Lately...

...I've been:

...finding twin vintage dresses.

...organizing my bakelite earrings.

...taking Pumpkin for car rides.

...camping in Ohio.

...antiquing in Ohio.

What have you been up to?

follow @livinvintage on instagram

Announcing:

I finally took the plunge and joined Twitter.

You can find me @livin_vintage or click HERE

Lately...

I've been...

...taking photos for my Fall 2013 Look Book!

...finding vintage elephant statement necklaces.  This one is a keeper for now.

...filling my trunk with vintage goodies.

...making new iphone cases with vintage magazine clippings.  

(let me know if you'd like to see a how to post)

...adding new dressforms to the Livin' Vintage Shop family.

...thrifting vintage slippers.  These are identical to a pair my grandma gave me as a little girl that got lost in a move.  So glad I found these!

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What have you been up to lately?

See more via instagram @livinvintage

Introducing: Free Pattern Friday

I'm starting a new series here on Livin' Vintage.  On the first Friday of every month, I'll be posting a completely free vintage pattern.  This coincides with the launch of my new digital download section in my shop, where starting September 1st you'll find lots of swell vintage knitting and crochet patterns.

Each month, I'm giving Livin' Vintage readers exclusive free patterns that you won't find in the shop.  So head back over September 6th for the next free pattern.

In the mean time, enjoy this one while I start scanning, editing, and drafting the listings that will hit the shop in a month. 

P.S.  The above pattern was "scanned" with my digital camera.  My scanner broke and I ordered a new one, but I wanted to get this series going.  Expect the quality to majorly improve!

Top Three Thrifting Must Haves

There are a multitude of different thrifting guides on the interwebs.  Most of these guides tell you how to shop a thrift store.  I am of the opinion that how someone thrifts is unique to them.  Some like to head straight for the knick knacks, others flock to the clothes, while others shop the accessories first.

I shop each of my regular thrift store stops differently.  Since I frequent these places often, I have a pretty good idea which stores tend to carry which items I look for and I shop accordingly.  Some stores I start with the clothes, while others I start with the housewares.

However, no matter what you thrift store shopping strategy, having some good tools in your arsenal will help you find the treasures worth digging for. 

Here Are My Top 3 Thrifiting Must Haves:

1.  Dressmakers Tape Measure

I probably own a half dozen of these.  I keep one in my purse, in my car, in my supply tote for shows, and have a few laying around at home.  I buy almost all my clothes based on measurements.  It saves time trying things on; plus, some thrift stores don't have dressing rooms.

2.  Jewelry Loop

A loop is great for making out the sometimes hard to see hallmarks on jewelry.  It also comes in handy magnifying marks on dishes, clothing tags, and anything else you'd like to see up close.

3.  Smart Phone

Thrifting in the 21st Century has it's advantages and the smart phone is one of them.  There are some really wonderfully apps out there that alleviate the need to carry a bag full of tools that normally assist thrifters (such as the flashlight).  I also use my iphone to access the internet to check labels and other information before I invest in some pieces. 

Those are my three can't live without thrifting tools.  What's in your thrifting arsenal?

Sponsor in August

Interested in promoting your shop, blog, or business on Livin' Vintage?  I would love it if you did!

Over the past month, Livin' Vintage has gained many more followers via both blog readers and social media.  Now is a great time to grab an ad for steal of a deal.  Ads now start at just $5 a month!

Ads come in three sizes and run for 30 days, rotating with each page load to allow for equal exposure for each sponsor.  If you need help designing an ad, I would be more than happy to help!

About Livin' Vintage

*781+ Followers via Bloglovin and Feedly
*719+ Combined Followers via Facebook, Instagram, and other social media

*Over 5,600 page views last month

What You Get
-Featured: Own blog post and promotion on facebook, pinterest, instagram.  Also featured on monthly sponsor round-up.
-Large: Own blog post and featured in monthly sponsor round-up

-Medium: Featured in monthly sponsor sound-up

I am always open to sponsored giveaways, sponsored outfit posts, (as long as they adhere to the theme of my blog) and swapping ad spaces.

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This is the last month I am using passionfruit ads.  Starting in September, they are going to start charging a membership fee, so if anyone knows of a different ad hosting website that does not charge a membership, please let me know!

Lately...

Vintage lucite purse display, purchased at my local weekly flea market.  Can't wait to use it at the Ferndale DIY this year!

Some of my carved bakelite.  I only have a few pieces.  The X carved piece I bought on my birthday last year and you can't really tell here, but it's transparent.

Pumpkin guarding the tomatoes out of my garden.  Had to keep a close eye on her -- she LOVES tomatoes!

This was an interesting find -- a Mr. Dino purse!  Have you ever seen one?  It might make it's way to the shop, but then again, it might end up in my closet.  :)

Follow me on instagram @livinvintage

Are you on instagram?  I'd love to follow you!  Leave a comment with your handle and I'll look you up.

A Follow Up on the Swirl Dress | How to Spot a Swirl & How to Date a Swirl

I had a few questions about yesterday's post and thought a follow up was in order.

The Swirl dress is both a label and a style.  Like any idea that catches on, copies are made and it was no different with Swirl.

The basic defining factor that separates this type of wrap dress from another is how it wraps -- around the back instead of the front.  See how the woman in the ad slips her arms into the front, buttons the back, and then brings the ties through to the front?  That's what makes a Swirl (or a knock in this style) a Swirl.

I have many dresses in my collection that are made by a different label, but are essentially Swirl dresses; they have the same cut and style, just a different label.  I have some that were even homemade, likely with some of the patterns I posted yesterday.

So what distinguishes a Swirl from a knock off?

Other than the label, which you can see all of them HERE on the Vintage Fashion Guild's label guide, Swirl dresses have a trademark button, seen above.  This is an easy way to spot a Swirl brand dress.  Now, not all of my Swirl brand dresses have this button (some might have been lost/replaced and I don't think the button was introduced until the 50s), but most of them do.

Some other defining factors for spotting a Swirl (or knock off):

-big patch pockets

-bodices that have the sleeves attached (dolman style sleeves)

-rick rack, appliques, and novelty fabrics

-cross over or wrap back 

-skirt that gathers above the pockets (see below)

 | image from Susan's Diary |

Dating a Swirl Dress

The best way to date your Swirl is with the label guide posted above.  The Swirl label changed over the years and is a great way to help date your dress.  Keep in mind that there are some known dresses from the 60s that have the 40s Neat 'n Tidy label in them.  It is thought that an old box a labels were found and used rather than thrown out.

Since most Swirl dresses you find have this label (above), here are some other ways to help date you dress:

The Length

Later Swirls, those from the late 50s and all throughout the 60s have a shorter hem line.  The earlier dresses will fall below your knee, while the later ones will fall just above your knee or at your knee. (earlier on left, later on right).

The Pockets

Earlier Swirls (40s) will have side seam pockets, 50s Swirls will have two big patch pockets, and 60s Swirls normally have just one pocket, or smaller pockets.

The Ties

All pre 60s Swirls will have a sash tie made out of the fabric of the dress about an inch or two wide.  Many Swirls dating to the 60s have cord ties, often out of a solid color fabric. See dress below.

The Fabric

Yellow and Pink colors seem to be popular for all eras of Swirls, but here's a few tips on what fabrics were used when.  50s Swirls have feminine color schemes, while 60s Swirls have deeper/darker color tones.  The 60s Swirls also have the two toned look, with a solid color top and patterned skirt (see above). 

Hope this helps answer your questions!

Making a Swirl Wrap Dress and a Brief History

As many long time readers will know, I love Swirl wrap dresses.  I started collecting them about three or four years ago and have amassed an embarrassing amount since.  I wear them year round -- even in the snow -- and they really are my favorite type of vintage dress.

The Swirl dress, originally called Neat 'n Tidy, was created in the early 40s by the L. Nachman and Sons Company.  First conceived and marked as an apron, by the 1950s, the Swirl was being sold as  a quick and easy dress for the busy homemaker to slip into.  Ethel on I Love Lucy was famous for wearing several different incarnations of the Swirl dress and undoubtedly inspired many other homemakers to do the same.  Into the 60s and 70s, the Swirl label added different styles to their line (like zip front dresses) and by the late 90s was on the decline, finally closing up some in 1999.

As with all popular trends, knock offs were made and even home sewing patterns were created for the skilled housewife to stitch up her own.  Last summer, I unearthed a severely tattered Swirl in the basement of a Detroit home and couldn't leave it behind.  At first, I was going to try and rework the hem to make it wearable, but it became clear that wasn't a viable fix.

Instead, I decided to take the dress apart, making my own pattern, and recreate it.  The dress fit perfect and would allow me to make several others.  It went together extremely easy -- the hardest part was figuring out the neckline since I didn't have a Swirl in my collection with a similar neckline to look at how they put it together.

I decided to sew in the label from the roached dress (since this is for me and I have no intentions of selling it or trying to pass it off as a factory produced Swirl).  I used a pocket pattern from a vintage apron and ric rac to jazz up the neckline and pockets.  I -LOVE- the final outcome and plan on making many more!

Fabric: Joann's Clearance, $3.50/yard

Pattern: Original Swirl Dress Design

Hours to Complete: 12-14 

Total Cost: $13

I've already bought some more fabric for another dress and am working on drafting a different style top!

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Like the Swirl, but can't sew?  Here's a few on etsy, including one from my personal collection!

 1  | 2  |  3

And here's some patterns for all you seamstresses!

 1  | 2  |  3

lately

| finally finding a 60s suitcase |

| fresh basil from the garden |

| beginning of the heatwave in the Mitten last week |

| eating lunch at a sweet 50s style diner |

| mcm sofa spotted at the thrift |

| finding matching vintage items |

That's just some of the stuff I have been up to lately.  To see more, follow me on instagram: @livinvintage