Posts tagged vintage clothing
Vintage Shopping In Portland Oregon
Vintage Shopping In Portland Oregon

Every year my daughter & I go to Portland, Oregon, to visit my best friend, Angie and her family. It’s always one of the highlights of my year. Do you have a friend who just “gets” you? Well, Angie is that friend to me and she & her family always welcome us with open arms.

We both LOVE shopping and so does Emma, so it was fun day to be had by all, when Angie mentioned she needed to go buy some mirrors for the winery & tasting room, she and her husband, Matt are building. Their wine is really lovely by the way. Love & Squalor does a fabulous Riesling and they also make very special Pinot Noir for which they are gaining some critical acclaim. Go Love & Squalor!!!

Our first stop was Monticello Antique Marketplace. The building is very large and houses many little booths operated by an eclectic array of vendors with lovely pieces in every one.

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shopping, vintage styleJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomvintage shopping, vintage clothing, portland oregon, portland, love and squalor, love and squalor wine, cargo portland, xtabay, xtabay portland, monticello antiques, monticello antique marketplace, vintage style, shopping, antique shopping
Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire and Costume Contest
Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire and Costume Contest

Last month on a beautiful fall evening, Michaan’s Auction House opened up it’s doors to the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire produced by Sandra Michaan with a little help from Jonathan Belmares and a host of a dozen (or more) others. This is an annual (and sometimes bi-annual) event that happens at the Point and the opening of the event is really quite special, happening the first evening of this, weekend long, event.

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Art Deco Events, fashion shows, vintage styleJennifer SerrMichaan's Auctionsart deco events, vintage fashion, alameda vintage fashion faire, vintage clothing, vintage shoes, vintage bakalite, bakalite jewelry, michaans auctions, sandra michaan, daisy coby, daisy rose coby, memento moda, vintage style, jennifer osner, antique textiles, vintage flowers, vintage finds, jonathan belmares, alameda antique faire
December Red - A Red Wool 1930's Ensemble
December Red - A Red Wool 1930's Ensemble

This outfit all began after a short trip around the corner to my local crafting consignment shop, where I found the amazing fabric for the blouse featured in this post. The print (Asian Art Deco?) was irresistible and there was just enough of it to scrape out a blouse.  Next up was a  search for the perfect 1930's blouse pattern.  That proved to be a little easier said than done, as I had trouble finding a blouse pattern that suited the fabric. I did settle on a gorgeous 1930's dress pattern with a fabulous neck bow, that could be converted into a blouse and skirt.  

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Sewing Vintage, costume design, coutureJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomvintage style, retro style, vintage fashion, retro fashion, sewing vintage, vintage clothing, vintage wardrobe, vintage pattern lending library, vintage styling, reproduction pattern, reproduction vintage clothing, art deco, celluloid belt, remix vintage shoes, what katie did, alameda, alameda point, alameda vintage fashion faire, fancy sewing, couture sewing, bay area fashion classes, sf bay area sewing classes
Miss Fisher Wardrobe: The Basic Shell
Miss Fisher Wardrobe: The Basic Shell

In my recent post, December Red, I showed a red wool 1930's skirt and coat. This 1930's style skirt is a bit of an ode to skirts worn by the Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher, in Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery series.  Her character is quite fashion forward for the 1928-1929 timeline the series is set in and her clothing and style, in general, seem to echo both decades (1920's & 1930's).  So, I needed a top to pair with this skirt in my quest for a Miss Fisher Wardrobe.

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costume design, Pattern Making and Design, vintage style, Sewing VintageJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roommissfisherstyle, missfishercon, miss fisher's murder mystery, miss phryne fisher, phryne fisher, wardrobe building, vintage style, vintage clothing, vintage fashion, art deco, bay area fashion, pattern making, self drafted pattern, blouse, silk blouse, wardrobe
1930's Dress Complete - Gatsby Summer Afternoon 2017
1930's Dress Complete - Gatsby Summer Afternoon 2017

The Gatsby Summer Afternoon is an annual event presented by the Art Deco Society of California, every year on the 2nd Sunday in September.  This is an event I look forward to each year and get ready for, pretty far in advance.  For the 3 years, my mom has been joining me and then last year, my cousins Kathy & Maurice came along for the ride as well. AND this year, I even roped my friend Jone in, who ended up having more friends there than me! 

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costume design, Art Deco Events, Sewing Vintage, vintage styleJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomvintage clothing, vintage fashion, vintage wardrobe, gatsby summer afternoon, great gatsby dress, great gatsby, 1930's fashion, 1930's, sewing techniques, reproduction pattern, vintage pattern lending library
Sewing My Gatsby Prototype - Using a Vintage Dress as my muslin....
Sewing My Gatsby Prototype - Using a Vintage Dress as my muslin....

After all your wonderful suggestions, I did end up choosing Ladies 1931 Dress from Vintage Pattern Lending Library for my Gatsby Dress.  I just can't seem to get enough of those VPLL patterns!  More on THAT later.  Here is the story of how I came to use a Vintage 1940's dress for my "muslin" prototype....

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Art Deco Events, costume design, vintage style, upcycle, Sewing, Sewing VintageJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomgreat gatsby, gatsby summer afternoon, great gatsby dress, vintage wardrobe, vintage style, vintage pattern lending library, vintage textiles, 1930's, 1940's, art deco society of california, art deco society, art deco events, bay area fashion, bay area fashion school, bay area fashion classes, costumes, costume design, fitting, dressmaking, dress making, jennifer serr, local fun, miss phryne fisher, miss fishers murder mystery, new projects, phrynefisher, phryne fisher, pattern making, pattern classes, garment fit, retro, retro fashion, reproduction pattern, style, sewexcited, sewweekly, mena lazar, makethislook, make this look, shopmakethislook, vintage clothing
Help Me Decide which 1930's dress to make for Gatsby 2017
Help Me Decide which 1930's dress to make for Gatsby 2017

The Art Deco Society of California's Gatsby Summer Afternoon, is right around the corner.  Slated for Sunday, September 10th, this annual event will take place on the majestic grounds of the Dunsmuir Hellman Estate in the Oakland Hills.  Hundreds of people enter the grounds dressed to the nines in gorgeous picnic attire....

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fabric, costume design, Art Deco Events, fashion design, Sewing Vintage, vintage styleJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomvintage wardrobe, vintage clothing, vintage style, vintage textiles, great gatsby, gatsby summer afternoon, art deco society of california, art deco, art deco society, art deco events, vintage sewing, sewingblogger, sewing projects, sewing, costumes, costume design, fashion, fashion design, 1930's fashion, 1930's, retro, retro sewing, sewing vintage, style, textiles, wardrobe building
Vamps of '29 - a literary event at the Bellvue Club in Oakland
Vamps of '29 - a literary event at the Bellvue Club in Oakland

Who would have guessed that our seemingly demure and always impeccably attired, Art Deco Society of California Secretary, Alice Jurow, would write a book about Vampires?  Set in Paris 1929, 3 impossibly chic fashion models work their way into the hearts and souls of numerous suitors, while drinking of their blood, just a little bit.  It's a delicious helping of fun, dripping with scrumptious details describing the opulence of the time...

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Art Deco Events, costume design, fashion design, fashion shows, vintage styleJennifer SerrThe Bellevue Clubvintage wardrobe, vintage clothing, vintage style, vampires, vamps, vampire, vamps of '29, vampsof29, alice jurow, art deco society of california, art deco, art deco society, art deco events, book signing, vintage styling, vintage-clothing, 1920's, 1920's fashion design, 1920s fashion design, 1920's fashion, missfisherstyle, phryne fisher, phrynefisher
Making an Art Deco Inspired Shrug - 1920's Inspiration
Making an Art Deco Inspired Shrug - 1920's Inspiration

My friend Jonathan invited me to his 30th birthday party.  He wanted to leave his OWN roaring 20's in style and asked everyone to come dressed up for the occasion.  What a great opportunity to play dress up and put on a made-by-me gown from my favorite era! 

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costume design, Art Deco Events, fashion design, Sewing, Sewing Vintage, vintage styleJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomvintage wardrobe, vintage clothing, art deco, 1920's, 1920s fashion design, 1920's shrug, phryne fisher, phrynefisher, missfisherstyle, miss phryne fisher, miss fisher's murder mystery, roaring 20sa, roaring 20s, roaring 20's
A 1920's Blouse Done 3 ways with One Vintage Dress Pattern - Miss Fisher Wardrobe or Bust!
A 1920's Blouse Done 3 ways with One Vintage Dress Pattern - Miss Fisher Wardrobe or Bust!

As part of my quest to build a "Miss Fisher" wardrobe, I've sewed up three little blouses inspired by separates her character wears in different episodes.  This post will show you 3 blouses I have made, starting with one pattern and explain how you can do it too!

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fabric, couture, fashion design, Fitting, Pattern Making and Design, Sewing, Sewing Vintage, vintage styleJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomretro sewing, vintage sewing, vintage clothing, vintage style, vintage-clothing, sewing skills, pattern making, vintage pattern lending library, fabric, we sew retro, art deco, missfisherstyle, miss fryne fisher, miss fisher's murder mystery, miss fishers murder mystery, miss fisher style, the honourable miss fryne fisher, vintage styling, vintage wardrobe, sewing blogs, sewingblogger, fitting, fashion, fashion inspiration, garment fit, inspiration, sketches, sketching, fashion sketch, sewexcited, sewing vintage, fashion design
Fashion Your Way to a Better Body Image - 5 ways to do it without Dieting
Fashion Your Way to a Better Body Image - 5 ways to do it without Dieting

Body Image - That's a tough one for a lot of us.  It's not something talked about openly, very often, but a lot of the people I work with seem to be challenged by it, and daily.  I've struggled with my own body image over the years as have most of my friends.  As a teenager, looking through fashion magazines constantly (wanting to be cool, fashionable and popular), I compared myself to the models on those pages, dressed beautifully & styled to the nines.  The comparisons killed me.  You see, I've always been my own worst critic.  Self criticism and loathing get to the heart of the matter.  That internal critic (along with a little external reinforcement - peer pressure, magazines etc.) led me to an eating disorder, hospitalization and a life unmanageable, all by the tender age of 15...

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Alterations, couture, fashion design, Fitting, Sewing, self careJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roombody image, sewing, vintage clothing, vintage style, wellness, fryne fisher, miss fryne fisher, miss fisher's murder mystery, miss fishers murder mystery, miss fisher style, the honourable miss fryne fisher, style, fashion, adult sewing, fitting, garment fit, bras, bra fitting, color, better body image, betterbodyimage
Here at Last - The Art Deco Preservation Ball
Here at Last - The Art Deco Preservation Ball

Well, the day of the ball arrived and I was prepared!  This year's theme was Death on The Nile (the Agatha Christie Murder Mystery) with a focus on Egyptian Revival of the Art Deco era.

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costume design, Art Deco Events, couture, fashion design, Sewing Vintage, vintage styleJennifer SerrOakland Scottish Rite Centerart deco preservation ball, art deco ball, art deco, vintage style, fryne fisher, fashion design, fitting, ADSC, britex, sf bay area sewing classes, sewingblogger, costumes, couture sewing, couture, costume design, corset, draping, fashion, fancy stuff, fashion draping, fashion design classes, fashion classes, gown making, great gatsby dress, great gatsby, inspiration, jennifer serr, silk, local fun, miss fishers murder mystery, miss fryne fisher, recycled materials, reproduction vintage clothing, repurposing, sewexcited, sewing, sewing skills, sewing vintage, textiles, upcycling, vintage clothing, vintage-clothing, vintage finds, vintage textiles, wardrobe, sewing blogs
An Epic Day at The Alameda Point Antique Faire
An Epic Day at The Alameda Point Antique Faire

The Alameda Antique Faire is a treasure trove of fantastic finds, vintage treasures and upcycled garbage art.  There are regular booths that are there without fail each month and then there are some others who’ve jumped at the opportunity to sell their wares. After one thwarted (rained-out) attempt, I made my way, this past weekend, out to Alameda Point for the Antique Faire.  I wish I could say that I did it monthly without fail, but really, I only get out there a couple of times a year...

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Millinery, shoppingJennifer SerrAlameda point antique fairevintage clothing, vintage style, alameda, alameda antique faire, antique faire, alameda point, vintage shopping, antique shopping, shopping, garbage art, upcycling, upcycled art, art, trash to treasure, trash-to-treasure, vintage finds, letrip.org, antique market, French antique market, junk art, junk-art, doll art, doll-art, vintage-clothing, ilovealameda, #ilovealameda, vintage textiles, local fun, sundayfunday, #sundayfunday
Working on my 1930's Foundation - Getting ready for the Art Deco Preservation Ball
Working on my 1930's Foundation - Getting ready for the Art Deco Preservation Ball

I've embarked on creating a foundation for my dress that I'll wear to the Art Deco Preservation Ball at the End of April.  I really want to create the right silhouette for my dress which will inspired by the late 1920's / Early 1930's.  My figure, at age 47 doesn't quite fit naturally into that era, so I definitely want an undergarment that helps me re-create the look....

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costume design, Lingerie, Sewing Vintage, Pattern Making and Design, fashion design, Art Deco EventsJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomsewing, sewing techniques, sewing vintage, 1930's lingerie, 1920's lingerie, 1920s fashion design, lingerie, silk lingerie, vintage clothing, mrs depew, pattern making, pattern classes
1920's Straight Coat and the Art Deco Member Party
1920's Straight Coat and the Art Deco Member Party

Every year the Art Deco Society of California celebrates it's members with a cocktail party in January.  This year, the party was held at Flora in downtown Oakland.  It was a lovely event in a wonderful Art Deco building, gloriously restored to it's original beauty.  There was a grand crowd all dressed up in cocktail attire from the era.  Some are serious vintage collectors and some, like me, enjoy making their own creations from vintage inspiration...

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costume design, Art Deco Events, fashion design, Sewing, Sewing Vintage, the sewing roomJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomvintage clothing, sewing vintage, 1920s fashion design, 1920's, fashion design, fashion classes, 1920's fashion, flora oakland, flora, art deco society, art deco society of california, art deco, ADSC, jackets, coats, sewing, sewing skills, reproduction vintage clothing, vintage pattern lending library, 1920's straight coat, sewing techniques, couture sewing
Foundation Garments + a Giveaway
Foundation Garments + a Giveaway

As a special treat this week, I'm giving away a fantastic book from my collection - Vintage Lingerie - 30 Patterns based on period garments plus finishing techniques.  I'll pick one lucky reader from our email list, so you have to be a subscriber to win!

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costume design, Art Deco Events, fashion design, Pattern Making and Design, Sewing, Sewing VintageJennifer SerrThe Sewing Roomgiveaway, corset, 1920's lingerie, 1930's lingerie, 1930's fashion, sewing, sewing supplies, sewing vintage, vintage clothing, reproduction vintage clothing, book giveaway
Clarifying my Vision - What the heck am I going to sew?
Clarifying my Vision - What the heck am I going to sew?

The Vision Board class with Heidi last weekend was highly informative for me.  I made two vision boards - 1 overall VISION for my life and 1 VISION BOARD for my business. Plus, I ended up making two "Mood Boards" for things I want....

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Vision Boards, unfinished objects, the sewing roomJennifer Serrvision board, vintage clothing, vogue knitting, costume design, coach heidi bennett, community, couture sewing, chanel jacket, 2017, 1920's fashion, art deco, art deco preservation ball, art deco ball, art deco society of california