Red Rayon Revamp

I'm really sorry I've got nothing super exciting to share this time...yes, I am sewing furiously (and Bascha is sewing even more), but none of our things are quite ready for a blog post yet!  Here is one "completed" project that I have a few pictures of.

A month or so ago, I picked up a red rayon dress at VV to wear for WWII reenacting.  I really liked it.  But it had a high waist...not like empire, but several inches above my natural waist.  I wanted to make it work though, so after talking to Bascha, I decided to cut off part of the bottom of the skirt and make a waistband.  

Here is the before.  You can't really see the high waist line that well because it tied in the back and that pulled the fabric in a little more to my natural waist, but the actual "waist seam" on the dress is higher.

if you are wondering why I'm wearing a mob cap...I had just gotten home from a day at Latta
and hadn't totally gotten undressed yet :P

Originally I planned on facing the waistband (thus the yellow strip in the picture below), but I never ended up doing that.  I didn't think it was necessary.

the waistband

hemming it

I just did a narrow rolled hem on the skirt after I cut my waistband strip.  The waistband was 3.5 inches I think.

gathering the bodice to fit the waistband

I sewed the bodice and skirt to the waistband and then realized, uh-oh, I'm never going to get this on.  Thankfully I found a zipper in the stash and put it in.  I think the zipper would need to be longer, because even now, I am at risk of busting the waist seams when getting it over my bust. :P grrr..13 inch waist/bust differences.  If you look at the finished picture, the waistband is actually not that tight...I can pinch out excess.  My mom says it doesn't need to be tight, and anyways, if I were to make actually fit smooth to my waist I'd never get it on.  :P

zipper

finished waistband

I think it's a really cute dress!  And I'm happy with that little modification.  Now I've got a decently accurate '40's dress and it was just 2 dollars! :) 

~Theresa

Thrift Store Finds!!

Today was 1/2 off day at Value Village (the last Wednesday of every month) and we usually hit other thrift stores while we are out and about. Theresa told me about Value Village (VV) 1/2 off day and I do not believe we have missed the day since she told us.  We usually meet up there and shop together, searching for PC shoes, dresses, skirts, and sheets for material. Fun times!  I had to get photos of the things I bought at the different thrift stores and show the whole world!! :D

So first of all I found this crotchet reticule at the Salvation Army, cost $1.  I'm thinking Regency or Civil War? :D  There are such tiny stitches. ;P

Close ups of the crotchet flower in the middle and the trim.

At the checkout line in Value Village I found these two pearl necklaces, cost $0.40 each!  Rev War and Regency.  They are almost the same, except for the middle jewel and pearl. :P

Necklace #1

Necklace #2

Now this necklace I found at Value Village the last time I was there, cost $1.  Regency and Rev War for formal wear.

A wooden bowl to use while cooking at Latta, cost $1.75.  It is a little ruff on the inside, I am going to ask Abe if he will sand it down a bit for me. :P 

 

And last but not least I found this hat at Goodwill, cost c. $1.00. I love it!!!! :D  Look familiar Theresa? 

There is just a little tear in the top right though, I'm just going to sew it together and I think it will be just fine.. (crossed fingers) :P  I have so many ideas flying in my head for it I just don't know what I am going to do! :D

 It is 100% straw, so I can reshape it if I need to.

I am so excited with all my finds!! 

I had better get going LOTS of sewing and things to be done! ;)  I'll keep you posted!

~Bascha