Beautiful 1950s Vintage Summer Dresses

We have had a super cold snap here in the Northwest these last few weeks, but now the weather is starting to warm up, getting in the upper 40s with some rain, so all the snow is melting. When it gets cold it is time to think of warmer climates and the lovely vintage dresses that you would wear, enjoy!

Love the print and darker muted colors of this dress, always love anything tropical. This print reminds me more of a tribal print with a Victorian twist. The bolero jacket is perfect for a little bit of cover up when needed, and even sweeter with that touch of bright yellow.

This organdy shuntung dress is spectacular for summer! It's sheer...it's washable...with a perky touch of white appliqued lace a the cool cap sleeves. In navy, grey, or brown.

Susan Ross strikes the high notes with singing colors in Avondale's Satin Stripe Chambray...the harmony with matching solid shades...in these sun-dress and jacket duets. Seated: light grey with red, lilac with green or yellow with gray. Standing: dark grey with yellow, green with pink or brown with blue. Sizes 10-20 About $9. Sanforized

I really would love to have the red and grey one, so cute!

What do you think of these for summer? Leave a comment

Cheers!

Vintage Mademoiselle 1951 and 1952

I was able to get out to my University's library this week and scanned some vintage dresses from the periodical resources they have on hand. I started with Mademoiselle Dec. 1951- April 1952 issues.

I chose the smallest binder of magazine for my scanner, although it worked great for the larger binders too. Love my scanner, it is 8 x11" screen size, compact and only needs to be plugged into my laptop to scan or copy, so portable. I was in the 30 minute free parking space (otherwise you need a permit), but that was plenty of time to capture a few good pages. It is usually quiet up in the periodicals and since school doesn't start until the end of September I was able to grab a study room to set up as my husband peruses other topics.

Below are two bridemaid's dress and for an after five dinner dress, on left silk organza orginally priced at $39.95, on right nylon and rayon orginal price $29.95.

Here is a taffeta rayon dress and jacket for the holidays and into Spring, sleeveless dress with bolero jacket in black or navy, $20.

Cute striped dress with matching bolero, on the cover of Mademoiselle Jan. 1952. nice touch of red (hat).

Below from Mademoiselle Feb. 1952, very interesting sleeves for this time period, they remind of the Colonial-Victorian era, pretty bouses, the descriptions are nice if you can zoom in on them.

Mademoiselle April 1952, love the cut of these dresses and the prints too.

Coming up are some photos from Harper Bazaar September 1936 and July 1939. If you want a sneak peek, they have been posted on my Facebook at Oso Victoria Vintage go to photos to see them, lots of great vintage photos there. Until then....

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!

From Beautiful Vintage Dresses to Beautiful Stained Glass

These are the five most popular post from my Oso Victoria 

Facebook page, if you like these be sure to like my page for 

everyday updates on vintage fashion and home decor. And 

as far as fashion goes I don't stop with vintage, I also post 

some the most lovely and unique fashions on the runway, 

so don't miss out at Oso Victoria.


Lace vintage, very sexy and very pretty, I believe this dress is in an Australian shop, it 

may have sold already. I received many comment on this dress and I can see why, just 

beautiful!

1950's lovely creme de mint from Timeless Vixen Vintage, looks like this one sold also ;)

Vintage Ivory & Black Flocked Chiffon Cocktail Dress from vintageous this one has also sold.

Mainbocher gown worn by the Duchess of Windsor from Hotel Haute Societe where see a 

photo of Wallis Simpson wearing this dress.

And, last but not least is this beautiful stained glass. Interiors by Studiom has photo of 

many more beautiful stained glass works. 

Looks like there is lots of love for those dresses from the 50s, I also get lots of comments 

about the size of those waists, but it seems that they are a favorite. The 1920s and 

Edwardian era vintage also seems to be a favorite, as well as the home decor, folks 

love those vintage kitchens and camp trailer, I know I do :) 


Hope your enjoyed these lovelies and be sure to check out my page for daily postings 

of vintage, home decor and runway fashions at Oso Victoria.

Free Vintage Crochet Hat Pattern

Love these free vintage crochet patterns

The instructions are for this sparkly fishnet hat done in Spanish Red with gold beads at the end of each dangle-ball. 

Ladies sparkling fishnet hat

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Coats and Clark's O.N.T "Speed-Cro-Sheen" Mercerized Cotton, ARt. C.44: 2 balls of No. 126 Spanish Red

J and P Coats "Knit-Cro-Sheen" Metallic, Art. A.64: 2 balls of No. M.126 Spanish Red

Milwards Steel Crochet Hooks No. 6 and No. 2/0 (double zero)
3 packages of Walco gold drop beads, Style No. 7368
1 package of small gold beads, Style No. 7303

NOTE(S)

Use one strand each of "Speed-Cro-Sheen" and "Knit-Cro-Sheen" Metallic together throughout.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Starting at the center of crown with No. 2/0 hook, ch 2.

1st Rnd - 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

2nd Rnd - Sc in fist sc, * ch 6, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3, dc in first sc.

3rd Rnd - Sc in loop just formed, * ch 6, sc in next loop. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3, dc in first sc.

4th Rnd - In loop just formed make (sc, ch6) twice (1 loop increased): in each loop around make (sc, ch 6) twice, ending with ch 3, dc in first sc (12 loops).

5th Rnd - Repeat 3rd rnd.

6th Rnd - Work as for 4th Rnd, increasing 6 loops evenly around. Join (18 loops).

7th and 8th Rnds - Repeat 5th and 6th rnds once more (24 loops on 8th rnd).

9th, 10th, and 11th Rnds - Repeat 3rd rnd.

12th and 13th Rnds - Work as for last rnd, making ch-5 loops instead of ch-6 and ending with ch 2, dc in first sc on 12th rnd and ch 5, sl st in first sc on 13th rnd.

The Band

1st Rnd - 4 sc in each loop around.

2nd to 7th Rnds - Sc in eah sc around. At end of 7th rnd, sl st in next sc. Break off.

The Slide Drape

Using a single strand of "Knit-Cro-Sheen" Metallic and No. 6 hook, ch 5. Join with sl st to form ring.

1st Row - Sc in ring, (ch 7, sc in ring) 9 times. Ch 7, turn.

2nd Row - Sc in first loop, * ch 7, sc in next loop. Repeat from * across. Ch 7, turn.

Repeat 2nd row until piece measures 12 inches. Break off.

The Ball (Make 45)

Using a strand each of "Speed-Cro-Sheen" and "Knit-Cro-Sheen" Metallic, ch 4.

1st Rnd - 7 dc in 4th ch from hook.

2nd Rnd - Sc in each dc around, decreasing 4 sc - to dec 1 sc, work off 2 sc as 1 sc.

3rd Rnd - Dec 2 sc, ch 6. Break off.

Sew a gold drop bead and a small bead to end of each ball. Sew end of chain to slide drape. Sew side drape in place.

This free sparkling fishnet hat pattern was originally published by Coats and Clark's in 1955 in Hats and Bags, Book No. 310

This would make a perfect little Christmas hat. Please feel free to copy and save, repost or share these instructions.

Oregon Coast from Florence to Lincoln City

We had a great three days on the Oregon Coast. If you have never been be sure to make it a destination, there is so much to explore and see, from the dunes, to the tide pools and hikes through the forest everywhere is beauty. These photos are just a few and don't even begin to capture the wonders of the Oregon coast.

I love this bridge over Cape Creek at Heceta Head Lighthouse on Highway 101

This was the assistant's light house keepers home and is now a bed and breakfast at Heceta Head Heceta Head State Park

The sand dunes to the south stretch for 40 miles Oregon Sand Dunes

Devils Churn at Cape Perpetua south of Yachats

Beach looking north

Beach looking south

More coast line

Surfers

A canoe at Devils Lake State Park in Lincoln City we camped in a yurt here at the park. Yurts

The Salmon River flowing into the Pacific just north of Lincoln City Cascade Head Scenic Research Area we did a six mile round trip hike, this is the first viewpoint, only 2 miles up, we hiked another mile up the hill to the second viewpoint but it was to foggy to see anything.

I hope you get a chance to visit the Oregon Coast, these are just a few photos from the middle section of the Oregon Coast.

Have you been there, let me know what you think and how was your trip, any special places we need to check out?

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

Fashion, Glamour Girls and Home Decor Favorites

Some of my favorite stars, fashion and home decor pictures from the month of April Facebook posts, starting with two very famous Hollywood icons.

Mary Jane West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980), known as Mae West, an American actress, singer, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades, who knew she did all that and her famous line. 

"Why don't you come up and see me sometime"

She was known for her bawdy double entendres (type of speak when a phrase is understood to mean two things). West originally made a name for herself in vaudeville and on the stage in New York before moving to Hollywood to become a comedienne, actress and writer in the motion picture industry.

Mae West via OsoVictoria.com

And, Shirley Temple (April 23, 1928 - ) She began her career in 1932 at the age of three and in February 1935, became the first child star to be honored with a miniature Juvenile Oscar for her 1934 film Bight Eyes  and added her foot and hand prints to the forecourt at Grauman's Chinese Theatre a month later. Shirley retired from films at the age of 22 in 1950, but returned to acting in television in 1958. In her later years she was very active in politics and is currently living in Woodland, California 

Shirley Temple

These two couldn't be more opposite, but both received the most interaction on my Facebook fan page, and there several other Hollywood beauties for that month that were in contention.

Next up for favorites were dresses from the 1950s. All month were shown fashions from the Victorian, 1920s and through to the 2013 runway shows. But, most favorites for interaction were these dresses from the 50s.

This dress looks to be navy blue with white chiffon collar and trim on the sleeves. There was no identifying information for this dress it was shared on Facebook via Lazy Eye Retro.

Everything is pink, especially the beautiful pink dress. And yes she is grabbing a roll of toilet paper which makes me believe this is an ad from a magazine, shared on Facebook from Melancholie Soul Beauty Retro.

These three lovely vintage dresses appear to be from a catalog. 

Via Bewitched-Vintage-Clothing

But that is not all, these three mid-century home decor post also received some of the most interactions. 

Love the shape and color of this mid-century sofa shared from A Little Slice of Vintage Life

This lovely pink kitchenette was shared from juNxtaposition. Hmmm, aqua kitchen cabinets, seems there is a theme going on here.

The one photo that is not vintage but timeless just the same. Oh how I would love to curl up in this beautiful and cozy window seat! See more of this home designed by Jenn Feldman from houseofturquoise.com 

So there you have them, eight of my most popular post on Facebook in April. These are only a few of the many post I put up daily showing vintage and runway fashions, home decor and glamour girls, stop by and give a like to see what happens daily at Oso Victoria Vintage.

I think these dresses are just so pretty, and they come in several colors. These style were also well 'liked' on Facebook, thought they would be perfect for prom or that special party.
Speechless Floral Sequin Strapless Tube Dress

Vintage Litho Prints from 1913 and 1914 Fashion

I collected these Litho prints back in the 70s when I was studying fashion design. What I found interesting in these, beside that they were vintage was the odd shape shapes and designs of some of the dress, especially the yellow one and the blue-green one with the floral over skirt.

Love this print of this 1913 swimsuit, I would certainly wear this swimsuit. Translation "Bathing suit"

This vintage 1914 sailor outfit is so adorable, the jacket and hat are just too cute. "Yacht suit: jacket cloth linen skirt, leather hat"

A very sweet 1914 dress, cute boots, hat and jacket, I'll take them all and the umbrella too! "Dress facings" not sure what that means exactly.

This is one of my favorites. The skirt looks like a deep purple velvet. I would wear this 1913 outfit too! "Dress for the afternoon"

This dress confused me with that wide peplum like thing, although the over all look is rather pretty. I really like the lacing up the sleeves and the hat is perfect. "Petite Taffeta for lazy afternoon"

I love the draping and sleeves on this dress, the collar not so much, but  that sheer skirt is lovely. This was actually another one that confused me on the look with that top skirt part, but still a very nice style. "Taffeta and Chiffon painted silk"

Any favorites here? What do you think of these designs? Do you think any of these are over the top?  Let me know in the comments, that helps me when I am working on my own designs and how far I can push the envelope, thanks.