Category Archives: handmade

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! 1950’S/1960’S SWEATERS THAT MOM & GRANDMA WERE BUSY KNITTING . . . . .

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Yes, it’s that time of year again.  I don’t know how many of you had mothers or grandmas who made most of your wardrobe, all year long – BUT, it was not at all unusual back in the day.   And, aren’t these cute and good-looking!    I’ll bet no one else would have had one like it.

These kinds of needlework magazines with patterns were really popular and there used to be little knitting shops around that sold all the necessary supplies.   When I was cleaning out some of the OLD family stuff recently, I found a lot of knitting needles of every size and configuration you can imagine.   I couldn’t begin to understand how they were used . . . . .

In these old magazines that were given to me, I’ve seen ads for knitting machines, too – something small that you could set up and use at home.   Although I can’t imagine devoting the time it would take to make these garments really well, they are SO beautiful that it seems it was well worth it.

I’d love to hear about your own family stories . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE DO-IT-YOURSELF WARDROBE PLAN FOR YOUR 1956 OCEAN CRUISE

IMG_0970 IMG_0971 IMG_0969 IMG_0968 IMG_0967 IMG_0965 IMG_0964Can you imagine?!   You’re planning to set sail in a few weeks.  Why not spend that time knitting and crocheting your entire wardrobe for the trip?   Sound like a good idea?   Think of the money you’ll save!   Imagine the compliments and envious looks when other women see your gorgeous, custom-made outfits.  Just pull out the instructions in your latest issue of the McCall’s needlework magazine.

Such ambition those mid-century women had!  My pillbox is off to them . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SOME OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE NECKLACES – 1920’S – 1950’S

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Glass beads, rhinestones, crystal, topaz, mother of pearl and silver, Lucite and nickel – these gorgeous pieces span from, I believe, the Twenties to perhaps as late as the early Fifties.  It’s worth taking a close-up look.

Many of the chains are of silver.  Most of the stones are semi-precious.  The lobster claw clasp seen on the second to the left is a replacement for the original.  The silver serpentine chain on the topaz pendant is also modern.

The large pink glass bead necklace was handmade in the ’20’s or ’30’s, with a brass chain. The rhinestones and Lucite are set in nickel or pot metal.

So pretty any time of year . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s/1950’S/1960’s NATURAL POLISHED STONE JEWELRY

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Good with almost anything, a variety of jewelry items for women and men with polished semi-precious stones were really popular in the mid-century. Necklaces, bracelets, pins, sweater clips,cuff links, tie pins, rings – you name it.

Generally, these pieces were not of fine construction in gold or silver, but they lasted a long time anyway. Sometimes they came in sets, as the pendant and bracelet pictured at top. Often people would purchase them at vacation sites as souvenirs. Hobbyists sometimes made them at home, too.

I like to wear mine with many outfits, from casual to semi-dressy. It’s a real iconic mid-century touch.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES FLORAL DAY DRESS

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EARLY 1970’S RETRO-STYLE SHIRTWAIST DRESS

I’m dodging out of Paris and into Canada for one day because of today’s find.  In my favorite brown and blue combo, a custom-tailored poly frock from the early 1970’s that rocks the 1940’s vibe.

I’m impressed with how well the tailor set these ruffles on the collar and sleeves.  It testifies to some expertise. i’m not so much into ruffles, personally, but I adore swing skirts!

A simple dress but definitely from that time about 1973 when lots of cutesy ’40’s style elements were coming out in popular clothing.  I so love being able to date a garment very closely like this.  That makes it extra special. It’s a perfect fit for Giselle, too.  We’ll go back to Paris in the same time-frame tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CASUAL TRUE VINTAGE DAY-DRESS FROM PARIS, FRANCE

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A PRACTICAL BUT CUTE MID-CENTURY COTTON FROCK FOR MAKING THE DAILY RUN TO THE MARKET . .. . . . . . . . .

In the same color(?) palette as yesterday’s dress, this one seems more down-to-earth but still has important elements of style.  It was probably custom-tailored, too.  The buttons are clear plastic with a Deco design.  Like the other it needs a belt, but that’s not a big challenge.

Although knock-your-socks-off styles and fabrics send me over the moon, I never pass up a simple true vintage frock that is well-made.  The material, notions and tailoring are always interesting.  Plus, they usually look really good on, because the cuts tend to be so superior.

Giselle is feeling right at home and we’ll be getting a bit more exotic tomorrow . . … . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MILLINERY SHOPS IN POLAND!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-111112111111Although the vintage clothing shops are few and far between in this country, I have seen some wonderful services in the larger cities.  Millinery shops!

Just imagine – it would not be difficult to have hats custom-made on a regular basis, and prices are very good here.  That would have been such a dream of luxury for our grandmothers.

Also, I’ve seen clothing shops where they advertise the lost art of bra-fittings.  Back in the day, department stores and clothing stores had clerks who knew how to do this correctly.  Like proper shoe fittings, it was an expected service.  Good luck finding it now!

Off to Dublin , where  I’ll have some very busy sleuthing to do.  Stay tuned .  .  .

 

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

 

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S STILETTO PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S STILETTO PUMPS

Here’s a pair of shoes that I might wear with the dresses I’ve shown recently.  These needle-toe patent leather pumps are characteristic of late ’50’s to early ’60’s styles. The placement and shape of the heel is also characteristic.

I love the little cut-outs on the vamp.  Many shoes of that era had great details.

One of the things I like best are the company names stamped on the insoles.  The script is usually so interesting.  Although these are cracked inside, the outers are in great shape.

I’ve had new heel caps put on, but otherwise they will last for decades more.  The color is funky but fun, too!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I see Sophia Loren wearing this dress and running down a street in Naples, Italy  (in black stilettos) – chasing Marccello Mostriani in their latest film.  Someone custom-tailored this little beauty in a style that falls low on the shoulders if you are petite.

It’s a sunny, breezy style with the 1950’s wasp waist and full skirt, in cotton print material, made for whatever casual activity is on the agenda.  However, like most dresses of the era, a little jewelry and a hat (and, maybe, gloves) made it suitable for a slightly more formal event such as a luncheon date.

I prefer to let fantasy take my imagination away with this one – a bottle of local wine, a loaf of bread, cheese and fruit on a balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea – with a very good friend . . .. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY DRESS

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S DAY DRESS

This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure  – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too.  Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.

I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps.  Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length.  Easy.

Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie.  So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO  FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM