Antique shopping again...

After class today I jumped on a bus to go to the antique market. I love the antique market but by bus it takes a long time to get there so I only go once every few weeks. Which is just as well because I can't leave there without spending money. Once I spent my grocery money for the week on a Victorian hat I just couldn't leave behind... Who needs food? Luckily this week I was much more restrained in my purchases. I am trying to adopt a "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" attitude, but after a looong week at school I deserved a few little goodies right?

But first here's what I wore: 

(The only place in my room with enough lighting and room for outfit photos is on my bed. Just thought I should add that in case any of you are wondering why I am standing on my bed haha)

Outfit Details:

1920's-style Dress: Made using this tutorial (same fabric as my pink dress. I found a few meters in a clearance bin so I scooped it up!) I used seam binding instead of facings. 

Sweater: I'm going to say vintage. Technically I stole it from my dad, but it's old enough to call vintage. 

Stockings: I just chopped the legs of a pair of tights.

Earrings and Hair Bow: Made by me

Want to know what you can buy with $15? Turns out a heck of a lot!! I bought a large bundle of what appeared to be embroidery and knitting booklets. Only when I got home and opened it did I realize how large it really was! Most of the booklets are from the 1940s, but there are a few later ones as well. The majority of the pile is embroidery designs and crochet booklets, but there is also knitting and some general needlework booklets. I'm thinking a few of these might end up in a giveaway when I hit 300 followers ;)

The pile of brown papers in the other picture is actually a pile of embroidery designs! Here is one just to show you how adorable they are!

I also bought this rather sad looking sieve. It was $5 which seemed a bit high, but I think it is from the 1940's and still in working condition. I plan on putting this to good use in my kitchen. This was a practical purchase since I needed a sieve.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I have to spend most of it studying but hopefully I can find time for some baking as well. 

That's All.

Latest Antique Store Finds

I went antiquing today for the first time in ages! I saw a lot of pretty things, but I have been trying to only buy what I need (this has been moderately successful...). I'm saving up so I can hopefully take a course in Small Business and Entrepreneurship after I finish my Bachelors in Mathematics. So much school requires waaayyy too much money :(

Anyways, here is what I bought:

A reprint of a 1960's ettiquette book. It was only $2 so I snapped it up. (Technically this was purchased from the nearby discount book store, not the antique store).

I needed a box to store my growing collection of antique jewelry. I have been looking for a box for a while, so I was quite pleased when I found this one. It was a good price and has a velvet lining. (It looks better in real-life than in the pictures...)

This last purchase I was really excited about. I found these two handknit sweaters for only $6 each. I measured and knew they would fit. Well turns out I forgot to measure the neckline on the pink one. My head is too big. So at the moment I can't actually get that one on... I may try slicing a slit up the back of the neck and adding a button. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Overall I've very happy with my purchases and it was a lovely afternoon out. Now I get to spend all night doing school work.... yippee...

That's All.

Antique Sale Treasures

Last weekend I attended an antique sale in Port Perry. It was much larger than I was expecting and I barely had time to see everything. It was one of the better antique sales I had been to in a while. Of course I might be biased since my purchase of the day was so amazing.

I have long drooled over 1920`s dresses online that I couldn't even dream of affording. One of the vendors at the sale had a rack with two dresses and a jacket on it. None of the garments where in amazing shape but a black lace 1920`s dress caught my eye. Other than a small tear in the lace near the shoulder, it was in perfect condition. I looked around for a price. I finally asked the sweet older woman running the booth. She looked me up and down. She told me the dresses were in very delicate condition. I smiled and told her I understood that. She paused for a moment and said "Well I bought them all ten years ago for $50, but I would be willing to sell them for a little less. I just loved them so much I've held onto them all this time. How about $25 for the three?" I think my jaw hit the floor before I almost yelled "I'll take them!!!". She was very sweet and gently wrapped them up for me. I think she wanted them to go to a good home and wouldn't have sold them to someone she didn't feel would appreciate them. Anyways, I suppose by now you are dying to see some pictures!

The pictures really don't do this dress justice. It is simply stunning.

The jacket is in rather poor condition but is fascinating to look at. It has boning (possibly metal?) on the inside and lots of dark sequins sewn into the trim.

This dress is actually my favourite now. The faux pearls and lace are very captivating. It's a shame it is too delicate to even think about wearing (the lace straps have almost completely disintegrated).

That's All.

Old Clothing

I almost forgot to share with you the jacket I bought! It arrived in the mail about a week ago from Mabel Studios. It is by far the oldest piece of clothing I own as it dates from the 1800s! 

It is actually a mens jacket but I still love it. The lining is in tatters (hence the reason I could actually afford this baby!) and I am still deciding whether to replace it.

(See the original Etsy listing for better detail shots. The jacket appears faded in most of the photos, but it is actually a very rich black)

What is the oldest piece of clothing you own?

That's All. 

PS: I just noticed I haven't done an All the Latest Steps post in a while. Whoops! Sorry readers, I forgot. I should have the next one up this weekend or early next week.

Hats, Magazines, and a little bit of Knitting

Outfit Details:

Dress: Made by me from a 1960's pattern

Sweater: Costa Blanca

Flats: Payless

I have been out antique hunting today. I was very disappointed I won't be able to get to the Christie antique sale this year, so I went to my favourite local store to make myself feel better. I wore a vintage inspired outfit today due to the weather (thunderstorms...), and the fact most of my poofy 1950's dresses make it difficult for me to sit on the bus without someone sitting on my dress!

I found lots of things I wanted to buy (I always do...) but in the end I settled for a hat, some magazine pieces, some 1950's knitting books, and some reeeeaaaallllyy cheap knitting needles. Most of the magazine pieces are from about 1910. I suspect someone learned that they could make more money by selling the covers and ads rather then the whole magazine, and that the pieces I bought were what was leftover. It makes me quite sad that people destroy perfectly good vintage magazines, but at least I rescued some of the remaining pieces. I will post some scans of the pieces later this week.

I have been working on designing a new pattern for my Etsy / Ravelry shop. It's not quite done yet, but here is a little sneak peak at my new vintage inspired hat pattern. It looks a bit like a rose.

That's All.

Buttons, Bows, and Earrings.

It has been a busy week! I am finally getting time to set up my room. Hopefully it should be done within the next week and ready for pictures, but as a sneak peak what do you ladies (and gentleman of course) think of my hair accessory 3-tiered tray? I have been making even more hair bows lately and needed something to fit all my flowers, bows and clips.

Despite not going outside due to an injured foot, I wore my new sweater today. I took several 1920's knitting patterns for inspiration and came up with this (sorry it's a bit of a dark photo, still experimenting with lighting!):

Before the foot injury, I did manage to get to my favourite antique store for the first time this term. I bought a big bag of buttons, some gloves that actually fit (!), and some clip-on earrings (which I will likely convert to something else).

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

That's All.

Tonics, Powders, and Compounds

During a renovation a few years ago the cistern was removed from the basement. When my father started to remove the walls, he discovered that over the years people had thrown their garbage in it. As a result I know have a lovely little bottle collection. Here are some of my favourites that still have their labels:

And my personal favourite:

That's All.

Old Photos, Books, and an Award!

The last few weeks have been decidedly boring. I get up, go to work, come home, go to sleep and that is basically my day. But I have managed to get out a bit on weekends and do some antiquing.

I checked out what was advertised as Eastern Ontario's largest antique mall. I found it rather disappointing. The overall quality was poor, however I did find a few old photos to "adopt". I always feel so sad when I see photos of unknown people whose families have forgotten them or died out. I had to buy a few, but I have had to place them on my bookcase so they don't stare at me while I'm sleeping (I love the photos but the idea of dead people staring at me while I sleep seriously creeps me out!)

I also went to the Kirby Church book sale. It is a small, old church just outside of Orono. They are trying to raise money to move it to the museum site and have started selling used books again on Saturdays. Paperbacks are only 50 cents and hardcovers are a dollar. I may have bought a few books.....

I have also a bought two other books at antique stores over the last week. One is a 1920's dancing guide and the other is a 1947 needle-working book. I highly recommend trying to get a copy of the needle working book. It is great for both beginners and for more advanced needlecrafters, and has a great range of project ideas!

In other news, I have been kindly given an award from The Paper Doll Says "Let's Have Tea!". Thank you so much! I think I am supposed to pass it on to some great blogs with less than 300 followers, so I am passing this onto:

Lauren Hairston
It'll Take The Snap Out Of Your Garters!
Baby Steps into Vintage
Butterflies and Daisys Vintage
Honey Hi Vintage
That Vintage Broad
I've got an Island
Good Rockin' Baby
Porcelina's World
Susan's Diary- Vintage style meets heavy music
The Modern Day Flapper
Tickety Boo Tupney

So feel free to pass this award on if you want to!

That's All.