Vintage Quilting Dress Detail Technique and Patterns 1940 ~ 1960

These techniques are from How to add Magic Style Touches to Your Sewing from white sewing machines booklet. The stitching and quilting techniques and some charm and unique detailing to your dresses, suits, or blouses

Here are a few vintage patterns that adapt well to the stitching and quilting techniques

Stitching or quilting detail perfect for the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps on this Advance 5390 at Penelope Rose $20

Simplicity 1935 at Penelope Rose $12

The stitching detail would look great trimmed down the front and along the peplum edge. Pattern at Penelope Rose $12.50

Quilting details work well with the front placket and side detail on the sleeves of this 1960s vintage 'sack dress' Simplicity 2341 Penelope Rose $8

Find a pattern that works for you and give this stitching or quilting detail a try, enjoy and happy sewing!

Vintage Tucks Sewing Techniques

Here is another tucking technique with edgestitching for dramatic style and detailing. These techniques are from a 1950s sewing guide for White sewing machine attachments. The attachment used for this metohod is White combination tucking guide, edge-stitcher and top braider. Which makes many size tucks, sew laces, and edgestitches. The newer machines also come with attachments so it shouldn't be a problem adaping these techniques with your machine. Get creative and sew away!

These are some pretty basic and simple instructions for using a tucking guide. What I like about this technique is that you can use a different colored thread than one that matches the fabric. I can see using gold or silver metallic for a holiday look.

I only found one pattern in my collection that could be used for this tucking technique and would make for a great holiday blouse. These are actually pleats, but can be top stitched. Find at Penelope Rose

The pattern below can be found on Etsy at Shell Make You Flip and would be awesome using the tucking technique, love the button front.

I hope you come up with some great holiday designing and sewing ideas using th tucking technique....coming up next is stitching and quilting on collars, cuffs and trims, until then happy sewing!

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...

How to do Shirring for a Vintage Look

Get a great vintage look with this shirring method. This method adds beautiful detail just like the dresses from the 50s by using your home machine.

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. Get creative and sew away!

These technique use your shirring and cording presser foot

Here are two vintage pattern that could be adapted to shirring

This pattern  looks like it has shirring on the shoulders, a very popular sewing technique in the 30s and 40s.  Simplicity 1832 from Penelope Rose

This Simplicity pattern would look great with the shirred collar technique shown above, pattern at Penelope Rose

Have fun trying these techniques for whatever garment you choose...

Next is fagoting using a binding attachment...

Vintage Touches for Your Dresses ~ Lace Insets

Here is another beautiful way to add vintage touches to your dresses or tops. These lovely lace insets are easy to add, just find a favorite lace, you can use lace appliques or lace fabric for these designs.

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 adapting these techniques with your machine. Get creative and sew away!

This technique uses your zig-zag presser foot.

Tarlatan is a thin, stiffened, open-mesh cotton fabric.

Tarlatan

Here are a few patterns where you could use this lace inset technique. The first is a Vogue 1950s dress that shows the lace insert in the yoke and on the hip.

Vintage 1950 Vogue 7044 bust 38" at Penelope Rose

This second one, Advance 5733, I think the lace inset would go nicely where the border print is positioned.

Vintage 1950s button front dress bust 32" Penelope Rose

And, the third is a 1980s simple pull over dress pattern from McCall's 8995. I think a lace inset on the bodice in a V design or with lace appliques would give this dress some additional style, although it is quite charming the way it is.

Vintage McCall's 8995 easy pullover dress uncut size 8 Penelope Rose

Find your pattern or even use a current garment and re-purpose it to give it some vintage charm!

Next Shirring for more vintage magic style touches, 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!

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.

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 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?

Vintage 1963 Vogue Knitted summer Fashion for Children

I find these knitted swim suits interesting. They remind me of the wool swimsuits from the 1940's. These instructions are from the Vogue Knitting Book Spring - Summer 1963

Boy's swim trunks and girl's tri-color bathing suit

PDF download Roman Stripes for Children

This striped cover up with the little fringe is just to cute

Download PDF Child's Beach Shift

These three summer children's fashion should be easy to knit up in no time at all and be ready for summer fun, enjoy!

So what are you making for your kids this summer?