Tag: vintage style icon

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

It’s been a while!

Lizzie Violet

How is everyone doing? I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted here and even longer since I’ve posted a SAL/KAL/CAL. We are going to be running a sew your stash-a-long in our Killer Kitsch Facebook Vintage WIPs group, please join us if you are working through your stash as well.

I’ve also been posting a lot over in my Lizzie Violet blog. It’s been a daily thing and I’m posting about learning how to including sewing, knitting, cross stitch and crochet. Below are some of the links.

How to crochet — https://lizzieviolet.com/2020/04/27/stay-the-fuck-home-learn-how-to-crochet-edition/

How to knit — https://lizzieviolet.com/2020/04/26/stay-the-fuck-home-learn-how-to-knit-edition/

Sewing Machine Maintenance — https://lizzieviolet.com/2020/04/15/stay-the-fuck-home-sewing-machine-maintenance-edition/

How to sew — https://lizzieviolet.com/2020/03/21/stay-the-fuck-home-the-sewing-edition/

Sewing part 2 — https://lizzieviolet.com/2020/04/24/stay-the-fuck-home-sewing-tutorials-part-deux-edition/

I’m also giving a hey to dining room sewists. I know what it’s like. Many of us live in apartments and sadly, don’t have the luxury of a sewing room. Where are you setting up for your sewing? Post in the comments below. My set-up is on our dining room. For cutting out and drafting patterns, I lay down a bunch of foam mats that look like puzzle pieces. They are meant for kids to play on. This protects the table. When I’m drafting, I lay bristol board on top of it. Everything courtesy of the dollar store!

How is your sewing/knitting/crochet/cross-stitch going? Are you inspired to stay creative or have you lost the desire?

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, 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, jumper, knitting, knitting community, summer, sweater, Uncategorized, vintage, Vintage Community, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage style

Sale!

Lizzie Violet

Hello lovely vintage dames and fellas!  I wanted to let you know that I’m having a sale in my Etsy store (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/KillerKitschDesigns). With Summer just around the corner, I know you are all working on your summer knits. I have put all short-sleeved downloadable patterns on sale for 50% off!  The sale will be on until April 30th!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the patterns on sale! There are many more!

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

First Vintage KAL of 2018

Lizzie Violet

Our first KAL of 2018 is off to an amazing start. Our Facebook group and Instagram are lighting up with progress photos and questions. I am super happy how much everyone is loving the sweaters we choose for this Vintage KAL and our last one. The 1938  two colour jumper, the 1937 cable jumper and 1950s bed jacket colour combinations were so incredible!  Now the colours being chosen for the 1940s Champion Jumper and the 1950s Blouse, beyond amazing!  Many people are already done the front of the Champion Jumper. It is DK (double knit weight) so I’m not surprised.

Here are some progress photos so far.

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To see all the details for the new KAL, please click here  and it will take you to a previous post!

1930s, 1940s, 1950s, Uncategorized, vintage, vintage dream blog, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

Grey Wool Suit Kind Of Day — Vintage Dream Blog

Lizzie Violet

Not only is this lovely lady part of the Killer Kitsch Knit-a-long, she is a brilliant vintage blogger and vintage style icon. Everyone should be following her blog!

Another cool (70’s F) kind of day here in Texas, so not one to miss a fashion opportunity, another day to wear a vintage suit to work! This wardrobe staple is a 1940’s wool two piece I purchased from Etsy store Lawrence of Baltimore. Exactly as described, timely shipping and lucky for me fits like […]

via Grey Wool Suit Kind Of Day — Vintage Dream Blog

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, classics, harlow darling, vintage, vintage life, vintage reproduction, vintage style

Favourite blog: Harlow Darling

Lizzie Violet

Imagine a beautiful dream that takes place during the 1940s and you are having a picnic, under an apple tree, with a stunning blonde. That is Harlow Darling. Her stunning #OOTD (outfit of the day) always blow me away. Harlow Darling is an incredible vintage style icon, whose fashions are from the 1920s to the 1940s. When someone like Harlow Darling is able to make you feel as if you just stepped out a time machine, they have done it right! You can subscribe to her via email. Her Instagram account is just as breath-taking.

collectifplaid1940sjacketPhoto is from the website.

1930s, Krystle Couturiere, vintage, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

Favourite blog: Krystle Couturiere

Lizzie Violet

If you are as obsessed with the 1930s as I am, then you will love 1930s lifestyle blog Krystle Couturiere. Not only does she recreate dresses from the 1930s using original patterns, she also writes about actresses from that period. Her latest blog is a tribute to Thelma Todd. Thelma was an amazing actress and her death is shrouded in mystery!  Please check out this blog and I promise you will be lost in it for hours!  She also has a dreamy Instagram account!

thelmadress01Photo is from the Krystle Couturiere website.

1930s, 1940s, 1950s, hat, my kingdom for a hat, sewing, vintage, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing

Favourite blog: My Kingdom For a Hat

Lizzie Violet

As I do with most of my favourite vintage bloggers, I discovered My Kingdom For a Hat via her Instagram account. Her wardrobe is #memade and she is another vintage gal who is inspiring me to have a vintage #memade wardrobe as well. I have the material and the patterns. Now that fall is upon us, I am itching to start sewing again.

I originally made this dress for a Pokemon trainer cosplay. Keen eyes will notice the appliques on the headscarf: bug types for life. I don’t consider myself a gamer or really much of a nerd, but my God I love me some Pokemon. The cosplay weekend ended up rained out, but my godparents’ cabin more […]

via me-made: minnie to the max — My Kingdom for a Hat

1930s, 1940s, 1950s, free knitting pattern, free pattern, knitting, old hollywood, sewing, subversive femme, tutorial, vintage, vintage knitting, vintage knitting patterns, vintage life, vintage pattern, vintage reproduction, vintage sewing, vintage style

Favourite blog: Subversive Femme

Lizzie Violet

When you are a curvy girl like me, you hesitate to make vintage patterns because you are never sure how they will look your figure. For many years I have stuck with the 1950s fit and flare because I know they work on my body type.  Then, I found Subversive Femme!  She is a stunning redheaded curvy girl who uses patterns from the 1930s to 1950s and creates stunning reproductions.

For both sewing and knitting inspiration, please follow her on both WordPress and Instagram.

IMG_7508

The photo is from the Subversive Femme website.