reader's closet - vintage

Lone Star Quilt

Jmccombs, member | February 3rd, 2012

I decide to use this quilt as a wall hanging in my master bedroom it is quite the focal point.

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Stash Blouse

deChez, member | January 7th, 20122 comments

I'm calling this my "Stash Blouse" because it was made from materials, and supplies that were in my sewing stash. The back and center front were cut from a super soft doe skin ultra-suede I had left...

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Halloween costume 2011

JeanneMariesews, member | November 15th, 2011

This is my haloween cosutme for this year. It is made almost entirely from thrift store finds or fabric from my stash (yes, I have too much fabric in my stash. Wait, is there such a thing?)

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A Salute to Navy Uniforms!

GodSewedFirst, member | November 4th, 20116 comments

The military paid my way through college. Thank God I was in the Navy because out of all the military services and uniforms, I think the Navy's fit the best! Yes, I took a pattern off my...

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And Old Buttons!

GodSewedFirst, member | November 4th, 20115 comments

Along with sewing I enjoy making porcelain buttons. I taught myself how to make plaster molds of my antique button collection and buttons from designs I have made. Using antique books I...

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Victorian dress

Geerex, member | November 2nd, 2011

I made this dress for a trip to Boston. Thanks to Truly Victorian patterns I was able to make this dress without too many problems. I made changes to the front jacket and vest lowering...

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My Vintage Inspired Party Outfit

Aunt_Jennie, member | October 19th, 20112 comments

About a year and a half ago, I asked my mother to teach me the basics of sewing because I was laid up with a knee injury and was unable to work. I've been obsessed with vintage reproduction fashion...

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Back Detail

ModaOri, member | October 17th, 20111 comment

I created the first dress with the floral yellow tones for my daughter who is 16, tall, blond and thin... my very own life size Barbie. Normally she wears what every teen girl out there wants...

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Shiny silver lame' zipper-front bodysuit.

spacey09, member | October 15th, 2011

This is a very shiny liquid silver lame' single-piece bodysuit with short sleeves, a collar and a zipper in the front for zipping and unzipping for easyness when it comes time to put it on or take it...

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Emerald Green Gown

Laura_Mae, member | October 15th, 20116 comments

This gown is the culmination of my sewing skills to date. It took many, many hours of construction, not to mention the years of inspiration and redesign. And I am thrilled with the...

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Sheath dress with swing jacket

Pattern_Nut, member | October 15th, 20113 comments

When I received an invitation to a springtime wedding, I was able to sew this dress and jacket quickly and feel perfectly dressed for the occasion. I often sew vintage patterns, but this...

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EvaDress 1941 Necktie Apron

Pattern_Nut, member | October 15th, 20112 comments

The French printed cotton and the unusual rickrack in my stash worked great for this EvaDress 1941 apron pattern.

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The Lilah Dress

deChez, member | August 20th, 20114 comments

A friend gave me several pieces of vintage lace from her late mother-in-law's sewing stash. I thought it would be fun to use a few pieces on something for my friends grand-daughter. I used New...

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80s Jacket Makes '11 Clutch Bag

Sewista, member | August 16th, 20114 comments

This clutch bag is made from Butterick 5576 out of felted wool from a Geiger inspired jacket I made back in the 80s. Once the pewter buttons were removed and the lining cut out it was thrown into a...

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Vintage Upcycle

Sewista, member | August 13th, 20113 comments

I recently found at a yard sale a mint condition vintage cloth to a card table, ca 1950s. Since the blue in the cloth was the same as my grandaughter's blue eyes it would be perfect for a summer...

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Garage Sale Treasure

Dressmakers_dummy, member | July 2nd, 20112 comments

I found this little folding at a garage sale for $10 and thought it would be great for my daughter's dorm apartment. But it was in bad shape. Since the chair was put together with rivets rather than...

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1936 McCall jacket

Pattern_Nut, member | June 27th, 20116 comments

This is my second rendition of this 1936 McCall jacket pattern 8944. (The first one, in seersucker, has also been posted in Reader's Closet, along with the original pattern illustration.)

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Hill Tribe Skirt

copperwoman, member | April 12th, 20115 comments

Recently I went to a sale of free trade Hill Tribe (Laos and Cambodia) textiles, art, and silver. I bought a recycled wrap skirt made of two pieces of cloth sewn together, more or less in the...

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Heirloom inspired blouse with lace trim

KatrinaAriana, member | March 28th, 2011

For years I'd wanted to make an heirloom top inspired by some of the lovely dresses worn in Pride & Prejudice. I have also long admired the combination of white and sage green, such as...

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Pillbox Hat

DeborahV, member | February 1st, 2011

I made this pillbox style hat from a vintage buckram frame that I reblocked, covered in a gray suiting fabric, and embellished with a hand knit mohair rose.

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Re-use Dress and Bolero

izodiea, member | January 14th, 20115 comments

This is my final entry to the Discarded to Divine Charity Auction : The outfit consistence of a Faux 17th century bolero (complete with cartridge pleated sleeves) over an empire wasted dress with a...

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Vintage Fabrics

deChez, member | January 13th, 2011

More from the box of vintage fabrics I was given. I love the way these fabrics drape so softly, yet shape so nicely.

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60's ring scarf

PoshGirlFriday, member | January 10th, 2011

This is my sewing pattern for a 60's ring scarf. Very easy to create and the rosette instructions are included as well. my shop is www.poshgirlfriday.etsy.com

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crazy christmas stocking

runwaygal, member | December 5th, 2010

Using the crazy quilt techinique I have made stockings for all my children, their spouses, and then grandchildren as they came along. Using all kinds of material scraps coordinating with chirstmas...

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A crazy christmas skirt

runwaygal, member | December 5th, 2010

Years ago I learned how to do the crazy quilts from a class at my local sewing store. Over the years I have made stockings for all my children, their spouses, and then grandchildren as they...

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Doctor Who -- The Fourth Doctor

KBthreads, member | November 14th, 20104 comments

For this costume I made the 13-foot-long scarf out of thrift store sweaters (see detailed instructions below), dyed the hat brown and attached a hat band, made the necktie, and restructured...

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The Defenceless Musketeer

wendyl2010, member | November 8th, 2010

It was two weeks before Halloween when my friend finally pursuaded me to make a costume with her this year. I had no idea what to be so as I was flipping through the Simplicity Catalogue, I saw...

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Things I love to sew and design.

SusieHomemaker, member | October 12th, 20105 comments

I enjoy making and designing handbags special order. I have collected material in my travels. Curtain fabric inspires me to create my bags with linings and lots of pockets. Originally I wanted to...

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Vintage Vogue Gown

Laura_Mae, member | October 12th, 20104 comments

Pattern Description: Vintage Vogue Model, Original 1948 Design, Close-fitting dress, evening-length, has shoulder pads, front extending into single-layered drape (wrong side shows), inset, front...

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Inspired By Threads: Issue 64 ~ Ribbonwork Flowers/In Detail

Kathleen_Noll, member | October 7th, 20103 comments

In 1996, when I was 17 years old, I was inspired by Threads Issue #64 to make my Senior Prom dress. The issue featured an article and an "In Detail" back cover image on Ribbonwork...

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60's inspired suit with pillbox hat

balcsgirl, member | October 6th, 20101 comment

I have been admiring vintage looks for quite a while. My husband made me a beautiful sewing room that is finally finished and this is the first garment that I made in my new room! The pillbox...

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Pillows - Re

christophernejman, member | September 20th, 20101 comment

Pillows: Designer Techniques Using Your Sewing Machine book by Christopher Nejman Use fibers, fabrics, and thread in new and original ways Learn how to use a needle punching machine like the...

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Cotton Candy Dress

VerityClothing, member | September 2nd, 20102 comments

This was made using parts of a vintage dress, and some recycled materials. If you would like more info: http://verityclothing.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/cotton-candy-dress/

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I Love the '80s Dress

VerityClothing, member | September 2nd, 2010

For more info on this creation, please feel free to check out this entry on my blog: http://verityclothing.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/i-love-the-80s-dress/

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Birthday Sundress

VerityClothing, member | September 2nd, 20104 comments

For more info about this reconstruction, please check out the entry on my blog: http://verityclothing.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/birthday-sundress/

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Christening Ensemble Made from Vintage Pattern

Ogden, member | August 27th, 2010

For my granddaughter's christening, I created a three-piece, lined ensemble made with light weight ivory wool and accented with pearl trim on the hat and dress. The coat and hat (shown) were made...

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1887 Silk Bat

EvaDress, member | August 25th, 20105 comments

I draped and drafted pattern pieces to create this silk bat costume. I began this project by building an 1886 corset pattern from another issue of 'La Mode Illustree'. I adapted it to...

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Handmade Ring Bearer Pillow

tamk, member | July 3rd, 20102 comments

Beautiful mixed textiles in creams and white. Vintage 2 1/2 in. metal rose pin makes a statement at center stage. Cream hand crocheted romantic trim measures 4 inches. White pillow center. Round...

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Ruffled Aprons for Summer Party Fun

GeoaDesigns, member | June 21st, 20102 comments

At the end of every school year my daughters and I vote on gifts to give their teachers. This year's winner was aprons, mostly because their teachers talked about how much they loved to cook...

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Vintage lamp recreated with Victorian style lamp shade

shadezofmichelle, member | June 15th, 20102 comments

This is a wonderful vintage lamp that I refinished, rewired and created a handsewn Victorian style lamp shade for. The techniques I used for creating the lamp shade include hand stitching...

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Threads - for people who love to sew

reader's closet - vintage - Threads