

I also got this for free;

It was towards the end of the day and the people were packing up their yard sale had already put this out to the curb to throw away. I asked how much and they said free! It is definitely a nice decor or prop piece though not usable. Two of the hinges are detached from the bottom.

Seems possible to fix if I really wanted to. I could probably find some of those little screw/pin things at a hardware store, no? i have no idea how old it is, I am not up on my luggage history, but it seems pretty old to me. What do you think - 40's? 50's? Here's the inside.

I think the best time for deals when yard sale-ing has to be the end of the season, people either sell the item now, store it for another year, or throw it away - so any price is better than nothing.

1940s Belt - Missing Something?

I have this nice black evening dress from the 1940s. It has a matching belt but I can't for the life of me figure out how to fasten it. One end just has two hooks on it. I think something is missing - a buckle that was attached to the two hooks. Any idea what is missing here and where I could find a replacement?

1949 Singer Sewing Book

Look what I picked up at an antique shop this weekend! This book is copyright 1949 and it is amazing! I just love the illustrations and vintage sewing techniques like the 31 different seam finishing methods or the 14 hem finishes.

The author gives advice on how to successfully  complete sewing projects. Mostly stuff we've all heard before like "plan for sewing time" and "assemble and organize your materials before starting to sew." Here's what she says about preparing yourself physically;

When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Go through a beauty ritual of orderliness.   Have on a clean dress. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on with care. Looking attractive is a very important part of sewing. Sewing  must be approached with the idea that you are going to enjoy it, and if you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should. Therefore, spruce up at the beginning so you are free to enjoy every part of sewing you do.


God forbid your husband comes home and sees you without your lipstick! That would cause way too much anxiety and you will be too much of a nervous wreck to sew!

Opera Renderings

Here are some new renderings for an opera I am currently designing.

I'm renting all of the men's Victorian costumes.
The first three here are the chorus of eight. That's right; 8 of the same exact dress.  oI am making them from this pattern; view E (second from the left).

I'm drafting an A-line skirt onto the blouse pattern to make it a bias cut cowl neck dress. I'm then going to ombre dye them with the three colors pictured. They will all have a bronze sequin belt, a monocle, and a white wig with silver tinsel pieces. For the leader of the chorus I'm going to do a different sort of hand dyeing technique, more on that later!

Thrift Store Finds

I picked up a few more vintage patterns and some fabric at Savers the other day. Neither of the patterns have the instruction sheet included but they seem like they might be pretty self explanatory. Especially since I've notice a lot of printed patterns from the 60s and 70s have most of the instructions printed right on the pattern.

Simplicity 6220. Copyright 1974. The blouse looks a lot like Simplicity 6165 which I also have in my collection. This one also includes a dress and panties (?!).

McCall's 9448. copyright 1968. Huge berets.

The fabric I got for 99 cents. About a yard.

Snow White Production Photos

I finally got some pictures from Snow White, the show I finished designing in January. I showed my costume sketches here.

The Queen which I showed in progress here, and the witch, I talked about here.

The Queen and Berthold.

Left to right: Dandiprat, the Prince, the Queen, and the Duke.

Some of the maids in waiting.

Snow White on the left and the maids dancing. I talked about Snow White's costume here.

Dandiprat, the Duke and maids.

Same as above.

Dandiprat, the Prince and the Duke.

Maids, Dandiprat, the Queen and the Duke.

Dandiprat, the Prince, the Queen and the Duke.

Dandiprat, the Duke, the Queen, and the Witch.

The Cat, Witch and the Queen

Same as above.

Little rabbits and squirrels.

The Dwarves.

The dwarves.

The Cat and Witch

New Patterns from Savers Part 2

Here is the second installment of my latest thrift store vintage pattern spree. As you can see, I am definitely not a pattern snob. I love to see the beauty in something that doesn't at first appear so. These patterns from the 70's and 80s with ugly covers can actually be attractive. Sometimes its just the fabric, hair, styling and massive shoulder pads that is ugly. Some of these patterns would definitely be worthy of the You Can't Judge a Pattern by its Envelope Cover challenge.

Simplicity 2436. 1948 (educated guess). A nice smock pattern. I would like to make this to use as an apron.

Advance 8658. 1958 (educated guess). This is just too cute.

McCall's 7190. Copyright 1980. A dress with an "over blouse."

McCall 8444. Copyright 1951. Nice skirt a back gore.

Simplicity 5324. Copyright 1963. Basic early 60s sheath. Can't wait to try this one.

Simplicity 5576. Copyright 1973. I always wanted to make myself a bathing suit though I'm not sure if this is the one.

Simplicity 6094. Copyright 1973. Another A-line with "front seam interest."

Simplicity 6284. Copyright 1974. I just love that little jacket. Another boring vest. (is it possible for a vest to be anything but?)

Simplicity 6327. Copyright 1974. This is so cute with the little patch pockets and button trim.

Simplicity 8392. Copyright 1978. This reminds me of a regency dress. With the empire waist and gathering only in the back.

Simplicity 8757. Copyright 1970. Groovy tunic, pants, A-line dress, shorts and maxi dress. Didn't they used to fit so much in one pattern in the 1970s?

Simplicity 9005. Copyright 1979. Another bathing suit with a cover up.