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.

I’m feeling a little giddy this morning because I finally finished up my little swan that I have been working on for AGES.  And when I say that, I’m not exaggerating.  For those of you that read my olde blog, do you remember this?:

I went back to the post to find the photo to show you and I reread it.  I totally forgot that this original version was 2 YEARS in the making, and that post is dated almost 1 year ago, to the date.  So, what, that makes this a 3-year craft project?!

Ha, I’m actually a little embarrassed to admit that it would take me that long to finish.   But I’ve become aware that may happen; I mean, just the other day I was saying I won’t commit to any sewing project on this blog because I know that it might take forever to finish (if at all).  But 3 years?  Sheesh.

Anyhow, back to the felt-y one.  Yay!  I’m glad she’s done.  I cut these pieces out a month ago and since I decided this new version was going to be stitched by hand, I figured that it would take me a long time to do it, so then I just didn’t feel like it.  You know, it’s very satisfying to post a project on this blog.  I feel like a little kid coming home from school, “Mom!  Look what I made!”

Ok, it’s not 100% finished finished. (Scandal!)  The crown is not stitched on yet, just kinda floats there for the picture.  Oh, I’ve decided that I love making silver pipe cleaner crowns.  Just bend bend bend.  Maybe I need metallic gold pipe cleaners too.  You know, for gold crowns.   And the wee scarf was a last minute thing as I still like my scalloped capelet from the first one.  But this scarfie is cute too.   I love the vintage foil-backed buttons attaching the wings but wouldn’t covered buttons be sweet as well?  And I’ve got some other ideas for the head dressing.  Oh!  Why don’t’ I just make felt critters all day?

Just when I was about to finish up the sewing lessons I, well, go off and get married…It’s official, I’m a Mrs.!

A Mrs. who voluntarily got up at 6:30 this morning (that’s A.M.) ; I couldn’t sleep (perhaps I’m still wired from the events this week!) so I put on my robe (it was almost chilly), ate some Nilla Wafers and mini pretzels (you’ve really got to eat them together, it’s so good) while watching bits of Life Begins for Andy Hardy and snapped a couple of pics.

I will – OF COURSE – be sharing real wedding pictures with you as soon as I get them!  I’ve already looked over the Polaroids and am so far really excited about our photos.  To be continued!

(Updated 08.07.09: I added a few photos to flickr, not official wedding ones, but a few stills I took myself.  Enjoy!)

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!