summertime braids and prairie dresses

Vintage Pink Liberty Print Gunne Sax Dress - A trade for a pair of handmade gingham bloomers

Vintage Zodiac Ankle Boots - Tennessee Antique Mall

White Lace Socks - American Apparel

Gold Heart Locket - Forever21

Just recently, Neil and I drove over to Fort Negley Park to take these photos. We had to fight mosquitoes, fire ants, and a cactus to get some pictures in, but it was worth it.

The dress I'm wearing is very similar to the maxi Gunne Sax dress in navy velvet I own.. the structure is basically the same. I traded the dress with a lovely girl from Georgia in return for a handmade pair of bloomers. She wanted a pair of the 1940's style chambray bloomers I made last May, except in a blue and white gingham (photos soon!). Of course, I said yes.

And speaking of handmade.. the powder blue rose hair barrette is in the shop, as is the vintage eyelet lace ruffle skirt.

Now for some sad, but eventually promising, news. I'm taking a short break from blogging for the next week. I've needed time to clear my head and let new inspiration in for some time now, and I know it'll be good for me. You fellow bloggers know how time consuming blogging can be, which in itself isn't always an issue.. but when you feel pressured to get a post in, creativity can start to run a little thin. That's why I'm excited for some time to rethink my approach to this blog and dream up new visions and ideas.

I'm going to dedicate a good amount of my time off to really learning my new camera, which I can't wait to do. I'm going to mess around with sewing, watch old movies, show up early to some local estate sales, and maybe even finish a book or two. It'll also give me a chance to update the Etsy shop with some lovely dresses and things that I've promised you all a long time ago! Soon, I'll be back with an overly ambitious Sewing Saturday, a sister-inspired outfit post, a shop update filled with prairie dresses, and maybe even a giveaway from a screen printing friend.

See you all in a week!

erin fetherston resort 2011 collection

These Erin Fetherston Resort 2011 photos were released nearly a month ago, and I'm still struggling to find a 2011 collection I love more. The simple French elegance of it all is really hard to beat. The collection was inspired by Jean-Jacques Annaud's L'Amant (The Lover), a film set in French Indochina in the 1920's.

My favorite pieces? The silky nude peter pan collar blouse, the high waisted marbled jeans, the rose colored dress with bow. I love the contrast of the silky blouses with the structured jackets, the abundance of cigarette trousers, and the lack of color (why does black and white work so well together?). I wonder if they're selling that amazing hat.

Photos courtesy of Style.com.

etsy update! sheer dresses, summer polka dots, and eyelet lace.

Shop update! The 1950's White Eyelet Lace Summer Dress and the Vintage Blue Polka Dot Drop Waist Dress have been added to the shop this evening. The ruffle eyelet lace skirt and deadstock sheer polka dot dress in black and white will be added later on, as well as the blue roses hair barrette.

I'm excited for a day off tomorrow. I'll be going out for lunch at Burger Up with my dad, then heading to East Nashville to do some thrift shopping with Quincy! Burgers, thrift stores, and cool people. Do you guys have any fun middle of the week plans?

sewing saturday.. white drop waist dress with lace trim

Sewing Saturday! This week, I made an improvised pullover dress with a stiff, sheer cotton fabric (thrifted). I knew I wanted a sleeveless drop waist dress that was simple, no buttons or zippers, that I could wear as a cover up for swimming. Since I didn't have any stretch fabric, I needed to make it large enough to be a pullover. I decided to use the bodice of a jumper pattern I owned and make my own skirt, which would allow me to control how gathered it was as well as its length.

I found this late 1980's jumper pattern at a church-run thrift store in Nashville. The dorky photo with the kittens and teased bangs definitely sold it to me.

What you'll need for this project - fabric (I used less than 2 yards), thread, pinking shears, scissors, pins, a pattern (although I only used it for the bodice), measuring tape, a flat working surface, and a sewing machine. Lace trim is optional.

First, I cut out the pattern pieces, pinned it to the fabric, marked 6 inches lower at the bottom edges to allow for a longer bodice (for a more drop waisted look), and cut the pieces out.

I used a 5/8 inch seam allowance at the top of the straps and sewed them together. I did the same at the sides, stopping at the underarm area. I then cut the seam excess with pinking shears and pressed them flat.

Once the bodice was mostly done, I focused on the skirt. I knew the height it was supposed to be - shorter than the bodice by several inches, so I cut a long rectangle of fabric shorter than the bodice length and over twice the width of the bodice. Once the rectangle was cut, I sewed it together then sewed two lines of stitching on the top of the skirt, being careful not to backstitch over the ends. I then pulled the strands and pushed them along, gathering the skirt until the waist fit the bottom of the bodice.

Once I sewed the gathered skirt to the bottom of the bodice, I finished the neckline and arm holes by folding them in, wrong sides together, by 1/4 inch. I stitched them shut, then folded them over another 1/4 inch and stitched again.

When I stitched the neckline, I was impatient and did a shoddy job. To cover it up a bit, I decided to add lace trim to the neckline.

All finished!

When I started this pullover jumper, I had intentions of using it only as a swim cover up. Now I want to layer it with a slip, put on a skinny brown macrame belt at the waist, and wear it out. Maybe a later post?

Last night, I dreamt that Alexa Chung's Madewell collection was finally for sale. This is getting pretty bad. I think I might just have to recreate the brown velvet dress with black peter pan collar myself, because I can't wait til September.

Today was a wonderful first day of work at the vintage shop! I had a lovely visit from a fellow blogger, Cayce Layne of Madame Joy. She and her friend were in the middle of a Nashville vacation when they decided to make a stop to search for some vintage and say hello. We took a quick picture (thanks, Quincy!) and talked a bit while they shopped.

Happy Monday! Etsy update coming soon.

closet case vintage opening in nashville!

My friend Carmen of Closet Case Vintage opened a new vintage location yesterday! As I told you all earlier, I was fortunate enough to be asked if I would sell some of my vintage in the shop as well, so I tagged some pretty things, crafted some hair accessories and bow ties, and brought them over to the shop. While I was there, I snuck some photos to share with you all.

The shop has got some magical stuff. Floral denim shorts, old eyelet blouses with rose prints, Young Edwardian dresses, liberty print finds with rick rack trim, lace up oxfords, even some Victorian era pleated dresses with lace detail. The powder blue floor length gown I'm wearing in a photo is a Victorian.. and I'm wearing it backwards. I tried it on the right way but still liked it best with the buttons in the front.

I've added some pieces from the Etsy shop and others that haven't been listed. The straw hat is vintage with a handmade black lace bow I added. Other items from me.. bow ties made of vintage gingham and striped fabric, handmade floral hair barrettes, a 1970's white crocheted crop top and 1990's striped denim shorts, and 1950's floral dresses with full skirts. Carmen added a great vintage menswear section to the shop, as well.

The location? 2407 12th Avenue South in Nashville, right in the heart of the 12th South Neighborhood and inside Katy K's lovely western shop. Next time you're in Nashville, stop by and shop, then eat a Las Paletas popsicle from down the street. And a white cheddar burger and sweet potato fries from Burger Up. (I'll be at the shop all day tomorrow and Tuesday, if you want to bring me some sweet potato fries.)

Yesterday was filled with Nashville goodness. I had to run off from the shop to work downtown for the afternoon, then I headed to Local Honey afterwards for their 5 year birthday bash. Coming home was a good, good feeling.

Sewing Saturday post later today!