Clothing – Vintage and Sewing
I have always been drawn to vintage clothing, and in particular, vintage beaded gowns. There’s something about the intricate beadwork and delicate fabrics that speaks to me, and I love the idea of rescuing these beautiful pieces and giving them a new life.
Over the years, I’ve developed a keen eye for spotting vintage beaded gowns in thrift shops and secondhand stores. Whenever I come across a gown that catches my eye, I carefully examine it to see if it’s in good condition. If there are any missing beads or loose threads, I’ll take it home and repair it myself.
Repairing a vintage gown can be a time-consuming process, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ll start by carefully removing any damaged beads and replacing them with new ones. I’ll also mend any rips or tears in the fabric, being careful to match the thread as closely as possible to the original color.
Once the gown is repaired, I’ll give it a thorough cleaning to remove any stains or odors. Then, I’ll carefully photograph it and list it for sale on Etsy, where it can find a new owner who will appreciate its beauty and history.
In addition to vintage beaded gowns, I also rescue other vintage clothing items, including dresses and jackets. I love the idea of giving these pieces a new life and introducing them to a new generation of fashion-lovers.
I also occasionally sew apparel items, so, for lack of a better place, I’ve included them on this post.
In the photo gallery below, I’ve shared some of my favorite rescued vintage gowns and other clothing items. I’ve also shared tips for caring for and repairing vintage clothing, so that others can continue to enjoy these beautiful pieces for years to come. Whether you’re a vintage clothing enthusiast or just appreciate the beauty of these timeless pieces, I hope that my blog inspires you to seek out and rescue some vintage treasures of your own.
Vintage Clothing Gallery
Black Strapless Beaded Gown
Black-on-Gold Beaded Gown
Black-on-Red Beaded Gown
Blue & Green Cocktail Dress
Colorful Beaded Jacket
Jessica McClintock Gown
Apparel Sewing Resources
NYC Trim Stores
Excellent blog post that outlines the trim store options in New York, New York.
Charm Patterns
Charm Patterns sells quirky, fun women’s clothing patterns designed by Gretchen ‘Gertie’ Hirsch for vintage-ish glamorous pieces – mostly dresses. If you want a fun, mostly impractical but cool project, these patterns are guaranteed to make you smile. Her Instragram page also has fun information.
Standard Patterns
The standard “old school” sewing pattern companies offer many historical and vintage costume patterns that are excellent for creating costumes for period shows and for some simple apparel. The main thing to keep in mind when purchasing a pattern from one of these companies is that the sizing is based on 1950s standards, meaning the pattern sizes are approximately 2 sizes smaller than ready-to-wear. So, if you usually buy size 10 clothes, you will most likely need a size 14 pattern. It’s always best to go by the measures on the pattern envelope instead of assuming a size. Most of these patterns can be found on the Simplicity and McCalls, Vogue, and Butterick sites.
Burda Style
European paper sewing patterns distributed by Simplicity in the US. Often Burda patterns are more stylish than similar patterns made by US companies.
Threads Magazine
Popular quarterly sewing magazine that provides information on sewing techniques, fabrics, fashion trends, and historical fashion.
Style Arc Patterns
Style Arc is an Australian-based sewing pattern company that specializes in relaxed apparel that fits. Several of their styles are go-to patterns for me, and I use them over and over. Some of my favorites are the Gertrude Designer Dress, Bob Woven Pant, Jules Woven Tunic, and Blair Shirt & Dress. These patterns are available as print versions, but can take extra shipping time since they come from Australia. Sometimes select Style Arc patterns can be found on Amazon, which is much more convenient. Another alternative is to download and print the pattern pdf. I’ve had great luck doing this, using https://pdfplotting.com to print the file.
burieddiamond - Instagram
Excellent Instgram source for sewing and fashion tips. She has a great sense of style!
Blak and Blanca
I just like her style.
Burda Magazine
Stylish European pattern maker best known for its monthly sewing fashion magazine that includes traceable patterns for all garments featured that month. Originating in Germany, this magazine is printed in 17 languages.
Mood Fabrics
Mood Fabrics is by far my favorite source for apparel fabric. It is a vast collection of every type of apparel fabric, spread across 3 floors of 225 W 37th St, NYC. Mood’s entrance is on the 3rd floor, and the store isn’t visible from the street level. Their online orders are good, too, but there’s nothing like going to their retail location and browsing the fabric in person. Their Instagram page also has a lot of good info.