My New Machine

Hey Everyone! I am SUPER excited about my new sewing machine.

It's vintage!!I have named her Bernadette. I hadn't really planned on buying a sewing machine, I had been pinning vintage sewing machines on Pinterest lately as well as favoriting them on Etsy. So when I saw one at an estate sale, it was a dream come true (literally, I had a dream about it the night before) Friday-Saturday I worked hard at setting up a garage sale and selling my old things, I made $144.62. The machine was priced for $300, but first we had to see if it worked, when it did I was so excited I had to buy it. Their lowest price was $250, so my darling mother decided to pay for half until I can pay her back. I took it home right away and started to clean the old thing. Here is a great tutorial I found for how to clean it.

Since my machine didn't come with a manual and wasn't clearly marked, I had to figure out what model my little singer was. I found a great little guide online, which is sort of like a quiz you take to find out what model your machine is. CLICK HERE if you want to take the quiz. 

After taking this, I found my machine is a Featherweight Singer Model 221 made in 1950. It works pretty well, we just need to fix some bugs up a bit. As well as the smell, you know the old, and moldy smell. If you have any suggestions as to how to get rid of this smell, let me know. While I am super excited, I am getting quite frustrated with the problems that need fixing, not sure I am gonna want to pay $100 to get it serviced until I am at my wits end. 

Also, we are going to Pasadena, California this Friday for my mom's cousin's wedding. Hoping to check out the vintage shopping as well as a couple famous sites, maybe I will find Audrey Hepburn's star on the walk of fame

Vintage Bangs

Hey Everyone, lately I have been considering cutting bangs...again. See, I cut them before and I just now finished growing them out. I just find that when my hair is pulled back in a vintage style ponytail, it just doesn't flatter my face, the way it does on other people. I was thinking a nice side bang to start off, and if I like it  I might go full out bangs. Here are my inspirations:

My inspiration was mainly from Brigitte Bardot.

Here is what it would be like in a ponytail. I think she has grapes on her neck...

And here she is yet again, you get the general idea. Below is a couple pictures of Audrey Hepburn showing us how she cuts bangs.

So technically, I would cut them like Emma Stone's down here, then pin curl it to make it this shape.

Now before I grab the scissors, I want to be sure this will suit my face shape, so I researched it and I found a great site which let's you put hairstyles on your face before you get them. To visit it CLICK HERE. Or if you want to find out your face shape so you can see if bangs will flatter you, CLICK HERE. Or if you want to see more vintage bangs check out this blog post!

Petticoats!

Hello lovely followers! I need a petticoat and have been on the search for one, I could sew one, but only if it is significantly cheaper because, I have so many projects still to do. I recently found a website which has the chiffon style I like. To check it out CLICK HERE.

I have recently learned there are three diffrent types of volumizing skirts. Petticoats, which are made of layers of fabric worn under skirts and dresses to add volume. 

This is the style I want becuase it is soft, and ruffley! Next, there is Pettiskirts,which are not to be worn under dresses and skirts. But to be worn, as a skirt. It's not really my style, but it could work.

Last is a crinoline, which is made with tulle or net, This one is better for a more extreme volume, however if there isn't a layer of fabric in between your legs and the tulle it is scratchy.

Which style is your favorite?

Sewing Projects

Hello Everyone! I have so many sewing projects still to do, and am putting off some summer projects until next summer since fall is coming up anyways.
1. This weekend I am going to sew a red swimsuit top, which I will pair with the Bombshell Swimsuit Bottoms, which my mom has nicely offered to make for me.

2. Next, I plan on altering my yellow vintage dress, which used to be my grandmother's wedding rehearsal dress in the early 1960s.
3. Then, I will get back to my red dress, which had been put on hold due to the bodice being huge! So, then I will get back to that.

4. Next, I will be drafting a pattern using Gertie's New book for better sewing Pattern. Specifically the circle skirt pattern, which will be nice for odd pieces of fabric I have left over from other projects.


Keep reading to see how the suit turns out, as well as my other projects!

Back to School Shopping

Hey everyone! I took the time yesterday to go back to school shopping at my two favorite vintage shops in U- District, Lucky and Redlight. I plan to go to the Redlight in Capital Hill before school starts as well. I spent under 100$ about...$84. Here is what I got:

This 1960s pink dress with a cute plaid print, it fits like a glove which is refreshing becuase normally when I shop vintage nothing fits, I suspect this dress was a junior size dress. It is made out of a kind of cotton material, so it isn't really fallish but, I can always wear a cardigan. I got this at Lucky Vintage for $30.

Next, I got this nightgown from Lucky vintage, I only had to take in the straps 2 inches of either side, which is easy and it is worth it. Up until now most of my sleepwear is just old T-shirts and shorts, so it is nice to have something cozy as well as vintage and pretty. It was only $20. I could always wear it as a dress when going to the ballet.

Then I got this fabulous leopard print beret. It was $16 at Redlight and I thought "Gee, I really can't live without a vintage leopard print beret!"

And Last, my little bobby sox jacket. It is fully lined, wool and absolutely looked brand new. It was only $18 at Redlight! I am pretty proud of this purchase. More Later! Bye!