Category Archives: homemade

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

1940’S RAYON SWING DRESS FROM PARIS

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JUST MADE FOR SWING DANCING – AND DON’T YOU LOVE THE NOVELTY PRINT?!

This discovery came from a different arrondissement, but still within the city of Paris.  It is another treasure that only Stella can fit into.  I’ll get her to model it after returning to headquarters.  Also will be busy scouting out belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Couldn’t be more pleased, though, to find another wartime rayon frock in a fun, fun print. These are some of my favorite garments.  This one tells the story of WWII as it was custom-tailored and shows the signs of saving on fabric and notions.  The design is very simple with no extra decoration and a very narrow hem allowance, though the tailor did indulge in a big sailor collar with piping.

Such fun to find another rare novelty print – atomic squiggles with goofy birds and other animals.  The color combos are also unique.  Won’t ever find another one like it . .. . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE GOWN MODELED AFTER GRACE KELLY’S IN THE HITCHCOCK MOVIE “REAR WINDOW”

A very favorite find, custom-tailored in the early 1950’s after one that Grace Kelly’s character, Lisa, wore in the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window.  Lisa’s dress had a yellow printed skirt, rather than blue.  I even know the woman who made this frock in 1954!

The black fabric in the bodice is stretchy and the neckline very unusual.  It fits perfectly, no matter how your own curves go!  The skirt is of three layers, with sheer fabric on top and netting underneath.  The little black “leaves” are embroidered on the sheer overlay.

What could be more fabulous? – a costume similar to one worn by one of my all-time favorite actresses in a favorite movie by a favorite director! How intriguing . . . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

NEW DISCOVERY! TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CUSTOM-TAILORED DRESSY DRESS

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CUSTOM-TAILORED VINTAGE FROCKS ARE OFTEN THE MOST INTERESTING!

I love this find!  All the details of the talented seamstress’s work are evident here.  She was good!

Like many dresses from the  Fifties – early Sixties era, this frock is made with a contrasting liner under sheer illusion fabric.  The black overlay has flocked design with little reflective accents, like tiny, tiny sequins, sprinkled throughout.  The neckline treatment took a lot of skill to create, with many folds and tucks.

The side metal zipper was a standard in many of these early styles.  Because it’s a bit shorter, I suspect that the owner was a buxom lady of petite stature or that she shortened the dress over many seasons of wear as the hemlines went up in popular fashion.  Although the dress is in exceptional condition, some wear to the flocking shows that it was worn more than once – maybe many times.  She loved it!

The original belt is missing and I put one of my own on just for illustration.  The sizing is a vintage plus, or half-size as they were known then, and is made for a full figure.  Can’t wait to photograph it on Madge, whose measurements will do it some justice!

More new finds tomorrow, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

PURE CLASSIC! VINTAGE DAY DRESS IN FLORAL COTTON

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Right on the heels of that daring red frock shown yesterday came this traditional, custom-tailored every-day dress in a beautiful cotton print.  Again, I can’t say exactly how old it is but it was home-sewn in a classic, mid-century style.  The fabric is gorgeous.

Although it’s another perfect fit for me, the style is very plain so I think I’d cinch the waist with a belt to enhance the fit and add a pert little scarf or pearls at the neckline, depending on my mood.  Yes, that would be VERY cliche’ ’50’s but – so what? – also a VERY pretty look. Unless I wanted to go completely kitchy for the fun of it, I’d leave off the hat/gloves -handbag/shoes sets.

Anyway, this dress really makes me hanker for Spring!  Can’t wait to see what turns up next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

TRUE VINTAGE RED VELVETEEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Both of these garments were custom-tailored in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s.  Here’s the holiday dress from last year properly modeled on Stella, finally – just look at those wonderful rhinestone buttons and belt buckle.  Try finding those now!  I’d tend to wear it at Christmas, but it would be beautiful at a dressy Thanksgiving dinner, too.

The skirt is a new find, in a slightly deeper red, which I love.  Dresses are great, but I’m always happy to find separates because of their versatility.  Now I have something true vintage to wear with pretty blouses and sweaters.

Black is always superb, but I love red and these unusual finds just put me in the holiday spirit!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

 

HOW TO SEW WITH TRUE VINTAGE STYLE

Sometimes I come across patterns or notions from the true vintage eras that I love.  It’s worthwhile to pick them up, and I’ll explain why , , , , ,

Whether you sew or not, if you want to copy or have someone else re-make a true vintage garment,  a pattern is a necessity in order to get it right.  Unless you are a master at pattern-making yourself, the original cut of the garment will be impossible to recreate and the result will look like retro – not true vintage.

Beyond the qualities of the true vintage fabric and decorations that are used, the identifying factor of a true vintage design is the cut and, therefore, the way that it fits the body.  There’s no way to cheat on it and the look of the finished garment is unmistakable.

True vintage notions can make a big difference, too.  Buttons, of course, but zippers are probably the most important closure item with regard to getting the fit to be authentic.  Nothing will be more correct than a zipper that is like the original in looks and function.  And, we know how often one of those might need to be replaced . . . . . . .

So, there’s my little rant on that subject.  Of course, there’s lots more to get into if you are a couturier or just an expert needle-worker.  But, it’s worth knowing about, and very interesting when you want to get it perfect.

However, nothing is true vintage except real true vintage, no matter how well it has been reproduced.  But, if you’re very, very good at faking it, it’ll take a master sleuth to expose you . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

 

HOME-SEWN VINTAGE SUNDRESS WITH SURPRISING “MYSTERY” TAILORING

IMG_1748This frock just looked like a plain, old cotton sundress – rather inexpertly made – and I almost passed it by.  The fabric felt kind of stretchy.  OK, right – lots of today’s fabric feels kind of stretchy because it has Spandex built in  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

But, the fabric also told me that it wasn’t recently made.  When I looked more closely, it became apparent that the entire dress had been cut on the bias!

Take that, Spandex!!  The tailoring trick for adding some give, drape and a fabulous, molded fit that was so popular in the 1930’s was used by this seamstress to make her summer frock unique.  And, it will probably look killer on! Can’t wait to try that . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

SWEET TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – ’50’S COTTON DAY DRESS – END OF SUMMER COLORS

SWEET TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S – '50'S COTTON DAY DRESS – END OF SUMMER COLORS.

A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SHORT-SLEEVED SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960’S – CUSTOM TAILORED

SENSATIONAL SIXTIES SHEATH STYLE FROCK – TRUE VINTAGE FOR FALL

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SHORT-SLEEVED SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960'S - CUSTOM TAILORED

This pretty dress is in an unusual shade of blue that echoes the hue of yesterday’s shirt.  A combo that I always love and don’t come across often enough – blue and brown. It was custom – made, with hand-done crewel embroidery on the front.

The easy sheath style is always perfect, and the short sleeves make it less summery.  I love their fluttery cut and the brown lining peeking out.  The main material is a sort of hop-sacking weave, which was very popular in the late ’60’s. Just the right weight for going into Fall.

Back metal zipper and fully lined in a lightweight cotton blend material. Flattering but simple.  Madge fills it out beautifully, no?

Looks just right for a teacher, or, or, or . . . . . . . . .
I wonder who . . . . . . . . . . . …

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