Grey Goddess

Here's a detail shot of my latest sewing success! I'm wearing it to a wedding this weekend. This is one of those projects where I really wish I had remembered to take a before photo. This dress started as a voluminously large skirt from the local thrift (less than $1) that I chopped up and concocted, using every last scrap. As per my impulsively creative norm, I busted straight in to trial-and-error sewing, though that error was seemingly non-existent as this project was the most delightfully smooth, seam ripper-less sewing endeavour I have ever experienced. I just kept stitching along, chunk by chunk, and everything worked. The fabric was a dream to sew--it is the softest, flowiest, rayon-like cotton. I love the subtle sheen of the pattern over it. Creating that quilted bust panel, the puff sleeves, and the satin-meets-silk convertible sash were the highlights. In my mind I was imagining '30s/'40s glam meets Classical statue, and voilà, that's how it's sewn up.

Floral Dishes

I found this sweet set of floral dishes for $9 at Value Village. It's 4 round plates and an oval platter and dish; that tiny oval dish is particularly charming. The set is marked Myott and is from England circa 1930s-1940s. 

Gatsby Glasses

Now I'm all set for any costuming event from the 1800s through the 1930s with these glasses! They are so fine and dainty. The ingenious local optician happily ripped the black tubing off this vintage pair that he had sitting on his shelf in order to polish them up to their round golden glory for me. Gotta love small town service!

Cobalt Ceramics

Fig N°1: Traditional Mexican shot glass...which I plan to fill with flowers instead of Tequila
Fig N°2: Hand-painted Delft pill box from Holland
Fig N°3: Cobalt Fiestaware plate of my great grandma's wedding dish collection from 1938
Fig N°4: Folksy embellished octagonal container with lid made in Finland by Arabia--a $1 find

Multifaceted Lady

I have a growing collection of intriguing lady portraits, and just acquired this print for $8 from Value Village. I adore the 1900 to 1930s styling of it, the beauty of the woman, the rich colours, and the faceted gold frame splashed with the colours of her dress.

Vintage Lemonade Dress

Yellow has always been my favourite colour, so my heart skipped a beat when I found this confection:

I took this pale lemon beauty home with me from a church rummage sale for a mere $3! $3!!! Take note of the double peter pan collar, the delicate pin tucks, the sleeve construction, the fine gathered waist, and the embroidered stripes on the skirt. Such charming attention to detail. Judging by the style it is from the 1950s.

I certainly hope the tiny lovely lady who wore it back in the day went to picnics and drank lemonade in it!

Swing Era Collections

I've been constantly listening to 1920s to 1940s jazz music...this is what happens when I do!

Pssst! Ebony and Ivory is already available for sale in my shop on Spoonflower as fabric, wallpaper, gift wrap, cut-and-sew patterns, and homewares. Decollect is soon to be for sale as well!

Classical Swag

This is likely a McCoy or Bauer vase from the 1930s. I love the elegant Classical shape with swag details.

Peach Deco

Swoon with me at the Art Deco glory of this peach canister set! They are ceramic with a glossy glaze, complete with swag details, salt and pepper shakers, and a napkin holder. It's hard to tell how old they actually are, likely mid-century items, but I love their 1920s styling and perfect condition.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

I need to frame this glam sheet music! Then I will stare at it in its 1930s glory and daydream to the song.

A Tangled Web

 Lucy Maud Montgomery's A Tangled Web, published 1931, is a novel about two intertwined founding families, and the drama of inheritance and romance. It is full of Montgomery's witty, descriptive observations.

Vintage Floral Apron

This sweet Value Village find is from the 1930s or '40s. I love the cheery checkered floral on the airy cotton.

Canadian Feed Bag Book

I have some fascinating reading to do! Check out this awesome book I found at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. It is full of domestic history, photos of different feed bags and companies, photos of quilts and crafts made with the vintage fabrics, and the memories behind it all. What a heartwarming and insightful resource.

Feed Bags from Fibrefest

Behold my Fibrefest find! I found this lot of feed bags for $5 at one of the vendor booths. I've been hoping to come across a few of these for a long time, and am pleased because these are specifically for products that I like, clover and oats. I love the the bold logos, the typography, the faded ink, the hole clean through the clover seed bag, the name Gold Standard, and reading the Ontario place names. 

Bring Back the Flour Sack

This grandma's flower garden quilt was made by some of my female relatives in the 1930s. 

It was likely created using their old dresses and flour sacks, and the whole thing was pieced and sewed by hand, which is absolutely incredible! Some of the hexagons are torn off with wear. 

Now the cheery quilt hangs on the wall behind my computer and art desk, inspiring vintage style designs!

This is my new surface pattern design motto, and this is my start to the return of the calico!

Watercolour Paradise

These framed vintage Nicolas Markovitch, a.k.a. Marc watercolour prints are likely from the 1920s to 1940s. They left their Value Village lodgings and now radiate summery paradise sitting on my shelf!

1930s Felt Brooch

This is my great-grandma's floral brooch from the 1930s. It reminds me of Vogue covers of that decade.

Top Hat

If you need some glamourous inspiration, I highly recommend Top Hat (1935), starring Fred and Ginger! 

It is Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' most famous musical comedy, and the stunning sets and costumes are at the same incredible level as their dancing!

The lighting and contrasts are so elegant.

Feast of Praise

It thrills me to see God's plans unfold. "I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High." --Psalm 7:17 

Cheap Edition

At least they were frank.