This post is about design: Alfred Shaheen

I think that's what this post is about... I forgot what this whole blog was about. But, as it is mine, I guess I can do whatever I feel like doing. I'll try not to alienate.
Design. I'm not down with this feeling of inferiority that I get when I admit that I appreciate and like fashion. Fashion is an art, or something...I take interest in styles and the periods in history which they came from. Colors, fabrics, techniques, etc. are all interesting to me on an aesthetic level.
What if I told you that I liked architecture or sculpture? You'd be like, "ooh, you're so cultured and sophisticated." However, if I made the claim that fashion is an interest, you be all...

Oh, you're into fashion? Do you also watch E and drink non fair trade coffee?

 For the record, no hipster barista has ever given me any sort of flack like that. I just put words in his mouth. I'll just tell this damn story.
The other day, I hit Savers for the Memorial Day 50% sale. Don't worry, I totally forced kids to sing "Yankee Doodle" for some veterans at our school assembly. It balances out. I was checking out the vintage frocks, dropping them in my cart as if they were hot. This one didn't seem all that special at first. It looked older...polyester, Mandarin collar, novelty umbrella design. I tried it on, even though I was buying it as merchandise. It looked good. Shut up and take my $3.50.

  

 

Sorry for the crap pictures, it was dark and I just needed this for this post

The label said Alfred Shaheen and Hawaii. Never heard of it. I didn't think this dress was a huge money maker. I typed the designer's name into the Etsy search box. Then I was like this:

 

Why in hell have I not heard of this damn Alfred guy before? Apparently, he was some pioneer of fashion, bringing clothing manufacturing to Hawaii and popularizing the goddamn Hawaiian shirt! No shit, huh? Good for you, Alfie. 

What's interesting is that although I am a fan of Hawaiian/Polynesian looking kitsch, it wasn't Shaheen's awesome tropical stuff that appealed to me. I was enthralled by the 60s-70s style maxi dresses and novelty designs. Here are a few that I pinned to my inspirational items board, so please there's a source to find sources.

That gray one on the left was the first to really catch my eye.

Beautiful, 60s style prints!

The left one is so tailored, and the right one is so (uh...opposite of tailored).

 

 I really like those stripes.

 

Aw, no way. Sweet patterns.

Use of trim! Look at the wide band around the waist and sleeves! Hold the phone, that one on the right has that Greek key design. I bought ribbon like that awhile back, just waiting for the chance to use it.

One again, I know I probably shoulda linked individual sources, but click here instead! Please don't be mad if I stole your pic, k?

Thrift Hoard: Tiki and yarn related

I love it when there's a theme. Let's start with these things:

These lovely vintage Tiki mugs and cups possess an ancient curse which makes them photograph terribly. They're just so cool and they're minis, and therefore adorable. From the Savers plastic bag wall. I love a good "lot" of items. I spent about 5 bucks, may have been too much for these 9 pieces. Oh, I'm sorry--10.

This sake cup doesn't match with the rest. What the hell? Is he lost? It is, because when I looked up "Gekkeikan" I found this kick ass sake set, featuring a Buddha shaped bottle. Alone, that thing is useless to me! I digress. I listed my mini Tikis here, here, and here. Now, I shall smoothly segue way into this Hawaiian dress.

 Oh, aloha there. I'm just standing around my kitchen, gazing down at my lovely vintage, tropical looking dress. As you see, I've paired it with red maryjanes, so this doesn't look posed and unusual at all!

But seriously folks...This dress is incredible. Got it Savers, so it was 30% off $4.99, I think. Not to strut like the peacock featured in this dress's print; but this thing looks good on me. I think it's just a flattering style. Another one I didn't want to sell, but I don't go to many luaus these days. Ok, I wore it on "beach day" at school. Now it's for sale: my blue Hawaiian dress
Anyway, the last time I listed a lovely, 70s crewel art thing, it sold right away. Now, I'm always on the lookout for good ones, because not all of them are awesome. Look at this:

 

 Woah! Cool, it's a Viking! You'd totally buy him and hang him up on the wall, right? Not the usual Hummel children or flowers that one usually sees in embroidery, this guy's a damn Viking. Wait for it...

...or he will be a Viking. Ha ha, it's a yarn embroidery kit. I wasn't sure how well these sold, or if it was worth it. I listed it, thinking this guy might get purchased for his unique-ness. I was correct. Sold this dude overnight! I only sold it for $15, but I paid $3. Tiny profits are better than none?
Let's see if I can move this sweet piece of feel good togetherness...

Three little playmates of different races? So 70s "Free to be you and me", multi-culti, retro. I loved this thing as soon as I saw it. No tag, and the woman at the counter at Outfitters charged me next to nothing. The thing that drew me in was the inclusion of other fabrics besides the yarn. The dresses are made out stuff one might add to an actual vintage dress.
Oh, don't look to closely to the white girl's face. It's kinda scary. I think they went a little heavy on the yarn eyes?
I really liked how well the blue frame matched the light green background!
Then, I got home. That frame isn't painted blue-it's got painter's tape on it. Nice job they did, I didn't even realize it was frickin' tape until I dusted it. After removing some of it, I figured I'd get lazy and leave some on. Now, you can see how nice it looks with blue. Might be getting cocky about my crewel selling skills with this price, but I think it's worth it. Vintage crewel wall hanging on Etsy
I also bought one of those latch hook rug dealies. I think I just like light houses and cheap stuff.

I'm a lot less confident about this one. I guess I liked it better in the store. I didn't list it yet, but after I laid it out (te he) I remembered this other rug that I bought about a year back...(flashback)

Savers only wanted a handful of pesos for this beauty. I remember thinking it was good as new and underpriced. Oh my god, I love this Mexican fisherman so much! But, he's not a rug. Neigh, his colors and craftsmanship are too great to be walked on. This piece deserves to be hung up like a tapestry. Alas, it just doesn't seem to have a spot for it. I should find a forever home for this...Mexico woven rug on Etsy.
I may or may not have brought home more clothing to list (that won't sell) or for me to refashion/wear as is. Ok, here's a preview:

Oh no, my camera cut my head off in this muu muu picture! Well, it was a late sweaty night, maybe my face looked bad and I just needed a "before" picture before I cut the thing up.
I've got way more. But that's it, more later. Linking up at a living space and Sir Thrift a Lot.

I think it's skirt month: dress to skirt and skirt to dress

15th of the month, and I'm just now seeing the missed opportunity to do another theme. I didn't realize that I was doing skirts, but it appears that I am. I'm always kinda disappointed when I look at dress refashions and the dress is transformed into a skirt. Even though dress to skirt projects are usually lovely and make an item more wearable, I think my obsession with dresses makes me feel the need to preserve the them as dresses.
Sadly, for me; sometimes a dress just has to be a skirt. I got this one last fall, and thought it would be perfect for layering up, with it's lined, full skirt portion. I love stuff that ties in the back I liked it in the Goodwill fitting room.

What's interesting is that I don't hate it in these pictures either. The problems: bodice too small with little triangles that caused either a flattening effect (like in the pics) or extreme push up (the top looked odd no matter what); empire waist too unflattering; large print giving it a "too much" look for a short gal.
I had no choice but to make this poof  dress into a poof skirt. That way, I could lower the waist to the waist. Also, I could pair it with a tiny black top to balance it out. You know, big-ass skirt+tiny little top= good, I hoped.
I carefully removed the boob part of the dress. And...that's about it.

See how there's an inner layer there? That tan color? I just folded and pinned, then stitched around the edge there. I didn't add elastic or anything, because I figured that I would wear it old timey vintage style and high on the waist, like I always do. Then I just tie those two side sashes in the back and it could work. See?

the back

Guess what's helpfully keeping that skirt up.

All butt jokes aside, here's the outfit. I wanted to wear one of my bird brooches, because...I can't remember why. I tested how it would look on a tank top strap. Behold:

I don't care, I freakin love this high waist poof skirt. I think it's retro-tastic, and I want to go to a fancy garden tea in it. And drink an energy drink or something, not tea.

Earlier this spring, I attempted to do this in reverse. You know, the skirt to dress. You can see that here and see that I was not all that satisfied with my results. Undeterred, I tried again with some other skirts that I thought would be easier ton work with.
I took a long black skirt with some sort of nature items as a pattern. BOGO sale at OUTfitters, so I'll say this was the free one. Sized large and made of that cheap fabric that I think we were supposed to twist up and wrinkle for wearing in the 90s. Remember, they called them "broomstick skirts"? I think. Anyway, this skirt had buttons all down the front. That was key for making this thing work.

 I added some straps left over from a previous project, but this was not really necessary. Check this; that piece right there are the triangle boob covers that I removed from a dress similar to the one above. I can't find what I did with the straps that I had literally just removed.

See that? The skirt's got straps on it now. Wow, I'm such a damn talented seamstress, I attached straps. Then, I put a thick belt on! Let's see the big reveal!

Pull a big skirt up over your boobs and belt the waist; no talent required. How about that bodice?

The top button didn't button and I'm ok with that, because that made it more awesome. I think it does. You know I didn't get any compliments on this cute little dress. Is it possible that only I think it's all awesome and everyone else thinks it's shit? Well, shut up, I think it's cool!

 Yes, filter. I'm all classy and such with this old looking pic style.

I took these pictures over the weekend and I already made another dress to skirt to show you. So, you better look at it!

Thrift Hoard: I've got a lot of nerve...

I have no business bringing home more items, when I've got plenty of thrifted merchandise waiting to be listed. April was a good month, I sold at least one thing a week, including two high ticket items. I struttin' around like an Etsy queen, due to my very modest success. Then...nothing. I think I saw tumbleweeds blowing through my shop.
When I first opened it, my focus was on vintage dresses, but with some other stuff. I figured I would see what sells. I did my "branding" as pretty gender neutral; the name, "Sweet Scores" and the banner really just try to sell the theme of "fun" and "excitement." Anywho, I seem to do better with household items than on any of my vintage clothing. Possible rebranding in order? My next step is to find some vintage clothing blogs and do a little networking.
Here are a few of my many finds for you to look at:

That picture could be a lot better. There's something I love about this kitten brooch. Hey, remember LOLcat speak? Sweater pin kitteh is on ur clothes judging ur vintage cred. I've worn him a couple times, and I think I'm keeping him. Probably. I love brooches now, apparently.

Look at those sweet clip-on earrings, all geometric and shit. I got them on an ill fated Nashua Savers trip I took over school vacation. Let's just say it was a little tense, due to my family member's neurological disorder being in high gear. I appreciate the sensitivity of the Savers staff; Tourettes syndrome can be scary to those not familiar. I'm sure it's "too soon" for this joke, but I was just glad there weren't any "RAPISTS!" in the fitting rooms. (My cuz has a good sense of humor. Yes, that word was her verbal tic on that day.)

This link necklace is fabulous. I'm torn about selling it. Maybe I'll list it and wear it until it possibly sells. I didn't do a thrift share post last week, and missed the chance to link up at A Living Space. I'll post on last week's link up, hope it's not too late. It's good for getting some traffic.

Yes! A nautical themed tie! It's got boats on it. I can't wait to make it into a kick ass nautical d ring belt--
oh, wait. That tie won't make a good belt. Can you figure out why? Man, what was I thinking. I don't want to wear a tie! I'll have to find another repurpose, one that doesn't involve turning it sideways.

Awww. Look at that poor Coach bag. Pen marks! Everywhere! Who does that!? This vintage bag was the real deal. Not a knock off, and other roughed up versions were for sale on Etsy for quite a few shillings. I've successfully removed pen from a leather bag before, so I figured that for $2, it was worth a little Magic Eraser action.
I was not successful. I shall now weep for this once glorious luxury handbag.

And what's up with this? It's one of those awesome interlocking shelves that I love. Someone primed this thing and just brought it to the Goodwill like that. It's still got a little painter's tape on a hanger thing. Someone started a project and then didn't finish it?! Who does that? Am I projecting? I'll just slap some nice paint on this thing and get it listed this week.

Despite my inability to move the merch, I did bring home several items of clothing. How could I pass up this? It's a new with tags crop top from the 60s. It's got a built in bra and cute little ball shaped buttons.

Look, if it fits, I try and model it. That 60s/70s , embroidered dress from Mexico is freakin' amazing, and I want to sell it! Mexico embroidered dress on Etsy

Such a cute little 70s summer dress. Too big for me. You buy! red floral dress on Etsy

Have ya seen this one? Well, it doesn't fit me, I'm very short! So, do me a solid and buy it! 60s white and aqua print dress on Etsy
How are these high pressure sales tactics working? Linking up with a living space,  Sir Thrift A Lot and others, maybe.

All I wanna do is refashion dresses; like this vintage 80s teal number

This damn blog has had an awful lot of one thing: dress refashions. It's like I'm obsessed or something. I'm not even going to pretend I'm not, all I want to do is make dresses out of other dresses or use other items of clothing to make dresses. Hyper focus is not really a good thing...
But this is:

Look at this vintage dress. It's such a perfect example of the 80s secretary or teacher. As you see, it kind of looks like a blouse tucked into a skirt which was then pulled out so that it spills over one's waistline. No waist necessary! That, plus the high neckline with adorable collar and bow assure those who see you in it,  that "sexy" is not the look you were going for.

But, it's not without it's charm. Coincidentally, almost all of my successful refashions come from the same place. I admired this dress for it's retro factor when I spotted it at OUTfitters in Manchester, but only when it hit that magical $0.50 rack did I take it home.
What it does have going on:
- Peter Pan collar and bow for Manic Pixie Dream Girl outfit
- interesting striped pattern with my favorite teal color
- only $0.50

The first thing I hated about this dress was that built in muffin top design. It was made that way, because there was a lining attached to the waist and connecting at the shoulders and neck. It had to be eradicated, immediately. That's a picture of it, lining free.

As you can see from this picture, the dress's torso area is now about three yards long (my estimate might be exaggerated a but). I removed the sleeves, the collar, and the bow. 

This is how I cut necks, fool. I fold that dress in half lengthwise, ya see? Then, I pretty much just guess and start trimming off the neckline. Because it's folded like that, the left and right sides of the dress are cut at the same time. Symmetry!
As anyone who has seen my work can attest, I like to keep it simple. I don't usually want a whole new dress, I like to work with what  have. In this case, I have a long bodice. I thought this dress would look cool with knotted shoulders.

I skipped a picture, but I'll use photo magic to explain what's probably obvious:

Cut the shoulder straps so that they can be tied together. Oh, after I made those cuts, I went ahead and trimmed down the sides so they weren't so thick.

Then, I did this part. I pinned and sewed the raw edges. I wanted the v neck to sit lower, so I made a cut down the middle and secured the edges. Then, I tested out those shoulder strap knots:

I can't use flash for the selfies, but you see what I did there. I made knots. Easy! This dress was taking no time at all! Since I had a lot of room in that bodice, gathering those straps into knots gave it a nice uh...gather? Pleats? Not sure what word I need.
Then, I had a problem. Those knots were kinda bulky. I had them double knotted, how else was I gonna get them to stay? I tried tying a single know and then sewing in place. Fail. I tried a bunch of other things to make those damn straps look right and keep that gathered look I wanted. Half hour project came to a stop.
Luckily, I used the power of the internets to look for ideas. They didn't work either. But, I accidentally came up with this!

That's the back strap. I folded it under and sewed it like that, making a little loop. I can tie the front strap through that loop and it just works for me.

 

See? Front strap goes through the loop and ties into a double knot which somehow looks better. If you think I've already added too many pics, wait until you see the after party: 

After!

Oh, hello there. You'll have to pardon the gratuitous amounts of cheesy modeling pics, but I find myself slightly gorgeous. Look at that dress. I forgot to add the part where I took up the length an inch or two. Keep scrolling for more of the same.

Filters are fun to use

I'm kind of looking forward to trying out that collar I removed by adding it to something else. I've got ideas.