All posts filed under: 20th Century

Rate the Dress – When Ladies Meet in 1933

Last week Anna Karolina’s pretty princess dress got lots of love.  Someone even described it as “possibly the most perfect dress ever”.  Wowzers!  Still, there are always a few who are a little less impressed, so that brought it from a perfect 10/10 to a still bloomin’ impressive 9.6 out of 10, the best we’ve seen in a long while. I’m thinking 1930s this week.  Partly it’s because I’ve been showing you my 1930s patterns, partly it’s because my Goldilocks blouse feels 1930s even though the pattern was published in the 40s (do I think it was an earlier pattern that they re-published in the 40s with earlier illustrations?  Yes I do!), and partly it’s because I just bought the most delicious fabric for a future 1930s garment. So, a ’30s Rate the Dress. This is Myrna Loy in the pre-code 1933 ‘When Ladies Meet’, about a very ‘modern’ writer who isn’t fussed that her crush has a wife – until she meets the wife. Myrna’s trademark outfit for the film was this white number …

Early 1930s Patterns, part I of III – the Excella Patterns

I’m lucky enough to own a couple dozen early 1930s (possibly even late 1920s in some cases) patterns, most by Excella.  I thought I would put my pattern collection up for other people to use as reference and inspiration.  This is 1/3 of the 30s collection.  The others will be coming soon. I was given these patterns in the condition they are in now – with the vintage envelopes adhered to new Manila envelopes.  It’s lovely and practical, but without the guilt of having altered the original pattern envelopes myself! Someday I’ll get around to putting these up on the Vintage Pattern Wiki (no, please don’t do it for me!) I’ve never figured out how I feel about the circular skirt join on this one: This is the pattern responsible for the Frumpy Dress, and the Summertime Southerly dress.  It is also where I think the patterns transition from 1920s to 1930s. And this is the pattern responsible for the Red Lips Kiss My Blue Away frock, which started out without the hip flounces as …

Anyone for tap pants?

I’m in the last stages of preparing for next Sunday’s tap pants class at Made Marion. My life is all about checking patterns and sizing, redrafting, and making sure I have the best possible technique figured out. And I’m excited! There are a few spaces left in the class, so if you know anyone in Wellington who might be interested – spread the word! To inspire you, here is Madge Bellamy in her wedding lingerie in White Zombie: Awww!  Aren’t those tap pants adorable! And here are some of the ones I’ve made: So whether you want to call them French knickers, cami-knickers, tap pants, or lingerie shorts, come and make them next Sunday!