Edwardian and WWI Eras ... A Little Inspiration

I just needed a little inspiration and sought them in some of my favorite fashion years. I thought I'd share them with you in hopes that you find a little inspiration too.

I found these illustrations on the NYPL Digital Gallery site. It is a terrific resource.

I love these color illustrations as they offer wonderful insights into the color combinations and prints of the times.

<-- c. 1912

c. 1914 Ladies' Evening Gowns and Coats -->

<-- c. 1915 I love the different styles of draping and check out those hats.

c. 1915 Lovely outfits with parasols -->












<-- c. 1917 Cold weather is no reason not to look lovely







The draping, the colors, the details ... ahhhhhh ... I need to improve my sewing skills ...quick!


If you like this post, please take a look at my other posts on these eras.

Happy Sewing!

Inspirational Quote ... You Can Make a Difference!

 Emily Dickinson at Age 16

circa 1846/47

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

          ~Emily Dickinson

 Unconfirmed Photo - circa 1862

 I read this poem when I am feeling like I'm not doing enough, when I am frustrated by life or just overwhelmed.  Though I know I want and need to do more than one good thing in my life, this poem helps me to remember that if I do more good than harm in my life, it will not have been in vain.

I may never be great, but I will strive to make the world better for having lived in it.

What inspires you?

Giveaways, the Red Cross and two 40% off Michaels Coupons

Enter a giveaway and support the Red Cross New Zealand Earthquake Appeal 2011. Poppy, Bean and Bloss is having a giveaway for a Handmade Waldorf Doll here.

Sew Chic has a purse pattern giveaway from Indygo Junction here.

Sew K2 is having a vintages patterns and notions giveaway here.

Little Birdie Secrets has a fun giveaway from Buttons and Badges here.

This week, Michael's has a 40% off one regular item and a 40% off Artist Paint, Pastels, Pencils and Markers here.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Time for a Little Crafting - A Beaded Bun Cover

I finally took a bit of time to work on my beading and made this little bun cover. My hair is long but pretty thin, so this covers a bun the size about 1/2 of a tennis ball.

I'm also working on the design for a larger cover to fit buns made of longer and thicker hair.

If you're interested in the pattern, please go here.

Happy Crafting!

Those Lovely Edwardian Blouses - In Praise of Mary Brooks Picken and the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences

As a vintage sewing enthusiasts, I am sure I am not alone in being somewhat intimidated by patterns and sewing techniques of the past. Those wonderful vintage patterns of the early 20th century often assume a knowledge I do not possess.

Enter the wonderful Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences and the brilliant Mary Brooks Pickens, whose instructional booklets are a real find. If you have any other them in your sewing collection, you know what a treasure they are. As they are designed for young women learning the art of sewing, they an excellent tool for the 21st century seamstress and seamster.

I have been lucky enough to find a few of these books at thrift stores and one very lucky eBay auction win. One for my favorites is: Tailored and Lingerie Blouses - Part 2 (I hope to find Part 1 one day). Published in 1921, the designs are from Edwardian Era and include blouses that could have been worn in the 1900's or 1910s. I hope you enjoy these images from the book.

I have started photographing and scanning my copies and I am offering .pdf copies on eBay. If you are interested in the content of these books, rather than in collecting the originals, I hope you will take a look at those I have on offer here. This is a slow process but I hope to get all of them finished and available by the end of summer.

Can't you just imagine wearing one of these beautiful blouses to a garden party or dinner party?

Happy Sewing!