s e w : g r e e n

Hello there! Im back again with another post - and this time I squeezed in a quick project that I haven't mentioned before. I found this gorgeous green skirt at a second hand store, and I couldn't resist spending a few nickels and dimes on it. It was made by a seamstress with moderate experience who never ended up cutting the zipper to its needed length and who - apparently was a wild dancer like me - because the back seam was ripped from bottom to top!

So seeing how all I had to do was repair the back, hem the bottom to a suitable length, and cut the zipper, I figured it would be a quick fix! I was so excited to wear my new skirt and I originally didn't plan blog about it - but after trimming off 6in in length, my better judgement won and I started documenting my mini project.

** sorry gang! this "before" photo is after I cut off some material. It was ghastly long and was just too much green for one outfit to handle! But in this photo, the skirt is still not hemmed to it's correct length yet.**

I also am excited to introduce my sewing machine to you! I have been working on my mother's many machines up until now - because my machine was hidden in the dark and cold basement (which is not a nice working environment). So I gave it a spit shine and re-located it upstairs where it's warmer and I can get better aquatinted with it. It is a little japanese made machine by DeLuxe - with a "Dress Maker" logo on it. 

My mom made a little pin cushion when I first started sewing over 2 years ago, and it sits on top of my machine. She has a big lumpy red one that sits on her machine too - in the same spot :]

So after I cut the extra material away, I had to decide how long I actually wanted to keep the skirt.. decision - decisions! I decided to take the length up 2in and leave a 3in slit in the back for movement. 

Part of my purpose for this "green" post was to show you my newly thrifted green skirt - but the other reason was to make a point which I feel is my duty to make.

Many people have asked me,"why vintage? what's the big deal?" when it comes to my personal style and things I like. I'm actually glad when people ask me such questions because it gives me a chance to show them the reasons why these things are important to me. Now I'm sure for some people, "vintage" is just a trendy thing or a word to throw around be "hip". That is not why I like vintage clothing and antiques. That is not why I go thrifting. And to keep things clear, I'm not saying that I am right and others are wrong, I am just saying that vintage clothing and accessories can be many things to many people - but here is what it is to me.

Going to second hand stores is like treasure hunting to me - you never know what goodies are hidden, or what items you will find! I believe the sayings "One man's trash is another man's treasure", and "The more time you spend looking for something, the better it is when you find it" apply quite well :] Second hand stores, vintage & antique shops, and flea markets provide an array of items to choose from - and most of the things I find are completely unique! I rarely find another girl wearing the same dress, or another friend owning the same chair. Its a boundless resource of inspiration!

Another reason why I value vintage clothing is because they were made better! Most of todays clothing is made with cheap fabrics that pill up, tear, or are made for a couple months use and then thrown away. These garments were not made to last, nor were they created to be altered to fit you personally. And what's most shocking of all, is that most of today's clothing is designed to look good on a hanger - not on your body. They rely on the consumer's mentality to grab it off the hanger and purchase it without even trying it on. Thats really nuts :O 

Consumers in the past demanded better quality and got it! I think people used to be alot "greener" with their clothing because their clothes were meant to last. They bought garments that would be taken to a seamstress to be altered to fit them - to their own bodies! (Thats why alot of vintage clothing has wide seams and looks awkward on hangers. Its because you're meant to wear it, and keep wearing it!) I personally can attest to this - I have a gorgeous 1950's evening dress that doesn't look like much when its sitting in my closet, but when I put it on and straighten my posture - it lays on me like a dream :] Vintage clothing tends to make me look and feel my best while lasting for many years to come!

But my favorite reason for wearing vintage and collecting antiques is that it sends me back in time. I am a modern day time traveller!! 

My work as a graphic designer is also inspired from the past. I have been asked why I repeat some of the same elements that were characteristic of its own time, and why it applies today. My answer is that I believe that some things from the past are needed again today. I think many of the points that designers tried to drive home in "yesteryear" still apply - any many of them are lessons we need to re-learn. So in order to create a better future, designers need to think about what the world needs, and answer it for the good of all mankind! 

P H E W ! ! ! I hope I didn't rattle on too much :} Here are a few other green goodies that I found.

The earrings are a recent purchase, and the sweater is something I've been trying to find things to wear with. Perhaps I could wear them both together with that greeeeen skirt?.. too much green?.. I think so too. I promise to snap a photo of the finished skirt for my next post.

Project time: 2ish hrs 

Snack times: 2 (including dinner)

Cost: $3

Time wasted ranting: too long.

I hope you'll look forward to my next project: the pink nightgown!

well ta ta for now :]