Several months ago I started this project and now, about six months later -- IT'S FINISHED! Have you ever had a project that you "worked" on for so long and then when it's finally in the "completed" pile, you are so satisfied with yourself that you can't stop looking at it or admiring it while you're wearing it? Well.... that's me. Also, when I say "worked" on ...
Read MoreHi Readers! I'm happy to share my latest historical costume with you. This one takes us back to about 1895, complete with huge puffed sleeves, ribbons and rosettes. This isn't my first foray into Late Victorian sewing, but it is the first time that I went with bold sleeves and a historically accurate flat lining and bodice boning. To start with, I used Laughing Moon #103, an 1890's waist with four bodice ...
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Hi Readers! Have you ever dreamed about a dress and then found that it turned out exactly as you imagined it would once you've sewn it? That's me with dress. Since last summer I thought that this 1940 dress pattern (Vogue 8811) would look wonderful with a big gingham print. Once I saw this 1" Kaufman Carolina Gingham pop up on the Cali site, I knew it was going to be ...
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Hi Readers! I've been on the quest for the perfect [for me] me-made 1940's jeans. I haven't quite hit my self-appointed mark, but I'm getting close! For these jeans, I used a 1940's wide leg trouser pattern (Simplicity 3688) and altered it to add pockets and a side button opening as well as a ton of contrast top-stitching. I used the Robert Kaufman indigo selvedge denim which has red, blue and white ...
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Hello readers! I'm very happy to share this project! It's one that's been in my dreams for a while and now, it's finally become a reality. I love to take plain fabrics and transform them into something unique. This blouse was just a simple white cotton lawn before I embroidered it. Now, it's a bespoke beauty showcasing my love of our state flower -- the California Poppy. For this project, I used a ...
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Hello readers! I've been doing some historical sewing lately and I'm happy to share this late-Victorian lace blouse. It was an easy project and a versatile piece for my growing historical wardrobe. As I mentioned in my last post, I made this blouse (plus underpinnings and skirt) along with an outfit for my husband. It was quite an undertaking sewing all of that in a short period of time and I definitely ...
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Hello readers! There's a bit of a change today as I'm sharing a project that I made for someone else! I usually sew for myself, but as my husband and I were headed to a Victorian Fancy Dress afternoon tea with our costumers' guild, I made him not only a coat, but also a vest and an ascot. That, along with sewing my own outfit (some of which I will be ...
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Hi Readers! I absolutely LOVE using heirloom techniques to add interesting details to everyday clothing. Yes, they take extra time, but they really add that extra little bit of casual couture that makes your clothing stand out. For this dress, I used my TNT pattern -- the Decades of Style ESP Dress and some lovely cotton eyelet (or broderie anglaise). The fabric for this dress started out white. I chose this lovely ...
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Hi Readers! I don't know about you, but I've been on the hunt for the Holy Grail of shirtdresses for a long time! I've been searching for something classic, comfortable, well fitting with a myriad of options to customize and I think I've found it with the Cashmerette Lenox. This pattern certainly went together easily and I had no alterations to make. A great fit out of the envelope is always ...
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Hi, readers! I've been a fan of 1920's fashion nearly my entire life, but it's only been the last five or six years that I have really gotten into actually sewing and wearing styles from that era. All of my 20's garments thus far have been essentially costumes for themed events, but this time, I've made one that I'll actually wear in everyday life! In walks the Decades of Style 1920's Isabella ...
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Hello, readers! I've been steadily working on filling out holes in my wardrobe and a denim jacket was at the top of my list. It's such a steady workhorse for casual looks and gives you that needed warmth for crisp spring days. This was a fun project that looks much more difficult than it is. If you can set a sleeve and make buttonholes, you can make this denim jacket. I used Butterick ...
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Hi, Readers! I don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring! As it's right around the corner, I figured it was time to start sewing some new dresses for warmer weather. For me, that means cotton dresses that I can throw a cardi or a light jacket over and head out looking polished. I love the retro simplicity and structure of a shirtdress, even if I don't like ironing them ...
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Hello readers! I'm so excited to share this project with you! I've been dreaming of a green wool coat for some time now and last winter I decided that I wanted a 1940's coat after watching the British show Home Fires. I knew exactly what pattern I wanted to use (the Decades of Style 1940's Claremont Coat) -- I just needed a push to sew it and bring my dream to reality. ...
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Hello there, readers! I'm super excited to share this dress with you. It's one that I've dreamed about for a while and I'm so happy to see it come to fruition. It's even more delightful than I expected with little vintage details that turn what could have been a plain dress into an interesting frock. This dress was inspired by one of my favorite films -- Brooklyn. The film takes place in the ...
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Hello, readers! I'm happy to share this 1950 Vintage Vogue pleated dress with you! I chose this gorgeous red dotted lightweight chambray for this project, which worked well with the numerous tucks and pleats that make up this dress. I love this style, which is a little bit late 1940's and a little bit New Look -- all of which somehow seems contemporary while staying true the year of it's design. The ...
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Hello there! I'm Tanya, otherwise known as Mrs. Hughes. I'm a Northern California ranch gal in love with retro styles, kitschy prints and bright colors. I've been sewing most of my life and started documenting my sewing adventures on my blog in 2012 and it's been a wonderful experience being a part of the online sewing community. I'm always inspired by what other sewists are making and I love sharing ...
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