Family Heirlooms · Antique Twin Baby Dresses

We don't have very many antique garments from our extended family, but my meager collection grew exponentially this year!

When my paternal grandmother's twin sister, Aunt Daisy, died earlier this year, the family cleaned out her home over the course of several months.  We went over several times to sort what to keep and what to donate, and we were able to get several vintage accessories to remember her by. :-)  Near the end, Mom went over one day to pick up her sewing machine and happened to notice a box of donations containing old kitchen towels.  Upon closer examination, she noticed that it also contained baby clothes!  She brought the box back home and it was like Christmas. :-D

I have a fond spot for vintage baby/children's clothing and the family connection made them even more special!  However, the best part of it all was that there were still a few "twin" outfits together!  I don't know how often they wore coordinating clothing, but judging by the pictures that survived, I don't think it was often, if ever.  I think the remaining "un-matching" dresses were just Aunt Daisy's share of the saved baby clothes.  I thought it would be fun to share the matching outfits I have today! :-)

I got several white dresses like these, but these 2 are my only matching set.

Look at all those pin tucks!  They're all machine sewn, but sooooo tiny!  The tag says, "Hand Made" (like many of the other dresses) so I think these were purchased rather than home-made.

The sleeves are so adorable- I just can't get over all the detailing that goes into these antique dresses!  Impossibly tiny!  The center front of the hem is embellished with a little bit of embroidery.

The middle button on the back is missing- ironically both dresses are missing the same one!  Makes me wonder if that one just got more stress than the others?  All the buttonholes are made by hand, as well as the embroidery.

There were also a few slips, including a matching set! :-)

I love how even though they're just slips, they still have a little bit of embroidery and a detailed scalloped edge. :-)  I'm pretty sure all the edging was done by hand, but I'm not positive on that.  The sheer amount of work that goes into all these baby garments is astounding and inspiring!

The slips close with buttons on the shoulder, but amusingly- all of the buttons are different!  I don't know if that's original or replaced. ;-)

There were also these sweet toddler dresses!  So, so cute.  The twins were born in 1927, so these dresses are from the late 20s or early 30s.

I'm pretty sure they're made from silk, but they are in need of some more special repairing than the rest of the clothing.  They are still intact, but there are several seams that have come out and some fraying and tiny holes.  I suspect that these were worn several times, just due to the evident wear.

I love this idea of alternating pin tucks and regular tucks! :-)

The dresses are very simple- a tunic style with a snap closure on the left shoulder and the neck band closing with a bow.  They are embellished with a small embroidery motif around the hem.

I suspect that they are home-made due to the lack of tags, but mainly due to the difference in hemming- one dress has a simple hem, the other is faced in lightweight cotton!

I have several more of Aunt Daisy's baby dresses to share, including one that I was able to identify from her baby pictures!  I also have a couple wedding dresses, so "Family Heirlooms" is destined to become a (semi)regular feature. ;-)

I was originally planning on doing my post this week about my new costume for a Masquerade Ball we're attending this Saturday.  But then I remembered that several of the attendees are also blog-readers, so I won't be able to retain my element of surprise if I divulge the details before the event!  So, sorry.  Now all the rest of you will have to wait a week or two to see it. ;-)

· Justifying a New "Collection" ·

This project has been several months in the dreaming, with a bit of a false start this winter/spring, but I hope it is finally becoming a reality! :-)

As any seamstress knows, scrap fabric is a constant byproduct and without proper (and firm) maintenance, can easily become unwieldy!  We have always kept scraps of our currently-worn dresses in case of repairs or remodeling.  The problem recently was a case of deciding what to do with the major leftovers.  You know- those pesky pieces around a yard or less that are too big for "just repairs" but too small for most ideas.... And so the scrap bin grew...and hatched into this idea. ;-)

I love vintage children's patterns and would love a good excuse to start a collection/hoard/etc of them.  Since children of my own are at least a couple years down the road, the only excuse good enough is selling garments on Etsy.  So that will have to suffice. ;-)  I have consequently been diligently and oh-so-sacrificially building my stock of patterns and Pinterest ideas.  Truly, a difficult job- but someone has to do it, right?!

A trip out-of-state to visit a friend this month was the perfect opportunity to ensure the project's long-awaited commencement.  If all goes according to plan, I'm hoping to add a new item each week.

Hahahaha, yeah.  I know- I'm way too optimistic sometimes.  Try not to laugh too hard. ;-)

At whatever rate this project continues, I'm still looking forward to giving "new life" to some of these fabrics we've used over the years!  Here are the first four offerings. :-)

The pink floral is from a 1950s-inspired dress I made years ago and the coral fabric is from a blouse of mine.

Listing- here

This forget-me-not fabric was what my very first Regency dress was made from! :-)

Listing- here

The pink/black stripe is from my 1950s Ric Rac Dress and the pink linen/cotton is from a colonial dress of mine.

Listing- here

This brown polka dot is from one of my sister's more recent dresses.

Listing- here

Anyway, I'm pretty excited with the start so far and I'm pleased to finally have something to report!! :-)  Check out the shop here. (Also, we've been in a purging mood lately, so there will be a more historical/vintage clothing items up in the shop next week!)

Vintage Twin Style · Mary Ann & Betty Lou

This post is in honor of my dear Aunt Daisy who passed away unexpectedly last week.  She lived to be 86 ½ years old, and was full of life and personality right up until her death.  Her given name was Mary Ann, but all the family always fondly called her "Daisy".

She and my grandma, Betty Lou, were twins, and as you can imagine- there are some very fun old photographs of them!

I'm rather partial to all of my family's photos, but I thought these would be appropriate to share this week, and that they would be especially entertaining since Grandma and Aunt Daisy dressed identically growing up. :-) 

Enjoy these “twin” fashions from the late 1920s through the early 1950s!

(Most of these photographs weren't labeled, so I don't have any definite dates and they're just in a vaguely chronological order.)

1927 · The whole family- Charles, Anna, the twins, and their older brother Bob.

Mary Ann (L) and Betty Lou (R)

They were the best of friends all their lives, and always lived within 10 miles of each other.  Twins were very uncommon when they were growing up, and they were always proud of being twin sisters. :-)

Mary Ann was always the larger of the two.  When we talked with her, she mentioned how scarce meat was while growing up in the Depression.  Betty Lou would always save the "best" for last at meal-time, and then not have enough room to eat her meat, but Aunt Daisy said, "I never let that stop me!  I ate it all!". ;-)

 I never noticed a striking similarity in them, and it’s amusing to see how little they looked alike, even as girls!

Aunt Daisy never married, but she was actively involved in the lives of her niece and nephews and lived with and cared for her parents until their death.

A newspaper clipping from 1948

Up until her death, Grandma and Aunt Daisy would get together most days of the week, and talk on the phone multiple times a day.

1967 · Although this picture doesn't fit in with the theme of this post, it was too fabulous not to share. :-D  Here are my jet-setter grandparents with Aunt Daisy in the background- on one of their many world travels. :-)

While we were compiling and scanning photographs for her funeral, I realized what a wonderful post this would make to share with all of you. :-) I love looking at old, candid photographs- the glimpses into the lives of yesteryear, seeing how real people wore the clothing styles I so admire.  There is a lot to be learned about older fashions from advertisements, movies, and the garments themselves, but there is a different, deeper wealth in seeing photos of real, ordinary people wearing these garments in real, ordinary situations.  

Aunt Daisy and me

The only thing I love more than looking at old photos is looking at old photos of MY ancestors.  To see MY personal history is meaningful.  I had never seen photos of Grandma or Aunt Daisy earlier than the 1960s before this week.  Looking at the photos we found opened up their world and life like I had never grasped before.  I had heard countless stories, seen many of the places they talked about, but seeing these photos made it all “real”.  To see them as babies, watch them grow into girls, then women, and finally the elderly women I’ve known puts my own life into perspective.  

Reading together the day before my second birthday

Aunt Daisy always had a sparkle in her eye.  She was feisty, opinionated, and sometimes outspoken, but always genuinely friendly and interested in others.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always a delight to spend time with.  The reality of her loss is only just sinking in, but we will all continue to miss her dearly for years.  The sorrow of her parting is sweetened by the assurance that she is now enjoying eternal joy and rest!

After reflecting back over her life, I've come to the conclusion that I really wouldn't mind becoming like her when I grow up.  She'll always have a fond place in my heart. :-)

· Introducing.....! ·

It's been quiet on the blog this week, and with very good reason:

After braving the perilous Waters of Indecision and Confusion (commonly referred to under the un-assuming title of "Etsy Policies and Listings"), I am pleased to finally introduce you to the source of all my agony. :-)

Today is the launch of my Etsy Shop!

Mode De Lis will be focusing on vintage-styled children's clothing for the time being, and I am so, SO very excited to create and share all the ideas I've got floating around!

Ducks · Kittens · Flannel Bonnet & Booties · Rosebud Bonnet & Booties

Vests · Newsboy Caps · English Driving Caps

My business plan is to use scraps and leftovers from our ever-plentiful supply to make new items each week.  Consequently, most of these listings will not be repeatable; so first-come, first-served!  The current offering is a small start, but I have lots of adorable vintage patterns and some of my favorite fabrics just waiting for their turn to be used!!

To make this a success, it's crucial that I receive feed-back from my customers and potential customers on what they'd like to see.  I can't make this a success without all of you, and I would eagerly welcome hearing your ideas!  I'm also open for custom work, so please drop me a line! :-)

Velveteen cape · Regency · Velvet 19-Teens · German Renaissance · Wool cape

On a related front, in order to make room for my current projects I need to pass on my older historical clothing. It's a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to many of my first projects, but I'm looking forward to seeing them receive a new life with someone else! :-)

I have several boxes of older costumes waiting to get listed, so check back for more listings over the next few months! :-)

· Costumes for Some Dear Friends ·

· This post was initially scheduled for last week, but due to some internet glitches, it didn't quite make it.  I'm pleased to finally present it in its intended form this week! ;-) ·

There is a family that holds a very special place in my heart.  Seven and a half years ago, I first started going over to help out each week.  Over all the life changes that have occurred since then, it is the one part of my schedule that has remained constant.  Knowing this family has changed me and been a part of shaping me into who I am today.  The children are like all the younger siblings I never had. :-)  The second year after I started helping out, I wanted to sew the children a Christmas gift, so I made each of them a cape for playing dress-up.  The next year, the idea got a bit more elaborate (as all good ideas have a tendency to do... ;-)) - knight tunics for the boys and princess dresses for the girls.  Over the years, they've gone from 4 children to 7, and I've made aprons and felt food, peasant outfits, Indian outfits, and Renaissance outfits.  The challenge each year is to find a new idea, while trying not to get too out of control. ;-)

Given my natural inclination for historical clothing, I usually try to go with a historical theme and this year ended up being roughly late 1880s-90s.  My idea was to have something inspired by the book "Little Town on the Prairie". (a bit later and less "sun-bonnety" than Little House on the Prairie)  

The girls' dresses were made with Simplicity 2843.  It was the perfect pattern- 3 different options build right in! :-)  I ended up almost exactly copying the pattern cover, fabric-wise.  I try not to do that, but what can I say?  The cover dresses were pretty cute! (well, and those were the best fabric options I found at the store....)

The boys' vests were made from Simplicity 4762.  I was really happy to finally use this pattern- I've really liked it for a while but never had a good time to make it. :-) (this may or may not have been the deciding factor in choosing this theme....) The shirts are Simplicity 5448.  The cravats are simple rectangles, and the hats were made using online directions for 19th cen. engineers' caps.

The vests and hats were made from scraps of fabric in our stash- I was pleased with how well all the colors coordinated! :-)

I love the back of these vests!

Recognize this vest fabric?  Now I wish I had purchased 50 yards of that stuff.  It's perfect for everything.

The 2 smallest vests were made with a toddler pattern, and I just added the Simplicity collar to them.

I wanted to add a little interest to this dress, and we ended up having the perfect match in the ribbon hoard. ;-)

Back bow detail, also showing the crocheted trim on the "apron" drape.

Gathered eyelet trim on the smallest dress

Gathered flounce on the smallest dress