Finally Finally Finally!
I’ve been working on this blouse forever, and now it’s finally finished (and available on Etsy)!
The blouse is made from the remnants of the same fabric as the “day of the dead”dress using a 50’s blouse pattern. Instead of using buttons, I decided to go for wine colored snaps to make it a bit different. It’s probably one of my best produced items to date because I had intended it for sale, but I’m really pleased with how it came out.
Check it out in my Etsy shop, it’s one of a kind!
Like many people, my sewing space is actually my guest bedroom; which except for those few times we have guests, stays empty and acts as a temporary catch all for thing that need to be “put somewhere else” during other events. Most recently it was the home of a large ottoman so we could put up our Christmas tree.
Well with Superbowl right around the corner, we’ll be having company and it’s time for me to clear the sewing out so my guests have a place to sleep.
As I surveyed the room for my plan of attack I began to realize how out of control my sewing stuff had become, not only was my stash growing on it’s own, but the brick-a-brak of sewing had exploded!
So I’ve signed up for two new sewing contents at PatternReview.com to help shake the dust off
UFO (unfinished object) – to finish up those things that I’ve left since before thanksgiving.
Fabric Stash – to help thin out my collection of fabric (and maybe make room for new)
I’d recommend Pattern review to anyone who was interested in sewing at any level, it’s a great forum to see what others are doing, get lessons and tips, and stay motivated to sew and improve, they even have a discussion section for vintage patterns!
I still have a lot of projects in my upcoming list, and still sorting images to see what needs to be photographed.
But what I really want to do is something else.
I’ve got this fun retro space cadet fabric and I’m thinking it would go great as the fabric of a 40’s play suit, the kind with bra style top and shorts.
so the end of this story is that i ordered 8 yards, and am waiting for them to show up 
Sorry for not posting in a while, but it’s been a crazy couple of weeks!
Over the past few weeks I’ve been working hard on the sewing projects for the Ohana, and on making the full-time vintage lifestyle a reality, I’ve also opened my Etsy store with the first few items in it. I’m not going to be able to launch any clothing sales through my Etsy store till the beginning of October (which is closer than I’m ready for).
the sewing is going well, and I’m working to wrap up the “summer sewing” and start in on the heavier fabrics for fall and winter, I’ve also made my first pair of retro jeans (super comfy). Jeans and tops will be the first clothing items for sale in the Etsy shop, but I’m thinking a poll to choose the first dress that goes will be needed. since I’m not sure what it should be.
mostly, it’s been the day to day life tasks for me. most of the time i get home and wonder where the evening went, now I’m looking at the calendar and wondering where summer went!
My next major post of new patterns and images will be around the 20th of September, I hope you all enjoy it!
Aloha!
Through the generous praise and encouragement of my friends I’ve decided to open a shopping cart on Aloha Vintage.
The products I’ll be selling will be my handmade clothing from vintage patterns, tropical hair flower hair clips for starters, then I’ll see what else happens.
For now the shopping cart is under construction (and so are many of it’s products) with an expected launch of middle September. In the meantime custom item requests are welcome just contact me and let me know what your looking for.
Mahalo!
Steph
Aloha!
Our last photo shoot was this past weekend, and I’m so excited because I know that fabulous new photos will be right around the corner (the waiting kills me!).
the weather was a factor in the success of the shoot, and as the New England Summer can be notoriously humid the shoot quickly moved indoors which was a bummer because a lot of what was prepped for shooting really belonged outdoors since there were plenty of cute beach outfits!
The next shoot is scheduled for 8/29 and already half of whats in the “coming soon” list of patterns is completed so I may see if I can move that up a week, since the shoot after that will be at the Ohana!
Mahalo!
I just have too many projects going on right now and all the new fabric and patterns I ‘ve been finding lately aren’t helping me! I just can’t resist!
I’m working on a stack of new patterns for the Ohana in September, and really I know that I’m planning on making way more than I could possible wear in the 3 day event. but I know what a great backdrop the whole even will be for the clothes and I’m really hoping to take advantage of that.
I’ve got at least 5 new completed projects to share, as well as 5 more “coming soon” projects to show. I’m also working feverishly on my new line of tropical hair clips and trying to get those listed – so far they’re coming along nicely and everyone I’ve given them to say they’re in love with them. I can’t wait to show you! expect the first of many regular updates on monday night!
Mahalo!
not too long ago I got a shipment of buttons from the same place I’d ordered some vintage fabric from. and while I don’t go in for vintage fabric all the time, the buttons are something else.
Buttons are a great way to make that vintage pattern in modern fabric dress have a more authentic feel. the great new resource is Primrose Design, but since I’m sharing my fav button resource – you all have to promise not to buy buttons I want!
Anyone who knows me will tell you I love a party, and anyone who really knows me knows that I go all out for a luau!
well I stumbled over the the event of the year! Luau at the lake!
when it comes to Tiki events and my luck, the even is either too far away from me to get to or it’s already happened. but not this time and let me just say i didn’t waste much time in getting my tickets.
but now that there is a luau in my future, my prioritues have shifted a bit in the sewing room.
I’ve added a swimsuit and a sarong to the list, and switched up the sewing order a bit so I can get everything done before the luau. I’ll post the pics of the patterns and their fabrics tonight and since this will be my first swimsuit it’ll pose some special challenges.
Mahalo!
Today I took a Big step forward for Aloha-Vintage!
I’ve ordered tags that i can sew into the clothes I make, so when i give them away or (hopefully) sell some they’ll have a link back to the site!
it’s a pretty simple two line tag:
the first line says “Mahalo” (thank you) and the second will say “aloha-vintage.com”
what better way to thank people for buying my products, when i’m able to make them available, than to thank them right in the tag!
as soon as they arrive i’ll post a pic
Mahalo,
Steph
Hooray! today the tags arrived ang they’re more perfect than I’d hoped!
Now all of the items I make will have a tag and hopefully it’s a big healthy step forward for Aloha Vintage.
let me know what you think! you may own one of these tags someday soon.
There are a few good online fabric retailers that have made me very happy over the years with their good selection and price.
lately I’ve been interested again in looking for vintage fabric, probably due to how happy I was with the fabric for the “50’s on 50’s” dress. but other than eBay, I’m really having a hard time finding fabrics of good vintage condition in lengths I’d need and the find of the fabric for the 50’s on 50’s dress was totally a stroke of luck!
I do kind of waffle back and forth on wanting to use vintage fabric, or not bothering with the hunt and expense because IMHO I’d rather spend that money on patterns and repro prints – or maybe that new pair of shoes or a hat!
I’d really love to hear if anyone has an opinion about or a shopping method regarding the vintage VS repro fabrics idea
I spend a lot of time on eBay, buying patterns and other things like house wares, it’s also a great place to do some research on era-appropriate things of all sorts.
Occasionally you meet a really nice person.
This was my wonderful luck not only winning a smashing pattern, but when I received it, it was the first pattern I was able to inspect and put back into it’s original slide-in sleeve!
When I wrote this in the comments, I got a wonderful reply from the seller – and you could feel the love she has for her patterns in how she spoke about the care she took in maintaining them, but most touching to me was that I had won one of her favorites from her very own collection!
Rest assured this pattern s now one of my favorites, not only for the fabulous design, but also for the great happy feelings I get from my conversation with this seller.
And really, isn’t meeting other enthusiasts and making friends the whole idea?
what I’m hopeing for now, is ideas an suggestions on what kinds of fabrics to get to make this pattern really come to life!
