A Singer Sewing Machine, Vogue Patterns and a Little Style

My mother sewed most of my clothes from childhood to adulthood.  She also sewed curtains, embroidered, crocheted and knitted.  Growing up, I had one-of-a-kind dresses and enjoyed the fact that there were no copies.  As a result, my sense of fashion and style was unique and original.

We owned a vintage Singer sewing machine. 
( I still have it to this day).










Our kitchen table doubled as a sewing room. Spools of thread, yards of fabric, buttons, and many, many patterns – Vogue, Butterick, McCalls and Simplicity.

Apricot suit - Vogue Pattern

In the early 60’s, like many other young women, I was influenced by Jackie Kennedy’s look – her simplicity and sophistication. I wanted to look and dress like her. My mother and I every Saturday would go to a fabric store and eagerly thumb through catalogs looking for just that “look”. With my mother’s sewing skills and Vogue patterns, it was possible to copy the latest Paris fashions. I would cut out the patterns and read the instructions and my mother would do the sewing.

Easter  - White Wool Sleeveless Dress with Cape

  Golden yellow wool dress with jacket Vogue Pattern

                            Chartreuse color suit Vogue Pattern
                   

Today, when I see young ladies dress like hookers with short, stretchy and curvy attires leaving nothing to the imagination, I think that perhaps they should go back and learn what makes a true style icon.  True style does not age but remains "forever young".

Related Links:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/jackie-o-style_n_903934.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/fashion/dusting-off-the-sewing-machine.html?src=me&ref=style