Vintage Holiday Party Dresses

The holiday season is fast approaching and the party invitations are rolling in. The all important question is "What do I wear?" The Vintage Peddler has a beautiful selection of vintage party dresses so make us your first stop for holiday shopping.

Find more vintage party dresses here.

There are also some very nice vintage holiday dresses listed on Ebay right now, too.

Do you buy vintage sewing patterns?

If you do could you please give me your opinion by posting a comment?

I have so many patterns to list (see below) that I may need to rethink the way I list them. Right now, on my website, I show a scan of both the front and back of each pattern, a brief description and, along with the vintage size, I provide the measurements given on the pattern. I also state the condition of the pattern as well as if it is cut or uncut.
Here is a typical pattern listed on my site.
I have tried different versions of this layout and you'll find some listings where I didn't show a picture of the back of the pattern.
If all I had to do was scan the pattern, add a title that included the company, pattern #, brief description of the garment & measurements I could list all these patterns a lot quicker. Of course I would include the condition of the pattern. But if they don't sell then it is all for naught.
So here are my questions.
When you shop online for vintage sewing patterns how important is it to you that there is:
(on a scale from 1 -not important to 6 -very important)
1) A picture of the back of the pattern envelope.______
2) A detailed description of the garment (ie gored skirt, inset sleeves).________
3) Measurements._________

Post your comments to help a girl out.
Thanks!

I'm rediscovering the seventies

I often get emails from people looking for specific vintage sewing patterns. If I have time -I do try to look through the inventory I have that I haven't listed on the website yet. Problem is that I have accumulated such a large collection that this is getting harder and harder. I really need to devote about 2 weeks to listing just patterns. (more on this later)

I have been infatuated with the 40's and 50's for so long that I have been especially lax in listing 60's & 70's patterns.

Well I got an email the other day from a really sweet customer asking if I had this pattern:

Simplicity 7623

With my partner/daughter Brooke working the Southern Christmas Show this week I found myself easily distracted so any excuse to get away from the computer was welcome. I really did think I recognized the pattern. So I went on the hunt. Thats when I relized that I must have over 500 vintage sewing patterns from the 70's alone that I haven't uploaded to the website yet. I thought for a moment that they must have started their own free love, 70's style, commune in my stock room and, left alone in the dark, well...multiplied. So anyway, what I thought would take me a few minutes sort through ended up taking up the afternoon. And even though I never did find that pattern, I did thoroughly enjoy taking a walk down memory and 70's fashions. I think I found my inner hippie and I definitely came away with a renewed appreciation for high waisted bellbottom pants, angel sleeve tops, maxi dresses and peasant skirts. Now I just have to find my old lace up moccasins.

Oh, I did find these 70's shirt patterns that were kind of close.

I'll get these and more listed soon but if you see one you like before then just let me know.

Peddling Purses

Work From Home - 1920's Style

Hand made Handkerchief Co. Chicago

Good work if you can get it I guess! $2.00 a day you say? Sign me up! Not!

This document and packet of silk handkerchiefs came in an old steamer trunk that I bought a couple of years ago at auction. The trunk is chock full of Victorian era through 20's clothing and textiles that I am just now going through and photographing to list for sale.

But this letter and the accompanying silk and trim really fascinates me so I thought I would share. To say "We've come a long way, baby." would be a huge understatement.

The document is dated July 20, 1929. The Hand Made Handkerchief Co. of Chicago placed advertisements in newspapers throughout the South offering young wives and mothers the opportunity to do "pleasant dignified work" from home so that they can "earn the necessary money to get the many little things that (they) you have often wished for."

Well, first they are asked to send in $1 because they "cannot afford to send this material out promiscuously as too many people would be asking for it" don't you know. Then they will send them out 2 partially finished handkerchiefs. After finishing these handkerchiefs, if they pass 'inspection' they will send the young lady out the material to begin work. Oh, it will come COD for $2. So- so far it has cost this lady $3- but fear not. For each silk handkerchief that she intricately embroiders she will be paid 20 cents! She is told that she can earn up to $2 a day!

I think whoever owned this trunk was much like myself. Lured in at first, she cut her losses at $3 and this little stack of silk is all that is left to show for it. Much like the Mary Kay starter kit and Avon samples I have sitting in the closet.

Window Shopping in Florence, Italy

Pea coats!
It snowed here in Charlotte last night-can you believe it? So of course the schools all closed and the kids are home. It is just raining now but the damage is done and I won't get much work done so I thought I'd write a little.
I snapped these pictures last June while I was in Florence with my daughter. Eighty degrees and the department store windows were featuring pea coats. The fashion forward Italians already knew that the pea coat was going to be a must have this winter. And why not?
Pea coats have been around since the 1700's. Originally used by European Navies, the pea coat got it's name from the fabric it was made of. First called a pilot cloth coat, pilot coat, p-coat and finally a pea coat. The US military issue has
long been a favorite of mine and at The Vintage Peddler we try to keep a good inventory in stock. We carry mens' pea coats and ladies' pea coats so if your looking for a pea coat - check us out.