Thank you for your “get well” wishes–I’m feeling much better today with the exception of the occasion coughing fit.  I had to leave the house to drop off some packages at the P.O. so I threw on this outfit.  (It’s quite warm and Spring-ish today so no jacket needed!)  I decided to snap a couple of pics since I haven’t shared this hankie top with you yet.

It’s a pullover style and has to fit loosely (to avoid tearing while slipping it on) because of the delicate vintage hankies, but it’s looser than I would normally prefer.  My concern with too-loose fitting clothing is looking shapeless, but I think it’s okay with fitted pants.  (Dare I say jeggings?  Yes, jeggings.)   Maybe I should add a ribbon belt to cinch it in a bit?

The pattern I used is Simplicity’s Built by Wendy 3835, my fave as you know.

You may remember this dress from a post earlier last year.  I loved how it turned out but found it too skimpy for me to wear outside of the house.  Problem was, I didn’t have any more vintage hankies in the same colorway to add to it; I really think the key to this dress not looking too patchwork-y or hippie-ish is limiting the hankies to a common color palette and design theme (florals with a lot of white space).  When I finally found a few more hankies that fit the bill I removed the 3-hankie skirt.  I added a 4th hankie to make the skirt fuller then added a smaller tier of 3 hankies (which were cut down to 4″ tall) on top.  Now it’s much, much better in my opinion!  To complete the look I tied an olive green silk satin ribbon around my waist to give it shape; the un-belted view sort of has a ’20s vibe to it which is nice too.  (By the way, I’m wearing a vintage white slip underneath since it’s still quite sheer.)  I think this crocheted cardigan would look nice on top for when it gets a bit chilly in the evenings.

I couldn’t wait to post these, I just had to show someone!  I’ve been collecting vintage hankies for years, not entirely sure what I was going to do with them (curtains?  quilt?  aprons?) and feeling quite the hoarder.  Last year I put “hankie dress” on my never-ending to do list and I finally got around to playing with the idea this past weekend.  I haven’t seen a dress like this before (I’ve seen little baby dresses made from hankies but not grown-up girl ones) and I’m pretty happy with the results so far.

I was going for something sweet and not too patchwork-y or hippy.  I used all the same colorway (for this one aqua and yellow/mustard hankies) to help pull the dress together.  I did very little to alter the hankies as I wanted to preserve the look of them.  I also wanted to avoid having to make a pattern.  I recently finished a sundress from a 1950s pattern that looks ok but I spent forever trying to get the fit right (and it still isn’t quite right, dang) and I’m just kind of over patterns right now.  (That’ll be short-lived, I’m sure!)

Basically this dress is just a tube of strategically placed hankies of varying size.  The fanciest part is the ruffle on the front made from a wee hankie that has been one of my favorites.  I’m not 100% sure I’m done yet but I’m very close!

Happy Monday!

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!