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5.13.2014

Vintage May... Times Three

When Kristin invited me to join in on her and Jess' Vintage May series, I was excited to participate.

vintage may

So excited, in fact, that I decided to do Vintage May times three!

vintage may

I chose this 1960's vintage pattern.


And I liked it so much I decided to replicate it.

my girls - vintage may

Vintage patterns, as far as I know, come in individual sizes only.   The pattern I found came in Indigo's size.

simplicity 3987

Indigo's 'dress' is actually three separate pieces: a sleeveless top, skirt and a sash.

simplicity 3987

While I really like it worn together, I think the shirt and skirt will both be functional items worn separately, too.

simplicity 3987

I used red buttons to add some excitement to the neutral grey.   So exciting, right?  ;)

simplicity 3987

 Even though the skirt has an elastic waistband, it buttons at the side.  A nice detail, I think.

simplicity 3987 - skirt

I decided, after I had sewn the skirt and the pockets, that I wanted to add some piping to the pockets. I'm not sure why I think of these things after the sewing is done, but the seam ripping was, in my opinion, worth  it.

simplicity 3987 - pocket

Next I wanted to replicate the jumpsuit for Tia, except I wanted to make a romper.

romper

I searched high and low for a romper pattern.  I scoured the interwebs.  I looked through all of the pattern books at both Hobby Lobby and Joanns.  I didn't find one I liked, but I did find this gem of a pattern.



I texted the above photo of the pattern to Dan, saying I couldn't wait to sew this for him for Christmas.  He texted back that he hoped it had one of those old-fashioned flaps in the back.  :0
 
Anyway.

I went with this pattern, but changed every single piece.  I'd call this almost self-drafted.  I was working with this Tea collection romper in mind, trying to replicate it as closely as I could.

romper

I re-made the straps three times before I was happy with them.

romper

After experimenting, I learned that flat piping works beautifully on straps. It was much easier to turn the straps right side out with flat piping compared to regular piping - and less bulky looking, too. I wanted it to match the regular piping so I removed the cording and ironed it flat.

romper

Tia was so patient with me as I tried this on her over and over again to get the fit just right. "Did you check for pins, Mom?" If you accidentally leave a pin in even once, you will forevermore be asked this question. Which is good. Because who wants to try on something with a rogue pin hidden in it?

I'm thankful I've earned her trust back.  :)

romper back

I finished it with two buttons in the back, like this dress.

romper back

And Tia's romper was finished. Great for playing - or for lounging around.

romper back

Finally, I set out to re-create the vintage Simplicity pattern shorts and shirt for Iris.

ottobre top - dana made it flat front shorts
 

The top is an Ottobre t-shirt pattern, with gathering at the shoulders and cuffs.   For Iris' shorts, I used the Kids Shorts pattern by Dana.   I picked the flat front option.

ottobre shirt - dana made it kids shorts
 
Let me say that I am now firmly in the camp of: Do not use cheap knits!. The shirt is a Lillestoff knit, which I bought here.  A big thank you to those of you who recommended this brand to me.  There is a night and day difference between cheap knits and quality made knits.  I am so disappointed in how my cheap knits are holding up.  Even this dress looks faded and pilled already.  It's definitely disheartening. 

ottobre shirt - dana made it flat front shorts

Iris is addicted to inking herself - with pen, of course (see leg above).  I like to think she gets it from her dad.  He's actually getting another (almost) half sleeve this week.

indigo and iris

 And that concludes our Vintage May! 

vintage may

36 comments:

  1. Utterly adorable (again).

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  2. Rachel, these outfits are AMAZING! All three are gorgeous but I think your self-drafted romper is the sweetest of the lot. Love the colours you chose, too.

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  3. Rachel, so well done! I love all looks- that seam ripping was totally worth it, the piping on Indigo's pockets is perfection. And, I am so with you about the cheap knits. Almost none of my knit projects have help up.... so so pilly! And so soo annoying.

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    1. I'm sorry, Erin. And I know. That's how I feel, too.

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  4. So sweet, Rachel. I love the buttons on the back of the romper--and totally get the pin thing. EVERY time I try something on my girls i hear "Mom, are there pins???"

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    1. Thank you, Marnae! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! :)

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  5. I read your blog often, although I don't comment. I must change that for this post! Oh my goodness! So wonderful. The "vintage replicas" remind me of things my mother used to sew for us but better, sorry Mom. AND I relate to the pins, we still ask here, even though I don't sew for my almost 14yo son frequently. AND I always hold my breathe when the Sharpies or paint pens come out

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    1. Wow, thank you so much! I won't tell your mom. ;) Maybe we have all done that will pins? And oh Sharpies. They are the worst! I don't even think I should own them anymore. Iris drew on our refrigerator water dispenser with them! I don't know where she gets them, because I too hold my breathe when those are anywhere in sight.

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  6. i love all three, rachel, thanks sooooo much for joining us for vintage may! the piping adds the perfect touch, iris looks so comfy, and you really nailed it with Tia's romper - so great. also seriously, indigo seems to be getting so TALL lately!! i love how that big red sash breaks up the gray. just perfect. thank you!!!

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  7. these are all SO darling! I love the grey and red together, and that romper!? amazing

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  8. you did such a fantastic job!!

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  9. Oh man, I was so disappointed when you described how you basically self-drafted that romper, because I want to get a pattern for it and make four immediately for Maggie! Even though she would refuse to wear them! The gray and red are smashing together, and I just absolutely love these outfits! I totally agree about the knits - sadly, you get what you pay for. Quality makes such a huge difference.

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  10. My mother made a similar dress for me which I still have from the 1960s such a pretty shape I loved wearing it and she made a little coat as well for me with co ordinations colours. I still have both and they must be more than 50 years old.

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    1. That's so incredible that you've held onto them for all of these years! It's really touching, actually. I'd love to see them! Having most of my handmades handed down from girl to girl, they are usually pretty worn out by the end. I'm not sure there will be many that will be saved. I guess it's good that I have the photos. :)

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  11. Great job! I am glad to see that I am not the only one willing to seam-rip for piping. Ugh! That stuff is just so addicting! :)

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  12. Thrice the vintage goodness! Love, love your take on the Vintage May theme - your color pairing is perfect, and the little pops of red are such a great design detail. How awesome are those photos of the three of them together in their "vintage" outfits?! Rachel, you never fail to amaze me! And good call on the pocket piping - a pain to re-do, but such a great addition.
    And I had a good chuckle over your Tia comment about the pins - my girls ask the same thing! Once poked, always gun-shy, I suppose:) And if you ever want to release a pattern or do a tutorial, I think that romper would be a huge success! Love, LOVE it!!!

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    1. Thanks, Lucinda. It's a funny thing about that romper. I started out being very mathematical and precise about the whole thing. And then the fit wasn't right (you just never know with those big box patterns!) so I just re-cut kind of willy-nilly until the fit was right. Even though I tried it on Tia so many times, the back was actually supposed to be a regular button closure -- and it was too tight. Thankfully, I remembered the technique from Happy Homemade. So yeah, I don't think it would make for a very good tutorial. :) But I very much appreciate you suggesting it. Thank you. :)

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    2. oh those Japanese pattern books to the rescue! sometimes the simplest solution is the best:)

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  13. Those are wonderful. The piping on the skirt pocket makes it :) That romper is adorable.

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  14. every single detail is spectacular, rachel - i love it all!!

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  15. What beautiful girls you have! I love all of these, and the piping really adds extra charm.

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    1. Thanks, Honora. I do love piping - I might just be addicted to the stuff. ;)

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  16. i'm cracking up about the butt flap text! also these sister they are too cute--even if they had ugly clothes--but then just add those amazing outfits and wow--so great!

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    1. I just thought that was so funny! My husband makes me laugh every day! And thank you!

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  17. Such gorgeous outfits! They were totally worth all the time and effort you have put into them!

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  18. These outfits are beautiful! I love all the touches of red.

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  19. Adorable, all three of them! I love the piping details, they make everything look extra special.

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  20. You have out done yourself here! They look fantastic! I particularly love that romper! It's so cute!!!!

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  21. All look fresh and absolutely adorable.
    xx N

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  22. There is so much to love about this post! But that romper is especially fabulous! E's been asking me to make her a romper since she finally outgrew her old (store-bought) one. I've been trying to figure out how to do the waist casing. Are the top, shorts, and casing three separate pieces?

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    1. I should clarify, three separate *pattern* pieces? Does that make sense? Oh goodness- I guess I need to start looking for a basic pattern to figure out the construction method!

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  23. Such sweet outfits! Love it! I wish my child would wear rompers. Maybe I can try it with my youngest, since she doesn't have opinions about her clothes yet. :) I also love Hilco knits, great quality. :)

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  24. so great, Rachel!! beautiful outfits and kiddos :)

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  25. I am in love with this all!!! that skirt with the button side is fantastic! and the color combos are perfect!

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