And now for something completely different... Christmas Stockings with a bit of a retro feel. I am making stockings to replace the cheap dollar store ones my family has been using for the last few years.

Materials per Stocking
- 1/4 yard Christmas quilting fabric
- 1/4 yard lining fabric (eg. broadcloth)
- 1/4 yard quilt batting
- about 4"x12" of Aida cloth
- about 12" bias tape



Step 1: make a pattern and cut out two of the quilting fabric, two lining, two batting. Cut Aida cloth to about the top 4" of the stocking. Cut out a 2.5" x 7" rectangle in quilt fabric and batting.

Step 2: quilt the quilting fabric to the batting. I just did 2.5" squares to make it easy.

Step 3: assemble the hook by stitching the small rectangle quilt fabric and batting to a strip of 3/4" by 7". I simply folded over the quilt fabric on top of the batting and stitched down an edge that I had folded over.

Step 4: baste the hook the the stocking back.

Step 5: stitch the bias tape along one edge of the Aida cloth.

Step 6: baste the Aida cloth to the front of the stocking.

Quilted piece stitched to lining along the top and pressed open.

Step 7: stitch each of the quilt side stockings to one of the lining pieces along the top. You should end up with what looks like mirror image pieces. Leave about 2-3" open along the back so you can flip right side out later on. Press open the seams.

Each quilted piece attached to a lining piece along the top

Step 8: put the stocking fronts and backs together, matching up quilted side to quilted side and lining to lining. You should end up with one big U shape.

Step 9: pull the stocking right side out through the little opening and stitch the opening closed. Stuff the lining down into the stocking.



Step 10: personalize with some cross stitching. I'm leaving this step until next year...

As I mentioned in my vintage inspired capsule building posts, I am making some 1940s inspired pants. I went over many of the vintage patterns that can be found online and went with Eva Dress Trousers and Overalls with Hooded Blouse.

Pattern

Eva Dress Trousers and Overalls with Hooded Blouse



Materials

I made two pairs, both in mystery polyester suiting. It was a bit of a waste, but really wasn't sure if this silhouette would work for me.

Adjustments

The first pair (or muslin) I made without any adjustment. I cut my size and decided to see how it looked. I wanted these to be a wearable muslin, but to my dismay, the fabric was horrible.



Sadly, I was almost disgusted with what I ended up with. Who knew sewing could evoke such visceral reactions. I pays to get good fabric to begin with.

The second pair is wearable. I plan on wearing it out the office in the next few days. I feel like I need better shoes for the outfit, but overall I love the look.



The adjustments I made to this pair are:

• Took out almost 3" of ease in the hips and legs. The hips had about 5" of ease in them, I altered them to have about 2". Modern pants have about 1" (if not stretchy). I just felt like I was wearing grandpa pants.
• Added a zipper instead of buttons.
• Added a back patch pocket.

I am going to be making myself a pair of retro inspired pants, so I've started this list of vintage sewing patterns. If you know of any good ones, please let me know and I'll update the list.

	Simplicity 8447
	Simplicity 3688
	Simplicity 4044
	Simplicity 8243
	Decades of Style 4004
	Wearing History 1002
	Eva Dress Trousers and Overalls with Hooded Blouse
	Eva Dress Wide Leg Trousers
	Lady Marlowe Pants Pattern with Jacket
	Lady Marlowe 1930s Trousers with Sailor Blouse
	Lady Marlowe Pants and Blouse

Step 5 of the Spiffy Wardrobe Plan is to actually pick items, what colour they are, and how many. For Tara's wardrobe we have these items for Fall/Winter.

• Four t-shirts
• One long sleeve shirt
• One knee length skirt
• One maxi skirt
• Black leggings
• Three cardigans
• Three dresses
• Leather boots
• Leather flats
• Tartan scarf
• Her field jacket
• Her winter jacket

I couldn't wait to try out some 1940s silhouettes and get sewing! So, I self-drafted an a-line skirt.


There are many tutorials online on how to draft an a-line skirt. What might help you if you are drafting your own, is to know how much ease you need. The fabric I chose has absolutely no stretch. Usually, you need at least 1/2" to 3/4" of ease at the waist. I increased this to 1", since I knew I would be tucking in my shirts.



I have plenty of buttons in my stash, so was easily able to find something good enough. The fabric is super cheap clearance I-don't-know-what, probably a polyester. It feels a bit like I'm wearing a table cloth for a skirt. Luckily, I have a 1970s slip I can wear and it makes it much more comfortable.

Step 5 of our plan is deciding how much of each item you actually need and build a capsule. Also think about what colour the items are and how they work together.

Tiffany Fall / Winter Capsule

Right now, I plan on using a lot of items I already have so that I can slowly transition my wardrobe to a 1940s look. Priority is going to be given to making clothes for work.

• Two pairs pants - Brown, Green, or Grey
• One pair denim pants - Dark Blue
• Short sleeve blouses - some I have already made fit the silhouette, but I'd also love classic ivory
• One long sleeve blouse
• Two t-shirts - Retro stripes and Plain Black
• One skirt - Camel or Burnt Orange
• One cardigan - Cranberry
• One vest - Fair Isle or brown
• My purple pullover
• One tea dress

For Step 4 of the Spiffy Wardrobe Plan, we look back to our Pinterest pins and see what accessories we need for our wardrobes.

Tara's Wardrobe, as we saw when looking at colours and textures, has lots of leather and plaids. Most of the leather was the accessories.

For accessories, she has chosen:

• Brown leather bags and purses
• Simple necklaces and earrings
• Some statement earrings
• Fedora hat
• Slouch hat for cold weather
• Plaid scarf for colder weather

We are getting so close to having our wardrobe plans done! I'm excited to see how my sister's wardrobe comes together.

Step 4: Shoes and Accessories

For this step, we have a look back at our Pinterest boards or wherever we have collected our inspiration to see what are the must have accessories and footwear to complete our looks.

Tiffany's Wardrobe

My 1940s inspired wardrobe makes it easy to see what kind of accessories and footwear I need. There are even helpful lists and style guides out there, like this one from the House of Foxy.

Going through my Pinterest board, I see the following items: 

• Belts (leather and matching fabric)
• Purses (clutches were popular, but I'm sticking to shoulder bags)
• Headscarf
• Hats 
• Scarves and mittens for winter
• Sunglasses

Now to do Step 3 of the Spiffy Wardrobe Plan for Tara's wardrobe. For this step, we explore colour and textures.

Looking at her Pinterest board, these are the main colours.

taupe-brown / navy / olive / black cranberry / emerald / pine / camel grey / ivory / periwinkle / khaki

Many of the colours are the same as mine, which is no surprise since we have the same complexion and look good in the same colours.

The top row is colours for pants, skirts and jackets. The middle row would make good skirts, dresses, blouses, and sweater colours or even for accent colors. The bottom row are the more neutral lighter colours for blouses and tops or lighter pants/shorts in the warmer weather.

For patterns, Tara has picked a small to medium florals, plaids, strips, and polka dots. All mostly with a navy background. Most of the larger pieces like pants and cardigans are in solid colours.


Textures are a mix of lightweight fabrics for dresses and skirts. Large gauge knitted cardigans and sweaters. Accessories and shoes are mostly brown leather.

One of Tara's Pinterest pins

It all makes for a nice almost preppy, school girl chic look. A nice easy look for a mom of two little girls. Stay tuned for the next step!

Step 3: Pick colours and textures. Explore prints and solids.

"Clothing Construction and Wardrobe Planning" by Lewis et al. (1957)

Look back at your Pinterest Board or Instagram Collection.

• What colours, patterns, and textures are common?
• What colours are the main pieces (like pants and jackets)?
• What colours are the blouses and other separates?
• What colours are good for accessories?
• What textures and fabric types do you see?
• Are there printed fabrics or just solid?
• And patterns the big and bold or fine and dainty?
• Are patterns floral, geometric, abstract, etc?

Tiffany's Wardrobe

These are the colours I'm going to mainly use for my fall, 1940s inspired wardrobe:

For Step 2, we are looking at Shapes and Silhouettes.

Looking at Tara's Pinterest board, you can see a pattern in the shapes she wants:

• A-line or soft gathered skirts and dresses
• Loose jogger style shorts/capris/pants
• Fitted t-shirts
• Looser blouses that are tucked in
• Pant and skirt waists are a bit below the natural waist (more typical today)
• Loose and long cardigans that reach below the hips

Step 2: Review Themes and Silhouettes

For this next step, look back at your Pinterest Board and/or existing wardrobe. What outfit combinations did you like? What silhouettes are common.

Tiffany's Wardrobe

It is easy to see the 1940s silhouettes in what I was picking. Here are some common garment characteristics:

• High waists
• Fitted waist
• Lots of ease in blouses
• Higher than what is now typical necklines
• A-Line skirts (not full, circle, or pencil)
• Wide leg pants
• Jackets are either fitted at the waist or boxy
• Most cardigans and sweaters are fitted at waist level or tied with a belt at the waist

Silhouette 3: Some more dressier pants and separates. I can easily mix and match this look with different style blouses. Some of the 1940s pants have a slight taper. Sometimes they have rolled cuffs. I would love to knit a cardigan or vest for colder months.