She’d just pull out the latest edition of her McCalls Needlework magazine. And, of course, there is the Christmas Pageant, too . .. . .
I can’t believe the intricacy of these home-sewing DIY patterns. Women used to do this all the time!
Once when I was a kid, my (I thought) non-sewing grandmother did whip up a very convincing 1960’s black collarless jacket for me when I wanted to be a Beatle for Halloween. Who knew? . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a wiggle dress this is! Marilyn Monroe – move over!! What a rare find – couldn’t believe it when it appeared (no, I fib. Of course I could). It’s hand-knitted, as was the one given to me several years ago by my friend Rosalie, who had made it herself in 1952. Likely, many women who were competent needle-workers did so when this style was popular.
This example is made of the same glossy yarn I wrote about several days ago. My other garments made from it are casual sweaters, so I was floored to find this lovely dress of the same material! Just perfect for a sophisticated occasion. I’m keeping it for wearing at just the right vintage venues (local museum events come to mind) or theme cocktail parties, Halloween . . . . . . . . ..
Anyway, I’ll be having LOTS of fun with it. That’s what it’s all about!!! Too much enthusiasm? Never . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
How cute is this – and, in wonderful condition?! Nice two-tone probably cotton fabric, with a flippy pleated skirt and button tab decoration at the hip-line. It was fashioned at home by a seamstress with confidence who made exactly what she wanted, with a perfect fit for her. It’s a little big on me, but the style makes it super-easy to alter the size.
I can just imagine Ann-Margret in a frock like this one, riding on the back of a scooter in a mid-century movie. What a treat!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
More custom-tailored stories coming my way – this cute cotton summer frock practically lets me follow the seamstress’s journey as she made this dress for herself. It’s so fun to think of a girl or woman, way back in the day, going to the fabric store and finding a pattern she loves – picking the material she wants and using her sewing skills learned in Home Ec class and the dreams in her imagination to create a dress that she’ll love to wear.
Wish Stella were here to model it for me, but if you know anything about sewing, all the details of this dress make it crystal clear. Although I love finding gorgeous designer frocks from the 1940’s, Fifties and before, a simple homemade garment is one of the sweetest surprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Another favorite, the ’50s styles with nipped waists. Love ’em! – who doesn’t – they’ve remained a fashion favorite for many years and a style that keeps on repeating itself. The bateau neckline is also a favorite – SO flattering. I call it a summer dress, but the cotton material is heavy, so it’s perfect to wear almost all year.
The skirt on this one has a bell shape, too – an unusual feature that is somewhat unique. This dress was custom-tailored and the construction is very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it. Although it zips up the back, there is also an inner bodice that hooks together. It may have been the design of the woman who sewed it – in place of a bra(?)
Sometimes you’ll find a garment like this that is as interesting on the inside as it is on the outside. The tailoring details can sometimes be elaborate, even on commercially-made items. Not to mention what seamstresses can come up with on their own when they’re being creative –
I actually bought this at a shop, which is unusual for me. There are lots of great ones that I have visited and included in my book references – no better place to see a collection of wonderful things in one spot and get the wisdom of the owner’s knowledge. It pays to know all the different types of places where true vintage likes to hide – because you just never know .. . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white. Both in a similar shirtwaist style, below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton. Perfect mid-century design. Absolutely LOVE the collar shapes!
The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details. The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall. The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid. It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me. I took the sleeves off for a more flattering fit for me (and saved them, of course!) and wear it often.
Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one. Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s another dress from about the same time as the last one. It has the same features of design – the side metal zipper is the most significant. I don’t know why that was a favorite feature, rather than allowing the front opening to be longer.
Although it was more trouble to put that side zip in, it was hidden (more or less) from view and allowed the front and back lines of the garment to be unbroken. My best guess is that this style feature is more elegant than a back zip or long front opening would be.
So many of the styles and tailoring methods from the ’50’s and before paid a lot of attention to keeping the lines of a garment very elegant, with good fit and clean silhouette. Back zippers on pants and skirts are a good example of this.
This dress is, I’m sure, custom tailored. The skill of the sewer is excellent and it would challenge the quality of any commercially-made things today, outside of haute couture.
The reds, golds and mossy browns in this print make me think of leading into Fall, but let’s not rush our summertime, when the livin’ is easy . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Some of you may remember that I have several day dresses made in this wrap style, but this one is distinctive. It was made by (or modeled after one made by) a clothing company in the 1940’s which sold this style as a house dress. I have seen a re-print of their newspaper or magazine ad.
Nothing could be simpler or more comfy than this design. It is practical (see the big pockets) and easy for bending and stretching into those dusty corners and down to those dirty floors. If you don’t get too dirty, it looks nice enough to make a quick run to the market in.
This was a practical Mother’s Little Helper (before Mrs. Robinson changed the tune on that one completely) and was sold as such. Who would have known . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Lime green was a huge color in the mid to late-’60’s. Some gal decided to whip up a little mini dress in that hue for Spring or Summer. The style is almost like the tent dresses that were popular then, too, but with more fitting on top. It’s a little small on Stella, but the basic fit is right.
Again, it’s made of the looser-weave hopsacking kind of material that I’ve talked about before, used a lot in the Sixties. You can’t see them well, but I also love the opalescent plastic vintage buttons. Plain design, but a very distinctive true vintage style and cute, cute, cute!
It’s the right dress to wear when you want to be very COOL, in more ways than one . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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