Tag Archives: homemade

1970’S KNIT DRESSES – SOME OF THE BEST TAILORED CLOTHING FROM THE DISCO ERA

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Although the Seventies were full of schlocky clothing and many less-than-elegant designs, the full decline of everyday fashion hadn’t hit yet.  Here’s an example of a wonderfully-elegant style which was hand-made from one of those beautiful heavy double-knits that became popular in the early – mid decade.

Like the jersey knits of the 1940’s, this material was a real icon of the 1970s and performs very well.  The drape is very good and holds it’s shape.  This office-worthy frock was custom-tailored and is as simple as can be, which makes the design timeless.  The fabric and construction are of high quality.  If you find or still own a similar garment from that era, hang on to it!

A rare find (in my size!) that thrilled me to my toes.  But, we’re not finished yet – I’ll show you her party-going sister tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE TEXTILE FINDS ARE ALWAYS TREASURE

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Fun and interesting mid-century and antique table and bed linens often show up during my investigations.  The prints are humorous, colorful and pretty.  Modern copycats can’t  come close!  If there is handwork like embroidery or lace, it’s beautiful.  I collect them, too.  The mending and stain removal that is sometimes required is no big deal and anything with too much damage can be made into pillow covers and cloth napkins.  I love using these things at home in my kitchen and bedroom, but there’s more . . . . . . . . . . .

Big pieces of fabric are also wonderful made into clothing and accessories.  Trim can sometimes be added to other garments or a big piece of crocheted or tatted lace makes a beautiful dress or blouse. Can’t you just imagine this cloth made into a summer dress, skirt or blouse, maybe with a matching handbag? Can’t wait to use this cute tablecloth!

Potential vintage fashion treasures abound everywhere!  Use your imagination and you never know what you may uncover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY SEPARATES FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

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Not always the most exciting things to find, but I am always thrilled because true vintage wardrobes cannot be built without them.  What will you wear with that great 1940’s skirt or pair of slacks?  What blouse will be just right under the beautiful skirt suit?

I also love these garments because of the fabric and tailoring.  A hand-knitted sweater from back in the day is always a great find because they’re RARE and much more nicely crafted than machine-knit mass-produced clothing in the stores today.  I love the Forties/Fifties style of this one with gathered shoulders and ribbed cuffs, fitted waist and a scalloped boat neck.  The short-sleeved shirt is a well-tailored cotton version, so common during the 1950’s and early 1960’s for everyday wear.  The pale pastel palette will be just right with skirts, shorts, jeans and summer whites.

I hit the separates jackpot which I’ll continue to show you tomorrow.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CUSTOM-TAILORED CLASSIC SUIT

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC WOMEN'S SUIT - JACKET/SKIRT FOR FALL

 

The style is so un-fussy and classic that it could be worn casually  like a day-dress or dressed up.   It could have been made anywhere from the late 1940’s to early 1960’s, but I lean toward the ’60’s because of the cotton velveteen-type fabric, which was popular then.  Hard to be sure, in this case.

I am certain that the suit was custom tailored.  It might even have been done at home. It’s amazing that many women were able to do this. Tailoring requires a lot of skill!

Look at all the covered buttons. And, the buttonholes are also bound. Amazing! Not to mention the lining, interfacing and padding required to make a garment like this fit properly.

Although it looks very elegant as pictured, imagine all the ways it could be worn and accessorized.  As separates, the jacket and skirt add more possibilities.  Simple suits like this can be great additions to any vintage wardrobe, making a variety of quick-changes possible . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

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

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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

MORE DRESSES! 2: CUSTOM-TAILORED MID-CENTURY SLINKY SHEATH

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This one’s a sexy day dress with ruching at the waistline to give it a bit of curvy shape, while still staying very proper.  Love the abstract atomic print in subtle shades that could go to work, or dinner, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hand-tailored frocks are so much fun to discover because they always tell a story about the designer.  This style is so versatile – I’ll enjoy it, too.  More on the way . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HEADING FURTHER BACK IN TIME – A HAND-TAILORED FLORAL FROCK WITH A FULL CIRCLE SKIRT

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In a ’50’s to early ’60’s style, but with mid-1960’s-type fabric this dress illustrates the creative power that home-sewers in the mid-century had over their wardrobes.  The size, style and fabric were completely at their discretion and genre’s could be combined in any way.

This example was made for a teen or a petite woman (the photo is somewhat foreshortened, too, so it’s not quite as short-waisted as it looks), probably as a dressy day or party dress.  It’s a simple style in cotton blend with a zip back and elasticized sleeves but shows evidence of extra care and skill in the insertion of piping detail at the waist and flounce on the skirt.  There are also strap-keepers sewn in at the shoulders and some seams that were done by hand.

What a fun little mystery-history to unravel!  More back to the future on the way . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

STILL IN DISCOVERY MODE – SOMEONE CUSTOM-TAILORED THIS CUTE LITTLE BOLERO JACKET ABOUT 60 YEARS AGO

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All hand-made – it’s a classic style which we still see, but the fit and style are different in the way that only true vintage designs can be.  It hits just above the waist and belongs over a plain, black or white dress.  I probably have one or two that will fill the bill . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER MOD 1960’S MINI-DRESS DISCOVERED!

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Cute, cute, cute and so exactly of that time!  Almost every schoolgirl, college coed and the occasional hip mama was wearing little day-dresses like this one.  I’m no certified clothing historian, but if you look back in the old magazines and vintage TV and movies, you’ll see that this is true.

This example may even have been sewn at home.  The shirt-dress pattern is very simple and well within the skills of a girl or woman who had learned to sew in Home Economics class (yes, they used to teach that to all the girls) or was taught by her mother.  Almost every girl/woman did some sewing of at least a dress or two, and many, many made almost their whole wardrobes that way.  If you weren’t a tailor, then coats and most jackets would have been above your skills, but most other garments were possible with a pattern, buttons, etc., and some fabric from a store downtown.

So, I’m all over the map with the things turning up lately and that is one of the best parts of the fun!  Wonder what will show up next – I haven’t even shown you everything “new” yet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM