I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far!  I haven’t been a very good blogger lately and posting has been sporadic the last month or two, even for me.  In a nutshell life has been unusually hectic except for this week which has been gloriously slow-paced; I no longer feel like I’m constantly on the verge of having an anxiety attack.  I’ve also been considering re-thinking my blog, its purpose, etc., and haven’t had a lot to say or was feeling too lazy to write, snap photos and the like.   (I’m still in this mode actually.  These photos were taken with my phone and I didn’t even bother to open Photoshop to edit them, ha.)

Anyway, I hosted Thanksgiving for my parents which was nice especially now that we’ve got a real grown-up table, perfectly rustic and charming.  Out came Grandma and Granpa’s wedding china, their Wedgewood candlesticks (that you can see are still there because they look so festive), and a big leafy bowl to show off persimmons from Mom’s garden (she said she left the stems on because she knows I like that sort of thing).

Now it’s onto Christmas.  I HAD to share this darling old-time kitty that came in a set I bought on Etsy.  Isn’t it sweet?  I favorited another item from this shop months ago but at the time I thought it was actually vintage, I had no idea there was such a wonderful variety of these newly crafted ornaments until I spotted them on the Design is Mine blog.

Do you have any plans for this weekend?  For one thing I am NOT working!  I have to say I’m looking forward to catching up on some sewing.

Sarah Sophie Flicker for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo (via Helmi Otsalla).

I finished a scarflette.  Don’t you love the color?

If you follow along on Facebook you probably know that I got a treadle sewing machine.  Singer model 115, 1921.  Bought it from the original owner (I even have the old, hand-written receipt).   Wonderful condition.  I scrubbed down the parlor cabinet which is why I took the head (machine) out and left it on the built-in in the breakfast nook.  Looks nice there though.  Check out the mermaid details.  Now I just need to learn how to use it.

I’m onto making a cardigan.   My carpal tunnel and tendonitis issues have not really gotten in the way of my knitting, even though I’ve been working up a storm (on the computer).  I’m not going to question it, just accept it and be grateful.  I mean, look how far along I am!  I’m changing up the pattern a bit: 2×2 rib instead of cables, half or 3/4 sleeves instead of short, and adding a mustard-gold stripe or two running through the cuffs and waist ribbing.  I’m looking forward to making the button band as I’ve never made one before.   The main color is “Squirrel Heather,” isn’t that cute?  Both are Knit Picks Swish DK.

Last year I picked up a couple of vintage dresses that needed some serious altering before I could wear them.  Recently I decided to take a break from fall sewing to make the necessary changes; I don’t buy vintage to simply admire or learn from them but to actually use them and these were hanging in the to-do section of my closet for too long!   They are somewhat delicate but I don’t mind, I’ll wear clothes until they fall apart (much to my mom’s chagrin).

One of the frocks mentioned I’ll share with you here.  Post-alterations it’s now my favorite vintage dress!  Once a 1930s floor-length gown it’s now a saucy, ethereal thing.   It has its original hem; I just moved the whole skirt up to preserve the ruffle whilst moving up the waistline too.  The waist before was more fitted (with a side snap closure) but now I can just slip it over my head. (Yay.)  Lately I’ve been making or altering dresses/skirts to make them hit above my knees–a more flattering length for me–but I didn’t want this to be too short.   Since the dress is sheer, my solution was to wear a slip underneath that was quite a bit shorter.  And don’t you love the capelet?  That tie!

Oh, yes, I added some thread belt loops so I can wear a ribbon when it suits my fancy.  (I just read on Coletterie a great post about how to make such belt loops by machine although I make mine by hand.)

I love the look of winter white or cream during the cooler months.  There is almost celebratory about it, especially when contrasted with dark or jewel tones.  (The starry stockings, by the way, are J.Crew tights from the girls’ section that I refashioned.  I no longer have a garter belt and for now they are staying up by sheer willpower.)