Vintage Finds | Simplicity 5082 Sewing Pattern from 1972 "Super Jiffy Wrap and Tie Pantskirt"

So I think I nailed it.

A while ago, I posted this picture to my Instagram. I was excited because I had found a wide leg pants design I liked for this vintage floral fabric. The excitement didn't last. According to the pattern, I don't have enough fabric. You need like 4 yards and then some. I sincerely thought I had a lot of that floral but it's only enough for like three leg parts. Sure, I could make the shorts version but I was really set on the pants.

Anyway at the same time I bought that pattern, a vintage pantskirt kept popping up in my search. It looked pretty cool. The best of both worlds. It looked really easy too and I was tempted to just make it by observing the picture provided on the pattern envelope. I went ahead and bought it though from While The Cat Naps, an Etsy seller of vintage and modern patterns.

How to put it on is quite the interesting process. Sucks having to use the bathroom though. Like a jumpsuit or romper you basically have to take it all off.

I got 3 yards of this printed rayon fabric.

I don't think it gets any easier than this.

It's pants inside a skirt. Super Jiffy Wrap and Tie Pantskirt! Definitely give it a try if you're a novice sewist.

Vintage Finds | Simplicity 7456 Sewing Pattern from 1976 - Toddler's Short Jumpsuit Romper

This is a baby romper I made using this vintage Simplicity sewing pattern and thrifted plaid fabric. I’ve made a variation of this pattern in the past many times for my @fancylittlemoon Etsy shop so I’m quite familiar with it. I did add Kam snaps to the bottom of this one though. Felt cool making it for keeps now lol. I had this fabric in my stash for a long time too so it’s nice putting it to good use. I made a matching baby bucket hat using this pattern by Sweet Red Poppy and adorned it with a cute little teddy face embroidered patch I bought from Chicbaby Studio etsy shop.

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Simplicity pattern 7456 is vintage from 1976. It comes in individual sizes. For this particular romper I used the 1/2 size which I assume is like 6 months. I added a tiny bit of length on the shorts but otherwise made per instructions. It's a pretty easy to follow pattern, give it a try.

Vintage Finds | Cloisonne and Enamel Earrings

I have a penchant for vintage cloisonne and enamel earrings. Both pierced and clip on, it doesn't matter. In fact I find clip on earrings to be more comfortable.

I especially like Laurel Burch designs. You can always tell by the signatures on the backs.

My collection is not what it use to be though. A while ago I started selling some off with the idea that I had too many. Several pairs were sold and gone. I have since regretted doing so. Luckily they're not that hard to find. The majority of mine I got from my grandma and the rest are from the flea market. Recently I've found a lot on Etsy too. I think it's time to add to the collection. Here's some of my favorites so far...

Sources from top left to bottom right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Sources from top left to bottom right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Vintage Finds | Simplicity 5133 Sewing Pattern from 1981 "Time Saver Stretch Knit"

Simplicity 5133 sewing pattern (dated 1981) is definitely still relevant today and a real time saver as most, if not all, sewing patterns are. I mean that's why we use them right? Take the guesswork out of it. This particular pattern is especially time saving...it has that as it's tag line.

Time Saver STREEETCH Knit! A+ typography on that, love it.

I bought this remnant piece of striped stretch knit fabric from Joann and chose view 3 for it. It was a small piece so it wasn't going to be enough for the whole top. I'm pretty use to piecing things together, it wasn't a big issue. I used pieces of black stretch knit materials I had saved leftover from altered clothing (I think the majority of it was from a maxi dress made short). It worked out nicely and helped the top to not look borderline pirate / classic convict costume. I think this neckline really goes with stripes and can see why it was chosen for the sample sketch on the envelope.

It's hard to see the seams but the back was three black panels and then the vertical striped panel on the end.

Such a comfy top. If you come across this pattern, give it a try, you have five different style options to choose from. 

Vintage Finds | Re-vamped Wooden Mail Holder/Memo Board

As I was grazing through housewares at a local thrift store, this thing caught my eye. It was lying on a bottom shelf in the way back, a hidden gem.

I don't even know what to call it because it's multi-purpose. I had wanted a vintage wooden mail holder for a while now but didn't expect to find one I really liked. This thing has everything! It's a chalkboard, it's a cork board, it has metal hooks and of course the mail slots, two of them. All the while looking so nicely organized. It is adorned with an enamel illustration of flowers, which is in excellent condition, no scratches whatsoever on this piece.

However, sadly, the wood was not in excellent condition. I tried to sand it smooth the best I could but it's old and sort of brittle in some areas. It's too bad though because I really liked the wood color but I glossed it over with black spray paint.

I also added a new sheet of cork board and polished the metal hooks as they were a bit rusty. The chalkboard also got a new coat of chalkboard paint (FolkArt chalkboard paint, in black).

VINTAGE FINDS | Etched Brass Figures

At flea markets, I see vintage etched brass in all forms, all the time. Some are really intricate works while others are sleek and simple. I hope to acquire more pieces in the future but for now the following are my collection starters:

Le Owl Couple

Le Perched Bird

Le Victorian Boot Vase

VINTAGE FINDS | Peacock Wall Decor

Found this piece at a garage sale. Got it for $2. The woman selling it said she'd had it for years. This pretty bird is huge, measures about 33 1/2" x 29 1/2". Now it's adorning our backyard patio wall. Once I tire of this dirty gold color it has going on, it can easily be spray painted a new hue, it's molded plastic! Looks almost metal though and yeah that's probably because of the gold.

Isn't it rather stunning?