A little while ago I given some fabric and patterns which had belonged to my Great Grandmother Mabel, who I never had the pleasure of meeting. Mabel made all of her own clothes and undergarments, and was a concert pianist!
From the stash, circa 50's or 60's, I made this midi skirt. There were also a lot of off cuts, rolled together and secured with the selvedge of the fabric. I love the mindset of nothing wasted! This fabric was in that stash; it's beautiful!
There was not enough to make a whole top so I took a white linen shirt which I bought on my first trip to New York City in 1995 (wow, can't believe that was 20 years ago!). I rarely wore the top, but saved it all these years because of the memories attached to it.
Using my trusty New Look pattern 6194 I made myself a top. I love the classic style of this top. I didn't want to waste this special fabric on a "trendy" top that I wouldn't wear in a year or two. I made a couple of slight modifications to the pattern: I added length (standard for me!) and as I used an existing shirt for the back I didn't need to add the darts from the pattern on the back.
Ta da! A beautiful new top which I treasure. I hope Mabel would be proud of how I used her fabric scraps.
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| Pants: Made By Me (self drafted) Top: Made By Me using New Look Pattern 6194 |
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| I used the pretty trim around the neck and to add sleeves. |
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| Miss 3 in the background, who will be Miss 4 tomorrow! |
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| Photos c/o of wonderful Husband |
50 or 60 year old fabric + 20 year old fabric = a new top full of special meaning and wonderful memories!
I really love it!
Lovely. You will be able to wear your top with everything too: jeans, shorts, skirts.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Marnie! This will be on high rotation in my closet! x Allison
DeleteI would pay good money for this top! Your great-grandmother's fabric is beautiful and I love your creativity in combining it with your good-memory NYC linen top and adding the trim around the neck. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Beth, you're so sweet! I do love it!! x Allison
DeleteWhat a beautiful top! love that you're putting the fabric to good use, and mixing old and new to ensure you get something wonderful you will wear and treasure!
ReplyDeleteAway From The Blue Blog
Thank you so much Mica. I will be wearing it a lot! x Allison
DeleteWhat a gorgeous top and great way to mix fabric!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week. Have a great weekend!
Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
Thank you Alice! I'm discovering so many great blogs via your link up! x Allison
DeleteI love reading about your thought process. I do the same thing all the time, except the big difference is that I have someone else sew up my vision...that's the perk of living in a country where skilled labor is not too expensive ;) Thanks for sharing your refined style with the My Refined Style linkup.
ReplyDeleteShellie
www.thefabjourney.com
What a great idea! I have some favourites that are a little snug and this would make them wearable again. I'm getting that pattern ASAP! Just found you on IG. Great work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Chris! I appreciate you taking the time to read & comment x Allison
DeleteClever lady. Gorgeous top and some classy pants too. I like classic styles like these :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a tall grandma at 5'7. :)
Alexa-asimplelife visiting from Sydney, Australia
Via Flat bum mum
Thank you Alexa! I appreciate you visiting my blog and taking the time to comment. x Allison
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