The House of the Seven Gables

The vintage embroidery pattern I am working on is the House of the Seven Gables (McCall 789).  In preparation to start working on this pattern, I took out a copy at the library of Nathaniel Hawthorne's book by the same title to read.

The book was inspired by a house with seven gables that still exists in Salem, Massachusetts.  The house was actually once owned by Hawthorne's cousin and he went there often when he was younger. 

 It doesn't look as spooky as it feels in the book.  Though a snowy background does help:

The story is interesting.  It's about several generations of a family and a 'curse' that was put on the family in relation to the house.  So the house plays quite a central role.  The story is good, though a bit slow at times. Have any of you read the book?  What did you think?

Why did McCall print a pattern based on the House of the Seven Gables?  Well, it turns out there was a 1940 film starring Vincent Price:

Unfortunately, LoveFilm (which is our version of Netflix) doesn't have the film BUT I did see it on Amazon.com for sale.  I will have to check it out and see how closely it relates to the book.

Have you seen the film? 

Now for something a little different: McCall 789

While I'm finishing up the last pieces on my dress, I've started working on something a little different: a vintage needlework pattern from 1940!

It's McCall 789 or the needlework pattern for the House of the 7 Gables:

Here's another close-up photo:

So the pattern is a transfer design for an embroidered picture.  Here's what the pattern says:

There is an amazing wealth of color in this enchanting garden scene of the famous old House of the Seven Gables at Salem, Mass.  The flower masses are worked in simple everyday stitches and stand out brightly in contrast to the dark tones of the house.  Here are larkspur, daisies, snapdragon, foxglove, etc.  Work on smooth, closely woven linen in a warm, medium shade of gray.

I was lucky enough that someone had already purchased the linen, stamped the transfer and started the pattern!  So all the thread and everything came with this pattern!  So now I just have to finish this beautiful project!  It's nice knowing that I will be working on something that someone else put so much thought and work into already!!


Have you every done any vintage needlework?

Update on McCall 3638

I'm almost done with McCall 3638!!  I just need to go to the store and get some more buttons, hem the skirt, attach the last sleeve and make the belt!

Here's another drawing of the pattern (the yellow dress):

I think it looks fabulous in the pastel yellow color.  Maybe I will sew this up again in the spring in a nice color.  At the moment I am sewing more of a staple dress in a dark grey color.  I am really liking the long sleeves on the dress.

I am also sewing up a belt in the blue 'Ness' tartan:

You may recall this fabric came from a 'bucket' hat that I bought (specifically for the fabric!).  I've taken the fabric apart and have pieced together several segments for the belt.  Tartan is fabulous because it's really easy to piece together and you don't really see the stitching.  It will look great with the dress!  I just need to make it a bit narrower and back it with the grey fabric... I hope to finish the dress and to take some pictures before the weekend!

My sewing space...

I'm thrilled that Denise from the Blue Gardenia has just featured my sewing space as part of her blogging series! Definitely check out her blog and her shop (for fabulous vintage patterns!)

We've also got some big news--we are moving to Edinburgh!

I am so excited--it's such a lovely city!

More details to come soon.  Happy Sunday everyone!

Remember, remember the 5th of November

Today is a celebration day known as 'Guy Fawkes Night' or 'Bonfire Night' in Scotland (and elsewhere in the UK).  There will be fireworks and bonfires everywhere!

I am really excited for the fireworks--though I will have to bundle up as it's cold outside!!

Guy Fawkes Night originates from the Gunpower plot of 1605, a failed conspiracy by a group of English Catholics to assassinate King James I of England and VI of Scotland (who was Anglican) and replace him with a Catholic head of state. Basically Guy Fawkes is the guy that was supposed to blow up the House of Lords and well, he got caught and they've been punishing him ever since!!

Here's a poem that sums it all up:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the Queen!

And what should we do with him? Burn him!

It's still celebrated and typically children create an effigy (a 'guy') and then he's burned on the night.  In the larger cities there are fireworks displays (the biggest one in Scotland is in Glasgow) and bonfires.

I found some really great older pictures of the day being celebrated in the UK from the 1930's and 40's mostly of the effigy's that children created (they used to walk around and try to get money for their creations!).  This one is from 1933.  I love that the dog is participating:

Here's one from a group of kids from 1947:

 

Isn't that one big?  Those kids look mighty please with themselves for having created him.

Have you ever heard of Guy Fawkes Night?  If you're in the UK, will you be celebrating around a bonfire?

 

The Best Years of Our Lives

This last weekend David and I watched the 1946 film 'The Best Years of Our Lives'.

What an amazing film!  Beautiful screenplay, excellent acting and great scenes!

While I tend to gravitate more towards fashion from the early 40's, there were several outfits that I really liked in this film including this cute plaid bow tied blouse:

This incredible portrait hat:

And Myrna Loy's ruffle blouse:

Have you seen this film?  If not, I highly recommend it!

What happened to the pants?

I recently ran across Simplicity 3935 on etsy and I thought it looked familiar....

It's the pattern reissued by Simplicity that I made my hot pink blouse and navy trousers from!  But wait, where are the trousers?  The repro pattern shows the woman in the yellow blouse wearing trousers!! 

Bizarre....What do you think happened?

Happy Halloween

Don't you love this dress?

Suits vs. Suit-Frocks in 1940

Some more fashion inspiration--this time from 1940.  The question McCall's asks is 'suits versus suit frocks'?  Hmmmm...which is more versatile?

I love this dress (McCall 3588).  I actually think the dress looks better with a suit jacket.  But I do love the dress details on their own as well (the yoke is cut in one with the front panel).

Then there is McCall 3592---A-DOR-ABLE!  I love the short nipped in jacket with the dress:

And the suit of the bunch is McCall 3557.  I must say this is probably my favorite.  I love that the lapel of the jacket can match the skirt.  I also love the lines of the jacket!

And just look at all the different hats!  I love it!!

Fashion Inspiration: 1939 Suits

A major inspiration for the dress I am working on comes from 1939 and 1940 suit/dress combos.  I love the way a collarless dress looks with a suit jacket.  Check out these 1939 McCall beauties:

And this lovely number which is McCall 3107:

There's also these....I love the one on the right which is McCall 3096:

Which one is your favorite?

Lapped Seams: A Common 1940 Technique

I'm still progressing on McCall 3638 and the bodice calls for lapped seams:

Especially on the yoke:

Here's a close-up of the lapped seams I have been working on for McCall 3638:

There was also a lapped seam action going on in the McCall 1940 sundress I made, specifically on the set-in belt:

I like lapped seams though I must say topstitching still makes me nervous :-)

I Joined the Crafty Christmas Club

 I'm super excited that I just joined the Crafty Christmas Club blog that Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons started (you may remember Tilly and I met up awhile back in Edinburgh!)

I am super excited.  I am hoping this will be a bit of a support group to help me along in finishing up some presents.  I'll definitely need it!  It's about to get VERY busy around here.  In addition to landing a super fabulous new job, I also just got some super duper fabulous freelance work.  So, the next couple of months is going to be work, work, work....  But it will definitely be worth it and I hope I can still manage to get some sewing in!

What about you?  Do you think you'll manage to do any holiday crafting?