In Sarai’s previous post she very sweetly expressed that she enjoys vintage sewing books because ‘They give a glimpse back into the daily lives and skills of everyday women’. Recently I have been reading a book on Make Do and Mend, the skills and techniques employed by women in the UK during the Second World …

I have a small but growing collection of vintage sewing books. I treasure them not just because they showcase wonderful techniques that are less common today, but also because they give a glimpse back into the daily lives and skills of everyday women. I thought it would be nice to share some of these books …

This week I am inspired by walking on cobblestones, of wearing a swing coat while passing by a glamorous palace-turned hotel in Istanbul. On my blog, Love, Rose, I describe a walk along the Bosphorus last Sunday and what I saw. Like an earlier post on being inspired by locations, knowing I was to have …

Seeing as I spend most my time either sewing or thinking about sewing, I’ve decided to attempt to fill in some gaps in my sewing related knowledge. I plan to take a closer look a different types of fabric, starting with the favourite of many vintage fans: barkcloth. The term ‘barkcloth’ refers to the nubby texture of the …

I have a real thing for London fashion in the 70s, especially all things Biba. That combination of 70s glitter and 30s glam that was personified in the “dollybird” is still so inspiring. I don’t know if I could pull off the bold patterns in these silks, like this fuschia one above, or this amazing …

I just came across this lovely set of vintage embroidery transfers on Flickr. I do a little embroidery from time to time, and this set is sparking a few ideas. I’m especially in love with the little delicate flower motifs. Not long ago, I came across a pair of vintage tap pants in an antique …

Goodbye 2009, hello 2010! Are you happy to be making the leap to another year, or eager to turn the page to start afresh? These days I’ve been thinking a lot about maps, and how I’ve looked to my past, including being inspired by vintage family photos like the one above, to understand my present. …

If you make garments (and chances are you do, seeing as you are reading this blog) you may already be on familiar terms, however if you are not, allow me to introduce you to Winifred Aldrich. She is the author of a series of books on flat pattern cutting, and on this subject she is …

I am loving these unusual details on this dress from Violetville Vintage. It trims the pockets and back of the dress just perfectly. Even though the dress is a quintessential 50s style, to me the trim could also read deco on a different garment. This looks to me like it’s probably done with strips of …

This last year and a half has seen the opening of a new flock of internet-based businesses which offer affordable digital fabric printing. The possibilities these have opened up for home sewers is immensely exciting and virtually limitless. Since I learned about them and investigated their services to research an article I wrote on the …

This week I am inspired by the idea of locations, and how the right setting requires the right dress. Or maybe even the perfect couch inspires the dress? The illustration below is one I made for a short story about an artist couple living in New York. While I was writing the story, I realized …

I came across this adorable picture of Amelia when Sue of Giant Dwarf tweeted it (that’s one of Sue’s gorgeous fascinators, of course). I was really taken with the mix of primary colors with black. Something about that combination really says 1930s to me, primaries (plus green here) are such a sweet and feedsack-esque colorway …

Flipping through books on textile patterns is one of my favorite ways to draw inspiration and to see how some vintage patterns become popular again over time. One in particular that I find just lovely is Challis, a floral introduced in 1832. Described in Textile Designs as being made from “deep and brilliant colors new …

Last weekend I headed down to my local flea market with the intention of hitting the bargain zips bins. With my mission completed, I took a glance round some of the second hand stalls. I was not expecting to discover much but happily found my eye drawn to these beautiful vintage buttons featuring hand painted boats (pictured above), which …

Are you guys taking the handmade pledge this year? I must admit that most of what is on my list this year is not handmade goods, but that’s because they’re things like books and bicycle components. But I usually buy handmade or make things myself for the holidays, so I don’t feel too bad asking …

Tweed and velvet are such a classic combination, and perfect for this time of year. This gorgeous vintage dress from TimelessVintageVixen is a really stellar example, and the wine velvet is such a gorgeous alternative to the usual black. Just add a bit of rhinestone sparkle, and you have the ultimate holiday dress. {above: (1) …

There’s a lot to love about this dress from The Church of Vintage. The shaping looks divine, the color is so soft and beautiful, and the perfect contrasting lining on the sleeves is a wonderful touch. But check out those amazing appliques! Though it appears a detail like this would be incredibly difficult to incorporate …

There are so many beautiful sewing (particularly embroidery) items available from the amazing French haberdashery Sajou, I had a hard time deciding what to post! These tartan scissors are particularly adorable. There are matching tartan cases, thimbles, and thread winder.

Vintage clothing appeals to different people for different reasons. For me, I love to think about the woman/women who wore the garment previously. What was their personality like? How did they enjoy spending their time? Why did they buy or make this garment? Where did they go in it? In many ways it’s the same …

I just love the colors in this vintage book plate. Wouldn’t a full skirt or dress in a gorgeous fall print look so pretty studded with scattered copper sequins be lovely at the end of fall? {above: (1) amber buttons, (2) moss silk ribbon, (3) fall fabric, (4) copper sequins, (5) copper beaded buttons}

This week I’m inspired by Burda Türkiye, and grabbed the February 2008 magazine off my shelf to take a peek now that it is getting colder here. This issue is packed with winter jackets, skirts, tunics and accessories, and I loved the green felted jacket on the cover with a very modern belt cinched at …