Art Deco Ready Wear

Well it is time to get ready for Art Deco weekend with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles. http://adsla.org/  2010.    Last year I attended as a volunteer for the Cocktails in Historic places.  The event was held at the Queen Mary http://www.queenmary.com/ in Long Beach California.  Wow!  what fun!  Honestly, it was  like being at a fashion show during the 1920, 30 and 40s.   Sometimes the feeling I got was uncanny wondering what time period in history  I had some how arrived in.    As previously spoken in past articles I am about to start a new project for sewing.  If  you look at the almost bottom left hand corner of the pictured pattern you will see the girl in the white pant suit.   I am making that out fit in a navy blue pinstripe.  This costume will be one of my day outfits for Art Deco weekend.  This should be a comfortable outfit to walk the decs of the Queen in.   The fabric as a pink pinstripe I planning to find Pink Wedge shoes to wear with this outfit.   I'm think Remix Shttp://www.remixvintageshoes.com/ shoes in LA should be able to provide me with such a request.

Sewing Students Wanted

Begining Sewing classes are under way in Rancho Cucamonga California.   Basic http://www.rcpark.com/instantrc/Start/Start.asp?sewing skills are taught and most importantly, How to Thread your Sewing Machiene.   For information of how to register for class go to RCPark.com  I am also offering sewing classes in the City of Upland California starting Spring Quarter 2010.  Google: City of Upland California, then find Parks and Recreation for information about class.  Or you may email me at: Zionsnana2000@yahoo.com.

1940 Style

1940's Style....Total Glam
Gene Tierney, Evening Gown and Cape.  What a beauty.   I recently attended an event with the Art Deco Society of Los Angles.  Some of the costume the ladies were wearing were absolutly stunning, very similar to what Gene Tierney is wearing here.  
      Looking high and low I have been searching estate sales, on the web or the Vintage Fashion Expos for anything 1920, 30's or my favorite 1940s in my size.  I just can't seem to find anything.   When I do find something, it is either so tatered, stained  or priced so high I can't begin to afford it.  So I have decided it is time to sew my own vintage costumes especially made for me.
My collection of Vintage sewing patterns has grown to just a few shoe boxes full to containers full, some are rare for sure.  I love each and everyone of them and I have saved them from the landfills and that makes me even feel better about keeping them.   Check out my Etsy shop for some of my vintage patterns.

Covered Thumb Tacks

Covered Thumb Tacks.   I'm on a creative roll today.   I wanted to make some cool thumb tacks for my new little office cubicle in Student Support Services where I now spend Monday-Fridays.    I'm going to give in and say that Red has now become my new favorite color.   Sorry Blue!   Thanks for the life long friendship. 

  

 I have also become quite fond of just about anything Asian. Especially the textiles and the Vintage Japanese ladies.    So here is the result of both Asian and Red inspired.  These photo's don't do my little project justice.  I couldn't get the darn flash off.    Anyway, hope you enjoy my  Thumb Tack project.

1960's Retro and LooseButtons

Recently added to my Etsy shop, New Retro 1960s patterns. Some of you may remember the days when ladies started to leave the home for careers. If you recall, we were only allowed to wear "smart" suits or dress. Absolutly "NO" pants in the work place.
We matained our modesty ladies, no bra straps,clevage or slips showing and the skirts had to be just above the knee. Wow! Much has changed and not always for the better I might add.
These Retro Patterns were a main stay for we girls. Back in those days to be a succesful house wife, you had to not only be able to cook and clean, but be able to mend your families cloths and sew your own outfits.
I remember my mother would tell my sister and I. "I will buy you all the fabric you need, but you have to sew your own cloths". Not a bad idea looking back on it now. Sewing saved my mom money, and we girls could buy shoes with the money we saved.
Today, my passion is sewing and I have developed a nice little business from that skill earliest taught by Dear Ole MOM! Thanks MOM!

Loose

Old Hat

This Old Hat!
I recently found these lovely little hats at an Estate Sale just but a mile from home. Recently I decided not to attend Estate Sales and save my money. Seems today there is just not enough money to go around.
We don't know how long this "Depression" is going to last. There! I said it! "Depression"! No, I'm not depressed, but this country of ours sure is.
Some of my friends that I have known for years and some of my sisters, Mom and I often lament, how bad things are. But for us, we have always lived in sort of a Economic Depression.
Life wasn't easy for my Mom raising three kids alone. Yep! Alone! But Mom was a Depression Era, World War II girl. Thanks to Mom we learned all the lessons of saving and doing for ourselves.
When others were out buying fat houses and other things they couldn't afford or needed we girls were home saving and doing still for ourselves.
Today, the streets of Rancho Cucamonga are emptier, stores have closed and many folks have moved out of the Inland Empire or are doubling up with other family members to survive. We are having fun, sewing, knitting and being in the company of good friends.
You know what? On Second thought! I'm going to hit the next Estate Sale I can find and spend some of that money I have earned and saved, go to lunch with my Mom, sisters and friends.
Want to know some easy ways to save? Just ask I'll be glad to share my secrets and my contacts. In Friendship! Gabby