Vintage Link Love: August 2014

A few days ago, I posted a little something to this extent on Chronically Vintage's Facebook page, but I'll say it here as well - I've been burning the candle far too much at both ends lately and I absolutely know, and feel, it.

There has been so many exciting changes and launches in my life this year, from my Etsy shop to YouTube to selling vintage in person for the first time (at fairs, etc), all on top of blogging at the same kind of full time pace I have been in recent years, plus of course helping Tony with his/our company (Netrich Media), taking care of and running our household, and all of life's usual going ons.

{I've been burning through proverbial candles - and a few real ones - faster than the speed of light this year! Vintage candle ad image source}

My health and energy levels are feeling this intense surge of activity and physical demands big time, with flare-ups of some of my conditions frequently resulting from it (and various members of my medical care team telling me to take things a heck of a lot more easy). I do think that in the short term, pushing myself so hard, for so long is worth it and I don't mind that this summer has been one of far more work than relaxation for me. Looking ahead to the future though, I definitely will need to pace myself in new and better ways, rework how I balance/spend my time on certain commitments, and quite literally schedule true days off, if I have to, as I don't want to risk potentially extremely serious consequences with my health if I don't.

There is so much that is new in my world that wasn't there in previous years and I think anyone would take a while to adjust to this exciting, extra busy schedule. I wanted this 2014 to be a year of immense change and growth, both personally and especially professionally, and that it truly has been. I've sowed a lot of very exciting new seeds, now the time has come to tend them (instead of doing further planting, so to speak) - and to tend to myself in the process, too.

On that note, let's take a few tranquil moments to relax and have a gander at several engaging, delightful, and flat out interesting vintage and history related posts and stories that have really been capturing my attention lately. It's hard to believe, genuinely hard, that we're sitting here on the cusp of September already, 2015 just four short months away, and that we're rounding up another set of vintage links again (this summer felt so incredibly fast, didn't it?), but that we are, so let's get right to it! :)

♥ 8 tips on creating your own vintage style: Individuality is hugely important to me when it comes to style and that very much includes having your own unique, fabulous vintage style, something that the fabulous Daffny from the blog A Vintage Nerd delved into recently in this handy and helpful post on the subject, which is sure to resonate with vintage fashion newcomers and veterans alike.


♥ Top ten tips for your first pin-up photo shoot session: By way of marvelous vintage and reproduction clothing seller Blue Velvet Vintage's great blog comes a terrific post all about tips for helping you with your first pin-up photo shoot (many of which apply to other types of shoots, too, if doing pinup type photos isn't your cup of tee).


♥ Vintage wear for yard work: Brittany of Va-Voom Vintage has done a wonderful job of rounding up some seriously charming vintage yard work tips and photos (such as the fab 40s look below) that are sure really appeal to many folks as we transition into autumn, a season that often abounds with raking leaves, harvesting produce, pruning summer growth, and hanging festive decorations on the outside of our homes.




♥ My costumer's library: getting started: Though not every one who sports vintage fashions and/or accessories would classify themselves as being a historical costumer (nor do they have to be to enjoy and wear lovely old school styles), many of us - myself included - do have a deeply rooted passion for the costuming arts and frequently read a good deal on topics pertaining to this awesome area of study. To that end, the Witness 2 Fashion recently put out a seriously splendid list of books that be of help to new (and long time) historical costumes fans alike, while also discussing some very insightful points on the topic (such as the importance of often using more than one source when putting together a historically accurate look).


♥ A fascinating look at the not so ordinary beginnings of modern luggage: This fast paced image filled slide show takes a peak at the history of luggage as we know it today, tracing the roots of wheeled luggage, for example all the back to the 12th century. For major travel (and/or vintage luggage) fans such as myself, this post is sure to provide plenty of fun facts that you'll be rearing to share with your neighbour the next time you're on an train, plane or ferry boat.


♥ The top Paris designers of 1954: Ahh, the gloriously stylish mid-1950s! An era I hold near and dear to my own heart - and wardrobe! - and never tire of looking at images of, such as the enchantingly pretty array in this great post from Glamour Daze (including the Dior stunner below), which shines the spotlight on some of the most iconic Parisian designers (and their work) of the day.





♥ Traffic jam stuck in a Belgian forest for 70 years: This story made the rounds on Facebook earlier this summer, but in case you didn't happen to catch it there (or elsewhere), I wanted to share it here today as it is truly a unique, amazing, mysteriously haunting sight to behold.


♥ 1900s Life Hacks: Useful skills and information don't generally lose their merit simply because times change and/or other ways of achieving the same task come along. This delightful, you'll-want-to-bookmark-it-for-sure post takes a peak at some particularly handy life hacks from the 1900s that still pass muster today more than a century after they were printed on (now highly collectible) cigarette cards.


♥ Bombshells and Bomb Girls: By way of author and historian (and fellow British Columbian) Elinor Florence comes this excellent, informative piece, complete with oodles of photos and illustrations, on the history of female WW2 war workers that sure to appeal every bit as much to history buffs as it to early 1940s fashion fans (and of course, plenty of us fall into both camps!).






♥ The Way We Eat: This link is to a Tumblr account, not a specific story, but it is too sublimely lovely and well executed not to share the whole thing with all of you. Teeming with vintage images primarily sourced from culinary magazines that have partnering with a selection of beautiful modern photos of vintage dishes (from said types of magazines, such as Gourmet) that have been recreated nowadays, this elegant, tantalizing Tumblr food history blog is a must visit for all those who love gastronomy.


♥ Free download of Hollywood Patterns – March 1941: The immensely talented, sweet-as-can-be Rochelle of the vintage sewing and lifestyle blog Lucky Lucile (who I interviewed here last year), periodically creates and shares free downloadable vintage sewing/fashion related offerings, and her latest is eight pages of seriously swoon worthy early 1940s spring styles that would work splendidly for the coming autumn months as well.


♥ Boola boola and rah rah rah: College in the movies:: This post, which rounds up some of the most iconic collegiate themed Hollywood films over the decades, harkens back to 2011, but it's fairly new to me and as the world is gearing up to head back to school in just a couple of days, it seemed like an ideal not to wrap up today's lovely list on.

{All images throughout the list of links above come by way of the post that they are displayed

directly beneath the write up of here. Please follow the links provided to learn more about these images.}

♥ ♥ ♥

As summer's days grow shorter and a bracing, beautiful nippiness slips into the breeze, I will be devoting myself  wholeheartedly to my career and passions, but (again) working on pacing and remembering not to burn the candle to the point that the wick runs out entirely. I'll also be, as many of us will, gearing up for a seriously lovely, exciting autumn, both on the online and personal fronts.

From travel plans (more about that here very soon!) to Canadian Thanksgiving, our 10th wedding anniversary to Halloween, picking juicy red Okanagan apples to busting out the seasonal decor (tomorrow - I almost always do so on September 1st), I'm delighted to be welcoming my favourite season back once more and equally look forward to sharing it with all of you.

I sincerely hope that this summer has been a terrific one for each of you and that its last few days fill your life with sunshine, joy, and tons of delicious end of the season eats. It won't be long now until we're up to our eyeballs in pumpkin spice everything, candy corn, roast turkey with all the trimmings, and pillow cases full of Halloween sweets, and while I am a touch sad to see summer wrap up, with each passing day, I'm looking more and more forward to my beloved autumn and hopefully settling into a work/productivity routine that is more conducive to my health and lifestyle.

Here's to a gorgeous, fun filled September and fall ahead for us all of! Remember to always try to hold onto a few your candles, my fellow hard working ladies and gents - after all, you're going to need at least one of them for your jack-o-lantern this year! :)

Forty fantastic 1940s sewing patterns under $40

Unlike many in our circle, I am not much of a sewer. I know the basics and have - many years ago - made a few simple projects, but sewing is not a talent that the universe blessed me with in any capacity. Of course, like most skills, I'm sure I could improve with (scads more) experience, perhaps a good teacher, and plenty of trial and error, but given that I find sewing to be fairly challenging on me from a physical standpoint, this isn't something I've pursed in recent years. Perhaps one day - goodness knows I'd love to be able to knock out some fantastic garments made with vintage patterns - but for the time being, I content to admire the marvelous sewing projects of others.

Another thing that I greatly enjoy admiring - and even occasionally purchasing myself - is vintage sewing patterns. I love, love, love (!) yesteryear sewing patterns. The art that adorns the pattern sleeves and the sartorial inspiration the fashions pictured there provides has endeared vintage sewing patterns to my heart ever since I was a child.

About a month ago, the immensely lovely and completed talented Rochelle of the blog Lucky Lucille announced that she was holding a 1940s sewalong that was open to participants from anywhere in the world. To take part in this delightful sewalong, all one has to do is a create a garment (anytime between February 4th – March 31st, ideally submitting photos of your finished project to Rochelle by March 29th so that she can include them in a post about the completed projects) using any 1940s, 1940s reproduction, or 1940s appropriate sewing pattern that you'd like.





It's easy as pie to participate and sounds like oodles of fun! Believe me, if I was a sewer, I'd be on this delightful sewalong like thread on a bobbin. Again though, as sewing is not my strong suit, I thought that one way I could join in the general spirit of this project would be to share some seriously stylish 1940s sewing patterns with you that have caught my eye recently on etsy.

I started saving these links last month, so it's possible that some of these patterns may have sold already, but quite a few should still be available and those that had sold, may possibly be available elsewhere (online or off) as well. As the theme of Rochelle's wonderful sewalong is the 1940s, it struck me that forty assorted vintage patterns from the forties would be a great number to include in this post today.

Like nearly all vintage items, mid-century sewing patterns have, by and large, shot up (sometimes rather dramatically) in price over the past few years. However, as you all know, I love a bargain or at least a relatively well priced item, so to keep the theme of the number forty going even further, each one of the patterns featured here today comes complete with a price tag that will run you (before shipping) less than $40.00 US.




{So very, timelessly elegant and becoming for women of all ages. Simplicity 1324. $38.00 from Historically Patterns.}



{Two times the vintage apron cuteness! Hollywood Patterns 1834. $25.00 from Fancy Lucky Couturier.}



{Three charming peasant style inspired warm weather top ideas. Simplicity 2034. $5.00 from Gift To The World.}



{Jumping seasons from the last pattern, here's a fabulous, classic winter swing coat in three appealing lengths. Advance 4916. $35.00 from Independence Vintage.}




{Belted 1940s daywear dress loveliness in a bigger size for those gorgeous curvy ladies out there. 4593 Simplicity. $28.00 from Molly Pop Vintage.}



{These cute-as-a-button culotte and vest ensembles would be absolutely perfect for the start of spring. Simplicity 4370. $20.00 from Lisaanne 1960.}



{Whether you opt for short or long sleeves, this 1940s drop-waist dress is a perpetual classic. Du Barry 5463. $15.00 from Fripperie.}



{Breezy bowed necklines and short sleeves make these two forties frocks perfect for the sizzling summer months ahead. Simplicity 1016. $9.95 from Atomic Regeneration.}




{Puff sleeves and full skirts add lashings of feminine loveliness to these two subtly peasant inspired dress styles. New York Gold Seal Patterns 1397. $21.00 from Cottage Lane Treasures.}



{Summer's still a little ways off, so why not whip up one of these sophisticated, boxy 1940s coats to help keep those early springtime breezes at bay? Simplicity 1531. $8.00 from Dandelion Vintage.}




{Few vintage garments make my heart more giddy than darling 1940s pinafore dresses like these. Simplicity 3664. $25.00 from Miss Betty's Attic.}




{Perfect for the vintage loving office worker or anyone looking to add some classic mid-century blouses to their wardrobe. McCall 4800. $10.00 from Cherry Bubble's Vintage.}



{Actress Betty Rhodes gave this delightful three-piece blouse, bolero and skirt ensemble pattern her nod of approval. Hollywood 1211. $18.00 from Sew Patterns.}



{Curve hugging, a-line skirt loveliness that just begs to be worn all spring long. Vogue 8957. $20.00 from Old Fashioned Notions.}



{It's never too soon to start thinking about your next bathing suit, especially if it's as cute as these forties options are. New York 906. $34.00 from Dear Dress Maker.}



{The kind of classic vintage shirtwaist dress that you can dress up or down to your heart's content. Du Barry 5581. $10.00 from Sew Patterns.}


{Exude yesteryear glamour in a chic, cozy 1940s cape. Vogue 7891. $14.99 from Faithful Fabrics.}



{For the mama-to-be, two wonderful 1940s maternity dress options. Butterick 1985. $23.00 from One More Cup of Tea.}




{This lovely skirt suit pattern teeters on the end of the 40s/start of the 50s, and could be styled to work for either time frame. $7.50 from Karen Elmquist Vintage.}



{Two sweet-as-cherry-pie short sleeve dress styles featuring cute front pockets and rickrack trim. Simplicity 4102. $25.00 from Fancy Lucky Couturier.}



{Much as I adore all of the patterns in today's post, it was this lovely skirt pattern that I was most tempted to buy for myself because it seemed like the kind of thing that a total novice sewer like myself might be able to tackle. Simplicity 4824. $8.99 from The Craft Barrel.}



{Radiate old school Hollywood glamour in one of these beguiling 1940s evening/dressing/hostess gowns. Butterick 2354. $22.00 from Sock Fiends.}



{Be ready for a myriad of daytime events - from baby showers to PTA meetings - in one of these beautiful 1940s skirt suit styles. Hollywood 682. $14.00 from Midvale Cottage.}



{A collared v-neck and generous sized pockets add extra interest to these wonderful apron/pinafore jumpers. Advance 3427. $24.00 from Color Me Vintage.}



{Protect your clothes in lovely 1940s style with one of these classic, artist or crafter perfect vintage smocks. Simplicity 2436. $22.00 from Miss Betty's Attic.}



{If you share my love of vintage ruffles, than these 1940s housecoats style dresses are sure to tickle your fancy as well. Hollywood 1240. $12.00 from Daisy Epoch Vintage.}



{One can never have to many pretty blouses in their wardrobe, especially when they're as appealing as the four featured in this great 1940s pattern. Simplicity 4750. $22.00 from Miss Betty's Attic.}



{Whether you're in the mood for slacks or peddle pushers, this great pair of forties pants is sure provide just what you're after. Advance 3983. $16.00 from Midvale Cottage.}



{Well tailored lines and a waist defining belt help give extra elegance to this beautiful pair of 40s skirt suits. Simplicity 3923. $25.00 from Swing Kitten.}



{There are few figure types this pair of lovely flattering square neck, a-line skirt dresses would look terrific on. Simplicity 3423. $30.00 from Miss Betty's Attic.}



{Three lovely just-below-the-knee skirts to see you through spring, summer and fall with ease. Simplicity 1575. $14.00 from Quilt City Sue.}



{Stay cozy and stylish in these terrific 1940s pajamas and robes. Simplicity 2999. $10.39 from Mrs. Depew Vintage.}




{Whether you're hitting the links or grabbing a quick happy hour cocktail, these crisply tailored 1940s jackets are sure to land you a hole-in-one on the fashion front. McCall 4231. $12.50 from Studio G Patterns.}



{For those looking to tackle evening wear for their 1940s sewalong project, may I present this gorgeous pair of square-neck vintage gowns. Simplicity 4065. $35.00 from Miss Betty's Attic.}




{Perfect for everything from camping trips to leisurely Sunday walks, these classic straight legged trousers from 1947 will see you through scores of different events and weather conditions. McCall 6794. $10.00 from I love Vintage Stuff.}



{Princess lines and cute details like a lace collar or double breasted buttons add extra appeal to these marvelous 1940s frocks. Simplicity 3514. $14.00 from Selvedge Shop.}



{Have a (beach) ball in these seriously fun vintage summer playsuits. Simplicity 4321. $19.00 from Fancy Work.}



{Those - like myself - who enjoy longer hemlines on their vintage daywear dresses are sure to fancy both of these elegant dresses. Advance 5004. $9.50 from Studio G Patterns.}



{If you're a fan of whipping up your own hats and handbags, than this sophisticated pattern is sure to catch your eye. Vogue 9650 $27.50 from Atomic Regeneration.}



{I audibly gasped aloud when I saw this stellar 1940s dress and matching accessories sewing pattern. What took my breath away, you may ask - why, none other than the fact that you can tuck the tails of your headkerchief right through the collar on the dress on the left. Adore! Simplicity 3350. $30.00 from Miss Betty's Attic.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Whether you're a sewer or not, I really hope these marvelous 1940s sewing patterns help inspire you throughout this spring and well beyond. I know they'll certainly be fueling my wardrobe fires for a long, long time to come.

Do you have a favourite (or ten!) from amongst these mid-century pattern offerings? Every last one of them makes me go weak in the knees, so try as I may, I don't think I can narrow my selection down to just one.

If you haven't checked out Rochelle's 1940s sewalong yet, I highly encourage you to do so. There's a nearly a month left to complete a project, if you're interested, and even if you won't be sewing along yourself, it will still be a total joy to see the creations that others will be submitting.

Happy sewing and 1940s pattern admiring, my sweet dears!