11 Wonderful Blissful Stressful Adventurous Wacky Wagner Years!!!!!!!!



New Look Comin' My Way!

Tommorrow my mom and I will be going to a hair salon to get my hair done. I might be getting braid extensions. While we were there this afternoon she told us that my hair is the type that can grow long. All this time it hasn't been growing because I just didn't know how to take care of it right.  It was just breaking off and splitting! I was really, really happy about that. The hair stylist gave my Mom and I plenty of tips on how to take care of it though. I can't wait to go; I just hope it goes well!  LOL!

T-Tapp Excersise Program

T-Tapp. You are all probably wondering what in the world that is. It's an excersise program. It is named after the woman who developed it,Teresa Tapp. This program focuses on losing inches more than weight;though you can lose weight while doing it. It involves no jumping,no lifting weights and you never have to do more than 8 reps at a time,and you don't diet at all. It is a no impact program.
I have been  doing this with my mom and we both have been getting really good results! In the first week I lost 8.25 inches and total of 3 weeks I lost 12.45 inches! I was really suprised. My mom and I really enjoy doing it. 
In a couple of days we will be going to a T-Tapp clinic in Oklahoma to learn more about it.

Celebrating in the 1950s Style!

My mommy made me this lovely dress from the 50s.  It is made out of cotton.  The jacket, which is reversible, is made out of Tropical Breeze fabric.  If you aren't familiar with Tropical Breeze, let me introduce you.  It is the easiest fabric to care for.  Just wash and wear; no ironing.  The colors do not fade much even after many washes.  Back to the dress fabric...it has lovely white flowers trimmed in a light lavender color with green leaves and a black background.  

My mom added 2 inches to the bottom of the skirt and shortened the waist by one inch.

The dress is made with New Look pattern 6723 and the balero is made using ASimplicity 3921, figure C.  

I love this dress!  I think it's now my overall favorite!

 

 

The Early 1800s or the 1970s???

Now this dress was originally made with the Regency Era in mind--early 1800s.  However, when I wore it, someone told me it looked like a hippy style from the 1970s.  This was definitely not what I had in mind when I made it. 

This is an extremely easy pattern to make--Simplicity #9716.  I was not sure of the fabric print at first but when it was done I really thought it looked pretty.  The material is 100% cotton.  The pattern features an elastic waist hidden behind the belt.  It is loose-fitting and very comfortable to wear. The dress is tea-length and has long bell sleeves.  Next time I make this, I may try another sleeve variation.  This sleeve tends to get in the way of doing anything productive.

If you are new to sewing, this would be an excellent dress to start with.  I'd really like to hear your thoughts as to what time period you think this dress fits into.  :0)

 

 

Early 20th Century Business Travel Suit

This outfit was used as a business/travel suit in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. I used Simplicity pattern #4954.


The army-green shell of the two piece outfit is a denim/cotton blend. The jacket is very elegant and is form fitting. It is trimmed with cream-colored lace around the collar and sleeves. I lined the entire jacket with sage satin. It was difficult and took awhile to make but my grammy was helpful and we got the job done. The two flaps on the bottom front are held up with two small brass-dotted buttons. The back bottom features a pleated fan at the center. The floral weaving on the fabric is slightly raised and adds to the elegance of the outfit.


The skirt fabric is basically the same with the exception that it has lines rather than floral weaving. It is very full and has a fitted waistband. The skirt is floor-length. When I wear this skirt, I wear my mom's bridal gown slip under it to give it the period appearance.


This was a costly vintage adventure although it is my most elegant outfit so far.

The Regency Era Gown

This was the second vintage garment I made. The gown is a replica from the Regency Era which was from about 1790 to 1820. Depending on the fabric of the dress, it could be worn as an everyday dress or a ball gown.

I used cotton fabrics featuring a very tiny floral print. The flowers are pink and tan with dark green leaves and a nice dark brown background. For the sash, I used a medium to dark green. This particular dress pattern, Simplicity #4055, is loose-fitting as well as floor-length with a slight train.

The neckline needed to be altered as it was rather immodest. My grandmother helped me alter this by using a partial blouse pattern that replicates an undergarment from the Regency Era. We took cream-colored material, cut out the top half of the pattern and then attached that to the top of the dress. We then accented it with white pearl-finished buttons on the back. It looks like the pattern was created that way.

Something to remember...always wash cotton fabric prior to using it. Unfortunately, I did not do that and the dress shrunk significantly the first time it was washed. Needless to say, it didn't fit me.

While the Titanic dress was my favorite style, this gown is my next favorite.

Titanic Dress- 1st Vintage Creation

This dress represents the Titanic Era. I used a pattern from Sense and Sensibility-- "1912 Kimono Dress Pattern". This dress would probably have been worn to travel or for going to church.

This is a cotton fabric. It has small pretty brown, tan and sage green flowers throughout the print. For the sleeve cuffs, I used a light sage green leaf print and also for the top front insert. It has a two-layered tea length skirt and has 3/4 length sleeves. It is slightly form fitting.

The dress was not exactly easy to make because it took a lining and there was a glitch with the fabric directions. We had to alter it quite a bit for the top to fit right. Also, it was one of my first vintage creations. Overall, I was happy with the end result.