Flashback Summer Sewing Launch

I've recently branched out and started Flashback Summer Sewing, a little creative endeavor I'm doing as a side hustle.  (Another side hustle, that is, haha!  I love me some entrepreneurship...) I've started the Flashback Summer Sewing Facebook page as an online "headquarters" for my sewing efforts!

While much my mending and sewing services may be more suitable for people in my geographical area, I'm also perfectly fine with arranging shipping. If you have extra special pieces you'd like mended or even to create an item from scratch, I'd love to work it out with you whether you be near or far!

I'm also going to have a little monthly "catalogue" on the Facebook page with items for sale.  Vintage-inspired seasonal table linens are on the docket for the March catalogue, each and every one handmade by me and one of a kind!



Please check out the Flashback Summer Sewing page, and if you have any questions, ideas or inquiries, feel free to message me or comment below!

1940s Mustard Blouse

The other day was rough.  It was one of those days where it felt like no clothing in the world fit me, and I was bemoaning the fact to myself when suddenly... a package arrived in the mail!  It was a blouse I had traded for, a lovely mustard yellow 1940s blouse.

Honestly, I was preparing myself for it to not fit because that was the mood I was in, so imagine my delight when I put it on and it fit perfectly!  I've almost never gotten items that fit right off, and it was a huge morale boost.

Then, I met Chloé of Chloé Wead Photography at a friend's brunch, and we ended up collaborating for a photo shoot!  It was lovely to work with her, and I think she did an amazing job, don't you?!

I paired the mustard blouse with my 1940s suspender skirt and shoes and a bakelite dress clip.  I've been at a bit of a loss as to how to wear this clip.  It seems to require a very certain type of neckline to look right, and apparently not a neckline currently in my wardrobe.  The suspender straps allowed me to wear it brooch-style.  

Any ideas on how to wear this dress clip?  What do you think of Chloé's photography skills?  Have you checked out her website to see her other awesome work?

Clap for That Wrap: Fruit Wrap

My husband and I had a bit of a "treat yo'self" Valentine's Day, and it included eating dinner at a new swanky hotel in town called Hotel Vandivort.  I took these photos in the back corner of the hotel, and how cool is it?!  

Anyway, it's Clap for That Wrap Wednesday, so on to the head wrapping!  This wrap is very similar to my giant bow wrap, but instead of completing the bow, I just tie a knot and tuck the ends under in the front.  I left some pin curls out, and then I put some fruit on top!  I pondered it one day, tried it out in front of the mirror... and I love it!!!

These fruits came pinned on a 1970s blazer I bought, and I'm honestly not sure what they are.  They're not attached to a brooch back; I've just safety pinned them on.  Millinery bits perhaps?  Either way, the colors coordinate perfectly with this headscarf, and I love the summery fun they've added to this winter outfit!

When you try a head wrap, don't just limit your style to the scarf itself.  Add-ons such as fruit, flowers, brooches, and other bits and bobs can add some serious style!

Outfit details
blouse: handmade by me
skirt: made by me
scarf: thrifted
shoes: 1940s from OLL

Have you worn anything on your head wrap like fruit or flowers?  If you have a picture, please link to it below or tag it with the hashtag #FSwrapclap!  I'd LOOOOVE to see it!

Edwardian Jewelry

Edwardian diamond engagement ring in platinum, circa 1920

For many of us, we dabble here and there in Edwardian styles, though many of us probably don't don a corset and walking skirt for our everyday wear.  Edwardian styles, it seems to me, are some of those that are gorgeous to drool over in pictures, but it's a bit fussy to work into everyday life.

However, Edwardian jewelry is an easy way to add the beautiful delicacy of that era into a modern-vintage wardrobe!  The beautiful pieces from this period are timelessly beautiful, so they fit with any era you may be particularly fond of.  For this post I'm using examples of jewelry from vintagediamondring.com, so if there's anything you REALLY love... it's not a museum piece; it's actually possible to add to your wardrobe!

The Edwardian era is named for King Edward of Britain.  His reign began in 1901, and this is considered the beginning of the Edwardian period, with dates ranging from 1914-1920 being considered the end of the period.

Edwardian sapphire and diamond ring set in platinum, circa 1920s

During this time, the aesthetics and morals of the Victorian era were beginning to encounter the progress and change brought about in the early 20th century.  New inventions were changing the world, and there was hope in the air.  Victorian femininity and decorum were still important, and this was reflected in the jewelry.  Many jewelry pieces retained this Victorian sophistication and mixed it with classic motifs from Roman, Greek, French Baroque, and Napoleonic influences that were popular at the time.

Antique filigree diamond brooch, circa 1920s

Classiness and sophistication were the order of the day, so you'll find a lot of Edwardian pieces that feature diamonds and pearls, prized for their beautiful simplicity.  Platinum was also introduced into jewelry at this time.  Being lightweight but strong, jewelers were able to make low-profile, minimal settings that allowed the gems themselves to shine.  White on white or monochromatic combinations were popular.

Scrolls, wreaths, ribbons, and flower garlands in flowing arrangements are common in Edwardian jewelry, too.  Oftentimes there's an overall dainty feeling in Edwardian pieces, sometimes achieved through filigree or other delicate work.

Edwardian pearl and diamond ring in platinum

Do you own any Edwardian jewelry?  What do you think of it?  Do you like the delicate details, or does it seem a bit fussy for your liking?

This is a sponsored post.  For more information about my sponsorship practices, check out my policies page.

1940s-Arabesque: Advance 4676

I don't particularly like making muslins of patterns, as is probably the case with most sewists.  If I have a pretty good feeling about a pattern, I'll make a wearable muslin instead.  I make it out of fabric that is nice enough to be a finished garment if it works out, but not so nice that I'll be upset if I kill it. This blouse is one of those wearable muslins!

Below is the pattern I used, Advance 4676 from the 1940s.  I fell in love with the gorgeous 3/4 length sleeves, but I don't particularly like the skirt (pleats are too much work to re-iron).  I decided to turn the bodice into a blouse by extending it and making it longer on the bottom, and for the fabric I used leftovers from my husband's robe I made him.  One can never have too many solid colored blouses!

I had some issues in cutting it out, and somehow the fabric slipped and the grain is weird on the back... one shoulder ended up slightly longer than the other... I dunno.... sometimes strange things happen, especially with slickery fabrics like this flannel-backed satin.  I decided to roll with it and fix it along the way.  You know, it's a muslin, haha!  I didn't have extra fabric, so I thought I'd see if I could make it work.  Luckily, it turned out at the end!  

I think next time I'll shorten the sleeves by one or two inches, but besides that, it worked out just fine.  This pattern will graduate on to real fabric soon!

I paired the top with my favorite baggy pants from Zanzibar and a giant waist belt from F21.  The pants can't help but look a bit Middle Eastern because if the similar shape to harem pants, so I rolled with it and made a vaguely Middle Eastern ensemble to go with it.  I used a sheer black scarf to make a 40s style turban and topped it with a brooch.  I love it!  I felt very comfortable in the looser fitting clothing, and adding heels and pops of gold made it feel glamorous at the same time.

Outfit Details

blouse: me-made, Advance 4676 with flannel-back satin fabric

belt: F21

pants: gifted, from Zanzibar

bracelets & brooch: gifted

turban scarf: um.... Egypt?

lip stain: Kat Von D "Outlaw"

shoes: no idea.  Won't even lie.

purse: gifted, from Kenya

Clap for That Wrap: Giant Bow Tutorial

MY, what difficulty I had with this video!  I'm having major troubles with my video editing program, so while this tutorial video is not my best work, it will explain how to tie this awesome bow head wrap!

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them.

Would you guys ever try this style?  If you have or you do in the future, I'd love to see it!

And don't forget to use the hashtag #FSwrapclap!  I repost several tagged pictures every Wednesday to share the vintage community's head wrap creativity!