Category Archives: homemade

JUST FOUND! CUSTOM-TAILORED MID-CENTURY TAFFETA GOWN

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This frock was made for a very special occasion.  The stylistic features are early mid-century, but I suspect that it was made in the 1960’s or 1970’s.  Makes me curious . . . . . .

It’s a war-time/rockabilly/musical performance recital/costume frock that could have almost any of those histories.  It’s a bit over-the-top for cocktails.  I’m guessing that it was made for someone who was going to a dance or about to sing an aria or perform a concert on the cello.

Whatever! . . . . . . . . . . it’s a fun mystery dress in  one of  my favorite colors.  If it weren’t for the bones in the bodice (awkward packing issue), I’d add it to my selection of disguises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN, FUN, FUN! EDWARDIAN-STYLE FLOWER POWER VINTAGE PROM DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

So innocent and sweet!  Fashions from the late Sixties and early Seventies were really into retro styles, from Edwardian, Victorian, Prairie to 1940’s.  They’re fun and pretty, but sometimes too many buttons on long cuffs or front and back closures.  Just like the real women of those times had to contend with.

Anyway, for a blast from the past it’s worth it when I find an example from that time that’s so perfect.  This one was maybe worn once and then was treasured and preserved for decades.  How could I resist?

Possibly this was custom-made though, if so, someone spent a lot of time on the ruffles, extra lining and putting in the little loops for each cuff button.  However, at that time there were still lots of women and girls who did that kind of needlework happily and had the skills to create something as nice as would come from a store (even nicer than the things that come from stores today, sadly).

But, regardless, this is a HAPPY DRESS and maybe someone will enjoy it for Prom again. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD MAD MEN TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

MOD 1960'S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

This outfit was custom tailored in the mid-1960’s.  Bell sleeves and easy fit. The fabric is a swirly paisley print in aqua tones and it includes the  addition of a matching jacket to create an ensemble.

So many dresses in the ’50’s and ’60’s were made with matching jackets and even matching accessories.  Though this is a fairly casual dress, it follows that lady-like trend and seems to teeter on the edge of the fashion divide between the rather prissy Fifties and early Sixties and the Mod and wild times just after.  Looks like the dressmaker originally intended to make a sleeveless frock, then changed her mind.   As it is, we’ve got a day dress that Twiggy would look just fab in, photographed on some 1965 magazine cover.

What a luxury to have your own dressmaker to custom-tailor your wardrobe! So many women did.  Most neighborhoods in the city had a tailor’s shop where this kind of work was done.  In towns and villages there was usually a woman nearby who did dressmaking in her  own home.  And, of course, many women were still doing their own home sewing then.

Maybe I’ll take the sleeves off some time and wear this dress with the jacket – but, no . . . . love the dress just as it is.  I’ll check out the jacket with my selection of skirts  . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE TREASURE – IN CLASSIC BLACK

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So wonderful!!!  Another mid-century pencil skirt – as I’ve said, you can’t have too many. As usual, this one fits perfectly and has the expected tailoring details of a well-made garment.  Ignore the camera spots – it’s beautiful.

Love unraveling the stories of every find; this one was custom-tailored of a soft wool, with acetate liner in the seat.  Tailors used to do this with wool skirts to prevent stretching of the fabric from sitting.  I love the well-constructed waistband and side closure plus the fantastic fit.

Easy to dress up or down.  A basic black piece like this is always chic and when the quality is high plus a perfect fit, that’s what makes the difference between attractive and elegant – between fashionable and chic – between nice-looking and truly well-dressed.  Our grandmothers knew that, and most European women haven’t forgotten.

Would go nicely with the cocktail sweater I found and showed you a few days ago.  I plan to wear it with vintage jackets, blouses and sweaters.  I’ve discovered a trove of skirts lately – more to come . .. . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960 FINDS IN NAUTICAL COLORS

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Here are 3 of my finds from yesterday.  Remember the blouse from a few days ago and how I was talking about the traditional popularity of nautical colors for Spring?  Well, here they are again!

The navy and white items were commercially-made and the red polka dot blouse was custom-tailored.  Vintage zipper and buttons are fun.  The fit is always superior.

Fortunately, I can wear them all and, though they need to be cleaned, that’s no big deal.  At the prices I pay in the odd places I find these treasures, any laundering or repair costs are nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – NEW WAVE DOES FORTIES DAY DRESS

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A very fun side-zip-waist poly/synthetic frock that was home-sewn – much of it by hand – in the styling of wartime and postwar day dresses  This is a retro re-make from maybe the Sixties up to the Retro years with a ’60’s – early ’70’s Talon zipper.

Love the art print fabric.  If not for various signs, I might have taken it for 80 years old. Anyway, it’s a great find with lots of evidence for it’s story.  With a nice black belt cinched at the waist and some ’40’s – ’50’s pumps, I’ll enjoy it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

FABULOUS AND RARE FIND! WARTIME RAYON BLOUSE – NEAR “MINT CONDITION

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Can hardly believe my good fortune – but then, I always say that though I really DO believe it.  Here is a home-sewn rayon blouse from the late 1930’s to early 1940’s.  The colors are a bit washed-out in the photograph, but are brilliant and glossy in reality.  Someone made this pretty shirt with french cuffs and cute buttons from a glorious rayon fabric and guarded it carefully for 80 years!

The seamstress (or tailor) used machine and hand-stitching.  Beautifully-done.  The cuff buttons are hidden inside.  Expert clothing-makers in the early 1900’s knew how to do things properly, even when sewing at home.  It’s such a skill worth having!

As usual, I’ve started this segment of recent discoveries from the oldest up to the most recent so you will be seeing lots of mid-century treasures.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1950’s SPECIAL OCCASION GOWN – PROM? PARTY? WHO KNOWS . . . . .

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A similar style, but going from day to evening and from pretty to dressy.  This dress is also sexy, however, with deep decolletage and sleeves that can be worn off the shoulder.  Fabric flower ornamentation on each sleeve.  I think this one was custom-tailored, also.

Just made for parties and dancing with a big, sweeping skirt.  Probably would have been worn with a crinoline underneath.  I found another dance dress a year or two ago with similar tailoring.  It’s always fun to see how these features repeat.  Tomorrow there’s another with something the same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

McCALL’S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961

IMG_1086IMG_1087IMG_1088IMG_1089     Dig the hairstyles, too.  Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.

With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors.  Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects  in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).

in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANTIQUE QUILT TO TRUE VINTAGE RETRO CLOTHING: LET’S START WITH FABULOUS COTTON FABRICS FROM THE EARLY 1900’S

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JUST A SAMPLING –  NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT TODAY!

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These wonderful cotton prints may have come from clothing that had worn out and had to be re-purposed.  Love the pink check that’s in the apron!  The quilt has many blocks that are not damaged at all, though some show wear.  For being about 100 years old, it was well-looked-after and still holds together.

What I love most about a find like this is the rare materials that all have a story.  The prints are so great – little anchors, fleur des lis, vines and flowers, paisley and plaid, checks and stripes.  There are more, but I can only show so many photographs at once.

So, I know it’s not a piece of clothing (excepting for the apron accessory) but it’s such a wonderful trip back to fabrics and garments from the early 1900’s.  This quilt was probably made between 1920 and 1950.  It’s not often that we get to see these, so I jump at the opportunity!  It’s one that I only come across now and then and, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM