Archive for the ‘ Thrifted it ’ Category
Mr. Baby’s favorite book is The Dark. Lemony Snicket. Like if he’s crying, reciting the first line of it snaps him right out:
Laszlo was afraid of the dark.
A few months ago, I thrifted a new package of opaque iron-on paper we needed to make a birthday present. Took another sheet to cut out and iron some Laszlos and a Phillie Phanatic onto Old Navy clearance T’s.
Nice.
Dang! Wish I’d seen this one…
Also in the queue, some Gerald and Piggie.
Look what I found.
Purple, rustly party dress.
Dropped waist, square neck, little cap sleeves, back straps I’ve never seen before.
Feels and moves and sounds like silk taffeta.
And it’s made by a talented designer, sold originally in an exclusive shop.
But damnit! The tiny waist! The teeny tiny waist.
I can’t risk hurting it. I love this dress too much to harm it. Someone else should have it.
I loved this silk cotton purple sweater with the pearls all over the front and the sleeves.
But the original crew neck was such an ugh. It was so ugly, I never photographed it at all.
Picked at this sucker over months, trying to figure out the best way to fix it and then getting up the nerve to cut into this baby, too.
Finally I unraveled the knitted crew neckband. Pinned the fabric back into a bateau neckline.
Picked off the couple pearl beads in the way.
Then I cut bias strips from the back side of some old irridescent purple taffeta because it was a pretty close match to this lilac color. The taffeta’s light enough that it doesn’t add bulk, and the bias means the neckline will give a little.
Pinned them in place, wrong sides together, sewed. Pressed them back out, pinned pressed and sewed.
And neckline. Now the question remains: Should I leave the sleeves long or cut them to cap? Which will I want to wear more? (Am leaning toward CHOP.)
Stunner of a silk sweater. Perfect color. Love the little sleeves. Beads on one shoulder.
But turtleneck?!
I’m wondering if it’s possible, without wrecking the sweater, to turn the turtleneck into a crew neck or jewel neck.
Because this beauty’s going to waste as is…
Could I stay-stitch the neckline I want, then gently and invisibly bind it?
Ironing is half of great sewing, right? I’d argue that thrifting is a decent percentage, too, and an important way to get better, especially if you want to sew vintage, especially if you sew to save money.
Thrifted clothes can be deconstructed so you can rip off all kinds of professional techniques. I like to see how the pros do it. I learned to finish waistbands for pants and skirts with a little bias tape based on some Ann Taylor pants. I understand why you use grosgrain ribbon to finish the front of a cardigan. And it’s more ethical to buy things outright to deconstruct than to buy new out of a real store.
Thrifted goods can be chopped up for parts: Muslins, buttons, zippers, trims. All that stuff can be reused. I feel bad about buying brand new fabric to experiment on, and I’m a little bit c-h-e-a-p, too.
And thrifting lets you try out ideas and styles: Today I’m wearing a giant long wool-blend dress in black with short sleeves and an A-line. I already took the sleeves up, but that’s it. I never would have thought to sew up this kind of long long dress, but now that I have one on, I’m thinking how I could extend a t-shirt pattern into another one or three.
And now this, too. A number from Marshall Field’s The 28 Shop. It won’t quite fit over my bosom and ribs. Feels like silk, too. Typical.
I’ve just learned that the 28 Shop, named for its 28 dressing rooms AND the 28 E. Washington address of said elevator, was a big big deal, thanks to thanks this book published through the Chicago Architecture Foundation:
One of the most elaborate changes in the retailing space of the State Street Store occurred in 1941 with the opening of The 28 Shop, a new fashion salon dedicated to America designers, since World War II ended the availability of European (primarily French) designers.
To make the space both elegant and exciting, the store engaged designer Joseph Platt, scenographer for Gone With the Wind, to create a sleek rotunda (appointed with Louis Quinze gilt and garlands) surrounded with large mirrored fitting rooms, each with a different design, ranging from stylish bamboo to the richness of Oriental rugs.
The opening of The 28 Shop was the social event of the season, when Chicago’s smart set arrived in limousines at the door of 28 East Washington Street and rode private elevators to the rarified comforts of Chicago’s most exclusive dress shop.
And a photo, from RememberingMarshallFields.blogspot.com:
Here’s one of the 28 fitting rooms there, decorated in 14 two-of-a-kind styles — lace, bamboo, pink-and-beige, etc. — so if the dressing room with your favorite decor is occupied, there’s an identical one you can use. Also, 28 Shop special china. Ah, the luxury …
Bound and ready to go.
The scoop neck came out great.
The only think I don’t love is the buttons.
Will give them a run, maybe change them out after wearing.
Bias binding strips pinned right on.
Sewed right on, about 3/8 inch from the edge, with a little zigzag.
Trimmed and voila!
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