1930s day dress...

I made a new 30s day dress last week, as well as a headpiece.

I self drafted the pattern based on this illustration...

 

...which I found on the www.  I used some vintage rayon from Etsy, and some black rayon from my favourite fabric store, Joys, in Geelong.  I used my basic dress block to create the pattern.  The dress has waist and bust darts in the front, and waist and shoulder darts in the back.  All of the edges, except the neck, have been finished using my overlocker's rolled hem - which seems to encourage movement in the flounces.  The neck is finished with bias binding.

The headpiece began as a plain, wide headband.  I hand sewed all the  ribbon flowers, and sewed them in place after sewing the veiling on.  I am really happy with the end result...but I quickly remembered why I don't wear headbands...because they are uncomfortable :-)

I love the dress, and think the complete outfit looks really great - I also received lots of compliments - so I guess it is a success.

The frilly jumper...

 

  I recently finished a vintage knit, using reclaimed pure angora from a jumper my mum made years ago.  The pattern is from "A Stitch in Time - volume 1" - a beautiful knitting book.

 

I also recently made some "vintage-y" trousers from Burda 4/2011 magazine...

 

The trousers were made using thrifted bright blue heavy linen fabric, which cost $6.00.  So this whole outfit is made using secondhand supplies - even the beads were thrifted.  Only my shoes were new, but marked down.  I think they look great together, this is the first time I will wear the sweater.

It just goes to show that secondhand/thrifted doesn't have to look that way!!!