Slate Gray & Mint Dream

My sewing machine is in the hospital!  I've had to put on hold quite a few projects, including some that were for my own closet and wanted to get done before I left for vacation.  I had to stick to stuff that didn't need machine sewing.  Enter drab 50's-style dark gray dress.  Cinched waist, full pleated skirt.  I had just a few hours to get it up and running and pack it for my trip.  I salvaged some awesome mint green pearlescent buttons from a vintage raincoat to replace the 3 buttons on the front of the dress that were black.  I also cuffed up the sleeves and added cuff buttons.  You'll be seeing me in this one around town!

New Blouse Sneak Peek

I'm in Boston for a few days so the rehabilitation process has been put on hold for a few.  I recently got some GREAT blouses in some GREATER patterns and snapped a few close-up pics.  Proceed....

...Carriages!  And gas lamps!  And motorbike-type-things!  

Striking vintage Asian-patterned print blouse.  It's hand-sewn and looked to be quite old but was missing all of its buttons.  Why would some @$$ take all the buttons and leave the blouse?!

Well luckily, looking through my stash I couldn't believe that I found the perfect buttons.  Pearlescent black-gray, they match so damn well.  They're salvaged from the navy silk blouse on the right that was used for the belt for this dress.  Serendipitous!  Ok, maybe this is all boring sh!t, but if you can't tell, I love reusing and repurposing.  So if one blouse can be upcycled to make a belt for a dress and supply buttons for a blouse, then I feel like I've happily done my tree-hugging duty.








And just for fun...barn swallows!  Shot at Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan.  Apparently, if you get too close to their nests, they dive down, come within inches of your face and chirp loudly into your ear.  At one point, a swarm had descending on me.  Cute little buggers get defensive, I guess.

From Farmer's Daughter to Admiral's Mistress

My latest dress rehab is too hot to let go of, but sadly it is a bit small on me.  So look for it on Bombshell Rehab in the next few days.  The navy and gold combo give it a military feel and it's so utilitarian with the side pockets!   

When I first came across this dress, it was too long (almost ankle-length), its buttons were chipped, and had some pilling that made it look more worn than it really was.  It was downright dowdy...but I saw potential in its great pencil shape.

I took 9" off the bottom and put in a new blind hem.  Fortunately, I was able to retain the back-slit. It also got a thorough pill removal that gave the fabric new life.

The chipped buttons were replaced with gold crest buttons salvaged from an old blazer and placed lower down to allow for a racer-back look with the straps.

The finishing touch was a vintage belt that seems to have been made for it: textured black and navy leather with a gold buckle in an abstract shell shape.

I feel like an Andrews Sister in it!