Finding Vintage Fashion

Some of my favorite recent vintage finds

1950s black and white cotton fitted dress with full skirt www.etsy.com/listing/518270769

I found this lovely black and white 50s dress at the Gleaners. The Gleaner Thrift Store is a non-profit whose volunteers go out and glean food from the trees and gardens in the local area. I live in Southern Oregon so produce is very abundant  from spring to Fall. Harry and David's is a local company that grow fancy apples and pears in the valley for their gift boxes.

Now-a-days the gleaners also glean food from the local grocery chains and share with other food bank non-profits. The Gleaner Thift Store is one of those crazy stores that have great prices and a very scattered hodge-podge of goods. Although, I noticed in the last few weeks they are getting a bit more tidy in appearance, but so far the prices have still been great.

Are you always searching for the most beautiful and unique clothing that makes your heart jump and gives a jingly thrill. Yes, the trill of the hunt, stalking the stores, estate sales, and those posted yard sale - this way - signs.

Oh ah, and knowing what a long day it has been, but just one more stop, one more, and all day it has been a bust, other than a few okay nothing spectacular finds, but still a find none the less, just so the entire day is not lost chasing the elusive gold.

This is my now new technique for finding those lovelies...I do a craigslist search for garage sales and put vintage in the search bar, once it brings up all the vintage to offer at these sales I look through and see if any of them have clothing, usually they are for vintage collectibles, but every once and a while clothing will come up. I find that estate sale are the best because these are usually from homes of older folks that have hung onto their stuff and are now willing to part ways with their luscious belongings that they have been collecting for years, lucky for us.

white aurora borelis large pin www.etsy.com/listing/189375874

Sometimes when I am out driving for errands I'll pass a yard sale sign and check them out, you can kind of judge by a quick drive by if they may have anything of value worth stopping for, sometimes not and that is a bummer, stopping, getting out walking over not finding anything walking back to the car empty handed. I occasionally will stop at thrift stores because you never know just what they may hold. My favorite thrift stores are the ones in very small towns that are not all gussied up like a boutique, but are a hodge-podge of finds. and then there are the antique and collectible shops. I do like to check these out on occasion, because they do carry what I look for and sometimes I can get some very nice dresses for not to to much, sometimes. Here some more of my favorite recent finds...

1960s pink peignoir set by Kayser ~ sold ~ from an estate sale and shipped to Austria

I scored several 1970s maxi dresses and jumpsuit at the same estate sale as the peignoir.
www.etsy.com/shop/OsoVictoria

So, now that the weather is warming up here in the northern hemispere it is time to get out there a go for the hunt and find those gems. Best of luck! And, come back here and share your favs.

Some Lovely Vintage Dresses and Collectibles Recently Listed

Want to see the new listing of  vintage dresses in my Etsy shop at Oso Victoria. These dresses vary from the 50s to the 80s and go from party wear to day and country picnic wear, all are worn to have fun and enjoy the day weither you are out for the evening dining and dancing or staying home and relaxing with a good book.  Styling and doing it with fashion is fun! 

Also, included are a few collectibles in my collectible and home decor shop at Camron D. These items are great for a party, camping, or the home hobbiest. 

Like what you see, leave a comment for your favorite, I love hearing from all my readers, also be sure to be a google follower, I would love to follow you back, thanks so much!

Vintage 1960s Hawaiian Kiyomi maxi dress in pink floral cotton size xxs $45

Vintage 1980s blue check empire waist cotton day dress country, size medium $22

Vintage 1950s Jr Theme floral chiffon full skirt fitted bodice party dress size medium or vintage Jr. 11 $150

Vintage 1960s aqua-turquoise party dress with silver thread brocade roses size medium $85

Vintage 1960 lavender blue mod sheath dress size med-lg $48

 Vintage 1960s Plastic Mod Flower Power Serving Tray $14

Vintage Solid Copper Moscow Mule Mugs by West Bend set of 7 $105

Set of 8 Vintage Libbey Gold Leaf Drinking Glasses on Frosted Glass $28

Vintage 1980s Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack Boat Kit $14

Some these lovies are perfect for a 'Mad Man' theme and all are wonderful to enjoy! Thanks for looking and please comment and share your favs, thanks!

How to do Fagoting for a Vintage Look

I really love this fagoting technique, it gives the dress an alluring appeal and adds beautiful detailing. This method may take a steady hand when sewing down the wrapped bias strips. I haven't seen a Yarn Craft Guide, not sure if thay make them anymore. It was a tool sold by white sewing machines and used for making rugs, pot holders, tufted bedspreads, and fringe. I searched the web for this tool or something similiar and could not find anything practical. If you know of a similar tool or how to make one I am sure everyone would love to know, I know I would, thanks!

These techniques are from a 1950s sewing guide for White sewing machine attachments. The newer machines also come with attachments so it shouldn't be a problem adaping these techniques with your machine. To make your own bias strips you would sew the strips through the binder attachment. Get creative and sew away!

This pattern at Penelope Rose vintage would look great with the fagoting along the princess seams.

By adding fagoting to the sleeve or hemline on this dress would give it a very unique look also from Penelope Rose

Fagoting along the the top of the bodice and edge of the sleeves would and some addional charm pattern from Penelope Rose

Now if only I can find an easy to make tool to wrap the bias tape so it can be stitched down. I do know a person who has plastic making machinery, maybe it is time to re-invent this little tool. And,then again maybe with a seam guide and iron I can press the bias into just the right angle and shape ;)

Coming up next is more tucking...edgestitched tucking...

Free PDF Crochet Instructions for this Lacy Filet Panel Dress

Cool and sexy crochet shift dress, love this blue, but any color will look lovely and show off those curves.

Lacy panels ends in a patterned border that hems the skirt of a dress crocheted the same back and front. Crisp puff stitches cent each motif in misses 8 to 14.

From McCall's Needlework & Crafts Spring-Summer 1974

Compliments of  Oso Victoria

Lacy Panel Dress PDF

Enjoy and happy crocheting,

Vintage Sewing Touches to Your Creative Designs

This is a wonderful way to add vintage touches to your sewing garments. These techniques are from a 1950s sewing guide for White sewing machines attachments. The newer machines also come with attachments so it shouldn't be a problem adapting these techniques with your machine. Get creative and sew away! 

Wouldn't this technique be lovely on a blouse, I have two vintage patterns currently that would adapt well to this technique. The first is a 1950s Advance  pattern where the tucking is used in the yoke area. Add some delicate lace and perhaps a lacy collar for a bit of a Victorian look.

This pattern says 'sew-easy', but it is an unprinted pattern and is not for the faint of heart.

This second pattern is from the late 70s, and in a larger size, bust 38" a very classic blouse pattern with these lovely tucks that would also look beautiful with delicate lace edging.

Have you done the tucking technique to any of your creations? Would love to see what you have done.

Coming up lace insets, until then...cheers!

Free Vintage Crochet Sweater and Cap PDF

A lovely crochet wrap top with matching cap from McCall's Needlework and Crafts Spring/Summer 1974

Add caption

Free PDF download Surplice Set

Vintage 1974 Loopy Bolero Crochet PDF Pattern

Loopy edging defines the cropped lines of a bolero crocheted in an 

open mesh pattern. Size 8-18

Free PDF instructions for this cute Loopy Bolero 

A contrasting fringe edging would make this pop!

Check out all my free PDF files at Oso Victoria Vintage

Silver Fashion from Vintage, Designers, and 2013 Runway Show

Lately I have been fascinated with fashion in silver fabrics. From the Art Deco period to this Spring and Summer 2013 runway look. So where did it all start? Doing a little bit of research I found these bits of interesting information. 

In the 14th century China cloth of gold was called Marramas and a very similar cloth was made of silver. And, to this day the silver cloth similar to Marramas is made in India and Europe. 

Throughout history metallic fabric has been very common among the nobility and those of wealth. Charlotte, Queen Victoria's cousin was married in a wedding gown made of metallic cloth.

Princess Charlotte's 1816 wedding dress, this dress has been altered, the 'apron' is not original

Dresses from the 1920s often showed flare and style in gold and silver. Although, the gold and silver in these dresses were usually accomplished by bead and sequin work.

A lovely beaded flapper 1920's dress

1920's cream and gold lame evening dress

1920's sequin dress

Today's modern metallic fabrics made in the west are known

as lamé. 

Lanvin Silver Lame Evening Ensemble 1930

Vionnet Dress - Fall/Winter 1938-39

Moving on to the 60's and 70's starting with this silk jersey, the dress below is made of silk jersey and absolutely stunning

Dior 1960 Evening ensemble, silk jersey

The lovely Françoise Hardy in a metal-link jumpsuit by Paco Rabanne, 1968

Thierry Mugler, 1979

As we go forward in time to current fashion we have more stunning silver gowns with beautiful draping and bead and sequin work.

Versace Fall 2011

Marchesa Pre-Spring 2012

Georges Hobeika Spring Summer 2013 Ready to Wear

And, one final pretty one ~ no designer's name or date came with this one.

Hope you liked my current obsession with silver (and a touch of gold) gown, dresses and jumpsuits...

And, I would love it if you joined this blog and get the next color obsession, it is rather bold and wild, but that will come after the next free PDF knitting or crocheting instructions, until then, love fashion, love vintage!

Vintage 1970s White Crochet Tops

Love these white summery vintage crochet patterns from McCall's Needlework and Crafts Spring 1977 magazine. 

Free PDF download Rose Camisole

...and these two

Download PDF for Tassel Tie Vest on left and

PDF for Romantic Sweater on right

These tops would be so fun to layer up, which one sparks your fancy?

Thrift Finds and a Finished Summer Dress

Let me show you the dress first...

It is a tent dress from the stash of fabric I bought at Walmart for $1.00 a yard and from vintage Vogue pattern 7684. The dress was very easy to sew, two pattern pieces, facings and pockets.

Stash of fabric

Vogue pattern 7684 vintage 1970s

I am working on one more dress from this stash of fabric, to be posted soon. I ran out of seam binding, so the dress will have to wait until I go shopping.

• Here is a quick look at some thrifting I did a few weeks back, maybe its has been a few months now that I think of it, because I already have another bunch of loot for another time.

English plates, bowls and cup form Milton's est.1783, plastic salt and pepper toast, pink seahorse and seashell salt and pepper shakers, a Garfield cup, Santa cups, child's toy cup and saucer, green ceramic kitty 1970s yellow beaded necklace and a hat shaped pin cushion.

For the clothing I found this cool band style denim vest, a pretty blue nightie slip, and two 1950-60s full slips, a very nice black 60s mod mini dress, and orange plaid dress, the brown and black plaid is not vintage but love the mod vibe. 

Now, I just want to end with some photos of the park at Emigrant Lake, where I took the picture of me in the dress.

So, a little of this and a little of that and more to come. Would love to hear about you and connect, so drop a word or two in the comments, until then take care.