After an unproductive week, I ticked off quite a few sewing projects from my list over the weekend. (So I’m going to break them down into 2 or 3 little posts.) The first one I’m going to share is this silvery grey 1930s silk dress that I rescued at a local flea market. It is literally coming apart at the seams and for a while there I had it decorating the wall of my studio:

It’s the yellowed and faded blue one on the far left.   Despite, or perhaps because of, it’s sorry state I fell in love.  It’s extremely delicate but I decided that I really wanted to wear it, even if only for a day.  The first step was to do something about the color: I soaked it in a diluted solution of water and Pearl Grey Rit dye.  Then I…

• Took up the shoulders and gathered the extra collar/capelet where I took them in
• Cut a foot off the hem (my hem turned out very wonky – yay for bias cut fabric!)
• Removed a very sad little bow on the back
• Repaired the major holes, rips and loose bits.

I can’t decided if it needs any embellishment as I sort of love it unadorned.  I thought about lightly stitching on a black satin sash either at the neck or in the back.  Or perhaps using a sash as a belt around the waist.

What else went into the dye bath?  This lovely Edwardian blouse from 1385:

This one started off white and yet took on the same lavender-grey color of the blue dress.  This top is also extremely delicate and I bought it for cheap “as is” because of all the holes in it.  But I had to…

…I cannot get over the details!  This handiwork – can you imagine creating all this from scratch?  I’m crafty but I would not have the patience for or the will to do something like this.

So I fixed the holes:

Little patches.  I got the fabric from the sides as the blouse was too big and there was a big whole under the arm anyway.  I reset the sleeves; I did not re-cut them so they are big-ish but it seemed like more effort than I wanted to spend and I think they look OK.

I know, a lot of work for such a delicate little thing.  But the patches are a nice touch, don’t you think?  I rather like them.

Me thinks my room is turning into a little museum.    What is it about these lovely and well-loved old things?  I know I’ve said this before but I adore vintage and antique things that are a little worn and imperfect.  But a couple of these recent finds are very worn and must surely have been deeply loved!

The best part is I got this old blouse, bag and hankie for $15!  Is it just me or is that a good deal?

The ’20s handbag is my favorite.  I really love vintage mirrors, especially when they’ve become foggy with that greyish cloud of a patina.  I also love old rhinestones, foil-backed buttons and sequins for the same reason.  Especially in silver and gold tones.

This bag sat forlorn in the corner of this antique dealer’s booth.  Sad and ghost-like.  I picked this up along with the pretty grey-blue and cream hankie.  The bag is actually in pretty good condition with just a few beads missing and some tiny stains on the interior (and again, I love that the foil in the sequins is very worn and old looking).

So I opened up the bag and spied a little mirror inside!  It’s foggy too although there is a clear spot on one side so that it’s actually still usable.  Snap works great.  And there’s a handle in the back – it’s too small to put my hand through so I suppose you can hold it or perhaps it could go on a belt?  Did they wear their bags on the hip like that back then?

I was interested in this Edwardian (?) blouse for its parts (re-purpose?) but got even more excited about it when it was apparent that it would fit me.  (An extreme rarity.)  But I don’t know if I could or should wear it, it’s so delicate.  The collar is yellowed and shattered and the front hem has been torn away.  And yet I love it so much it was meant to come home with me.

Here’s the back view (Edited to note: Lisa graciously has pointed out that this is most likely the front of the blouse, and I concur after trying it on again.):

Well for $15  for the whole lot , I couldn’t say no!  And speaking of decrepit things, I picked up this brass floral necklace piece from another dealer:

I like how the pearls are all but completely missing but then again I might replace them with new pearls or rhinestones; we’ll see.  And I might just remove the connectors and make a necklace out of the pendant.  The connectors I can use for a bracelet or two, or maybe a fancy brooch.

Ok, back to work I go, for it is Monday afterall!