The Vintage Fashion Challenge

Since I’ve been an instagram user, I’ve half assed participated in “challenges”. You typically do a themed/subject oriented post daily for a month. I’ve never saw one through. I’d add a post here and there sort of thing, then forget or just lose interest.

Day 5. Blue - 80s does 40s embroidered cardigan sweater.

Last year I noticed a few people I follow on IG participate in The Vintage Fashion Challenge. I liked the idea for two particular reasons. One, so I can see other’s vintage posts. I love looking at vintage pieces from the 1940s in particular. Two, so I can sort out what I am missing from my vintage styled wardrobe. That alone has been helpful for me to focus in on my “what to make next” list. For example, I didn’t have a solid navy blue skirt until yesterday and for about a year I wished I had one.

Day 9 One of my oldest pieces a 1930s Liquid satin bias cut slip dress with a lace overlay dress.

I also showcased a few of my true vintage pieces that I love.

Above my 1930s liquid satin bias cut dress with a lace overlay dress. I got it for a ridiculous bargain bin price. When I grabbed it, I thought it was a 1980s robe. (It was wadded up and stapled together.) The fabric felt nice so I bought it without really knowing what it was.

Day 2 Red - My 1950s Solid Red Silk Alfred Shaheen Dress

Above, my 1950s solid red 100% silk Alfred Shaheen dress.

I bought it at a local thrift store for $5.49 plus tax. This dress is simple but the perfect shade of red for my yellow skin tone. The fabric detail on the bodice where the buttons are is my favorite thing about it. I’ve had a handful of collectors make generous offers for it. However, I don’t plan on selling it at this time and I already have a Shaheen collector in mind for when I do.

As you can see, I’m pretty into this but never fear - I am still making items too. I had to test drive Gertie’s newest Patreon exclusive pattern The Artist Apron Dress. I’ll share that result in separate post.

If you want to follow or join in The Vintage Fashion Challenge, my public IG is: www.instagram.com/thea_starr/

xo-Thea

2021 - Favorite Makes and Vintage Finds

Per usual once Halloween passes, I dive deep into the holiday season rush. This year was no exception. I mostly avoided socials and just posted little stories on IG.

Two days before Christmas/my birthday I closed up my shops for a bit of a vacation. It feels so good to recoup and let go of some rude customer interactions. I typically don’t take things personal, but with mail delays things got a little spicy at times.

With all of that behind me and 2021 almost behind us, I wanted to share some of my favorite makes and vintage finds of the year.

A lined jacket, vintage embroidery tea towels,(An Original By Thea Starr) kanzashi, floral knit top, Super Mario circle skirt and our (6 by 6 Arts) Roots plant stand.

Bedsheet summer dress, bedsheet 60's style dress, snake earrings, vintage patttern Halloween dress, 80's A-line skirt and a vintage fabric Christmas blouse.

I had many makes this year. Also, many I didn’t finish. I look forward to making even more in 2022.

A ridiculous vintage velvet wall hanging, a rare vintage Olga full lace dressing robe, vintage bias tape and more from my awesome neighbor, 1970's deadstock goddess fabric, vintage ice cream boobies slip dress and my vintage tea cart that I plan to restore.

My first true vintage ceramic tree, the angry cat sweater (I sold it), my 1940's vanity set, super clean vintage Daisy print Pyrex divided dish, my beloved Big Eyed doll and my metal/enamel vintage s

2021 was strange to say the least. I’m looking forward to seeing how strange 2022 will be.

Happy New Year Friends!

xo-Thea

Vintage Show & Tell: Nila Sewing Compact

I share a really fun recent vintage find in this video. A Nila Sewing Compact. I’ve been dabbling with sewing stuff for most of my life and I have never happened upon anything like this.

I love it so much. Even though I paid “up” for it at the thrift store.

The logo is quite small and I don’t have the best lens for the job.

I love sharing vintage sewing items with you all. I use most of them myself. Some I still need to figure out how to use. I will definitely have more of this style of video in the future.

I had a couple inquiries about if I am still sewing. But of course and I will have a show & tell video all about that next week.

xo-Thea

Vintage Show and Tell - Furniture From Forslund Catalog

The Closet Historian is one of my favorite YouTube content creators. I recently found myself binge watching her Cataloging Catalogs playlist. I loved looking through them with her and just seeing all the clothing pieces and accessories that were available. (And that I wish I had now.)

In a recent thrifting trip, I recently found my very first vintage catalog. I thought it would be fun to do a little show and tell about it.

Furniture From Forslund - Carl Forslund Grand Rapids Michigan (United States) Catalog copyright 1959. Paperback 112 pages. Aside from Carl Forslund's furniture, also featured are Owl Hollow Pressed Glass, Westmoreland Milk Glass, Mason's Ironstone Vista and more! I know it would be better and clearer to offer a viewable online catalog. Perhaps in the near future I could do that. But until then enjoy browsing along with me. - Thea

1960s Vintage Vibin'

In my constant quest for vintage fabrics, I often happen upon vintage clothing. I am compelled to save them and find them new homes on selling sites like my Etsy store. I just can’t leave goodies behind.

On a recent hunt, I found a handful of vintage dresses and one romper that were not 24’ waist. Bigger (normal) sizes are a bit harder to find in the vintage department.

I upswept my grays for this shoot. :)

Most of the items were in the 1960s style like the dress pictured above. The 60’s isn’t my vibe. I prefer some uptight secretary look from the 40’s or 80s with longer hems. The world got enough of my bare gams when I played roller derby.

But there was something about this print that reminded me of my Aunt Onalee. There is a picture some where with my Aunt wearing something very similar to this with the flash brightening up her face an illuminating her smile. If I were to keep this dress, I’d call it my Onalee. Since I felt the connection, I had to do a little 60’s shoot.

I’m hoping to find this gal a new home. She’s a vintage size 14 with a ton of stretch. Up to a 42” bust/38” waist and 38” in length. For reference I’m a 38F/44” hips and I’m 5’4” on a good day. I had tons of room to move and stretch in this. The Brand is Sacony and you know it’s polyester. I do already have it listed but if you are interested, leave me a comment below to inquire about it’s status.

The kanzashi worn in this shoot will be available in my shop shortly.

xo-thea

Some favorite thrift finds and my first button down blouse.

John and I had a vintage hard to find Legoland Castle set(s) to share this week on my channel. So, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of our favorite thrift finds too.

In other news, I made my first successful button down blouse. I’ll be dedicating a post to this in the future as I am currently making more. I am genuinely surprised that I got the fit right in the bust, but boy howdy - I am stoked about it.

In other sewing news, a neighbor in my local Buy Nothing Group offered up a big box of vintage sewing patterns. I was on it and was lucky to be selected.

There are so many goodies in there, I can’t wait to try a few of them.

Sorry to those of you who follow me for my kanzashi work. I just haven’t had any new projects that are completed to share. I still do make them. Also, I am indulging this sewing bug that I have. I really do appreciate the support and encouragement on my sewing projects.

Tomorrow’s blog post will be a long awaited one and it’s a recipe. So come back tomorrow for that.

xo-Thea

My 1940's Vanity

In the hub-bub of last week on a supply run to the fabric store I popped in to Goodwill that was on the way. The thrift gods directed me there to present me with a find that has been on my want list for a very long time.

A 1940’s vanity set.

Obviously this warranted a full vlog post about it. I explain why I wanted one so badly as well as some recent failed attempts on getting one.

xo-Thea