Saturday, February 5, 2011

Week 4- Vintage and Retro Inspired

 I can't believe we're down to five! This has been such fun for me, and I hope for you all as well! Have fun voting! Poll closes Monday at midnight as usual.

1- Lindsay's 1940's Fun in the Sun Playsuit

This was my favorite challenge so far!  I just love vintage/retro fashion and it is one of my favorite silhouettes on a little girl.  My first instinct was to do a super-girly dress, but I decided against that since I've made a ton of those before and I am trying to use this competition to challenge myself.  I finally decided to make a three-piece, vintage-inspired outfit, but used a bold fabric to make it a bit more modern.


This outfit consists of a smock dress, a knicker bloomer and a fitted bonnet.  I added a lot of details to this outfit to make it extra special.  The bonnet has ric-rac detail around the front and the fabric tie is threaded through two button holes on each side (four total).  I wanted to make sure the bonnet was fitted and it actually fits more like a little hat.  The pockets are trimmed with red gingham ribbon, yellow ric-rac and contrasting blue and yellow fabric.  The peter-pan collar has custom corded piping and the smock dress closes down the front with four fabric covered buttons.


Finally, I knew I wanted to do an outfit with puff sleeves and a peter pan collar - does it get more 1940 - 1950's than that?  The outfit is completed with a pair of white bobby socks and patent leather mary janes.

2- Kirstin and Jordan's Vintage Vail
If we had an Official Family Sport, it'd be skiing, hands down. That fact, paired with my determination to enter something for boys this week, made my sewing choice for vintage/retro week easy.
And, I have to tell you, I love seeing Burke all decked out in his retro ski vest and vintage-y pom pom ski hat. The camel-colored corduroy, the pearl snaps, and of course, the striped insets, all give this look such a fabulous vintage vibe. Top it off with a gigantic pom pom and the Vintage Vail look is complete!
If cuteness-in-retro-ski-gear has any correlation with aptitude for the sport (which is very likely, right?), Burke will be tearing up the double black diamonds before he turns three.

3- Ashley's Annie Hall Look
For this week's vintage/retro inspired-style I chose the classic "Annie Hall" look that Dianne Keaton made so popular in the 70's: menswear for women. Boo is a "daddy's girl" so this has by far been her favorite outfit in the competition. I took a men's dress shirt, cut it apart, and re-tailored the pieces to fit a toddler using a dress form. I reused the collar, cuffs and buttons and made the shirt a slim fit with an extra long shirt tails to fit nicely into the pants.


The pants are fitted with an extra high waist and flair out to a wide leg. Instead of using an itchy wool suiting, I made the pants from poly/spandex pin-striped fabric reclaimed from an adult skirt.....they are soft, comfortable, and machine washable. An adult sized tie can easily be cut down to a child size for a girl or boy. I love ties on girls:


Styled with a men's style fedora, sneakers, tousled "bed" hair and a little extra confidence......I think Annie Hall would approve of Boo's "tomboy" urban style! You can visit us over at Lil Blue Boo to see more photos from our "Annie Hall" shoot!




4- Kelly's Retro Rompers and Ponchos
While I adore retro styles I always want to make sure that they are very wearable and steer clear of the "costume" effect. I have been wanting to make a retro romper for Evie for a long time and thought this would be a perfect opportunity! 
_MG_2688_3713Addieproof
These cute retro rompers have a halter tie, an elastic back and waist and gathered knicker bottoms. They are super comfy (I even thought about making myself one to lounge about in!) 
I made little tie belts in a solid color and fabric clip on flowers for a punch of color and fun little headkerchiefs. When I found all the different colors of gingham I just HAD to make one for each of Evie's little girlfriends.
retrorainbow
When researching retro clothes I found THIS article that talked about princess lined coats. I knew it would start raining (as it does every afternoon here) and it would be nice to have something the girls could slip on to stay dry. I didn't have enough time to make full blown coats, but poncho's were a big hit back when so I ran with it and lined them with their matching gingham. (Evie positively refused to wear hers ha!)
_MG_2638_3663
Come on over to SINML for the pattern, tutorial and to enter in the giveaway to win the collection! 

5- Katy's Divine Grace

 "My darling, simply elegant . . .  you are ever, Graceful"

 "Blossoming, beautiful, . . . you are Divine"
Divine is wearing a Grace Kelly inspired gown, infused with youth.  Spring green checked dupioni silk on the bias for the waistband and "stems".  Fire treated blooms, baby piping around the petal-esque 3/4 sleeves, and the boat neckline, for a modest, but retro look.  No big dill inscribed on the back, for whimsy. Check out no big dill for more pics.

Related Posts

32 comments :

  1. I can honestly say I love every single one of these. It's going to take me forever to choose just one! Awesome job, competitors!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow. These are all fantastic. Seriously. My favorite week yet by far. I was totally stressed out just now figuring out who to vote for. Awesome awesome stuff. I can't wait for tutorials on all of these because my girls will have one of each.

    ReplyDelete
  3. these are all A-MAZ-ING!!!! what talent has congregated here!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How am I supposed to decide?!?!?! Ridiculous talent here. If only I could have some from all, I would be a designer sewing superstar.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG....the Grace Kelly inspired dress....can you make ME one?? I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have never had such a hard time deciding. These are all fabulous. Holy Cow!! Thank you all for sharing your talent.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I always appreciate boy ideas, but I also adore the retro rainbow and Divine Grace designs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. what a fun challenge!
    they all turned out so well!
    (btw, Katy's name is misspelled in the voting area)

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are all so beautiful! I love them all. I've only just started my sewing hobby, and WOW I have such an appreciation for all the hard work and genius that went into these designs! Good work everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the vail look, reminds me of "Better Off Dead" ahh, the classics!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the Vintage Vail. So glad to see some boy stuff. Fun!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I absolutely adore the fun in the sun playsuit...looks straight out of a vintage Dick and jane poster. so.. so....... ummm....adorable!

    I'd totally dress my baby girl in this dress, so would love a tute.

    I know Katy's entry looks amazing, especially with so much detail(wow, those sleeves, with piping!), but the silhouette of the dress seems all wrong to me. my vote goes to Lindsay's project.

    ReplyDelete
  13. WOW! This is the toughest one yet. They are all so great! What do do, what to do?

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW, BEAUTIFUL! GREAT JOB TO EVERYONE!

    ReplyDelete
  15. KATY! KATY! KATY! of course
    Though I must say these others are FANTASTIC! too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow. Katy. WOW. They're all GREAT, but that one. Did I say wow already? I need to broaden my vocabulary.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I LOVE them all. Really. Them ALL. The 1940's play suit is ADORABLE- I want one for my daughter! Such talent in all the seamstresses- can they all win? :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Linsey was my fav...I love the modern twist to such a staple outfit from that era...great job...I would def buy that outfit...so practical and cute at the same time...love the details...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow! I had a hard time choosing this time! The Vintage Vail reminds me of things my brothers used to wear :) I absolutely loved the choice of material in the Fun in the Sun Playsuit.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would like to wear the vintage vail vest everyday

    ReplyDelete
  21. LOVE the sweet retro romper and poncho from Kelly!! Your pictures are awesome too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. They are all really awesome--But I vote KATY!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. what amazing choices this week. Great work everyone!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love them all, but my favorite is Kelly's retro romper!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Katy's Divine Grace is definitely a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I took a close look and really like Kelly's retro romper. It's so hard to just choose one.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I LOVE Kelly's Retro Romper! I want one for my daughter!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.