Vintage Finds + Wedding Things
25 June 2009 | by jen in Vintage, Wedding Stuff
Thank you for your engagement well wishes! They really made me smile. As you can imagine I have become a little consumed with wedding ideas and planning; the reason being I’d like to get married this year. I’m not interested in a long engagement (partially, I suppose, because we’ve been together for 5 years and I’m not getting any younger!) and have very quickly come to realize that stuff (venues, photographers, etc.) gets booked up well in advance. Seriously, the idea of eloping becomes more and more appealing as I traipse my way through wedding-related sites on the internet. Anyway, I haven’t forgotten about my Sewing Basics series! Just, you know, trying to wrap my head around so many things.
Anyhow, wanted to share some vintage finds (and related wedding ideas). I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted a regular phone, one that plugged into the phone jack without needing to be plugged into an electrical outlet as well (I presume so that the answering machine will work). I was going to get something cheap at Goodwill and store in the closet just in case - just in case the power goes out, my cell doesn’t work and I need to make a phone call. You never know! But since I was in the market for such a phone it dawned on me to get a vintage one - a rotary phone! At first I wanted aqua or Robin’s egg blue but when I saw this chocolate brown one I knew that was the one I wanted. And I think I paid about $10 or $11 (plus shipping) on eBay. And yes, it works! The really hilarious thing is, to test it out I dialed my cell phone number which has a different area code from my home phone. By the time I got halfway through the darn phone number, I forgot which digit I was on - hahaha!
A few weeks ago I won this vintage quilt, also on eBay. I don’t know about you but I don’t necessarily want my vintage finds to be in pristine condition. I love the yellowing and fading and little threads hanging out; I love things that were once used and loved very much. This is a bow tie quilt and I’m sure you can see why. Probably 1930s with lots of feedsack prints. The grey fabric you see on the far right is what I’m going to use to make bias tape to rebind the edges; while I love the tatteredness of the quilt, I don’t want what stuffing that is left to fall out.
Ok, wedding stuff! I haven’t decided if I’m going to carry a bouquet or not. I’m thinking not but who knows, I might change my mind later. I have my dress mapped out in my head and I would love to wear a vintage flower at my waist with a ribbon or a sash in a color besides ivory (which is the color of the dress). I haven’t finalized any wedding colors yet but I’m leaning towards ivory, chocolate brown, mustard-gold and lavender/iris. Possibly a spot or 2 of aqua, reminiscent of the mermaid ring box. And instead of a boutonniere, my fiance could wear a vintage hankie in his breast pocket.
More hankie possibilities here. And the yarn for something I might make to keep me warm after the ceremony.
So I figured out that the next Sewing Basics post will be about deciphering the back of your pattern and selecting the fabric. (Hmm, did I say this already?) I will try to post this in the next couple of days so you can get your things ready if you choose. More soon!
What are your thoughts, dears? | ♥ 
25 June 2009 | Cindy says:
I love hankies. They remind me on my mom! Nice vintage finds.
25 June 2009 | Andrea says:
On non-pristine vintage and antique goodies: yes! I like things to show they had a life and a history. It makes them that much more interesting.
On the last pic in the post: “GRRR! I WILL complete ALL wedding-related to-dos!” Oh how that placement cracks me up! (And those fox buttons are cute.
)
26 June 2009 | Elizabeth Mackey says:
OH Jen, you have to have a bouquet! Something simple and elegant,but you have to have one.
I can’t wait to see how your planning evolves. My oldest daughter eloped to Paris, to marry her French husband,and their wedding day was very special. We could not attend, because we were just moving back from Europe and moving to our new home, the day they got married! We had planned on doing another wedding here in California, but it never happened,and it made me sad. Seeing their photos from Paris though, makes me happy that his family was there and it was still special for them.
26 June 2009 | Delilah says:
Oooooh I love vintage too! Those vintage hankies look divine! I always end up using things like that to make cute baby clothes for my daughter.
You can find some really unique and vintage wedding stuff at Etsy.com You should definitely check it out if you haven’t already heard of it.
26 June 2009 | Violette Crumble says:
I missed the announcement, but congratulations! I’m sure you will make a beautiful wedding. I have a word of unrequested advice: If you can find a way to do it where you just have finger food and booze, you’ll save thousands of dollars that could go towards a house instead, and everyone will still have a fabulous time.
Yay wedding!!!!
28 June 2009 | Tara Diane says:
ooooh, those colors sound really interesting! I’ve never seen them together, I can’t wait to see what you come up with :).
28 June 2009 | Modern Crush - Georgia says:
Everything is just lovely, and I love the phone!!! xoxo
29 June 2009 | Casey says:
Oh! That phone is lovely! I have a big, heavy black rotary phone that my mom bought me before my wedding. I don’t have it hooked up to the phone line, as it needs a converter (it has the really, really old wire hook up), but I have it displayed in the living room!
Reading about all your plans for the wedding is so fun! I love your “maybe, maybe not” attitude…
So cute!
29 June 2009 | Marjorie says:
Oh I love that you used a rotary dial to call your cell!! That is so cute!!
tee hee!! And vintage hankies and old 30’s quilts are among my favorite things!! 
29 June 2009 | elissa says:
love all the vintage loveliness and simplicity of it all… SIGH…. never should have got married at 21, because, while i did know what i liked at 21, i think i didn’t know that i was “allowed” to do what i liked. LOVE picturing the colors you are thinking of in my head. thanks for sharing!
21 September 2009 | Antique Wedding Rings says:
So wonderful. I think these finds look the best all together this way.
25 January 2010 | Indian Gold Jewelry says:
Thanks for the suggestion! That’s a really great idea. Good luck with it!
06 February 2010 | smartassbride/julie says:
hi, i love that quilt and used the pic on my blog… hope that’s ok with you!!
25 May 2010 | Someone Married says:
These ideas are great. I really like that golden flower. On my big day I am using the colors purple and gold and it will be in the winter. That felt hand crafted flower would be a great addition to my decorations. Thanks.
27 May 2010 | canada model says:
Thanks for thede pictures