Wasp Waists and Wiggle Skirts

Make Do and Mend - The Scarf Edition

It's a pretty pattern, isn't it?  I scanned this pattern and started listing it in the shop (believe me, if I had been anything even close to a 32 bust, it would have stayed in my collection.)  As I was tippitty typing away, copying the description on the back of the envelope into my listing, I noticed this:

 
"...made of scarves..."  Amazing! 

The pattern pieces for Style II were actually designed to be made from two 25" square scarves! 

 
Rationing was in full effect in the US and Canada until 1946, and until 1954 in the UK, so it would only be logical that the pattern companies would come up with ways to ensure that women had new garments while staying within the very strict confines of rationing. 

 
I've got a number of Forties patterns to list over the next little while and I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open for some more that fit into the "Make Do and Mend" credo.

xo

Elle

SALE! Yeppers, that's right!

 
Whaddaya know?  Our lovely Canada Post has decided to resume business as usual and...well...it turns out that I'm drowning in a sea of stuff over here in the Little Grey Dollhouse so I've decided to have a sale at the shop in order to clear some things out and celebrate the end of the Postal Strike.  Vintage clothing and patterns are all under $10 and any stuff I've made is between 25% and 50% off.

I was also inspired by Mena to list all of my patterns for no more than $10, because I agree with her statement that patterns shouldn't cost an arm and a leg, so any new patterns going into the shop will be listed for no more than $10.

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

Elle

Why I Thrift

So I've been sewing up a storm here in the little, grey dollhouse...successfully sewing up a storm, I might add, which is happy news around these parts, considering my last post.

Yesterday (as I was sewing up said storm) I found myself in need of a green zipper.  A 7" green zipper to be exact, for a skirt that I was making out of thrifted and vintage fabrics.  I woke up this morning, ready to scoot down to our local fabric store, when I realized that a quick stop at one of the many thrift stores in my small town, would be more in keeping with my Thrifty Year...or Two. I tossed the furry beast into the truck (the portable furry beast - the horse doesn't fit through the doors) and away we went.

$16.13 and a short drive later, we had the following:

12 zippers (including 2 green ones);

19 yards of gorgeous vintage lace trim (including 5 yards in an incredible teal colour and 4 yards of pretty pale blue);

11 packages of seam binding, including 2 packages of my favourite vintage taffeta bindings; 

1 perfectly faded vintage green sheet;

1 card of the prettiest pale blue vintage buttons; and...

...2 pink Geranium plants.

Ummmm....yes, kind of random, but at $1.50 each, I couldn't resist! Ahhh, the joy of thrifting, one never knows what surprises lie on those dusty shelves!

I feel a little bit of skirt inspiration blossoming from those gorgeous petals...I'll keep you posted!

xo

Elle

 

Making a Silk Purse out of a Sow's Ear? Fail.

Soooo...do you remember the lofty goal I had of sewing my way through my huge stash of patterns as part of my Thrifty Year?  The Thrifty Year that started in 2010 and has now made it's way to 2011 with a renewed vigor?

Yeah...that one.  Well, it's been going well. I haven't bought anything new that wasn't on the list, other than a cheap, poorly made set of wooden spoons (it was an emergency...really.)  I've repaired my 1945 Singer for a whopping $7.00 and I've been slowly working my way through a huge pile of patterns (keep, sell, keep, keepkeepkeepkeep, sigh...okay...sellsellsell!)

Anyway, I'll begin documenting this stash-busting exercise with a doozie. Yes, a doozie. I was very excited by this pattern when I found it in a lot of vintage patterns that I bought about a year ago:

Adorable isn't it?  The wonderful Erin had blogged about it almost three years ago and I was just itching to give it a try.  Itching to give it a try without stopping for a moment to consider whether it would work for my figure. The short answer is nope.  Ah well. Here's how the process went:

Step One:  Hooray!  Snip snip, cut cut, iron iron.  Who needs a muslin?  Certainly not moi!

Step Two:  Sew sew, buttonhole buttonhole, sew sew (this will be awesome!) 

Step Three:  Hmmmm...

Step Four:  Perhaps I will draft a little Peter Pan collar to add a little bit of interest?

Step Five:  Innnnteresting...I think I'll hold off hemming for a wee bit...

Step Six:  It looks waaaay better on my Judy...(obviously I didn't get as far as hemming.  I was trying to see if it looked any less frumpy at knee length rather than ballerina length.  Nope.)

Step Seven:  Let's see what happens when I chop off the sleeves and back and make it a sundress (the desperate act of a desperate woman.)

Step Eight:  Well that's a revealing bodice isn't it?

Step Nine:  UFEFO Pile...(Unfinished Extremely Frustrating Object Pile)  (I think it will make a nice circle skirt...stay tuned...)

While in the middle of this process, I realized that part of the problem I ALWAYS have is that while my measurements are a textbook 36 bust, my ribcage is very narrow and I have a short back.  All of the patterns I've made end up having baggy bodices, yet still require an FBA (Full Bust Adjustment.) I read a post that recommended going down a size in a pattern and then adding the FBA, due to the fact that all patterns are a standard B cup. Apparently this ensures that the shoulders, chest, back AND bust all fit. Hooray!  My next pattern experiment will include this adjustment.  It was too late for the 6655, however.

I've listed the pattern in the store.  After my amazingly persuasive sales pitch, I'm not sure anyone will want to give it a try, but rest assured that the problem was with it being a poor match for my shape, not with the pattern being a dud.  The pattern's actually great and very versatile and the little triangle pockets (which I didn't get around to adding) are adorable! If you're interested in giving it a try, just add WASPWAIST into the message area and I'll refund you 25% of the pattern price for your bravery.

Happy sewing!

xox

Elle

Ah Vintage Catalogues...How I Adore You.

 

First, a wee bit of history about Simpsons...

Simpsons was one of Canada's largest department stores, in 1958, the Robert Simpson Company actually partnered with the American Sears Roebuck and Co..  Twenty years later, in 1978, a takeover of Simpsons by the Hudsons Bay Company caused the Simpsons-Sears partnership to dissolve and left us with Sears Canada.  Simpsons was no more...although my lovely 96 year old grandmother still refers to the store as "Simpsons Sears."

Anyhoo, here are some scans from my issue of the Simpson's Spring and Summer 1950 catalogue. 

I adore D in the first sepia toned scan - the triangular looking pockets are so sweet! I'd definitely pick the green/white gingham combo although if I were making it, I'd choose pink and white gingham. Which is your favourite?

Enjoy!

xox

Elle

 
 
 

Congratulations to...

...Paula!  She's won the most recent Forties Pattern Giveaway here at Wasp Waists and Wiggle Skirts.  Paula, please email me with your address and I'll pop the pattern in the Post to you.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered!  I'll be doing another Pattern Giveaway very soon, but in the meantime here's an adorable Forties hat pattern for all of you.  If you start now, this should be all blocked and finished by the time warmer weather hits! 

Happy Crocheting!

 
 
 

xox

Elle

Forties Pattern Giveaway - The Valentine's Day Edition

 
 
 

Butterick Number 3574

Size:  Bust 32  Waist 26.5  Hips  35

 

Just in time for...

...Valentine's Day!!!

I was getting ready to list this pattern in the shop, but I thought that having a giveaway was a much better idea (oodles of patterns to be listed in the shop over the next few days so keep a look-out!)

This negligee has a loose, flowing back and a belt that slips through side slits and ties around the fitted front.  A perfect example of a gorgeous 1940's design.

As always, leave a comment below to be entered for this giveaway.  If you link back to this giveaway on your blog, I'll enter you twice! (Just be sure to leave me a comment letting me know.)

The draw will take place on January 24th.

Good luck!

xox
Elle

ps  This pattern is over 70 years old and has therefore had it's share of wear and tear.  All the pieces are complete (I checked) but the envelope is in rough shape.  Also, please note that this pattern is a punched (or perforated) pattern, not a printed pattern.

Ahhh Etsy...

 

1  Vintage Red Bow Pumps from pegasusvintage
2  Red Winter Coat from REiNViNTAGE
3  1940's Crimson Day Dress from seamsclassic
4  Red Blossom Earrings from kiamichi7

Click on the links above to be taken to these gorgeous vintage items.
 
xox
Elle

Well Helloooooo...

We apologize for the (unfortunately very long) unscheduled break in our regularly scheduled blogging. 

2010 was one heck of a year!  I won't bore you with the gory details, but I'm sure glad that now that it's all over and done with I can brush off the dust from my dress, powder my nose, smooth down the stray locks of hair and get back to business!  Hello 2011, boy am I thrilled to make your acquaintance!

I'll be revamping and relaunching the stores in the coming weeks and I hope to be back on a regular blogging schedule again with Thrifty Tuesdays, Friday Freebies and even more Giveaways making appearances.

My goal of having a thrifty/handmade year wasn't nearly as successful as planned, although I'm planning on giving it another try.  I'll be sure to keep you up to date on all the hits and misses.  It's not nearly as simple as I thought it would be!  

 
On a completely unrelated note, the beastie seems to be a fan of vintage too.   

 

I wish all of you a very wonderful New Year.  May it be full of surprises, (only the good ones of course) beauty and happiness.

She's seriously considering making a tutu for the dog...promise not to laugh? Hee hee

Elle

xox

Good morning!

I just received my first order of vintage satin seam binding from "Fini Ribbon" and I'm so excited!!! 

They're an invaluable resource for any vintage textile enthusiast! 

Over 400 listings of vintage ribbon, everything from to 1930's grosgrain ribbon to late 1800's silk velvet ribbon. 

I feel a new addiction coming on, especially since it fits quite nicely into my handmade/vintage/thrifted year!

Pondering the possibilities of endless embellishment,

Elle

xox