For those dog days when sometimes I don't feel like changing to go out I like to create for myself dresses like these..

Now, we haven't come upon these days in Utah just yet, it's been raining so wonderfully much, but I know they're upon us. It's my gorgeous desert after all. And these types of dresses, in a sturdy homespun weave, are perfect for tasks around inside and outside of the home and still look suitable for going out to the shop in. And to go out I just tuck nicely my hanky in my pocket, put on my hat and go. So easily is the dress  dressed up to go out. 

           I'm a real sucker for button down costumes. It's becoming and very easy to jump into. How easy it is to unbutton a couple of buttons at the base for hikes or tennis. This dress I've made about a month ago but has already been on sever hikes up the mountains, over waterfalls.
 And let's not forget the robe qualities these types of affairs have. For the beach or poolside, wear under it your bathing costume or top and shorts for other places where it may be suitable to "shed" some layers. The uses for this dress are near endless!
                             Do you see now why I love this style of dresses!

I'd like to also note the shirtmaker style dress that it is. So elegantly mannish but so feminine. This design and fabric I chose to make it in was a nod to my wild west legacy. The belt is original 1930s leather belt and leather covered buckle. I love pocket squares but handkerchiefs are much more useful to me and I still insist upon having it in my breast pocket! But yes, sometimes I do shove it down in the other pocket. This one I made is made up of a scrap of Italian linen leftover from another dress I previously made. I narrowly hemmed the four corners and crocheted a lacy border in fine thread and hook. 

Well, there it is. Simple, yet so useful. And in its beautiful simplicity it becomes one of those that one is most fond of. 

🧡

This post I must dedicate to my truly favorite jewelry designer, Miriam Haskell. For decades she and her partner designed Jewelry and I positively love those from the late 1920s to the late 1930s. 

I have a few pieces and I'd have plenty more if they weren't rare and expensive. To find them I just keep a keen eye out for auctions and listings. Sometimes you can find them at great prices because those who list them aren't quite sure what they are. It was truly amazing to me when I received my first piece of Miriam Haskell last year.  Its the most common of her styles in the white glass beads but still so special to me.I soon noticed that I needed more things to wear with my Haskell pieces. Yesterday, I whipped up this 1933 dress from Beyer's Modenblatt, a German fashion book.

It was a simple yet becoming style which is perfect for every day wear. I especially loved the fullness at the hem which was so popular for early and then late 1930s dress fashion. Other features of the dress include darts at the bustline and kimono style
 cut sleeves. This was indeed a pattern for a deb but it was in my size anyhow and I went for it. Yes, the size was in my favor but the cut or style wasn't. The torso and all around the shoulder is a bit short, but I'll know to adjust this for the next time, for I intend to make another or two!

 What really mattered to me is that it would go well with the necklace and I do think the plaid rayon turned out perfectly for it.

The clasp of the necklace too, is so pretty that I personally think it needn't be hidden. Such beautiful details on every piece that she created. Including her beautiful name on the bag or tagged somewhere on her pieces. 

                    There is really a good deal of information out there about Miriam and the history behind her company and herself. I could go on and on about her here for you now if i had oodles of time. Alas! its on to the next dress design to go with my most prized possession of her pieces that I am lucky to own. That will come very soon!     I just love her and everything she creates!
                                                                                                      Toodle-Oo for now!

                                                 Krystle!

A hat to further invite Mister Summer!

    
     Well! Here I am again! I always seem to come back to my blog eventually. This time, it's assured, for keeps (or not other platform at all). For many reasons it's the better and preferred option for me, and my favorite, for my creative outlet. I love to write too and expressing and explaining are some things I like to do alongside my current endeavors and designs. And this is a good place for it.
So let's begin again!

        And here is my first of many posts to come! <3

It's of a hat that, let me tell you! Was terribly fun to make!

I wanted to make a hat quite similar to Alice Faye's hat here... And searching around for possible patterns, knit, sewn, crocheted or so on before drafting or draping my own pattern for it, I came across the Clover Top Hat in one of my crochet booklettes. I instantly fell and decided to make it. I've crocheted another crochet hat, The Skyway, and with delight and had all the courage now to make this one!

     The clovers were the most darling feature but were somewhat daunting to think of doing. Getting right down to it when they popped up in the pattern were really very easy. I love the look of the back view...

...And the way one can see one's hair as a contrast through the stitches of the crown. This, having the hair showing or revealed through the crown was a very popular design feature in summer hats of the 1930s. And a feature I especially love and look out for in a new summer hat. It's just so awfully appealing! 

Here are a few other examples. 

From a simplicity catalog of mine, a lovely affair for the beach! Absolutely need!!

Ginger Roger's hat here pictured is taking the style to the best level possible. An absolute must for summer this year! 

And here is Nan Grey in a simple yet effective style. Perfect for that slight breeze! 

Visors too were popular with not only the sport set but for summer beach and park goers too! Visors are undoubtedly going to happen for me this summer as well! 

     

Aren't these something! 

So there it is! A little more about my love for hats of the 1930s....I don't there's a style of hat from the decade I don't love.....and to present to you this wonderful crocheted hat in which I made with ease. The pattern was a size up from the hat size I usually wear but in the end there is a cord to make which is nicely tied in a bow around the crown. Loose in the further summer months will be greatly welcomed also. 

This pattern was positively perfect and I made no changes but kept to it to a "T." I recommend the pattern and it is also available for free at freevintagecrochet.com

I used vintage Knit-Cro-Sheen in Ecru and one yard of Millinery wire. I'd certainly make it again too! Pink or a very light blue would be equally effective shades for this design. And dark shades for another look would be stunning!

And until next time, I will leave with you here this alluring photograph of Leila Hyams in the most exquisite of summer hats in needlework. How about that brim hu! 

                                                                Toodle-Oo for now!