My Vintage Vanity: Sewing Patterns

Signing up for the Vintage Sewing Pledge 2015, meant I had to go through my collection of vintage and retro sewing patterns. I thought it would be fun to share a little glimpse!

In my sewing room I store them in a bin on my bookcase. All of my commercial patterns are vintage or repro/retro and are stored in the red bin. In the black bin are my own drafted patterns which I tend to use more often. 

What I love about the vintage pledge is that it is forcing me to use my collection of purchased patterns and not just collect them. 

These are some of my repro and retro patterns. I love that the pattern companies are re-issuing old hard to find vintage patterns. I've chosen most of these for my pledge!

A small sampling of my vintage dress patterns. I really need to utilize these more!

Vintage lingerie, nightgowns, and bed jackets. Love!

Vintage jackets and coats. 

The possibilities are endless! Do you collect vintage sewing patterns? Do you use them or are they more for inspiration? Have you joined the vintage pledge?

My Vintage Vanity: Daniel Green Slippers

You may remember earlier this year I was on the search for vintage boudoir slippers. Having a size 10 shoe size has made this hunt something I thought would be impossible. I came really close to buying the Miss L Fire for What Katie Did repro version, but was having a hard time justifying the cost. I'm afraid, I'm just not that fabulous. Well, what seemed like a holy grail find for me has been found! 

While on a recent trip to Hudson, NY for some antiquing I stumbled upon Five and Diamond Vintage, an adorable little vintage shop off the main street. I bought some vintage slips for myself and as I was about to leave I noticed these Daniel Green beauties in the glass case. Surely, they must be a size 8 if they even look close to my size. 

Much to my surprise they are a 9.5 that I can get my narrow size 10 into! For a fraction of the cost of the Miss L Fire's I didn't skip a beat to grab these! Boudoir slippers are now off of my wish list and in my closet! 

Aren't they gorgeous? 

My Vintage Vanity: New Finds For My Dresser Top

I've recently purchased a few vintage pieces for my bedroom on Etsy. The first is a vintage mirror tray that was painted white to give it a cottage look. I have it displayed on my dresser top. I've wanted one for awhile, and always wished I had kept mine from childhood. I wasn't sure I wanted to stray away from the common brass edgings, but I'm thrilled with the white!

You can see a little bit of the white edging here. I love displaying my ring swan on it!

Perfumes and other girly items belong on a mirror tray. 

Here you can get a better look at how well the white trim goes with the decor. I found this mirror tray at Tarnished Hinge. 

This lovely lady, is my first head vase. A Napco in pretty yellow and gold! Isn't she pretty? 

She is housing my make-up brushes on my vanity. A perfect spot for her! I found her in the Etsy shop Reminisce47.

Have you made any good vintage purchases lately? Please share! 

My Vintage Vanity: Newly Listed Cocktail Hats

Quick! Snatch these up before I change my mind on selling them! I'm not sure what I'm thinking as I love to wear hats to parties and it's cocktail party season! Which one would you wear?  All are available in my Etsy store The Sparkling Cocktail. 

1940's Camel wool tilt hat with black satin curlies and veil. This hat is amazing! It's from the Merrimac Hat Corp and is Made in the USA. A must have for any 1940's wardrobe! 

Film noir fan, like me? You've gotta love this 1940's black velvet topper with AB Noir beaded cluster! 

Marabou feather crown? Yes please! This is perfect for Holiday parties. Light, fun and classy! 

1950's Marabou feather cocktail hat. Union Made and new with tags!

I have to pinch myself here, because I really can't believe I'm selling this one! I've never seen anything like it. Calling all femme fatales! 1940's veiled hat with black velvet flower! 

As always, dear readers, use coupon code SPARKLE at check out to get 15% off! Look fab, this Holiday season! 

My Vintage Vanity: Party Purses

I've listed some pretty cocktail party and wedding worthy vintage purses in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail! Let's have a look:

This 1970's La Regale woven cream raffia purse is timeless and a wardrobe essential. Even though it's woven straw, the colors are perfect for Autumn and Thanksgiving parties. Yes I said it! The holidays are right around the corner! 

Perfect for Holiday parties or a Saturday night. This 1960's metallic gold purse can also be used as a clutch. I love the ruffles! 

Vintage white beaded purses are a classic and great for weddings; either for the Bride or attendee. This one is no exception. This 1960's vintage beaded purse is covered in white seed beads with iridescent white bugle beads creating a pretty leaf motif. This can also be used as a clutch. 

Which one is your favorite? 

My Vintage Vanity: Nan Flower Half Slips

I love vintage slips and lingerie and have been collecting it for years. However, it was only recently that I discovered Nan Flower slips. Nan Flower is a Mid-Century label that made a variety of slips and lingerie that are some of the prettiest I have ever seen! And that, my dears, is saying a lot.

Lace appliqués and two tone shades are a specialty. 

 This lace butterfly slip is available here. 

Did I mention crystal pleating? Lace that is pleated too? 

Oh my! So pretty! This pink beauty in available here. 

The best of both worlds here. Appliqués and crystal pleating. Plus a gorgeous lemon yellow! 

Also available here. 

Nan Flower spared no details and femininity. The colors are gorgeous and the nylon is top notch! 

I love this mint slip too! Also available in my shop! 

These are hard to part with but too pretty not to share! 

All of these Nan Flower vintage slips are available in my Etsy shop The Sparkling Cocktail. 

And as always, my blog readers (that's you!), FB fans, and Twitter followers can use coupon code SPARKLE for 15% off any purchase. 

Do you own any Nan Flower slips?  Which one is your favorite? 

My Vintage Vanity: Telephone Plastic Coil Bag

Purses made out of telephone plastic coils or telephone cord became popular in the 1940's. During the war, there were tight rations on fabrics and leather. Plastic started becoming popular and coil bags became a resourceful alternative for the hip fashionable crowd.

Several variations were made from solid colors to two-tone to multi-color.  Different shapes were also available. 

I've been lucky to come across one, as they are hard to find and rare nowadays. I have also put it for sale in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail! 

This one is multicolor and includes a coin purse and a mirror. It's in excellent condition! I can't believe I am selling it! You can find the listing here. 

My Vintage Vanity: Vintage Lingerie

I've been very lucky to recently find some amazing vintage lingerie to offer you all in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail. I love vintage lingerie and to be honest, I would love to keep all of this for myself. But that wouldn't be fair, would it? Some of these pieces still have the original tags. Here's a look at what's new:

So pretty! This pale pink peignoir is hard to date with elements from several decades. My approximation is late 40's early 50's. I love the sleeves! 

1950's bubble gum pink tulle crinoline!! With original tags! The tag says "Widest Sweep" and they aren't kidding! 

Nothing looks better under vintage dresses than vintage foundation garments! This 1960's longline cinch bra will hold you all in and feel pretty! Think Joan Harris on Mad Men. 

This unique sixties nightgown is so adorable! Red nylon chiffon with Spanish fans! Complete with a pocket! I would live in this on my days off! 

I also have a coupon code I give to my blog readers, Facebook fans, and Twitter followers! Don't forget to use SPARKLE for 15% off anything in my shop; The Sparkling Cocktail! 

Cheers!

My Vintage Vanity: Stash My Destash

I've been reorganizing my limited storage space lately. I have some great vintage crochet trims and fabrics that I am now starting to list in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail. Hopefully you all can make beautiful things out of it and I can clear some space! The new section of the shop is called Stash My Destash, so please do!

Here are some wonderful 1940's crochet items currently up for grabs:

Vintage crochet trim with pink edges! 

Lovely trim! 6 strips around 30" each! 

1940's fine thread medallions.  Set of 4. 

Off white granny squares! Set of 13!

What would you or have you made out of vintage trim? 

My Vintage Vanity: Nightgowns and Slips

I love the details on vintage slips and nightgowns! I have quite a collection and always feel glamorous when I wear them. I've got some beautiful ones up for sale in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail. Here are a few!

1950's White Full Slip with Crystal Pleating- this one is gorgeous! 

I love the shade and crystal pleated hem on this Mocha Latte Vanity Fair Half Slip! 

This 1950's Buttercup Yellow Munsingwear Nightgown has amazing detail! 

How darling is this 1950's Bed Jacket? This Lemon Yellow Vanity Fair has the prettiest puff sleeves! 

 Do you collect vintage slips and nightwear? What are some of your favorite styles? 

My Vintage Vanity: Wiggle While You Work

Nothing beats a 1950's wiggle dress!  I just listed this Blue Floral Bombshell of a dress suit in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail!

 From my personal collection, here I am in 2008 when it fit me like a glove!  I love this dress suit, it's three pieces in one and I'm so glad I get to now offer it to you! Each piece on it's own is special. You can wear the jacket with the floral banding and cuff or completely on the floral side! The cuff is also removable to a fully finished regular sleeve! 

 And the dress! Shelf bust, tuck pleats at bust, dolman elbow length sleeves with elbow dart and gusset, and a very fitted pencil skirt! VA-VA-VOOM! 

 Love that floral! 

 If that offering is not enough, here is a gorgeous red wiggle dress with whimsical bow detail! 

And this little number! Don't under estimate the power of a little black dress! Unique seaming makes this black wiggle dress a true vintage find! 

Wiggle while you work...your curves will thank you!