tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post1093858353792906611..comments2024-03-29T04:19:27.038-05:00Comments on Flashback Summer: Controversial Post: Refashioning Perfectly Wearable VintageEmileigh http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-74247275417195337952015-02-26T07:47:29.898-06:002015-02-26T07:47:29.898-06:00I know this post is from ages ago but I came acros...I know this post is from ages ago but I came across it - coincidentally - just as I started to alter a 60s suit skirt that doesn't fit me so that I can wear it with the jacket and shell top, which do. I also altered a 50s wiggle dress the other week that had full-length sleeves and quite a high neckline and was unflattering because the overall impression was just too. much. fabric and I looked like a sofa. I took those sleeves to just below the elbow and have worn it twice since then. A tiny alteration, and a 'modernising' one, but one that makes the difference between a wearable dress and something that is a bit ugly.<br />Did you alter your skirt?<br />I think a few things about your original post: <br />(1) you are absolutely right that the original owners of these clothes would have made the alterations. They would also have completely 'modernised' garments if they fancied. My mother altered garments three and four times between the late 50s and the 70s. I still wear some of the later incarnations today, and she has altered a couple of these for me.<br />(2) there isn't necessarily someone out there - never mind someone you can find - for whom any given garment will be perfect. My 60s suit is a case in point - there is a big difference in sizing between the top and bottom. The chances of finding someone who won't need to alter one or the other are slim. And that's partly because women in the past altered the clothes much more than we do to get a good fit - it's not uncommon for the vintage things I buy to have sizing oddities introduced by their original owners.<br />(3) there are ugly as sin vintage pieces out there. Bad dressmakers existed in the past just as they do today, as did good dressmakers with bad taste. If that ugly garment can be made into a lovely garment I will wear, it stands a much better chance of being worn than if I hang fire for someone to fall in love with its hideousness - perhaps someone who wants to look like a sofa?<br />(3) I am a little inclined to see absolutely reverence for 'pure' vintage as a little pretentious. There's a difference between archive collections - which are never worn - and pieces we wear. Wear a piece and you risk damaging it. <br />I very much agree that Livia Firth's 11-dresses-into-one approach is a bit stinky though. Love your blog.<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-74704200996238978962014-07-30T07:31:17.710-05:002014-07-30T07:31:17.710-05:00Emileigh, that you are thinking about the pros and...Emileigh, that you are thinking about the pros and cons, to me is the most important thing, regardless of what you decide at the end of the day.<br />If all we were focussed on was preserving vintage- we wouldn´t wear our clothes- we´d pack them away. <br /><br />I think most of us actually want to enjoy our clothes while holding some responsibility for future generations who might also want to enjoy vintage in the same way we have. To me a 50s cotton skirt is a ¨daily driver¨- I wear mine everday- to work, doing errands and going out. I´m not sure all of them will outlive me. However I do expect to pass on my evening dresses, western, coats, suits etc. and jewellery- the things that will last because they are not worn often or in the case of jewellery because they won´t deteriorate in the same way.<br /><br />I do do alterations so that things fit me. I don´t focus so much on it being reversible- because women in the day got their dresses altered to fit! I don´t so much alter the integrity of the garments original design, but I have done it at times and on one occasion regretted it (don´t ask me why I thought it was a good idea to cut up a catalina bathing suit- won´t be doing that again!), but in other cases I have loved my altered garment even more- and not planning on selling them!<br />I don´t think focussing on resale value should trump everything. And really, I´ve never had a problem selling anything I´ve owned that has been respectfully altered or carefully repaired- most people appreciate a garment being cared for.and dealing someone who can explain exactly what has and hasn´t been done to a garment.<br /><br />Personally I think you should consider the role vintage plays in your life. If you are a ¨wear it a few times and flip it kind of girl¨ then don´t touch it and sell it now. If you think you can créate something that will be in your wardrobe for years, worn and loved (and you aren´t fussed about what it is or is not worth) then go for it. Your plans for it are in keeping with designs of the time.<br /><br />It´s interesting reading everyone´s thoughts.phenolicfanatichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16254118004690467131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-7647414699439375602014-07-29T13:18:55.319-05:002014-07-29T13:18:55.319-05:00It's good to know I'm not the only one out...It's good to know I'm not the only one out there contemplating vintage "heresy"! I'll definitely keep everyone updated and let you know how it goes! Hopefully it will help you in your dilemma!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-85659468186278545792014-07-19T11:27:35.367-05:002014-07-19T11:27:35.367-05:00What a post! I really admire you for taking a stan...What a post! I really admire you for taking a stand and putting your thoughts an opinions out there on this subject because for MONTHS I have been facing the same one myself. Like a few others mention, I often only do alterations that can be undone, nothing drastic, but sometimes there is something you just love, and, like you said, can't find the fabric anywhere else! I'm STILL torn on the item I have in mind myself.<br /><br />If you decide to go forward with the process, I really do look forward to the outcome and to hear your experience and feelings.<br /><br />xoxo<br />-JaneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-69875248847715475602014-07-17T16:17:00.562-05:002014-07-17T16:17:00.562-05:00I actually found out a lot about the print from yo...I actually found out a lot about the print from your site! I didn't realize it was so common until I read some of your posts and some others, and that is influencing my decision. Though I've only seen the actual fabric for sale once (sold by the time I saw it), I see the skirts everywhere. So.... I'm kind of agreeing, that "cutting it would not be a big vintage sin"! <br /><br />I am going to see if I can find the reproduced fabric you are talking about, though. That would be a better option if I can find it! Thanks for the tip!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-49736269294648550452014-07-17T14:13:59.070-05:002014-07-17T14:13:59.070-05:00I'm pretty much in the don't alter camp, b...I'm pretty much in the don't alter camp, but there are exceptions. If the item is in really poor shape and is just not wearable or worth anything to a collector, then I'll use the fabric in projects. If I want to alter an item to make it wearable for me, I don't do anything that can't be reversed. I'm getting ready to reline a 1960s jacket, but I'll keep the old lining and buttons, which I'm also changing.<br /><br />I never encourage the recutting of old clothes, not because they are all valuable, but because so many of them are, and most people can't tell a Sears dress from a Charles James! <br />But your skirt was a mass produced item that is relatively common. Cutting it would not be a big vintage sin, in my opinion!<br /><br />Just a note about the fabric, I'm pretty sure it was reproduced about 8 years ago, and a company called Bernardo (not sure if it's the shoe company) made gathered skirts from it and other vintage reproduction fabrics. Seems like a crescent was removed from the top of a mosque, and a seated man was removed in the reproduction. The original was called "Casbah" and it was made by Millworth Converting Co. I have the same print in black.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-81587274520900677782014-07-15T18:55:24.218-05:002014-07-15T18:55:24.218-05:00That is true. I would think that you could reprodu...That is true. I would think that you could reproduce it for your own personal use without issue, just not make it available to others, but I'm not sure.Tanithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09915557658875958630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-89759411121403126782014-07-15T18:39:50.726-05:002014-07-15T18:39:50.726-05:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Amber! I hope t...Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Amber! I hope to hear from you again! :)Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-51359012371509800372014-07-15T18:39:07.138-05:002014-07-15T18:39:07.138-05:00Hey Frances!
First off, I also googled and nearly ...Hey Frances!<br />First off, I also googled and nearly swooned with happiness when I saw that Etsy listing! However, I was disappointed to find that it has sold. :(<br />I also considered the amount of fabric, and I planned on doing some measuring and a test run on a muslin first before taking the skirt apart, just to be sure. I'm not 100% decided on what I'm going to do, but trying that out would have a big effect on my decision, so I think I'll be trying it soon. I'll definitely keep you posted!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-64073543362554091432014-07-15T18:00:50.659-05:002014-07-15T18:00:50.659-05:00Hum, well... people have made lots of good points ...Hum, well... people have made lots of good points both ways, but perhaps a more pressing question is: is there enough of it to really do what you want? Making a bodice with the border print neatly aligned will take quite a bit of fabric, and there may not really be enough of it to both do the bodice well and maintain a skirt that you like (especially since the one you posted looks nearly as full, it just isn't worn with a petticoat). Alternatively, have you tried styling it sans petticoat yet? I mostly live in full skirts, but a petticoat plus or minus really can make a difference.<br />(Oh!!! One more thing... a cursory googling brings up this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/112798963/mid-century-gray-printed-cotton-fabric?ref=tre-306610460-9 , is that, perchance, your fabric?)Franceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08213240635054488156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-14295142795079752152014-07-15T12:22:39.639-05:002014-07-15T12:22:39.639-05:00Ohhhh dear. This is a stunning skirt, and true vin...Ohhhh dear. This is a stunning skirt, and true vintage birder prints in good condition are so hard to find!!! For the fact of what it is, and being in good condition I personally would never re fashion it...When it comes to unique vintage items such as the print on this I think it's more important to preserve history. <br />Amber Rohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04481734280945509900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-27170558273850402642014-07-15T09:29:08.320-05:002014-07-15T09:29:08.320-05:00That's a good point, Marie. I'm not total...That's a good point, Marie. I'm not totally sure of what I'll be doing yet, but I think I am leaning one way. I'll be sure to keep you guys updated!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-87262202824412571112014-07-15T09:28:10.480-05:002014-07-15T09:28:10.480-05:00Hello Jessica! Thank you very much for sharing yo...Hello Jessica! Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I really wish there was something similar already out there, but 40s novelty prints like this are MUCH harder to find. (In fact, I've only ever seen a pictures, nothing actually for sale). I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do yet, but you can rest assured that if I do decide to alter the skirt, I'm going to take every precaution and keep you guys updated so I'm sure not to kill it! (I, too, would cry if that happened.)Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-51374848035781266392014-07-15T09:26:23.459-05:002014-07-15T09:26:23.459-05:00Thank you very much, Joanna! I appreciate your in...Thank you very much, Joanna! I appreciate your input on this! I do LOVE the fabric used in novelty skirts, but pouffier skirts are just not quite my thing, so I'm at an impasse. I think I'm starting to lean in one direction, but I'll definitely keep you guys updated and use you guys as sewing accountability if need be to make sure, if I do decide to refashion it, that I won't kill it!<br />BTW, I saw some of your novelty skirt pics on the Oh La La page, and they're ADORABLE. Seriously, you're growing my love for novelty prints too!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-20319435209183827342014-07-14T22:28:50.151-05:002014-07-14T22:28:50.151-05:00I think it depends on the garment and the life it ...I think it depends on the garment and the life it will have going forward. If you were to alter it and tire of it quickly that would be more the shame. But what if you get a whole new long life out of it? I think you should go with your heart!<br /> Marie @ <a href="http://inourhappyplace.com/" rel="nofollow">In Our Happy Place </a><br />Marie https://www.blogger.com/profile/00232112500545527374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-6745116778934904922014-07-14T20:17:32.781-05:002014-07-14T20:17:32.781-05:00It is a really beautiful piece, and it would be gr...It is a really beautiful piece, and it would be great if you could find a way to trade it for something that fits your lifestyle a little bit better. However, I think you're right that clothes are meant to be worn, and if you think that you can make the skirt into something you're more likely to use, I'd say go for it. Vintage clothing is precious in the sense that it's unique, there's never going to be any more of it, and it can feel really great to know that you're wearing a dress or skirt or whatever from a completely different historical time period than you. Of course, there are also practical concerns, which other people have mentioned - is the fabric sturdy enough, and do you have enough yardage to complete your project? It would be a pity to try to reconstruct the skirt and have it not work out. But I think it's also pretty historically accurate, so to speak, to refashion the skirt to suit you better. After all, thrift and creative repurposing was a way of life back then.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06827840216337511678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-11645165014731480362014-07-14T15:04:21.336-05:002014-07-14T15:04:21.336-05:00Can I also say, that you look so wonderfully prett...Can I also say, that you look so wonderfully pretty in a full skirt! I think you might want to reconsider your position on wearing it as is :) I've recently just hit the novelty skirt bug fascination. I've just bought a few in a relatively short period of time. They are so fun, kind of like postcards of the past. Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16439393534029787165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-16231253803199651272014-07-14T15:01:59.017-05:002014-07-14T15:01:59.017-05:00You know my first thought is that this is indeed y...You know my first thought is that this is indeed your skirt and it is your choice to change it as you like. I guess the one thing that might be a little sad is if you were to tear apart the skirt and decide there wasn't enough to make your plans. Also, is there a way for you to trade this skirt for something you do like? It's difficult with vintage. On one hand it is kind of an art history on another it is clothing and things happen to clothing. My over all feeling is that this really is your skirt and you want to make it into something you enjoy, you are right ladies of the past would have and have done the same.Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16439393534029787165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-21777890975302920482014-07-14T14:50:20.778-05:002014-07-14T14:50:20.778-05:00Yeah, all that you're saying is true! I'm...Yeah, all that you're saying is true! I'm still not totally 100% sure on what I'm going to do, but you have made some really good points. (Especially about wedding dresses in 2,000 years, ha!!!) Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I'll keep you guys updated on what happens to the skirt!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-90415238135531090792014-07-14T14:49:05.232-05:002014-07-14T14:49:05.232-05:00Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Caroline! I ...Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Caroline! I think I'm kind of leaning your way on this issue, but I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do yet. I'll keep you guys posted!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-38181055486838499722014-07-14T14:48:12.124-05:002014-07-14T14:48:12.124-05:00I pondered reproducing it, but I don't think I...I pondered reproducing it, but I don't think I can due to copyright laws. I didn't create the fabric or have rights to it, so I don't think I can lawfully recreate it. I'd hate to gyp the artist that created it.<br />Not to mention, I can't really get a good picture of the design because of the pleats.<br /><br />That being said, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do. I truly love the fabric (which is the unique part of the skirt anyway, not really the skirt design itself), so I'll be sure to keep you guys updated!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-33651533657703183922014-07-14T14:45:23.741-05:002014-07-14T14:45:23.741-05:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Juliana! I'...Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Juliana! I'll keep you guys posted!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-26783305045547358822014-07-14T14:44:50.235-05:002014-07-14T14:44:50.235-05:00Hey, you're still in the community, Gillian! ...Hey, you're still in the community, Gillian! I haven't always worn full-out vintage (and I still don't wear it ALL the time), but if you love it, you're in!<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your opinion! I'm still not 100% sure either way, but I'll definitely keep you guys updated!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-51669711578544218922014-07-14T14:40:37.672-05:002014-07-14T14:40:37.672-05:00Yes, I've only ever made extremely small chang...Yes, I've only ever made extremely small changes that could be reversed, like hemming or other small alterations. This one has me a bit nervous, and I'm still not quite sure what I'll do. Thank you very much for your input in the discussion! I really appreciate it!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382754892322119466.post-70877384971527546962014-07-14T14:39:45.582-05:002014-07-14T14:39:45.582-05:00Really?! Great minds think alike, huh? I can'...Really?! Great minds think alike, huh? I can't wait to read your post on this!<br /><br />I also hate ridiculously hacked off dresses. SO DEPRESSING. I swear I won't do that. :)<br /><br />I'll definitely keep everyone updated!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.com