One of the fun things about buying vintage fabric is that the sellers often have stories to go with them. This gorgeous modernist botanic print, in a light rayon-nylon blend, was purchased in Paris to make curtains for an art studio. It’s so fresh and pretty. There’s enough yardage to make a blouse or skirt …

Back in the day, dresses often came with matching belts covered in the same fabric. What’s more, home dressmakers could buy kits for making their own belts to match every dress they sewed. When I first started sewing, these buckles were available in most fabric stores. Unfortunately, this old fashioned touch has fallen out of …

I want to introduce you to one of the most amazing sewing books I own, Women’s Wear of the 1930’s by Ruth S. Countryman and Elizabeth Weis Hopper. The late 1930s and early 1940s is, by far, my favorite era of fashion. I love the soft femininity of the 30s and the simplicity and sleekness …

Ok, this is pretty amazing. At least it is if you are like me, both addicted to fabric and addicted to Etsy. Catherine of More Cloth has created an index of fabrics available on Etsy, sorted by color! Catherine says on her blog that it’s far from comprehensive since there are so many wonderful fabrics …

Have you guys seen the online magazine Modern Seamster yet? It’s a wonderful new digital magazine for the sewing enthusiast, and there’s a little story by yours truly in the latest issue, a free download!

I am in love with this huge, intricate, handmade butterfly applique. It’s a full 8″ by 6″ of black felt, and I think it would so amazing on a simple white or cream skirt. Only $7 from etsy seller kutz.

I really love street fashion. It all started when I was maybe 16 or 17 and first discovered the Japanese magazine Cutie. It’s filled with page after page of adorable girls on the street in quirky styles and I would go back and to my old issues for years when I was looking for inspiration. …

Wow, another incredible Japanese fabric from chokichokifabric, this time with images of drafting! Something about this reminds me of the Eames’ workshop, and that just makes me happy.

There is something just so crisp and summery about red, white, and blue. This set seems like a pretty rare find, a gorgeous vintage belt buckle and matching buttons. Wouldn’t it look so amazing on a crisp white or navy summer dress?

This Japanese sewing machine fabric from chokchokifabric is pretty awesome. I really like its 50s retro flavor. It would make a great sewing tote or sewing apron, or just a super awesome dress or skirt.

Crafty Wonderland was a lot of fun yesterday, and it was lovely to meet some of you nice blog readers! I did a little bit of crafting for the show, as I’d never done one before! To show the prices, I made these tiny silk and cotton pin cushions, and little flags with pearl head …

Bias binding is neat stuff. You can use it to finish sleeves and necklines, make easy waistbands, use it instead of a narrow facing, or in place of a hem. It can add a real dash of color and/or pattern to solid colored garments. If you want a really beautiful finish for the inside of …

I am lucky enough to own this very pretty vintage Nelly Don dress (the pictures are from the seller). I really love the way the embroidered vine snakes down the side of the dress, and the pretty little daisy appliques stick out a bit. It would be a really lovely way to embellish a simple …

This novelty print rayon is pretty amazing. The seller says it’s from the 80s, but I think it’s not a bad repro, and it’s rayon too! I think it would make the most adorable 1940s style silky blouse.

Look at this counter sign. It is made from individually glued buttons! The maker is Jo, who has a fabulously obsessive blog called Button Candy. She’s my new hero, I think.

I am loving these illustrations from old Singer sewing manuals, again from the lovely rhiannonmars. I especially like the last one: Success. That’s always my favorite part. ;) I’d like to imagine that I always look this poised when sewing. In reality, I’m usually wearing pajamas, have a mouthful of pins (I know, awful), and …

I love old needle books, and there are some great ones available on etsy right now. Doesn’t this sewing club look sinister somehow? They seem to me to be scheming. The insides are often just as pretty. I think these would look great just framed in a sewing room, the graphics are so pretty and …

I actually gasped when I saw this amazing print over at Thai Silks. First of all, the colors! Red and pale aqua is one of my absolute favorite color combinations, and these shades are just perfectly vibrant. And those adorable ladies in their bathing caps! The whole thing is so graphic and simple, it actually …

Check out these ideas for making belts, from Good Needlework, 1935, courtesy of rhiannonmars. The first belt is made with dog collars (!), the second is knitted, the third with upholstery braid, and the fourth with silver cord. For the full instructions, view the image on flickr and click “all sizes.”

Continuing the theme of beautiful textiles from small design studios, Henry Road is having a wonderful sale with 40% off all their goods, including fabric yardage! Just enter SALE at checkout. The sale goes until May 10th. I first came across Henry Road in Selvedge magazine, and was really taken by designer Paula Smail’s bold, …

There are times when I am writing for my blog that I feel a bit too.. effusive. I mean, how many times can I say, “I love this!” or “Isn’t this artist/creator/thing amazing?” But what can you do when there is just SO much amazing talent out there and accessible online (Ok, there I go …