Stitch | Preparing for the vintage clothing apocalypse, one dress at a time

Oh, we’re going to a Hukilau

Posted on May 23, 2012 10:33 AM by Moe

After tossing around the idea for the past few years, we have finally managed to get our act together to go to the Tiki Oasis weekend in San Diego. I am really excited. Not least of which because it’s a legitimate vacation, which we haven’t be able to take in almost two years, but also because it gives us an excuse to wear our matching Hawaiian vacation wear.

I’ve gotta make some alterations to that blue one though. It’s about 4 sizes too large for me — and being a muumuu to begin with — it was really doing me no favors. I’ve been thinking about reworking it into a different kind of dress all together, but the preservationist in me has a hard time changing a vintage dress so drastically. Then again, as long as I am reworking it in a period-accurate style, maybe it’s not so sacrilegious? I don’t know. Maybe less sacrilegious, but still pretty reprehensible. The red muumuu I hemmed by 4 inches and made the extra fabric into a belt, which helps make it less tent-like without completely changing the original dress.

I also have this dress which I made several years ago (I’m the short blonde one in case that wasn’t obvious). It’s reproduction rayon fabric and had I known at the time that it would be nearly impossible to find anything like this ever again, I would have bought the whole bolt, in every color.

I’m contemplating making some more matched sets for Joey and I, but he’s not a huge fan of Hawaiian shirts, so that seems a bit of a waste. I have an early 50s house dress that was made in Hawaiian print (definitely a home sewn item) that is also about 4 sizes too big for me (what is it with all these muu muus being, well, muu muus?). That one I’m pretty sure I will rework as I’ve already half-gutted it and it was made in a style I would wear, it’s just too big.

I also have this fabric sitting in my stash which I haven’t figured out what to do with.

It would be absolutely perfect for a pake muu, but I just can’t see myself wearing one of those. As much as I love them, I think it might swallow-up all 4’11″ of me. Plus, I’ve now held onto the fabric for so long, I’m afraid to cut into it. And it’s pink. There are few colors I look worse in than pink. Hmmm, so maybe I shouldn’t sweat it? Just make something and if it works out, cool. If not, one less reason to wear pink.

All fabric ennui and angst aside, I’m really looking forward to this weekend. Ever since we gave up on Viva Las Vegas after it became overrun with douchebags, we’ve missed having these big weekenders to go to every year. There is something uniquely fun about going to an event with a whole bunch of people who are just as enthusiastic about the same strange thing as you are. And I’ll get to see San Diego finally. I am already planning our pilgrimage to the Hotel del Coronado.

Posted in editorial, fabric, old timey places | Tagged hawaiian, hawaiian wear, matching outfits, san diego, tiki oasis, vacation | 2 Comments

Is it ok to want fancy things?

Posted on April 27, 2012 12:43 AM by Moe

I am always quick to admit that I am very pragmatic when it comes to sewing. I don’t buy expensive fabric and I don’t have a super fancy sewing machine. I learned to sew on my grandma’s old black enamel Singer that did one stitch, straight. That was it. Eventually I upgraded to my other grandma’s 1960s era White machine that boasted straight AND zig-zag.

When my dad bought me my own machine, I got a basic, sturdy Kenmore. I was blown away by all the stitches it offered and was kind of beside myself that it had a semi-automatic buttonholer. Never mind the fact that it took me about 10 years to learn how to use the buttonholer, but it was there.

So when I saw this super fancy limited edition Singer 160 Anniversary machine, I was kind of conflicted at how badly I wanted this.

Ok, first, it’s super pretty. It reminds me so much of my grandma’s old singer, which I still have — and even have a tattoo of — but this not only has multiple stitches, they are freakin’ electronic! To be honest, I’m kind of a knob-turning loyalist, but I think I might switch over for this one. Also, this would probably be an upgrade from my current model. While I am conflicted about being a fancy lady with a highfalutin sewing machine, who am I kidding? It’s still not a Pfaff or Bernina. It doesn’t get more old school and humble than a Singer.

What do you think? Should I save up my pennies and get this badass motherfucker? What kind of machine do you sew on? Do you have any old machines that have been passed down through your family? Are you a button-pusher or a knob-turner?

Posted in equipment | Tagged 160 anniversary, Sewing machine, singer, things I don't need | 13 Comments

Impromptu backyard picnic with Norman

Posted on March 3, 2012 6:43 PM by Moe

Enjoying the early spring in the bay area, Norman and I set up a picnic blanket on the lawn and enjoyed the sunshine for a bit.

Posted in editorial, house, old timey places | Tagged dogs, picnic, red gingham, yeah it's not sewing but look at that face | Leave a comment

Time warp remodel

Posted on February 27, 2012 7:24 PM by Moe

Oh my god you guys, I have my own sewing room. It doesn’t look like much just yet, as I only moved things in this weekend but it is so incredibly awesome and gratifying to not only have my own sewing room, but to have remodeled it ourselves (with some help).

This whole process started Thanksgiving weekend 2011. What began as a pre-dinner conversation with my dad about our plans to tear out the carpet and put in a new vinyl composition tile floor, turned into nearly a complete overhaul of the room. My dad said, “While you’re redoing the floor, you should really tear out the ceiling.” Which turned into redoing the insulation. And then adding some recessed lights. And the discovery that the old wiring down was too terrifying to live with any longer. So we called our electrician, Jason, and he re-wired the room for us.

Then there was the concern about leaving the old asbestos tiles underneath the new ones. Not only was the floor lumpy, but Joey just couldn’t feel right about me spending so much time in a place that had asbestos sitting below, ominously dormant. So we called in an asbestos abatement professional, Al at Axsis Construction, who did a fantastic job and was really great to work with. Anyhow, all of this brings us to President’s Day weekend, when we finally put the floor tiles in and finished the room.

This was our biggest project at the new house and it was a great learning experience and a lot of hard work and fun. My dad helped us with 90% of it, acting as our “foreman” making sure we didn’t screw things up. The helpful people at OSH, HomeDepot and Lowes also provided lots of advice and instruction on things neither of us had tackled before. You know how they have those commercials where overwhelmed new homeowners come in asking some guy in an apron how to put in complicated flooring or somesuch and they give them all kinds of advice and help them through the process? Well, it’s a real thing. I know, ridiculous. Truth in Advertising. WTF.

Below is our photo diary of the remodel.

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