1971 Revisited The Hippie Peasant Dress

When I found this pattern in my stash the other day it brought back so many memories......   The summer and fall of 1971.  I had this dress and wore it to death....literally, until it was a rag.  

It was so comfortable and appropriate to wear anywhere at anytime of the day. 

  

http://cemetarian.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=8004&=SID#MOREINFO

This was another favorite of mine that year.  Both the long and short version.  Perfect as a cover up for the pool or beach or to wear anywhere.

Simplicity 9415 Super Jiffy Wrap Dress

As a matter of fact I think I just might need to make both of these to wear next summer.  Think I can pull it off again?  LOL

Did Someone Mention Viva Las Vegas?

Well, yes they did, and it is NOT too early to start planning those Perfect, To Die For, Naughty Girl outfits.

Check out the dates and activities Here

And for your shopping pleasure and for the Do It Yourself crowd.... sewing, knitting and crochet patterns galore.

Spring is here so Summer can't be far away.

So it's time to be thinking about those Hot Weather dresses. But a bolero or jacket is nice for those spring days that go from cool to warm to cool again. Or, if you are like me and the air conditioning in restaurants and other public places, just freezes you to death. Here's a very nice selection of Vintage Sun Dresses with jackets all found at www.cemetarian.com

A Day in the Life of a Mad Men Era Teen - Saturday

Dear Diary, I LOVE Saturdays! No school. I slept kinda late this morning and after breakfast I washed my hair and set it in rollers. I have the cutest pink ruffled net roller bonnet and the elastic is not all stretched out and it went perfect with the turquoise and lavender capri outfit that I wore to the movies this afternoon. Linda and I went downtown and shopped for nail polish and then went to see Dr No with Sean Connery...........SIGH....he is so dreamy. Then after the movie we stopped at the Dairy Queen and had a Butter Pecan Sundae and went to her house to get ready for our dates tonight. Bobby and I doubled with her and Billy, since Billy does have a car. We went to the drive in and saw The Music Man. It was so much fun and the music is still ringing in my ears. I wore my new blue dress with the shaped neckline and the full skirt. Mama had the one with the straight skirt made for her and said I could have one next year when I'm 15. She's not ready for me to give up the petticoats yet.

No April Fools! It really is almost Bikini Weather

It doesn't matter if you prefer the skimpiest of bikini's or more modest vintage cover-ups, we have lots of swim and playsuit patterns. From the 1940's through the 1990's, there is something for every decade. Come on over and check out the Swim/Playsuit and Sports & Casual categories. And I've got 150 scans in the pipeline that I'll be adding in the next few days.

Designer and Couturier

For decades the pattern companies have issued Designer Fashions. Some more prolifically than others. Vogue is of course known for their Couturier and Paris Originals but the other companies had their own lines. Sometimes the Designer was mentioned and sometimes it was anonymous.

cemetarian is kickin' off the New Year with a presentation of some of my favorites all available NOW at cemetarian.com

GOOD NEWS!!!! We are Expanding

After an eBay presence for 8 years and our own website up and running for the past 2 years..........we have decided to try a 3rd venue. We are now listing our great vintage and modern clothing, lingerie and patterns on Babylon Mall.

Taking inspiration from this very blog we also decided to try a new name. Although cemetarian is very dear to us and we will continue to function under that name we felt it was time for a different type of branding.

So go on over to Babylon Mall and look for our new stores.


And when you are through shopping with us, take a stroll through the rest of the mall and visit our friends. It's a great place to spend the afternoon, or morning or midnight.

Wedding Gowns Thru the Decades

For your viewing pleasure just a stroll through the decades and how Wedding and Bridal Fashions changed.

Shimmer & Shine Vintage Blow Out

Several times a year the Vintage Clothing and Accessories Board on eBay sponsors a Vintage Blow Out Sale. It always lasts a week, starts on Thursday, all items must have a Buy it Now Price and must be $19.99 or under.
This is a fabulous opportunity to pick up great vintage items at slashed prices.

This Thanksgiving weekend is the date for the next one.

More details "http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid="vbo-vintage*blow*out">

What a Difference 1/2 a Decade Makes

I've been fascinated with these two photos for a long time. Several things fascinate me about them. The one on the left is the hubby's Mom and her 2 sisters. The one on the right is my Mom and her 2 sisters.

Both families had hard scrabble rural roots about 20 miles apart. Plenty to eat cause they grew what they ate but not much else. These photos taken 5 years apart and just look at the difference in not only the styles of the clothing (which is amazing) but the difference in their body language. These 6 women were so much alike it's uncanny but the difference in the times really shows in their photos.

Here's what a very savvy friend had to say about the photos: "1939 could have been 1929. They want (probably need) to look like proper ladies, ie: older and home centered. Everything is homemade, handed down, or looks it. Showing your shape is taboo, at least in their world. Even their smiles are tight. Everything says Depression. 1944 is unmistakable. Youth is not quite a craze yet, but at least it's an idea. Fashions travel now, because there's some money, and because the country is all on the same wavelength. Hair is carefree, limbs allowable. These gals can go places. Nothing says World War, except that the setting is 100% female. Even the settings say a lot. 1939: weathered old house, dirt lot. It's a hard place, and not just physically. A little Sunday gingham is the only color they can have. 1944: sleek car, lush grass, open sky. The car, a not-quite-late model (late being 1942), hints at what the '30s really had to offer that many never got to have."

I admire both eras of fashion. They each have something to say about the times. in the 30's the Great Depression was upon us and Europe was already a war...........would we get involved? Those thought are reflected in the attitude and style of clothing. Longer more sedate clothing (although I actually find the longer skirts and no distinct waistline more flattering)..........and look at those shoes.........

The mid 40's was the middle of hard times but everyone was pulling together in the war effort. Skirts are shorter due to cloth rationing, nylon's are non existent but by 44 there was an optimism that the light at the end of the tunnel wasn't a train.............and you can see it. The boys were gone but they'd be coming home soon...........at least there was hope.

If either of these eras trip your trigger my friends have lots of goodies for you.From Dandelion Vintage a 1930's Gingham Day Dress


And from Sydney's Vintage Clothing This dressy sheer 40's dress.

And of course for the Do It Yourself'er.....there are patterns galore for both the everyday house dress and the more glam dressy dress.

This 1939 Glamour Dress...........skirt's just a bit fuller and wider and the waistline is more defined.............but isn't it smashing? From Dandelion Vintage .


Or a more sedate Day time dress from Fast Edie's Retro Rags




From 1944...........Suit dressing........not only did it conserve fabric, but conserved energy due to being able to launder the blouse and save the jacket. Also you could wear multiple blouses for different looks. And.....more women were entering the workplace..........Rosie didn't just Rivet, she also took over clerical jobs previously held by men. Dorthea's Closet has this cute little suit pattern.


And of course your's truly Cemetarian has gobs of 40's sewing, knitting and crochet patterns............but I'm really partial to this adorable Maternity Dress from 1944




Or if research is your thing and you just want good illustrations.........you can always resort to Pattern Brochures and Magazine Advertisements.........find these and many many more at Cemetarian


Born Too Late Vintage http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=976254 has this 1940's Purple and Pink Sheer Dress
http://www.mainstreetvintage.com/store.php?ref=8 Alley Cats Vintage has this wonderful 30's Black Satin Rayon Hand Beaded Party Dress
Also at http://www.mainstreetvintage.com/listingview.php?num=5116&ref=8 Alley Cat's Vintage this 1940s Two Piece Rose Embroidered Skirt & Bolero Jacket by Life Savers - Very Unusual! I can see my Mama wearing this one.