All posts tagged: 1930s

The ‘Sherbet Seersucker + Shoes’ 1934 frock

Published by The Dreamstress

Well, I love bold stripes, but everything I’m making for the HSF ‘Stripes’ challenge has turned out to be quite subdued stripes; in this case, seersucker. This dress started out with this pattern, Anne Adams 2653: How cute is that! A lovely and kind friend owns the pattern, and let me take a copy in trade for a copy of one of my patterns. The pattern was perfect, but finding the right fabric for it turned in to an epic production.  First I found what I thought was the perfect fabric: a geometric broderie anglaise that was both sweet and Art Deco-y.  I bought four metres, rushed home, compared it to the pattern, and realised the broderie anglaise openwork would clash horribly with  the pleats and neck yoke.   Grrrrr!  Next, I found the perfect blue and white striped cotton poplin in my stash but unfortunately I had less than half what the pattern said I would need in fabric – even if I did a contrast yoke, sleeves and pockets.  Grrrrr!  Then I realised …

Rate the Dress: 1930s rainbow stripes

Published by The Dreamstress

Wow.  I really never do know what you guys with think of a frock!  I post the most saccharinely sweet 1850s dress, and you like it, because you like the period, and then I post a fringe covered 1850s dress that almost makes me like fringe (and that’s saying a lot), and your reaction….well!  Elise called it “…what my spiritual ancestress would have worn in the 19th century to campaign for gay civil rights”, but the overall concensus was piñata.  Poor piñata frock took a hit at (OK, I haven’t managed to add up the scores yet, but I know it’s under 7 out of 10). Update: Oh wow.  7 out of 10 was way ambitious.  The final tally: 4.5 out of 10.  The piñata is busted. This week I’m sticking with the rainbow stripes for our striped theme.  This is Elizabeth Hawes’ 1937 “Alimony” dress, in all its circle skirted fuschia and teal and lime and lemon and ochre and mallard and pumpkin and gold and white striped glory. To tone it down, and …

Dressing Deco in modern clothes

Published by The Dreamstress

As you may expect, I sewed most of my Art Deco Weekend wardrobe, but one thing I really wanted to do this year was to show that it is possible to wear amazing outfits that really capture the spirit of the early ’30s even if you can’t sew, and don’t have the budget for real vintage pieces.* So I put together a quick little ’30s inspired outfit with items from my wardrobe and thrift shops. I looked at a number of ’30s images for reference, particularly those of backless 1930s outfits.  The emphasis on the shoulders and back is such a characteristic of early-mid ’30s fashion, and it’s something you see both in beachwear and in evening wear (also, I rather like my shoulders). I was hoping my outfit would capture both the glamour of the evening dresses, and the effortless casual elegance of the daywear. I was also inspired by 1930’s colour: rich but muted dark pastels. The end result? I’m rather pleased! The parasols are both from an oriental shop, the hat is …