October In Pictures...

Vera's Mod Mondays- Baby in Blue

Hey there!

With the start of our 2nd blogging year we thought it would be fun to mix things up and start a new series-Vera's Mod Mondays. The 1960's is one of my all time fav decades, its full of fun styles and color! On Mondays we will highlight the mod side of the 60's, showing what makes that decade special! 

 

 

 

Dress: made by Viola, Tights: Nordstrom Rack, Shoes: Payless, Sunnies: 99cent Store

 

 

 

 

THE TRENDS TO TRY:  

 

 

 

 

 

 It would be really cool to see

your mod looks too-- in the future we all can have a part. Have a MOD week!!

Sincerely, Vera

An Outfit from the 40's

Although I love the 60's groovy scene, my love for the 40's has never diminished! This is my first authentic 1940s dress. We used Vintage Vogue 2787.

 

 

When working with the pattern, I made a few slight modifications. The gathering on the shoulder was a little excessive and I had to trim the piece to make it less bulky. I believe the pattern requires shoulder pads so I also made the shoulders narrower.

 



 

 

I also shortened the hem to a more flattering length for me which is right under the knee. I really like this length because it makes your legs look longer with out showing your knee.

 



 

Dress: made by me

Gloves: Thrifted

Bag: Gift from Estate Sale

(Viv's) Shoes: Natural Comfort (Overstock)

 

Thanks for reading!

 

--Viola

 



Sewing Creation-Mod Cloth Inspired Dress

I recently attended my friends French Café inspired anniversary party. The attire was mademoiselles in red and messieurs in black. I wanted something cute but still appropriate for the occasion. I thought of just buying a dress but it had to be red or least practically red. I found a bunch of cute and adorable dresses but every option I found just wasn’t red. Then I saw Can Hardly Kate Dress on Mod Cloth, I said to myself.....

“This is the dress I want, but I need it in Red!” 

Can Hardly Kate Dress From Mod Cloth



I figured I had to have a basic pattern like this in my pattern cabinet. Well it turns out we didn't own anything this basic. So I did the next best thing combined two patterns; I used Butterick 5209 for the skirt and McCall's 9279 View C for the bodice (drew in the V-neck).

 

After figuring out my pattern dilemma, I went to my favorite fabric store, Michael Levine's, where I knew I would find fabric I would like. With my inspiration dress picture in hand and looking in the novelty section, I found this really cute red 50's reminiscent geometric pattern. I purchased black fabric with raised grain lines that complimented red fabric, when paired together.

I really liked the way it turned out. Since I changed the skirt pattern piece multiple times after I bought the fabric, I realized that the 2 yards of my 45’’ fabric wasn’t wide enough to accommodate my curved circle like skirt look in inspiration dress. So for the future when working with 45'' I would buy enough yardage to fold it in half to ensure my curve wouldn’t be cut off at the ends.

The Result!

Dress: made by me

Belt: Thrifited

Necklace: Thrifted

Shoes: Sofft

Sunglasses: Giant Vintage (Tops)

Happy sewing!

Always, Viv

The Results- Ticket to the 20's Challenge

Two weeks ago we went to the Ticket to the Twenties festival. As showed in the 20's sewing challenge we planned to make a dress each for the event. Did we achieve out goal of three dresses by September 14th?!

Yes!

We all banned together to finish (including our mother), and we had them all done in time for September 16th. And without further delay here are the results.



Viv, Viola, Vera

Our goal was to create dresses that had an authentic 20's look, while still keeping them simple enough to wear again without looking costumey.



I think, I'm the least happy with the results. They pretty much turned out how I pictured but I wish we could have dressed  more authentic!



the pink ribbon we originally planned on using didn't look quite right so Viola chose brown



And while we're at it, here are some other pictures of the event. On both days it was 100 degrees!



The couple to the left won the costume contest

 

A nice gentleman let us take a picture in his car!

Hope you enjoyed that!

Sincerely, Vera

Swiss Dot Summer

My creation:
60s inspired summer dress in floral Swiss Dot fabric

Swiss Dot  is a lightweight cotton fabric mostly used for women's clothes. It is a great choice for breezy summer dresses especially while the weather is still hot! Summer is not officially over until September 22nd!

Quick Facts:

• Also known as Dotted Swiss
• First made in Switzerland in 1750.
• It can be dated by it's dots! (ie. size, arrangement, & application)
• Used also in bedspreads, curtains, wedding apparel, and baby clothes

 Dress: Made by Me
 Handbag: a Gift
Shoes: Payless
Sunglasses: Giant Vintage
Earrings: My grandmother's

--Viola

Ticket to the Twenties Sewing Challenge

Hello and happy September! We're ending the first week of this month with a sewing challenge! These are also the spoils from our 1hr speed shopping at Michael Levines!

The Project: 3 1920's dresses
The Deadline: September 14th 2012
The Patterns: Burda 8072, Vogue 8811, Vouge 8020
Fabric & Embellishments: pink and white striped cotton blend, pink satin ribbon, floral shear and light blue stretch cotton, pink paisley cotton, ivory grossgrain ribbon

Obviously none of the patterns we are using are 1920's or 1920's repros, the goal here is to create a 20's look with modern supplies. Like with any outfit its all about hair, make-up and accessories, this is what will really complete our look.

 Dress One-

When I saw this fabric it reminded me of a dress someone was wearing last year at the 20's festival, so we had to get it! And nothing beats a $1 a yard!

We are going to use view A minus the pocket flaps and add a ribbion sash around the waist.

Dress Two- 

At first I was reluctant to get either of these fabrics, they reminded me of a baby's room, but after draping the fabric on Viola to see if we could envision a dress, I had a change of tune, surprisingly it looked cute . Hopefully it will turn out the way we envision. And each of these were only $1.00 (floral sheer) and a $1.50 (stretchy cotton) a yard!

I know what you're thinking, why is she using a 40's repro pattern for a 1920's dress? Dont worry I have some tricks up my sleeve!

Dress Three-

I loved this fabric the moment I saw it. It has a great feel and sheen to it that you can't see in the photo. We didn't strike out for this one, it was $6.00 a yard which still isn't too shabby!

For this dress we're planning on going off of view D, we'll shorten it and have a sash insted of a roset.

Can't wait to sew these up and post the results!

Sincerely, Vera



Michael Levine Fabric Shopping

 Hi Everyone,

The girls and I are eagerly awaiting the up-coming twenties festival and realized that we need to put some pep in our step if we are going to make our outfits. We could have gone to our local craft/fabric store but this is a specific occasion. This called for the Fabric District in LA. On every corner you see a sale sign on fabric, lace, ribbon, etc. This is not an area for the faint of heart-it can be truly overwhelming or like me, you are a kid in the candy store and will spend your entire budget on fabric.

 For this trip we decided to visit our favorite store, Michael Levine, Inc Retail Outlet and Fabric Mega Store  920 Maple Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90015. This store even has a calendar of specials for the month and a $1.00, $1.50 mark down section. So we decided we to park in the lot next door that validates for one hour if you spend $20 in the store. Could we go in find great fabric for our twenties festival at great deals all in one hour? Are we crazy?!

  We looked at the selection and immediately found great prints but not necessarily prints for 1920s frocks. Keep looking girls, we are already in 15min on the clock.!

50% off 12.00 yard.

$1yrd, $1.50 yard section Vera, can you find anything that is frock worthy?



Very cool prints (laminated fabric)

These could make a cute lunch bag....wait, stay focused we only have 20min left.

We found them (with 10 min to spare), gave them to the girl to cut and payed. We were done!

Mission accomplished! Great Deals and Free parking all in 1hr. It can be done!

Always,

Viv