1920's Obsession

I love to look and drool at vintage garments on websites such as AntiqueDress.com and Vintage Textile. It is the best way to pass the time! While looking at all the beauties for sale or already sold, I have found many dresses I am dying to make.

In this post I will present the three 1920's dresses that have caught my fancy. I had never imagined that I could get so obsessed with the specific cut of dresses from that time, but I cannot get these out of my mind. I know I must try to figure out their patterns and make them for myself.

1. Burned Velvet ans Chiffon

c. 1922/23 Flapper Dress of Raspberry and Coral Silk Cut Velvet Chiffon

The front and back are simple rectangular pieces with a curved opening for the neckline. The left hand side has chiffon gathers held low on the waist by a rhinestone ornament. There is a lining layer of the same chiffon under the dress. According to the description, this dress has no closure; it just goes on over the head and is meant to be worn loose.

I am unsure of the exact shape of the chiffon gathers at the side, but I expect a little draping will help me figure it out.

2. Brocade and Rhinestones

Metallic brocade flapper evening dress, c.1925

This dress has gathered shoulders, a triangular hanging extension over the left arm as well as at the front and back, a faux wrapped waistband and lined skirt. The fabric is metallic brocade and there are two rhinestones flower appliqués decorating the front of the dress.

Unfortunately, I can no longer find this dress on the website where I had discovered it, so I have to no description to go by, only the photos I saved for my own reference. This will also require some draping to figure out the pattern. But I did see the perfect brocade for it at Fabricville.

3. Medieval Inspiration

Gallenga hand-stenciled tea gown, c.1920

Maria Monaci Gallenga was well known for her Medieval style gowns. This gown is loose fitting, ankle length, has long pointed sleeves and a square back train. The sleeves are joined to the body of the gown at the armholes with tubular Venetian glass beads. Mille fiore Venetian beads also decorate the points of the sleeves.

Made of modern stretch velvet, I bet this dress would be incredibly comfortable to wear.

So there you have it, these are my three 1920's obsession.With The Great Gatsby coming out this December, I hope and wish I can make at least one of them to wear for the Holidays.

Taking vintage to the next level

It was recently my birthday, and I received a most wondrous gift.

Janome Hand crank, model 131 - Boxed

It is a Janome Hand crank, model 131. I cannot find a date for it yet, but I am searching. Hand crank lockstitch machines, as I have found, date back to the second half of the 19th century. I have a feeling that this one was made relatively recently though. For one thing, it uses bobbins. Secondly, the company Janome only begun using that name in 1956. Since this name is printed in great big letters on the machine, I should imagine it is not older than 1956. But it is beautiful, all decorated like models from the early 20th century, so it is not all that important.

Janome Hand crank, model 131 - Front

It is cast iron and it is HEAVY! I have no clue how to thread it yet, but I will figure it out. And from now on, power outages will no longer slow down my progress when I'm rushing to finish a project!

 

Janome Hand crank, model 131 - Back

Actually, the first project I would like to make with it is a Victorian bathing suit. It would be so fitting!