Wearing History Smooth Sailing Blouse Review

Hey, I've actually been sewing things in my silence.

Last December, I finally redeemed my pattern for backing Wearing History's Kickstarter campaign. After humming and hawing, I finally picked the Smooth Sailing Sports Togs pattern, and printed it from my computer. I pieced it together, and shoved it in a manila envelope for a month.
I bought fabric in January, with color advice from my sweet friend Tony.

In May I made a mockup in an evening after studying

The next day, I cut the fashion fabric.

I had read the pattern extensively while doing the mockup, and again as I made the final blouse, so it was smooth sailing as I worked on it. (hahaha, I know I'm terrible)

After I bothered my mom about buttons, I threw it in a bag, then went thrifting with a friend, and was asked where I got such a lovely blouse. They were surprised to hear I made it myself.

I had such a blast sewing this blouse, I am ready to make more and more.

Sewing Details

Fabric: Quilting Cotton from JoAnns

Pattern: Wearing History Smooth Sailing Togs Blouse

Year: 1930s

Notions: Plastic buttons, self-made bias tape

How historically accurate is it? For a blouse inspired by a 1930's pattern, I'd say it was accurately sewn. Imagine the fabric was feed sack!

Any tricky parts to the pattern?  None at all!

Did you change anything?  Not a thing! I didn't even have to shorten it!

Time to complete: About 2 weeks. School was still in session.

First worn: May 31st, 2015

Total cost: Uhhh I wanna say about 35 maybe total? I'm terrible about keeping track of this.

Notes: I had fun making this blouse!!

This blouse is quickly becoming my 'go to' blouse. It's cozy, fits wonderfully with skirts and pants, and was such a satisfying thing to sew. It's got a lovely billowy effect to it, which is nice to move in. As the pattern was pretty much made for swing dancing in!

There are some close up photos, and here are some detail shots

There is a LOT of catch stitch in this blouse, it keeps everything nice and close together.

Mom decided on these buttons for me, and I love how they look against the blue!

Clean finished insides is one thing I love about sewing my own repro-vintage clothing.

And the top stitching of the yoke and the collar was one of my favorite bits. It's kinda satisfying.

So there you have it. Will I buy another Wearing History pattern with actual cash money? Hell yeah I will! I've been eyeing the playsuit pattern for AGES, so I might get that next. Oh and one of the hat patterns! Oh Oh! And some of the gorgeous fabric!

Have any of you sewn anything from Wearing History? Do any of you have any of her gorgeous garments which are made right here in the USA?

A travelling hat is in town

I recently had the amazing privilege to participate in an amazing idea by Australian Milliner, Tanith Rowan.

The idea is as follows: She's created an adorable vintage inspired tilt-hat, and is sending it around the world to various vintage lovers. I jumped on the idea as fast as I could.

The hat has been named "Adelaide", and she had a lovely time with me here in San Diego.

I had grandiose plans for photoshoots, but it's been very warm here, and I haven't been feeling up to par these past couple of days. But I got out the house, and kindly asked my sister to photograph for me.

My grandma recently gave me one of her dresses either from the 60's or 70's, and I felt it suited Adelaide well.

Balboa Park is currently going through it's centennial celebrations, which means loads more visitors, and my sister and I getting frustrated with finding good photo spots.

[Outfit Details]
Dress- Grandmas 1960s or 1970s
Bakelite- Various
Purse- SDVFM
Shoes- Uhh I forgot.
Hat- Tanith Rowan

But in true sister fashion, she made it work. 

We popped into the United Nations building, and grabbed a photo with a tiny Australian flag (and a failed search for TimTams)

Then I posed in front of the famous Botanical Gardens.

I think Adelaide really enjoyed it in the park. And I think she enjoyed the weather more than I did. Haha!

It was so much fun hosting Tanith's beautiful hat. I could see every loving stitch placed into it. The hat has many more adventures to go on, and I can't wait to see where else she's headed.

I'm going to save up for one of Tanith's gorgeous custom hats, but she's also got a darling etsy shop with a few up for sale. Buy some so she can start a cozy college fund for her daughter!


And be sure to check the Sisterhood of The Hat tag on her blog, to see where else Adelaide has been!

Thank you for the fabulous opportunity, Tanith!

Vintage Flea Market Finds

Once again, the San Diego Vintage Flea Market has come and gone and I left with treasures!

I went with my friend Megan, and I actually brought my camera with me. But sadly, I only took two photos, and they were very similar to each other.

I had fun actually hanging with someone. We were both terrible influences on the other, and we laughed when some of the vendors said 'Oh I remember you, I sold you this!' After we shopped, we went and got something to eat, and our servers were wondering why we were dressed up 'so nicely'.

Alright, here's the haul! 

I got a SUPER CUTE HAT
A lovely dark blue purse, which is hard to photograph, but you'll see it in future posts!
A glove box!
Some sewing pamphlets
 I finally got a proper jewelry box!! I feel so grown up, haha!
And a big box of sewing notions and patterns. I'll touch on this one at a later post, and maybe sell some of the patterns that aren't Me.

I got a BUNCH of lovely sewing pamphlets from Solanah a few months back, and I'll talk about them in a future post. These are also by Mary Brooks Picken for Singer.

I got this super cute hat from a seller I've previously bought things from before. She told me she's very happy this hat is going to me, and each time she sees straw purses, she thinks of me. I shoulda gave her my card. Ah well, next one!

Here's a quick one of me in the hat.

I am so excited to have a proper jewelry box. I like how this one is, it has hooks for necklaces!

This little glove box was something I've needed for a bit. As I am now having a small growing collection of gloves, I need a better place for them.

I like the box still had its label on it. I tried to search for this company, and it seems they made a lot of glove boxes and stockings boxes in LA in the 30's and 40's.

I am glad I was able to share my love for flea markets with a good friend. Megan left with some cute items, and really enjoyed herself. And she told me how the flea markets are in The Netherlands, and... well my passport is still valid, and she speaks Dutch, and I wanna go now.

Megan's outfit details. (AkA I'm a terrible friend who didn't write all them down!)
Scarf- Thrifted
Blouse- H&M
Skirt- Ahhh I wanna say thrifted? Megan if you're reading this let a gal know!
Shoes- Thrift Trader

My outfit details (AKA, oops I'm an outfit repeater, sue me)
Dress- SD Vintage Flea Market
Earrings- Swap Meet
Bakelite- various
Purse- Rummage Sale
Stockings- What Katie Did
Shoes- Ross


I'm excited for the next flea market, and to hopefully scout some out in the LA/OC area.
And San Diego Comic Con will be starting tomorrow! So be sure to check my Instagram for awesome con photos!


Have any of you been to any flea markets? What cool things have you found?