'39 Packard

Why is a photo of this elegant, beautiful, sleek, gorgeous, shiny '39 Packard gracing my blog?

It's our transportation on the wedding day!!!

It's owned by a local, semi-retired businessman who, although a complete stranger to us before we sought him out to ask about hiring the car, is willing to drive us around on our wedding day, "for the fun of it!"

In other '30s news... I have to confess that after we got back from vacation a few weeks ago, I gave up on the idea of completing a new '30s dress as a "going-away dress" in time for the wedding -- I was just piling too much upon my own shoulders and I didn't have enough time to get it done. Instead I decided to wear a dress I already own and love, which not too many people at the wedding will have seen before, anyway. Once I made that decision a great weight fell off, and I'm just as excited about my outfit even if it isn't "bran' new."

Going-away dress

This is the fabric I bought at Denver Fabrics when I met Cheri and April a few weeks ago. It was on clearance and the fiber content was unmarked, but I suspected it to be a rayon or silk.

Yesterday, my dad and I performed a highly scientific burn test to determine its fiber content (including burning a wad of cat hair from my cat's brush so we could identify what "burned hair" smells like). Based on the results, I believe it to be silk!

The plan is to make it up as a going-away dress (after the wedding gown is done, of course!) using EvaDress 1432, and changing the sleeves to be like view A on McCall's 7931. It's been a while since I've made a 1930s dress, so I'm looking forward to working on this one!

What is it?

Can any of you guess what this is? I'll give you a hint -- it pertains to vintage menswear.

EDIT: It is a collar bar, used to keep the collar together and give a little "oomph" to the tie. Emma wins, as first to describe its function correctly! (I am impressed -- I have been vaguely looking for one for Douglas to wear at our wedding, and the salespeople at Brooks Brothers and Burberry barely knew what I was talking about. You all are obviously a lot more knowledgeable about vintage menswear.) ;-) This one belonged to my Grandpa. It can only be worn with shirts that have eyelets in the collar.

Simplicity 4749

I just won this cute pattern on eBay! It'll need to be sized up but I'm looking forward to sewing it (though whether I'll be able to sneak it in before all the wedding sewing is done, I can't say). :-)

A baby dress for the cedar chest

This dress evolved quite a bit... originally I thought I'd embroider the collar, but then I didn't quite like the way it turned out -- too busy. I decided to let the pretty print of the vintage fabric speak for itself, so I kept the embellishment simple.


My buttonhole function is having conniption fits right now, but once I get that sorted out, these are the sweet vintage buttons from my mom's stash that will go on the back of the dress.


And look! The soft white cotton lining doubles as a little petticoat.

Bride's scrapbook

In her cedar chest, my grandmother also kept a scrapbook of all the cards given to her and Grandpa upon the occasion of their marriage.


I enjoyed browsing through the cards, ranging from beautiful and elegant to sassy and humorous. I giggled at how "un-P.C." this card would be considered today:


"Here's hoping that the Bride knows how to wield a wicked skillet..."


"And hope the Groom can bring a lot of bacon home to fill it!"

The Bride's Book

Inside her cedar chest, my grandmother saved a bridal magazine from when she was married in 1947. I'd rather take a look at this little gem than have a dozen modern bridal magazines!


It has articles on everything from engagement rings to bridal etiquette to the honeymoon. I really got a kick out of the "Check List for Your Trousseau," which I've reproduced for you:

INTIMATE WEAR:

• Two negligees
  
• Nine nightgowns
  
• Two housecoats
  
• Pyjamas
  
• Six pairs of panties
  
• Six slips, tailored and dressy
  
• Six bras
  
• Four girdles
  
• Two or three bedjackets
  
• Six to eight pair hose

DRESSES:

• Going-away outfit
  
• Spectator sports
  
• Active sports
  
• House dresses (for "home work")
  
• Dresses for business, if any
  
• Suits
  
• Afternoon dresses
  
• Dinner dresses
  
• Evening dresses

SHOES:

• One pair for the going-away outfit
  
• Spectator sports pumps
  
• One pair for business use
  
• Evening slippers
  
• Boudoir slippers (to match lingerie sets)
  
• One pair of rubbers
  
• One pair of galoshes or boots

HATS:

• Going-away
  
• Business
  
• Morning
  
• Afternoon
  
• Dinner
  
• As many hats as you can wangle!

ACCESSORIES:

• Mix and match -- gloves, scarves, veils, belts, costume jewelry, umbrellas, bags.

COATS:

• Fur
  
• Dressy cloth
  
• Sports
  
• Raincoat
  
• Informal shortie
  
• Evening wrap

LUGGAGE:

• Travel suitcase
  
• Week-end case
  
• Wardrobe trunk
  
• Hat box
  
• Travel beauty box
  
• Jewel case

BEAUTY AIDS:

• Cleansing cream
  
• Skin lotion
  
• Night cream
  
• Make-up
  
• Foundation cream or lotion
  
• Rouge
  
• Powder
  
• Lipstick, for type and for costume
  
• Eye brush
  
• Eyebrow pencil
  
• Eyeshadow
  
• Mascara
  
• Cotton
  
• Perfume
  
• Bath powder
  
• Hand cream
  
• Manicure kit
  
• Nail polish (to match lipsticks)
  
• Cologne
  
• Toothpaste, brush
  
• Deodorant
  
• Bath salts

Yup, seems like you'd have everything you need there! What puzzles me is why the list only requires six panties (how often do YOU launder??) yet calls for nine nightgowns. Cologne AND perfume seems a little redundant, but I suppose it's okay to splurge on both. And I definitely agree with the admonition to acquire "as many hats as you can wangle!"

Hope chest

I've never actually had a hope chest, but upon learning of my engagement, my Grandparents Ackerman gave me a cedar chest in which to store items for my future home! It was made in the late '40s or early '50s by my Great-Grandpa, who was blinded in World War I by a mustard gas explosion in France.

Mom and I went over to their house yesterday to pick it up. Grandma had emptied its former contents onto the bed, none of which I'd ever seen before -- and boy, were there some treasures! I'll share more about what was inside in the next few days...

Great-Grandma Irene

While at my uncle's in Ohio, I found this old photo of my great-grandmother, Irene. Judging by the style of the hat and coat, I would date this in the late '20s or early '30s. (She married my great-grandfather, Jim, in 1931, so it could've been taken sometime around then.)

Irene's maiden name was Dembinski and her family came from Poland (can you see the eastern European look in her facial features?). Photos of her as a young girl are few and far between, so I was especially delighted to find this one.

(I've previously shared Great-Grandma Irene's recipe box and Great-Grandma Irene's pie crust recipe, if you'd like to put a face to the name.)

Vintage box

This is an interesting piece of ephemera from my family history. This box was given to my great-grandmother, Edda Smith, upon the birth of her fourth child, Arvid Daniel, in December of 1929. My Grandma Leora, his sister, thinks it originally held a rattle, though it now houses large vintage buttons. I like the old typeface and the cute cartoons of mother and baby!

The unfortunate part of the story is that Arvid died at two months from measles and pneumonia. The oldest child, Juanita, who was six at the time, caught the measles at school, and the entire family came down with it, except for my great-grandfather. Edda was sick herself and unable to attend the funeral. She said it was the saddest day of her life.

(I know many moms are questioning vaccines these days, but can you imagine living in a time when childhood diseases were so deadly? Very sad!)

EDITED TO CLARIFY: I didn't mean to take a stance against vaccines one way or another. ;) I haven't done any up-to-date research on the topic as I don't have any children, but when the time comes I will be very cautious about the issue. My comment stemmed from the thought that most Western mothers don't have to fear losing a baby due to a contagious illness nowadays... due to eradication of certain diseases in the population, and improved nutrition and medical treatment! How blessed we are!

Vintage quilt

(Definitely click for a bigger picture; I've left it large so you can ogle the pretty vintage fabrics!)

1940s bustle-back skirt

(Sorry about the fuzziness; I asked my dad to not use the flash, and this is what came of it! Sigh!)

I've been wanting to try Evadress 5569 for about a year now, so recently I finally bought it. I was inspired to use a red plaid by this fashion sketch of an Elsa Schiaparelli bustle skirt from 1948. I love this pattern -- from the front it looks like a regular pencil skirt, and then you turn around and lo! all these amazing details! You could even omit the bustle and just make a skirt with drape-y pleats in the back. Despite how it looks from the front, the skirt is quite full, with plenty of room for walking.

For a few more slightly-fuzzy-yet-better-shots-of-the-bustle pictures, click here and here.

Vintage shoes #3

Last and final shoe post! (I'm sure you're wondering how many vintage-y shoes one girl needs!) ;) These are some brown Etienne Aigner Mary-Janes that are really versatile and go with anything remotely 20s/30s-ish. I love them!

Here's a specific description of how I go about finding these shoes on eBay. I usually search by brand name (I mentioned some suggestions in my first post). I think I got the brand names from old magazine ads or fashion stories, probably mostly in Victoria magazine.

I put an 8 after the brand name, to narrow down the results to my size range (I can wear an 8 or 8.5 depending on the shoe, but just putting an "8" will bring up both sizes). Sometimes I won't find anything at all, so be persistent and check every once in a while. If you find something good, grab it! (I probably won't wear those beige suede shoes until spring/summer rolls around again, but the deal was too good to miss.)

Happy searching!

Vintage shoes #2

These are my latest eBay find, a pair of Enzo Angiolini suede heels, à la the 1920s. I got them for $11 (including shipping)!! Again, I'm sure these date from the late '80s or early '90s, but they look sooo vintage. (Check out those Louis heels!)

Oxford shoes

(This morning I spontaneously decided to incorporate today's post into a Show and Tell. This is my first time participating in such a thing... Enjoy!)


I have had great success with finding vintage-style shoes for reasonable prices on eBay. Many may not realize this, but there was a vintage revival in footwear styles in the late '80s and early '90s. Frequently, buying actual vintage shoes from the '20s or '30s is far too expensive, and the extreme age would make me wary of wearing them, anyway. Searching for shoes that are only 15-20 years old makes the price more reasonable (I've never paid more than $20, even with shipping), and the quality is better. Vintage-style shoes like this could never be found in stores nowadays -- I've looked!

These particular oxford shoes are made by Bernard Holtzman. Some other good brands to search for are Enzo Angiolini, Etienne Aigner, or Stuart Weitzman. There are certainly others I'm unaware of, too -- if you are older than me, you might have some better ideas. (I was just a kid during the time period in question!)

Throughout the next week, I'll share a few of my other eBay finds. If you've ever shared my frustration at finding beautiful, old-fashioned footwear, I hope these posts will help and inspire you!

Advance 9512

My friend Charis bought me two vintage patterns at an antiques & collectors show she attended recently. I was surprised and touched because she doesn't sew, but she knows I like vintage patterns! This one's even in my size -- I quite like the 3/4-length sleeves and the double-breasted style.

Victorian house

Books and a nest:


Blue bottles:


Layers of wallpaper -- an archaeological dig!


Boy, did I have fun taking photos today! I'll share more about today's adventures at a later date...

Paper dolls

My mom came home from her errands this afternoon and said she had bought me a surprise! She then showed me three adorable paper dolls that she found at a local store, dressed in the most darling 1930s fashions. (And yes, Mom is aware that I'm 24, not 4 -- but she's also aware of my mania for 1930s clothes!)

Meet Janey.


And here's Pam (who greatly resembles a little girl I baby-sit!).


And Ted!


I love that he has a little newspaper hat! Isn't childhood sweet? :)


Here are some of Janey's dresses. They are so cute and simple -- you can bet I will be making some like these for any future daughters or nieces! :)

'70s skirt

Remember that herringbone wool from my fabric stash? It's been converted into a retro '70s skirt. (Admittedly not my favorite fashion decade, but it was the height of my mom's sewing-for-herself stage, so we've got quite a few 1970s women's patterns tucked away in the basement... and some of them are cute!!)

For pictures, please visit my sewing gallery.

The one that got away

I sometimes see a gorgeous pattern on eBay that I love, but I refrain from buying it because I know I'd lack the time to make it or the opportunity to wear it. This was one such pattern. I'm now feeling rather remorseful over the fact -- especially since it's in my size. Please, if any of you sewing mavens see another one of these floating around on the Internet, let me know about it!

Kneel for grace

About a year ago, I purchased a vintage 1938 dress-making book at an antique store here in town. While flipping through, I was delighted to find that there are not only sections detailing various sewing techniques, but an entire chapter of the book is devoted to "Your Physical Self: Poise, Posture, Charm."


The book has all sorts of illustrations suggesting how you can do everyday things in a graceful manner. One caption says, "From the time you get up until you go to bed, make every gesture aid you in gaining body grace. Be glad of the opportunity that housework gives for exercise."

How often do we even think of our posture these days? And yet it can make such a difference between appearing graceful and elegant, or awkward and slouchy. So, to both ladies and gentlemen -- shoulders back and head up today! :)

Thrifted skirt

Sweet and coy

I bought this bit of vintage ephemera at an antique store in Omaha, NE several years ago. I could not pass it by because of the expression on the lady's face -- she's got 'im where she wants 'im! :)


Bonus: the back of the postcard has a message!

A pleasant diversion

Today's my birthday, so for a pleasant treat after lunch, Mom and I went to an antique store downtown. Stores change so frequently down there, and somehow I had missed the fact that there are three (!) antique stores within one city block! Two of them were closed, but we enjoyed browsing through the third. The prices were reasonable and we didn't have to wade through a lot of junk. My finds:


The pattern is a classy 1940s suit, in my size! I love the polka-dotted version on the pattern cover -- perfect for the Glenn Miller Festival, if I ever make it there someday. The fabric beneath it is a flour sack remnant, which I plan to make into a baby dress. I'll either sell it or keep it for my hope chest.

Butterick 5681

(click to view the full pattern front)
This was a bit of an impulse buy on eBay -- but relatively inexpensive and in my size! I probably won't make it up anytime soon since I just made a '30s wool suit this past winter, but someday...

I think it would be great in a beautiful chocolate brown tweed.

Dress sketch

My Grandma Leora gave me this sketch that she found in an old letter (I didn't see the letter, so I don't know anything about where it came from or why it was drawn). Judging by the style, I'd say it's from the early to mid-1930s. The clothes at this time were so elegant because of the columnar lines. No wonder it's my favorite era!

McCall's 9698

I bought this pattern off eBay last week, mostly because I love the way the pleats go all the way up the waist! I'm inspired to make two versions of this dress; one sleeveless with a scoopneck, and one with a bateau neckline. (Yes, I do seem to alter just about every single pattern I make.)

Anyway, what I love most of all is that the woman on the left has POODLES all over her dress!

Oldie but a goodie

[Discussing newspaper accounts of Nick's run-in with a thug.]

Nick: I'm a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune.
Nora: I read where you were shot five times in the tabloids.
Nick: It's not true. He didn't come anywhere near my tabloids.

--The Thin Man, 1934

c. 1931 suit

Remember that EvaDress pattern from way back when? Well, I've finally finished the jacket, so I wore the whole ensemble to church today. You can see photos at my sewing gallery.

Du Barry #1035b

This is the vintage pattern I purchased to make a new dress for Easter. I know it's actually a nightgown, but don't tell! I plan on changing the skirt to tea length and adding a neckerchief collar. Here's the fabric I've purchased. I can't wait to get started!

EvaDress 6690

My mother gave me this pattern for Christmas, as well as some money to buy fabric for it. Last week I bought some beautiful light brown wool with a subtle herringbone weave, and some chocolate brown velvet for the contrasting collar. Once I make a quick mock-up of the skirt, I will be able to get started!

I have wanted a 1930s wool walking suit since my early teens, thanks in part to the television show Jeeves & Wooster.

Great-Grandma Irene's recipe box