“I feel as if I had opened a book and found roses of yesterday sweet and fragrant, between its leaves.”

While I was visiting my cousin Katie, one day on an early summer evening we decided to stop at a nearby park and take a few outfit photos together.

The green plaid dress I wore was an re print 1960's pattern I purchased. I choose the fabric because it reminded me of Scotland, and I was in a big highland mood. I guess that is to be expected because I have Scotch-Irish blood in me. Though I found out that Scotch Irish are really just Scottish, but originated from the Scottish lowlands, not the highlands. Though I shouldn't complain, seeing that I do have true Scottish heritage, and that makes me happy.

"Hey, are you Hipsters or Amish?"

Perhaps I'm a total nerd. I probably am, after all I was home schooled. It seems home schoolers are in a class of nerdom all their own. But in a good way. They usually don't worry about following the newest coolest trends, they listen to the music that they love, wear what they like, and pretty much know who they are as a person. They aren't afraid of not fitting in, and don't have as much peer pressure to fit into the way things are "supposed" to be. Home schooling shaped my life in so many ways and it has made me who I am today.

 Keeping that in mind, My sister, Anna, and I were driving about town all afternoon, to the coffee shop, fabric store, and finally to the park to get pictures of my newest dress that I sewed. All while I was wearing my new 1950's dress I sewed, which I am completely not afraid to wear out on a day to day basis. This time I made an actual vintage pattern from the 1950's. (Vogue 8789).

 We were standing by the swings, taking photos, when a group of about four teenagers noticed us. One of the boys, no older than sixteen, yelled loudly across the park in our direction, asking if we were Amish.

I didn't really pay much heed, not sure they were talking to us, and continued snapping pictures.

"Hey, are you guys Amish?!" they yelled again, this time most definitely at us.

I smiled to myself, wondering that they did not know a 1950's dress when they saw it and instead thought me and my sister were Amish for merely wearing a pretty dress. It made me feel a bit sad that no one dresses up anymore, and that by simply wearing a pretty full skirted vintage dress they assumed we were Amish.

The boy was yelling rather rudely across the park at us though, and I wouldn't have minded answering them if they had been a bit gentlemanly and come up and asked politely. But yelling at two young ladies they had never seen before, half way across the park, was just childish, and rude. Perhaps I was a bit stand offish, but I didn't want to answer them when they behaved like that. If they had been nice about it I would have answered. So I ignored them, and we both decided we wanted to go to a more peaceful part of the park, away from the troubled youths, as we so lovingly refer to boys such as that.

I took a few steps and then came the best line I have heard in a long time.

"Hey! Are you hipsters or Amish?"

Now I have had many random things said to me, but never have had the comparison of hipsters to Amish. I wouldn't have known what to say, even if I did answer, but as it was I was already dieing of laughter inside.

Do you get odd comments when you wear a vintage or old fashioned dress?

Route 66 Dress -- Part Two // A Beautiful Girl

At long last, I have finished sewing the Route 66 Dress! My dear friend is graduating from high school this year and I made her this dress for a present. She is a very talented young lady who wishes to serve the Lord with her life. Check out her blog: http://www.beautifully-pure.com/

She is unashamed of being a bit geeky about Dr. Who and wearing heels even though she is already quite tall. She's a country girl at heart, loves old cars, and pretty dresses. Leather jackets, and the color pink. She is stylish, but will go for a tramp through the woods wearing heels without a second thought. She takes pretty photos, has a lovely blog, and likes a good old fashioned romantic story. She can cheer me up when I am sad. She loves going for long drives in the car listening to music. She has the coolest sunglasses, and has a catching laugh. She will have the prettiest graduation party around. She is supportive. She goes to thrift stores and collects pretty dishes and things for a home of her own someday. She has curly hair, and listens to Owl City and Josh Groban. She has laughed with me and cried with me. She does what she thinks is right, and will stand up for her friends no matter what. She is comfortable in her own skin. She gives lots to her friends and family and has a good work ethic. She is a big dreamer. She has a good sense of humor, and makes me laugh. She has a tender heart. She is the dearest of friends and a beautiful girl inside and out. Her name is Katie. 

<3 <3 Happy Graduation!! <3 <3

Vintage Linens Quilt

Just recently I've started collecting vintage linens. Hankies, table runners, napkins, and doilies. Now I have a nice little pile of them. But I have a big plan for them, namely -- a quilt. Now I have never made a quilt before, but I am getting ready to jump into this project. I plan to take my time with it, and after making the quilt top, to quilt it by hand. I'm so excited for this project. It just seams so old fashioned and such a pretty idea.

Route 66 Dress -- Part One

Yes, I am in the midst of making a graduation present for my dear friend, Katie of Beautifully Pure. She loves the whole idea of route 66 and old cool cars. So when I found this fabric I knew what she'd be getting as her graduation present from me.

Stay tuned to see pictures of the finished dress in part two!

Road to Romance Dress

The Royal Road to Romance is a book by Richard Halliburton, a young man in the 1920's who gave up a career in order to travel the world. He wanted to climb treacherous mountains, swim oceans, and see distant lands. This dress, therefore, in the spirit of his amazing travel book, is dubbed the Road to Romance Dress. Who knows on what journeys this dress could take you? Anywhere from America, to Europe, to Asia, or on a ship sailing round the world. A train speeding across the country, or a automobile driving fast on the highway.

This dress I made in November and December as a Christmas gift for my sister, who so beautifully poses for these photos. As soon as I saw the fabric at Hobby Lobby, I snatched it up with great plans for it. Now, months later, we finally took some proper pictures of the dress.

Adieu,
Molly

Polka Dot 40's Frock

I did wear my new dress Sunday morning. I am pleased with the over all silhouette of the dress. It looks rather 1940's to me. 

My sister helped pick out the fabric. I was going for a simple print so I could experiment with the pin tucks and puffed sleeves without it being overkill. The zipper went in all right, however I still need to improve in that aspect of my sewing skills. 

 Picture credit: Anna 
 Picture credit: Anna 
 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

I drafted the skirt pattern and used the sleeves from a 1970's vintage pattern I got at a thrift store for 99 cents. The bodice is from Simplicity 2444 with a few minor changes made in the fitting. The best thing about this dress is that it has got side pockets! Now there is a place to stick my things when I'm out and about and don't wish to carry a purse -- or in my case, when my purse is just too annoying to get in and out of all the time even if I am carrying it.

Till next time,
Molly