The “Lily the Pink” Dress

The “Lily the Pink” Dress

This was actually my first (successful) version of the boat-neck bodice from Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book – a pattern I’ve now used multiple times in different variations. I made this one with fitting advice from Gertie herself at one of her dressmaking retreats in Beacon, NY, back in June last year. This is the dress I wore for my Masters graduation ceremony in July.

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How to choose colour for your home (1956)

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How to choose colour for your home (1956)

Free download: This tear-out supplement in Woman magazine 24 March 1956, How to choose colour for your home, provides “sound practical advice with many colour-scheme suggestions, guides to measuring and up-to-the-minute information, to help all homemakers achieve a happy, good-looking, well-planned home”. As the name suggests, it offers tips on choosing colour, but it actually covers more than that, including advice on texture and painting as well.

The "Bow-dacious" Dress

How long does it take to plan a sewing project? In the first picture I ever saw of Dita von Teese back in 2001, she wore a black vintage dress with enormous bows on the pockets and neckline - I’m guessing it’s a cusp late 30s - early 40s number. I fell in love with it instantly. Years later I came across the dress again on Pinterest, and saved it to my sewing inspiration file.

Vogue's Spring Colour Schemes 1955

Vogue's Spring Colour Schemes 1955

As a fan of colour generally, I absolutely love coming across vintage resources recommending inventive colour combinations. The April 1955 issue of British Vogue came with a (handbag-sized!) insert leaflet of key colour schemes for spring.

DIY Love letters Dangle Brooch

DIY Love letters Dangle Brooch

I love the novelty 'dangler' brooch styles of the 1940s and 50s - you often see them in Bakelite, celluloid and other old plastics, and in any and all kitschy themes you can think of. I decided to go with love letters as it seemed appropriate for February, but as far as I'm concerned hearts and love letters are year-round motifs.

Introducing the Sophisticate tea dress - this is one of my favourite bodice patterns I’ve ever drafted and I’ve made it at least five times over the years. I’ve been planning to release it ever since I started my patreon, and I&rsq
Swipe to see some of my favourite 1930s-40s nautical inspirations that referenced while developing my latest pattern release, the sailor collar expansion. My favourite is the dress with shaped midriff, featured in the spring 1940 Sears catalogue, whi
I’m very excited about this latest pattern expansion - I’ve wanted to make a sailor dress pretty much ever since I started sewing! I drafted this sailor collar following original 1940s drafting instructions. The collar has a roll (ie stan
I added a matching #homefrontskirt to go with my #rendezvousjacket, so now I have a fully coordinated three season capsule wardrobe - I love it so much! Get the Rendezvous jacket pattern on my patreon page 💜🩵💚 #tuppencehapennypatreon #vintagesty
You know I love a matching set! With its cropped length, the #rendezvousjacket works perfectly as a layering piece with dresses and skirts. I used the #daytripperdress pattern to make this outfit (the cap sleeves won’t add bulk at the shoulders
I’m very pleased to introduce the Rendezvous jacket as my first new (not re-release) pattern for 2024! This is a V-necked, zip-front hooded jacket, inspired by an original vintage example from the late 1930s that I’ve been obsessed with f
Love is in the air! For this year’s Valentine projects I’ve shared not one but two appliqué beret templates. The first is for a conversation heart beret - the words can be cut in iron-on vinyl, hand embroidered or painted with fab
#vintageyearinreview for 31 December is “favourite look of the year”, so here are a few favourites… ❤️ Billowing about in the red dress (made in 2022) makes me so happy, and while it may not be the most practical look on this list