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!

 

Springs Tender Blouse The first attempt at a Crocheted Sweater

            Only a couple of years ago did i finally teach myself to crochet, after years and throughout them mastering sewing, tailoring, knitting, lacemaking and many many variations of embroidery. I'm not at all certain why I didn't learn sooner for now I am as pleased as ever that I know how. I discovered There are thousands of crochet patterns to be found from my favorite decade and long before it. 

   In my endeavors I've crocheted belts and hats (one which may be seen on my Instagram) and bags and gloves (also on Instagram). But it was really the sweaters (jumpers) that appealed to me in crochet and this was my first...

The photograph didn't turn out too well and the sun seemed to Sabotage me from every angle. At least the general idea is there

         It was merely meant to only be a trial run but I love how its turned out enough to wear it plenty. 

It's the girliest thing I've ever made! Luckily I somehow manage to pull it off. Or at least I hope I do!

 It was based upon this pattern I've had for ever so long but I really detest the lovers knot lace pattern. I can't stand, for some queer reason, the way it's commenced. And I can't say I'm too keen on how it looks either. So I grabbed another crocheted lace pattern from a book made up entirely of many different lace patterns that one could crochet and used it in place of the stitch called for.
  

 Additionally I used one of my gorgeous antique ivory hooks. Made a change from my steel Milward hooks and I love the way it works up the wool.

The Chelsea collar is really is what appealed to me about this design and of course the contrasting cuffs!

 This I would say is exactly how the colors appear in person. 

Essentially I made up the sweater as I went but used the guidelines somewhat of the pattern. I also liked the way I did the collar which is quite unlike the pattern. The only thing I wished I'd done differently is to have made it in a size 18 (36" Bust) instead of the called for 16 (34" Bust). 

   The waist band seemed to take ages consisting entirely of single Crochet stitch. The wool really is quite itchy but my slip manages the keep most of the wool from touching my skin. It's Fashion dears! It's not about being comfortable, is it!

I'm definitely going to make another sweater and I'm certain I want this one..... 

A draped neckline blouse made with Self shaded thread. I've got the perfect O.N.T. for it! won't it be ideal for summer!

Until next time my sweets(and it will be quite soon assuredly)! Thanks for stopping by!

Thelma Todds Celebration; Yet another Thelma Dress!

       At the end of last month I celebrated Thelma Todd's birthday, which I do every year and it always winds up being an even bigger ordeal than my own July birthday. Thelma has always been at the highest position on my list of favorite actors in depression and precode era Hollywood. She starred in over 120 films and I can't recall just one that I've not enjoyed. Her natural funniness in front of the camera never gets tiring, nor her quick shot glances and gorgeous features and physique. 

     Just a couple of days before her birthday on the 29th I positively knew that I must make something to wear for the day. Another Thelma Todd frock, but of course! Something that epitomized her well and typified her very style. Her own fashion sense was something to shout about as well! At any rate, I turned to Thelma's short comedy films for inspiration. I thought because there are so very many of her films it was going to be a time demanding task. This wasn't the case. I had found precisely what I wanted in the very first film I turned on. The very frock for the day was in, "Bargain Of The Century," with ZaSu at her side. 
   Suffice it to say, it was perfect and a design that I've wanted ever so long anyhow. I turned to my abundance of fabrics and sewing patterns and I saw instantly what I was going to use. After two evenings of pleasant toiling this is what I came up with and created....

         And Here is Thelma's own!

    Of all the many textiles of crepes and pongees, lawns, voiles, silks and so many more I chose this floral Faille of rayon in whirls of blues and a touch of the loveliest chartreuse. It was the closest I could get to Thelma's print fabric without having to buy more.

    The pattern I used was this Butterick pattern I have had for years without having used it. Another great reason to make the Thelma Frock! Although rather easy in construction there are some details that are worth noting. One being that it's a Dolman puffed at the wrist sleeve, isn't that so ideal! 
Here is a better look at the sleeve which is elasticated at the cuff of the sleeve in a casing one may have at the elbow or more up the arm for a slightly different look.

The front center bodice is in one piece which ends in a point just at the level of the hips. This feature is mimicked at the back where you'll see the most cunning closure; a tab that runs up the back and over the neckband to which it buttons. There is also the usual side closure. 

  I did care to point out the cowl neckline and cowls are always elegant. In order for necks like these to drape into the perfect cowl I make dressmakers weights. I couldn't find these useful little items in shops, so for the longest time I've made them myself with just a couple of large washers. I crocheted around and around them to conceal the rough and unsightly hardware and then they're tacked just so to the center front and weighs down the cowl in the most charming of ways!

    To complete the ensemble I wore my favorite NRA 

(dated 1933-1935) turban

in black straw with the 

most sweet little blue 

leaves and 

honeyrod steman.

By coincidence did this accompany the dress perfectly!  My shoes were also in black patent heels with navy blue suede. You might have seen Remix Vintage Shoes' called, Cloche. Ive owned them for years and just adore them! My stockings, new old stock right out of the box,  but we won't say anything more about those!

                       

I will mention however that my new navy gloves have the duckiest scalloped feature at the cuffs and are made of a soft and thick cotton in navy with navy blue silk thread. I made them for the autumn but I couldn't help but show them off now!

   The last of the accessories is the self same fabric belt with the most appealing belt buckle of mother of pearl. It separates to open and remove between the circles, isn't it just so pretty! I line my belts in tailors canvas (or horse hair canvas to the moderns), for I've so very much of the stuff, and it works a charm to give it added strength. 

There you have it! That is what was worn to my own birthday celebration in honor of Thelma. I made her favorite cake, her favorite fare of New England food, watched her films and wore what is now my favorite Thelma Ensemble!

 Happy Birthday wishes, Thelma!

"Unless she has unlimited funds a woman must have great cleverness in the variety of her clothes." 
-Margery Wilson, 
 July 1936