Tag: 1950

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, beach pajama, crochet, crochet pattern, crochet-a-long, free knitting pattern, knit-a-long, knitting, knitting community, pants, sew a dress a month, sew-a-long, sewing, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage crochet, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

Planning! Upcoming Sewing Plans

Lizzie Violet

I apologize. It’s been a while since we’ve chatted. It’s funny that, because I have been sewing up a storm. I’ve been sewing dresses and tops and some more dresses. Heck, my upcoming plans are quite ambitious if I do say so myself. What should we start with? What I’ve made or what I’m going to make. Let’s get a warm up with the garments I’ve made so far.

Dresses! For the sew a vintage dress a month challenge, I’ve made 5 dresses. I’m currently planning out my June dress. I love this challenge and the fact it has me making more dresses! My closest is currently crammed tight.

Tops! I have had the Rita Blouse pattern sitting and ready to go for a while! I finally made a couple. They are really quick and fast to sew up. I will definitely be making more.

Upcoming Plans!

Tiki! Tiki! Tiki!

I’ve been excited with the warmer weather approaching, which means I can break out my skirts and dresses. Even though we still can’t go out to bars and event venues that should stop me from wearing my makes or plan on garments that excite me. The theme that is making me really happy right now is Tiki! Here are some photos that are inspiring my plans right now.

Another garment I have been thinking long and hard about making is pants. I haven’t owned a pair in well over a decade. Why? I don’t like how they fit. Moderns pants are low-waisted and look horrendous on this high-waisted gal.

More dresses because a girl can’t enough of them!

We also can’t forget a bit of knitting and crochet. I need to keep my hands busy. Keeps me out of trouble.

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, crochet, crochet pattern, crochet-a-long, knit-a-long, knitting, knitting community, sew-a-long, sewing, vintage crochet, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage sewing

Knitting yourself into an injury!

Lizzie Violet

PSA from the girl who can’t knit/crochet or sew (it hurts to cut fabric) for the next 4 to 6 weeks. I learned a hard lesson and need to share it with all of you. 😔 

I am someone who would, without realizing it, knit for hours at a time. It wouldn’t be until my digits or wrists got tired, would I realize how long I had been knitting. Then, I noticed my thumb started to get stiff in the morning (when I woke up), then sore and hard to straighten out right away (I would need to stretch it)… now it hurts to bend. Two weeks ago I stopped knitting to see if that would help, but it didn’t. I went to the doctor and I have tendonitis and it will take 4 to 6 weeks to heal fully. I’m frustrated because I can’t knit, crochet or sew and I have to be patient. Not being able to at least knit is making me antsy!

Many times I read how important resting and stretching was, but I didn’t heed this information thinking I would be fine. Don’t be like me! Take lots of breaks and stretch your hands before, during and after knitting/crochet. It will save you from injuring your digits or wrists. Here are the stretches and strengthening excises I’ve been doing. https://www.healthline.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovitis-exercises?fbclid=IwAR0Bf34cj0-MF4o52hHbHHShFBv9_99NIfvu6sCJm7v2T3tr1pUN2VF6f-o#thumb-lifts

On the positive side, I’m hoping it is healed up in time for the next KAL/SAL and for my winter cardigan knitting plans. Unfortunately, I can’t even sew ATM because even cutting out fabric is hurting my thumb. I’ve missed out on the Beach PJ SAL and possibly the Betty dress SAL. 😔 
Do yourself a favour and take care of your hands!

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, crochet, crochet pattern, crochet-a-long, knit-a-long, knitting, knitting community, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage crochet, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage style

SALE!

Lizzie Violet

I’m having a 50% off sale over in my Etsy store on all downloadable patterns!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/KillerKitschDesigns

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, crochet, crochet pattern, crochet-a-long, knit-a-long, knitting, knitting community, sew-a-long, sewing, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage crochet, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

52 Outfits in 52 Weeks! Update!

Lizzie Violet

Did she do it? Did she succeed in her 52 garment in 52 weeks challenge? Well…. almost.

How many garments have I made so far? Since July 1st, 2018, I have made 45 garments for myself. On top of that, I’ve made 3 sweaters for my husband and several hats/scarves and a purse for myself (approx. 49 pieces including those). (I have also made many hats and scarves as gifts to others as well) OH and I should mention I made all these from either vintage patterns, self-drafted the patterns myself (I learned how to draft patterns in High School. Thank you Mrs. Hewitt) or made them from vintage reproduction patterns. My memade wardrobe is all vintage reproduction.

I’m proud of this. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I love it because it is another way to stretch my creativity! My goal is that most of my wardrobe is memade, with a small percentage of it from thrifting or clothing swaps. I’m getting there! The extra bonus of making my own clothing, they fit properly!!!

To help keep me motivated, I created groups and we have knit-a-longs, sew-a-longs, crochet-a-longs, and refashion-a-longs. These groups are my happy place!

Where does my original inspiration come from? My Mother is my sewing inspiration. She taught me how to sew when…. I think it was ten-years-old — she says I was younger than that. I learned how to sew on a Treadle sewing machine (My Great Grandma Brown’s (made in 1898)) that I now own. My Mom also made her own and all of our clothing (when we were kids), without patterns. That’s right folks, wanting to self-draft my own patterns vs using premade patterns is in the blood!

I’m incredibly happy with my achievement this year. Even after sewing for decades I am still learning new skills. That brings me to my new goal. Starting August 1st I am going to begin using Draft-at-home systems. I have quite a few that include Haslam, Mrs. Depew and many others. I’ve done a blog post on it, it you want to give it a gander! https://killerkitschdesigns.com/2019/03/13/draft-at-home-systems/

In the meantime, I’m off to sew!

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, sewing, Uncategorized, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

I’ve Awoken the Monster

Lizzie Violet

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a little girl would draw and draw and draw. Some of those drawings were of glorious garments to be worn by princesses and queens. Then one day, an evil sorcerer cast a spell on the young girl forcing her to take job after job after job leaving little time to draw or sew. This left the little girl very, very sad.

One day, while the little girl was re-arranging books on a very dusty bookcase, she came across a book of drawings. These drawings looked familiar and a nostalgia began to build in that little girl. It grew and grew and grew until that little part of her heart woke up again. A monster that had been hidden away, climbed out and reminded the little girl how much joy drawing and then turning her illustrations into garments made her. The little girl decided it was time to stop hiding that wonderful monster away! That little girl started drawing again, every single day!

Not the end, but a new beginning.

I am that little girl. After a few decades of not drawing, I have begun again. My skills are rusty. Oh boy… are they ever.  The thing is, you need to practice. They say 10,000 hours until you have finally got it. I’m about 14 or 15 hours in at this point. I have a ways to go.

You are wondering why I decided to begin again. For myself, it is easiest for me to articulate my ideas in writing and by drawing. Since I have begun making my own garments again, I have millions of ideas floating in my head. Many moons ago, I would sketch an outfit, draft up a pattern and make it. I’ve gotten back to the latter and need to do the former to help work out the look and feel. I’ve already created one of the outfits I drew.

I’m going to do something here. Step outside of my comfort zone. I’m going to post pictures of some of the drawings I’ve done so far (these are only a few, I haven’t taken pictures of everything). Maybe in a years time, when I look back, I will see an improvement. When you look at them, be gentle. I am just starting again after many years of not drawing. I’ve awoken a monster in my head and this is how to release it.

One hour at a time… 10,000 hours ahead of me!

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1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, sewing, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

Patio Dress Sew-a-long

Lizzie Violet

Ric-rac
Patty wac
Give your dress some trim!

We’ve self-drafted a circle skirt. We’ve self-drafted a peasant blouse. Let’s put it all together and make a self-drafted, two-piece patio dress! Our next sew-a-long begins on August 1st and it will end on August 31st! However, the beauty of this sew-a-long is you don’t need to self-draft the pattern. If you have patio dress pattern or patterns for the separate pieces that will work together, please use those as well.

I know you are wondering why I am announcing this so soon. Our next sew-a-long begins on August 1st and it will end on August 31st. I’m making this one a month long, so that everyone has time to complete this SAL since it is a bigger project than the other ones we’ve done so far.

A patio dress can be one complete dress or separates. It can be a circle skirt or a tiered skirt. The top can be peasant style, v-neck or a blouse style. It’s up to you. Know what else is up to you, how you decorate it. The most popular way to decorate it is with ricrac and embroidered ribbon, however, I have seen lace and other trims used! So… have fun with it!

I am including links to how to self-draft and other tutorials and of course, photos for reference!

Please join our Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/killerkitschvintagewips/ 

If you post photos on Instagram, please tag me @killerkitsch13 and use hashtags, #killerkitschsewalong #patiodresssewalong

We are starting on August 1st and will do the SAL for the month of August!

Everyone is welcome to join!


Tiered Skirt —
http://sevenfarmgirlsisters.com/tiered-petticoatskirt-tutorial/
http://www.sewstylish.com/app/uploads/2017/11/SSBlogPeasantSkirt.pdf
http://www.squaredancesewing.com/swinging_skirts_2/tiered_skirts/basic_calculations.html
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/322148179567614459/
https://www.domestic-divaonline.com/tiered-skirts

Peasant Blouse Tutorials (just add ricrac) —
http://thingsofcloth.blogspot.com/2008/07/adult-size-peasant-blouse-tutorial.html?m=1
http://apairandasparediy.com/2015/07/diy-off-the-shoulder-top-3/
http://dushonok.com/2015/07/17/off-the-shoulder-top-diy/
http://www.trashtocouture.com/2017/05/diy-off-shoulder-ruffle-top.html
https://mellysews.com/2014/09/sew-peasant-top-pattern-women.html
https://wkdesigner.wordpress.com/2007/09/13/off-shoulder-ruffled-blouse/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5s0bUCsDhI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIEHfnJlKbE

Patterns to purchase — (Etsy has many, here is an example)

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/597775572/vintage-sewing-pattern-reproduction?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=patio%20dress%20pattern&ref=sr_gallery-1-1

How to sew on Ric rac —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Too8kKlsco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHEDW6QI8gY
https://blog.treasurie.com/sewing-ric-rac/
https://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/how-sew-rick-rack-most-terrific-trims

 

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, sewing, Uncategorized, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

Sassy Summer Peasant Blouse Sew-a-long!

Lizzie Violet

I’ve been feeling extra sassy lately and I attribute it to the twirly, whirly skirts I’ve made during our recent circle skirt and Lila & June sew-a-longs! Now it’s time to sew a top to go with our sassy skirts!  I thought the perfect pairing would be a self-drafted peasant top! This is a top that is easy to make and is great for beginners or experienced sewers alike!

Over the recent months, you may have seen the very popular Rita blouse being made. It is in the style of a peasant blouse, but a bit more structured. The one we will be making is more blousey and looks more traditional, not to mention it looks great either with a solid colour or with patterns. You can also give it a bit of extra oomph by adding ric-rac or embroidered pieces. It will be a really fun blouse to make!

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I have created an FAQ page with links and you will find it in the files area over in our Facebook Group Killer Kitsch Vintage WIPs. There is a variety of tutorials including a very easy to follow one by the Things of Cloth Blog (the neck is a bit higher on this one if you want a lower neckline to keep that in mind when drafting). I have put the pdf tutorial in the files as well. This is the one I am going to be following. 🙂

If you post photos on Instagram, please tag me @killerkitsch13 and use hashtags, #killerkitschsewalong #peasantblousesewalong