Butterick 9305

I started this dress months ago when it was still wintery but then I got bogged down with essays and assignments. I've finally finished it but it's decidedly springy now and I probably won't get to wear it much until autumn.   

The pattern was from Two Squirrels Vintage.  It's Butterick 9305 which, according to the Vintage Patterns Wiki, is from 1960. Interestingly, the image they have has different colours than my pattern envelope does. I've found that with quite a few of my vintage patterns. Maybe they printed them in different colours for New Zealand?

The fabric is a really fine wool that I got from Trademe. I underlined it with some black cotton because it was too thin. Seriously, though, I hate having to cut out all the pieces twice, and then having to baste them together. It takes so long.     

Ugh, my fringe is all funny because it was so windy yesterday

I made view A. I changed all the pleats in the bodice and skirt to darts because it was way too gape-y. I also put buttons all down the front because I couldn't see the point in sewing the bottom of the skirt shut and only having four buttons. I had to cut about 20cm off the hem because this pattern was obviously made for tall(er) people.

Yeah, I'm wearing the hat backwards because I like it better that way

I was a bit worried that the massive collar would be overwhelming but I love it, especially from the back.

 

Dress: I made it

Shoes: Golden Ponies

Hat: Op shopped

Belt: Op shopped

Bakelite Bangles: Etsy

Pear Brooch: Trademe

Vintage Dior Sketches

I was searching for something else when I came across these amazing Dior sketches from the 50s on the Fashion Institute of Technology's Library Department of Special Collections. From what I can gather, they are from a collection for Bergdorf Goodman.  

I'm pretty sure this sketch is for this gorgeous suit, which is part of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising's museum collection. It's from the Autumn/Winter 1955 collection.      

This is pretty much my dream coat.  

I love the bow on this one. 

And the bow on this one too, obviously. 

There are tons of other sketches in the collection. You can see the rest here.

Spring, spring, spring

I try not to wear pale colours because, as you can see, they tend to just blend in with my skin tone, but I love this dress. It has lots of lovely details, like shirring on the shoulders, a peter pan collar and piping at the waist. I took the hem up, because, although the original floor length was lovely, it wasn't very practical.

Vintage headpiece

Vintage dress: Trademe
Vintage headpiece: Nevermore Vintage on etsy
Vintage slip (under dress): Op shopped
Dance Shoes: Trademe
Socks: Columbine

Put a Bird on it II

I have been busy with uni lately, and haven't had time to do any sewing or op shopping but I have been wearing clothes, so I thought I'd just show you what I wore today.  

Vintage dress: Two Squirrels
Cardigan: Op shopped
Shoes: Hunters and Collectors, Wellington
Belt: Op shopped
Brooch: Trademe
Bag: Trademe
Tights: Can't remember

The bag is one of my favourites. It's actually a toilet bag but it's way too awesome to use for that. It's not just me that thinks the bag is great, every time I use it someone comes up to me and says, "I love your bag".  

'70s Platforms

It's very awkward trying to take pictures of your shoes while wearing them

I wore a pair of 1970s platform shoes a couple of posts ago and Vix wanted to have a closer look at them, so here they are.

I love the little peepholes on the front

I bought them from Etsy and they were my first pair of '70s platforms. I have a small collection now (if three can really be counted as a collection).

 

L-R- op shopped, Etsy, Etsy

 I wear the cream ones the most. They are surprisingly comfortable. The red ones are really high (even though they don't look it in the photo), and I'm slightly afraid that I'm going to do a Naomi Campbell and fall on my arse. I was actually wearing the black and white ones when we had a 5.5 magnitude earthquake and I didn't fall over so I guess they're not too high.

Vintage style flower necklace

I bought these cute floral buttons a couple of years ago. I planned to use them on a blouse but then I realised that the shape would make them awkward to do up and undo. They've been sitting in my button stash (yep, I've got a stash of those too) ever since. Then I saw a vintage floral celluloid necklace in this post on Va-Voom Vintage. I could use my buttons to make a vintage inspired necklace.

I got a chain and clasps. I used my trusty pliers (seriously, I use them all the time) to attach the clasp and the buttons to the chain.

The flowers aren't spaced unevenly, I just positioned the necklace funny when I took the photo

It was so quick and easy, and I really love it. 

And here it is in action (not that you can really see it):

Vintage dress: Trademe
Shoes: Golden Ponies
Belt: Op shopped
Scarf: Belonged to my grandma
Bakelite bangles: Etsy and ebay
Necklace: I made it