Vintage Duster

I recently had the good fortune to purchase a vintage duster from an antique shop in Concord, Massachusetts.  The Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion lists one of its definitions of a duster as a "tan or brown light-weight full-length coat worn when riding in an automobile in early 20th c. to protect clothing from dust."  The material in my coat is a very well preserved linen.  These coats were typically worn with an automobile veil.  Alas, my coat did not have an accompanying veil, and I am pretty certain that, although I look forward to wearing the coat, I lack the courage to wear the veil.

 The coat is a perfect fit with the exception of the sleeve length and the overall length.  Shortening the sleeve will be both interesting and easy since it was constructed with the cuff hand-sewn to the sleeve.  So, it came off very easily and I will turn up the appropriate length on the sleeve and then re-attach the cuff.

As you can see, when the cuff is off, the pocket faces up, which won't work at all.  But, when you slide the cuff back on, it's done in such a way as to resemble a turned up cuff, so it is slid over the bottom of the sleeve and attached there (shown with the very tiny red arrow). 

 One of the many things I found interesting was that when you lift up the flap of this cuff pocket, it is not finished at all.  The fabric had simply been slashed and some hand stitches done to keep the fabric from raveling.  I have no idea what the purpose of this pocket would have been and would be very interested in any thoughts any of you may have. 

I can't wait to finish my alterations and wear my coat.  I'll post pictures!

Slan

Obi Reconstructed

Embellished Elegance

My sister loves all things Victorian and does enchanting pillows that reflect it!  These pillows are holiday pillows, but she also does beautiful custom work, incorporating special family pictures into works of art.  They are enchanting.  If you want to see more, visit here.  

 

The Tie That Binds

Another Birthday Present Finished!

One more project down!  This is for my 20something niece -- hope she likes it!  It's self-drafted.  Top band is from a suede skin purchased from Fabric Mart.  Inside is silk dupioni and has zippered pocket and key fob.  I experimented with more hardware this time than I usually use and I think it adds a lot to the bag.  On the handle, when I folded the fabric over the ring, I closed it with bronze rivets rather than stitching.  Fun project!

Stay safe this last summer weekend!

Slan

Special Presents!

I have a long 'to do' list before I work on something for myself, but I am making progress!  I am seeing my great nieces and nephew on Wednesday, and I don't get to see the girls very often as they live in Pittsburgh, so, of course, it was time to come up with something special.  And, I couldn't have something for the girls without including Dan.

The bags are small wrist purses with pleated fronts and their initials on the bands (Molly and Hannah).  The flowers are two yo-yo's sewn on top of each other and joined with a vintage black button.  They're attached to pin backs so they can take them off the purse if they want.

I have a new favorite construction for zippers and lining.  The zippers are done using a zipper 'sandwich' - lay the lining down right side up, place the zipper down next also right side up and place the outer fabric down last, wrong side up.  Stitch.  You then fold the lining down and you have a complete side.  Most instructions will call for you to topstitch, but I am not always a fan of top stitching, especially on a dressier bag.  So, in order to keep the fabric from catching in the zipper, I press well away from the zipper and I understitch the lining side only.

Do the same with the other side.  Then open it all out and stitch the bag pieces together and the lining pieces together, leaving an opening in the lining to turn.  (Make sure you open the zipper before you start stitching!)

Dan has a special pencil case (lining is plastic).  The embroidery design is from Embroidery Library and I thought their digitizing was beautiful, right down to the faded paper look of the crayon wrappers.

I have about 4 more things to plow through and then I get to sew for me!

Slan

Preparing To Sew......

A very talented and creative friend posted this on my wall yesterday.
I just had to share it with my sewing friends!