Category Archives: handmade

1960’s MAD, MOD, FLOWER POWER A-LINE DRESS FIND – CUSTOM-MADE, TOO!

All those keywords in the title say it – just look at this frock   All the elements of mid-Sixties fashion are incorporated in this style, as well as the common mid-century feature of having been home-sewn.  What a fun discovery!  I’ll really enjoy it come summer.

Again, casual conservative styling in that flattering A-line shape.  Pretty trim detail and a Mod print.  So Sixties!  Just the kind of simple dress that so many women made when first learning to sew, though this one displays some skill by the well-done attachment of the neckline trim.

Back to the future again – and we’ll stay there for a while . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

FUN, FUN, CUSTOM-TAILORED PLAY SUIT SHORTS SET FIND FROM THE 1960’S

IMG_4003

This Kennedy era, Mad Men sportswear ensemble was custom-tailored for fun in the sun, conservative-style.  High waist Bermuda shorts with a tunic top is dressy – casual and more versatile than a one-piece romper playsuit.  Kind of Preppy, without being too stuffy.

It’s always fun to see the vintage brand metal zippers plus the hand-tailored details.  As much as I love the most casual play-suits, it’s always good to have separates which can be worn so many ways and in interesting combinations.

This is just one of the hand-made garments that I just found – more to come . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS CUSTOM-MADE POST-WAR FORMAL GOWN IN SUMPTUOUS BLACK RAYON VELVET

Although very similar, I might place this dress as having been made a little earlier than the one shown yesterday – looks late 1940’s to me.  It might or might not have been worn with a crinoline underneath.  Like the other, it’s completely hand-made and this one has the tailor’s label sewn into the neckline.

One of the best things about this gown is the fabric – a plush, heavy velvet that feels like old rayon.  Love the sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves that, to my taste, are done a bit more artfully than those on yesterday’s dress.  I think it’s mostly a style change that took place over a couple of years around the turn of the ’40’s to ’50’s decade.

Anyway, who wouldn’t love it!  I so wonder what events these dresses were made for and where they went.  That part of the mystery is as yet unsolved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST OF TWO FABULOUS MID-CENTURY FINDS – NEW LOOK CUSTOM-TAILORED BALL GOWN

This gown is hand-tailored with extreme attention to detail.  It would be worn with a crinoline for a full, bell-shape.  Because of the styling, I would guess that it was made in the early 1950’s but, possibly, as early as the late 1940’s.  A special occasion dress, of course, and there’s hardly any evidence of wear.  Maybe it was even made for a Prom or Homecoming dance back in the day.

Women were so happy to dress in longer skirts, sumptuous fabrics and new styles after the austerity of the war years.

I’ll be showing a sister gown tomorrow – very similar style and probably made a few years earlier.  What fabulous discoveries!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S ITEM: CLASSIC TAILORED 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S COTTON BATH ROBE

IMG_3962

With all the features of a fine men’s at-home lounge-wear garment, this robe may have been a bespoke item, though probably ordered through the menswear department of a large store.  Alas, the original belt has gone missing but – amazing surprise – I have material that is a great match to make a replacement!  It’s such a project to find matching/coordinating colors and fabric types for a job like this that I’m really fortunate in this case.

Another rare find that just caused me to jump for joy when I discovered it . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

THREE PRETTY MID-CENTURY HOUSE DRESSES

img_3914.jpg

Two of these were handmade and the third is a simple style from a bargain shop, sometime in the Sixties or Seventies.  I can never get enough of these cute cotton frocks because they are so practical – from housework to a grocery run they’re just right for the job.

It’s fun to put out a vintage vibe while doing the everyday this and that with no worries about special caution for your outfit.  Dresses like this can serve me well and eventually be retired with no tears.

So, although not a hugely exciting find it’s one that always makes me happy and keeps my everyday closet well-stocked.  I’d much rather wear one of these dresses on an average day than a same old same old jeans and Tee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SO UNUSUAL – 1960’S VELVETEEN MINI MATERNITY DRESS!

IMG_3894

What a surprise to come across this custom-tailored frock.  It’s got many clues that told me of it’s age and how it came to be, but the styling was the real delight.  SO unusual to discover a maternity dress or a “tent dress” from the mid-1960’s.

Tent dresses were all the rage for a while during the Mad Mod Sixties.  Fortunately, the style didn’t hang around too long.  But, what could be more perfect as a maternity design?  This one is meant for fall and winter partying in heavy velveteen.  I have to say, it is cute on Stella.

After discovering a treasure like this, I wondered what could be next and it didn’t take long to find out.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS UNUSUAL FIND! MID-1960’S VELVETEEN MATERNITY TENT DRESS

IMG_3894

Wowee!  Someone custom-tailored this cute mini-dress that falls from above the bust-line and is a really flattering shape for someone whose waistline has temporarily disappeared.  It also could have been a “tent” style, which was all the rage about that time.  In any case, it’s perfect for Fall no matter how or why she wore it!

All kinds of “new” stuff, including a wonderful hairdo for Stella.  She’s psyched!  So am I.  We’ll be spreading a lot of rockabilly vibes and more.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OPENING THE TREASURE CHEST – TRUE VINTAGE LABELS ARE SO MUCH FUN

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Classic true vintage ’40’s – early ’50’s style, custom-tailored by Rosalie Couturier.  I loved finding this dressmaker’s personal label in the waistband of this beautiful frock!  What a nice surprise since it was hidden.  The best labels, like this one, were embroidered on cloth.

It’s amazing that this beautiful garment has survived 60 – 70 years in such wonderful condition.  Its original owner obviously loved it and cared for it well.

Lovely rayon fabric, with stitched-in pleats on front and back – bodice and skirt.  So many little hand-done details.  Beautiful, big sculpted shell buttons, fabric-covered belt.  A little wear there on the buckle, but that is the only flaw.

And, when I got it home it fit Stella beautifully.  Perfection!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S

IMG_1239An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather.  Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top.  I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???

It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose.  Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist.  That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.

It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening.  Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM