All posts tagged: 1930s

The ‘Penciling it in’ skirt

I’ve been having fun finding music to match my ‘me’ sewing lately. This week’s me sewing is a ’30s skirt, so it needs one of my favourite swing songs, Lavender Coffin. Great to dance to, and a good conversation starter — we have an ongoing discussion of ways to make a lavender eco-coffin. I’m advocating dye made from blueberries or java plums. It’s not like the colour needs to last! (yes, I have macabre interests). On a much more random note, I’ve also been doing a lot of sewing to Julietta Venegas lately. It gives me a chance to practice my rapidly fading Spanish. If only I’d known I’d be spending my adult life in New Zealand I could have spared myself years of torture in language classes, or at least taken something I was good at, like Hawaiian. But whether I understand it or not, I enjoy Julietta Venegas. I particularly like Limon y Sal and its cute silent movie aesthetic. Right! The sewing! The skirt! This week’s theme on the Sew Weekly is …

My 1930s patterns – the non-Excella patterns

Published by The Dreamstress

My apologies dear readers. I know the blog has been very quiet. I’ve been very overwhelmed. Busy seamstress = absent blogess. But it also = exciting sewing things done (whenever I have time to blog about them!). I’ve got so much to show you on the 1780s chintz pet en l’aire, and a glorious 1900s project, and a 17th century inspired project. So lots to look forward to! For now, here are the last of my 1930s patterns. I’ve showed you the Excella patterns, parts I & II. Today’s patterns are by a variety of makers, and I’ve arranged them in rough chronological order. First, the classic, mid 1930s evening dress: For a more casual look, how about these natty nautical options. I used the top to for S’s nautical playsuit: For a more mature look, these day frocks are pretty spectacular. I love the asymmetrical collars. And another, more glorious, variant on the classic ’30s evening dress. The back options are totally swoon-worthy. And last, options for a number of little tops. Even if …

Rate the Dress – When Ladies Meet in 1933

Published by The Dreamstress

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 …