Sponsor Spotlight – Adored Vintage

Adored Vintage is a gorgeous online shop with vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, jewelry and accessories run by Rodellee Bas. When I visited the site for the first time I think my jaw literally dropped. Everything in the store has a dreamy, magical beauty to it with none of the musty-closet feeling one often finds when vintage shopping. The selection is perfectly curated and overflowing with eye candy. As it goes with vintage, most of the pieces are one of kind so you'll need to snap up your favorites quickly. If you live in Southern California you can also visit their showroom in Long Beach, by appointment. If you can't make it to SoCal, check out a sneak peek at her showroom on Apartment Therapy. Now get your smelling salts in hand because here are a few of my swoon-worthy favorites from the shop:


I love these vintage party dresses. They are exactly the kind of dress I would and do wear to parties.

Clockwise from top left: 
Vernal Season Dress  //  Golden Threads Dress //  Amsterdam Spring Dress  //  Midnight Horizon Dress


I love the dreamy, chic boho feel of these pieces. The top left and bottom right are some of the vintage-inspired pieces. How gorgeous is that lace tank? Super gorgeous.

Clockwise from top left: 
Cathedral Lace Top  //  Peony Petals Dress  //  Eliza at the Races Dress  //  Hamilton Dress


If you are interested in sponsoring Lula Louise, check out my Work With Me page to learn more and purchase an ad.

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Thursday Vintage - Black Cape

It's pretty much universally recognized that the cape is a timeless winter warm up. We've all heard of little red riding hood, right? This black beauty is a vintage cape that my great-aunt made years and years ago. The fabric is a synthetic fur and the clasp is a vintage pewter. Not only did she give me the cape, she also found the original pattern she used to make it and gave it to me as well.

The pattern is McCall 9911, copyright 1938. It's a fairly simple pattern with only three pattern pieces: yoke front, yoke back and a front/back. The gathered shoulder/sleeve is made from a rounded piece at the top of the front/back piece. The cape was made in the longest length. I think it would be really fun to have the short little one to wear out in the evenings.

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Vintage Sewing Patterns - Coats Part 2

You probably know by now that I love vintage sewing patterns. Here are a couple more of my favorite coat sewing patterns. Check out Part 1 of the post here. First up is Vogue 8222, circa 1954. Here's the description from the pattern: "Box coat in two lengths. Collarless built-up neck-line. Wide sleeves are kimono in front, raglan in back, and may be turned back to form deep cuffs. Patch pockets or slot pockets in side seams." Kimono in front and raglan in back? How cool is that? And the patch pockets on the short coat are adorable. They're probably not efficient for holding say your keys or cell phone but they look ideal for keeping hands warm. And how cute is the elfin hat on view A? Adorable.

Next is Butterick 7044 a "Man-Tailored Box Jacket" with patch pockets. I can't find a date printed on the envelope or instructions but appears to be from the 1950s. Description from pattern: "Perfect mate for slacks, skirts. The boxy, single-breasted jacket is styled like a man-tailored jacket. Convertible collar, patch pockets for both views. (A) Button-cuffed sleeves, yoked. (B) Straight sleeves, no yoke."

Which coat is your favorite? Which one do you think you'd wear all the time? My pick is Vogue 8222, view A.

Vintage Sewing Patterns - Coats Part 1

Today, I'm sharing a couple of vintage coat patterns. Above is Vogue 1566 circa 1956. The pattern is sized for teens and features a kimono sleeve coat in two lengths. I just love the illustration on this pattern. The hat on view B is adorable! And I wish I had the bag that View A is carrying.

The pattern description reads: "Straight coat in two lengths. Narrow tab buttoned either side of front opening below shaped collar. Long kimono sleeves may be worn pushed up. Pockets in side seams."

Like our first pattern Vogue 8945 is a kimono sleeve coat from 1956. However, this pattern is a little more mature and could even be styled for evening wear. The pattern description for Vogue 8945 reads: "Very slightly flared coat with shaped collar has pockets in side seams. Three quarter length or long kimono sleeves."

What do you think? Would you like to have a coat like one of these? Which is your favorite?

Vintage Sewing Patterns - Tie Neck Blouses

As I mentioned the other day, I love Tie Neck Blouses. Here are a couple of my favorite vintage patterns featuring a sweet little tie neck. Above is McCall 8396, circa 1951, which is actually a pattern for pants but the blouse on the model on the left is so chic. Did you notice that the pattern says McCall instead of McCall's? This pattern is actually available for sale from Etsy seller MollyPopVintage.

Next up is Simplicity 7896, circa 1977. I think I might have picked this one up at a thrift store somewhere. My favorite used to be the blue floral on the right but now I rather like the white blouse in the front.

Thursday Vintage - Tie Neck Blouses

These beautiful tie-neck blouses were lovingly home sewn by my grandmother Louise. The tie neck is very easy to sew and a really lovely feature that can be worn loose or tied in a bow. This first one is made of silk with fabric covered buttons and ruffles along the yoke and wrist.

The second blouse is a brown-green check with decorative plastic buttons, short sleeves and darts at the waist.

How cool are those buttons? They're kind of like little flowers.

My grandmother was much smaller than I am. Thus these blouses have no chance of fitting me. For some reason though, I still have them hanging in my closet, waiting for their opportunity to venture out into the world.

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Thursday Thriftday - Red Blouse

Last week I showed you a couple of blouses I was working on refashioning. This blouse was very boxy with a drop shoulder and simple little sleeves. I loved the buttons on the front and back but didn't want the blouse to overwhelm with too much fabric.

My original plan was to remove the sleeves, take in the blouse at the sides, move the shoulder seam up to the end of the shoulder and then put the sleeves back on.  I started by removing the sleeves. Then after some futzing around decided that moving the shoulder line and putting the sleeve back on would look pretty much the same as just leaving the sleeves off altogether. So, I just took the blouse in a little bit  at the side seam and hemmed the armhole opening.

It's still a pretty boxy blouse but just by removing the sleeves, the blouse no longer looks like it's just ridiculously large. It works quite well tucked into slim pants or a skirt. The bright red color is a little bit patriotic so I wore it on Tuesday in honor of voting day. Are you working on any refashions? What's your go to change to make a too large blouse look better?

Vintage Sewing Patterns – Kimono Sleeves

On Saturday I shared a little primer on the difference between the kimono sleeve and dolman sleeve. Continuing on that theme, and because I simply can't resist a vintage pattern, here a couple of gems for your inspiration. First up, we have Simplicity 3334, circa 1950, a pattern for a short sleeved blouse and three-quarter length kimono sleeve cardigan. Don't you just love the coordinated orange and grey on the top right and the chic tab accents on the top left? So simple and gorgeous.

Next up we have Simplicity 6529, circa 1974, a casual kimono sleeve jacket with patch pockets. I love the illustration, especially the hair. So seventies chic.

Have you ever made a kimono sleeve? What did you think? Super easy to make? Too simple or just right?

Thursday Vintage – Plaid Dress

This lovely vintage dress and jacket belonged to my great-aunt. I suspect that she had it custom made in Asia, where she spent many years living and working. The plaid is a delicate army green and brown. The design is so completely classic. Did you notice the self fabric belt?

The little cropped jacket is amazing – fabric covered buttons, bound buttonholes and welt pockets.

And do you see that interior pocket below? Amazing! I don't know what you call the toothy, folded fabric feature but it's really cool.

Thursday Thriftday – Vintage Albums

I picked up these vintage albums at the thrift store for my brother's birthday. How awesome are these album covers? 

And of course I wrapped them up using my birthday hangtags (free printable!).

Thursday Thriftday – Vintage Fabric

I found this gorgeous piece of vintage fabric at a local thrift store for only 50 cents! The color palette is to die for, don't you think? I think I have enough to make a little shell blouse out of this fabric. The orange and brown colors make it perfect for fall. But then the pink and blue will make it easily carry into spring. This is the kind of find I really can't get enough of.

GIVEAWAY - $50 Shabby Apple Gift Card

UPDATE: Entries are officially closed for this giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered! The winner will be announced Friday Oct 12, 2012.

I'm really excited to announce that I'm hosting a giveaway for a $50 Shabby Apple Gift Card. Shabby Apple is an online store of retro dresses and other fabulous clothing items. Their dresses are so gorgeous you might not notice that they're also rather modest. You're never going to have to worry about showing too much thigh or not being able to wear a bra. I also love their exotic location photography. Whatever your next vacation (or vacation dream) calls for, be it a shirt dress, a lace dress or maybe something casual like a maxi dress, they are sure to have it. So, go ahead and enter this giveaway. Instructions are below and there are three ways you can enter!

And because everyone deserves a little something special, use this coupon code: lulalouise10off for a 10% discount at Shabby Apple.

Above: 1) High Tea Skirt 2) Racquet Club Striped Dress 3) Gray Fox Dress  4) New Caledonia Dress


$50 Shabby Apple Gift Card Giveaway

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Visit Shabby Apple and pick your favorite dress (or other item)

2. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook

3. Come back here and leave a comment on this post telling me which Shabby Apple dress or other item is your favorite.

TWO ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER: 

1. Tweet about this giveaway and leave an additional comment telling me you did so.

2. Blog about this giveaway and leave an additional comment telling me you did so.

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You must have a USA shipping address to be eligible for entry. Remember, don't leave comments anonymously. I'll need to be able to reach you!

CONTEST CLOSES Midnight Pacific Time, Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

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It's not required, but it would be super nice if you also follow me via GFC, RSS, Bloglovin, Twitter or Facebook.

I'll announce the winner on Friday, October 12. Good luck!

Refashion – Cardigan Scrap Fabric Binding

I had this nice basic gray cardigan but the binding was starting to fray and come apart. I also had a bin full of vintage scrap fabric from my great aunt. Inspiration struck and I decided to replace the frayed binding with a scrappy pieced one.

What do you think? I think maybe the pieces I used are too long. And I don't want to look too crafty, crafty homemade. However it is the kind of style I could imagine finding at Anthropologie. Don't believe me? Check out these: Floriography Cardigan, Vermeil Streams Cardigan, Piled Stripes Cardigan, and my favorite the Intarsia Bow Cardigan. Maybe it needs more embellishment??

Thursday Vintage – Quilts

My Grandma Louise pieced these two quilts in the 1930s (I think) and then stored the quilt tops in flour sacks. About 10 years ago, my family had them quilted. The one above is known as a Double Wedding Ring quilt. Aren't those fabrics to die for? There are lots more pictures after the jump.

Vintage Black and White Scrap Fabric

Just a little sharing today. These are fabric scraps that my great-aunt collected over her many years of sewing. She organized them by color in shallow boxes.

 I love the grey fabric. Love it. 

Last but not least some scrap muslin. Any ideas on what I should do with the fabric?

Thursday Vintage – Sept 13

These colorful vintage yo-yos were made by my Grandma Louise. She stored the finished yo-yo's in a plastic bag that once held a men's undershirt along with a cardboard pattern and instructions clipped from the newspaper.

I have made yo-yos a few times before (here and here), using a new-fangled yo-yo making device (like this). It's really a fun, simple activity; a nice way to keep the hands busy while watching tv. 

I don't really know what I'll do with these yo-yos. They could be really pretty incorporated as part of a quilt or maybe framed in a shadow box. What do you think? What would you do with these?