Good Day dearies! As you may have noticed by the title (and if you're familiar with the wonderful blog The Dreamstress) I am participating in The Dreamstress' Historical Sew Fortnightly 2014 (Acronym HSF '14). Just as a quick overview of what the HSF is, it's a biweekly historical themed sewing challenge. Here's some more info, since I don't want to go into all the details here. Anyways…
This round's challenge was "Innovation", where you had to make something using, or inspired by the innovation of the era you decided to sew in. I decided to do the 1930's and make myself some pajamas out of some acetate I had in my stash. What, Acetate? In the 30's? Why yes, Acetate fabric was actually invented in 1905, but wasn't in popular use until after world war 1 in 1919. In the 1930's it was referred to as Celanese, possibly because it started to be largely produced by Celanese corporation in 1924.
I think I've overloaded you with enough details on the innovation, so I'll move on to the actual details of the pajamas themselves.
I made a double elastic waist in the pajamas, which isn't entirely historically accurate, but I didn't want to make a fitted waistband for something that was meant to be comfy. So there!
And now, the required information for the challenge:
The Challenge: Innovation.
Fabric: Some Psychadelic printed acetate, possibly from the 60's or 70's. about $8.00
Pattern: Pants: Simplicity 7159, a 1970's blouse and pants pattern. Blouse: Hollywood 1713.
Year: Late 1930's.
Notions: Vintage Bias Tape (Pennies, since I got the whole box for $5.00 with TONS of supplies in it) Mother of Pearl Buttons salvaged off of an old dress(Free), Thread ($0.75), Elastic ($1.00).
How historically accurate is it? Well, the fiber of the fabric is correct, but I'm not so sure about the print. :D Plus I'm not so sure about the double elastic waistband. 75%?
Hours to complete: I had actually started the pants several months ago so I'm not exactly sure. Probably 4 hours.
First worn: Pants: The night they were finished. Blouse: Ditto.
Total cost: About $10.00. That's pretty good for pajamas I'd say!
Now, it's still a bit cold to wear these PJ's, but they are so nice to sleep in! The silky fabric is so nice and soft, and plus I get to be stylish too! I mean come on, puffed sleeves and a large collar on PJ's? Total awesomeness!
Oh, and one more detail, As you can see I'm wearing what are known as Boudoir slippers in the above photo. I picked up these beauties, in my size, at GOODWILL!!! They're Daniel Greene Slippers too, not to mention Vintage! I was positively stoked!
What do you think of my new PJ's?
What do you think of heeled slippers?
Would you call this print Impressionistic Chrysanthemums, or Psychadelic Galaxy?
Blessings,
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
P.S. Just so you all know I did feel very awkward modeling my pajamas for the camera. You could say I'm still quite a victorian in my sensibilities, but I'm proud of it! ;)
I love them! They are so cute! Haha, I'd call the print Pysaceldic Galaxies, but it's perfect for pajamas. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the awkward-being-in-pajamas-in-a-picture feeling, but you look absolutely fine and perfectly modest. :)
Thanks for sharing!
~Hannah
Brigid, at first the material was a bit much for me---color-wise, of course--since I'm very--well, traditional?--when it comes to the color and pattern of clothes. :D But the PJs are really growing on me!! For one thing, they're FUN. And I truly love the collar and the puffed sleeves!! I also love the---what's it called--the horizontal seam across the back that has the pleated material sewn in? (I don't think I'm putting that very well...I know there's a name for it and I've forgotten!)
ReplyDeleteAs for the print: I'd call it Impressionistic Chrysanthemums.
And as for heeled slippers: they look fantastic, but I never knew that they were once the fashion? Because of course heels are usually not what we choose for lounge-wear comfort.... ;)
Genevieve, when I first saw this fabric I had the same reaction as you. But since it came with a bunch of other fabric that was positively lovely I didn't mind getting it in the bunch too. As time went on the print sort of grew on me and now I really like it as PJ's. :)
DeleteOh, and as for heeled slippers, yes they used to be the more "fashionable" footwear option for lounging about. Certainly was strange... :)
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
By the way, you got a new hair-cut, too, didn't you...it looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteYes I did. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
You did such a perfect job Brigid! They fit the era SO nicely!
ReplyDeleteI have worked with this kind of material before for some American Girl doll clothing...Boy, it can be a bear at times!
The HSF challenge sounds great! I will have to look into it!
It would be nice to have a goal since I have been doing a huge amount of sewing lately...It would be nice to take up a challenge! Thanks for sharing it!
I can only imagine posing in pj's! You did a great job though! The rotary phone was perfection!
I have been working on a nightgown and have been contemplating on weather or not/how to share it on the blog.... :)
Thank you for the fabulous comment on my pattern haul!
Cassie
I love it! You did a great job on your pajamas, they''re awesome:)
ReplyDeleteWith regard to the print...Is there any chance you could call it Galactic Chrysanthemums?
Megan
Thanks Megan! That's an awesome idea for a name for the print! I think I just might stick with that name!
DeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Adorable jammies – and the slippers are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
I'm definitely leaning more to the Galaxy. That might be all the Doctor Who I've watched.
ReplyDeleteI've recently worn a pair of pumps at home instead of slippers - very comfortable leather pumps with the sort of heel that curves under your heel in such a way that after a while, you forget you are wearing heels. I only stopped wearing them when I had to do too much dirty work. So I think I can relate.
And yay, you're participating in HSF! I still have to take a photo of mine, hopefully tomorrow...
It's fabulous to have pyjamas that are more than just something to throw on to sleep in. Puffed sleeves! It's cuuuute. :-) I have some old magazines from about that era and one has nightgowns with puffed sleeves, too... It's so much more glamorous immediately.
I've just read my comment again, and saw how funny that sentence about heels came out. It reminded me of what my sister told about one of her teachers, who spoke about early immigrants in America: "They often lived in one room, and the bed took up so much room that there was not much room left in the room." Sometimes, English is really funny.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! I completely understood your comment Hana. And yes English is quite funny sometimes. :)
DeleteI agree that puffed sleeves do make something that much more fancy. :) It's like adding lace insertion to a blouse; just that extra bit of thought adds a lot to the overall effect of the garment.
I can't wait to see what you made for the HSF! I'm only doing the half marathon (at the least) since I like a bit more time to make something than two weeks. ;)
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
As evidenced by the fact that one of my items for Innovation was meant to be Make Do & Mend, I need more time, too (and no photos yet, today was my last exam of this semester... I got a C and now I'm free to sew).
DeleteI love, love, love these. You and your pyjamas are so cute! x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tickety!
DeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer