Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sew-A-Skirt!

I got this awesome vintage skirt sewing kit this week...when I saw it I thought, "a vintage skirt under $10? no-brainer!" (actually, any decent skirt under $10, no-brainer, right?)

Sew-A-Skirt kit

And when I got it, I thought it was even cooler, and in such great shape! Here's the back:

Sew-A-Skirt kit

But here's the problem: it's a little too cool. I don't know if I can bring myself to actually use the kit! I could trace the pattern and make it up in a different fabric, but that kind of defeats the point of buying it. I could steel myself, and go ahead and make it like I planned. Or, I could just hang on the kit and, you know, think about it for a while. What would you do?

And don't forget, I'm de-stashing this weekend! Loads of vintage patterns are on ebay, ending in just a bit; and this fabric is available in the stash bustin' swap until tomorrow night!

18 comments:

  1. You've already taken the first step of documenting your find with lots of photos. The next step is based on whether or not you would actually wear/use something made with that particular fabric. If it isn't something you'd actually wear it seems wasteful to use it. Maybe just display it in your sewing area instead.

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  2. I would only hang onto it if I didn't like the fabric/skirt pattern. Otherwise, I'm a user of vintage goods...I would TOTALLY keep the package and display it, but I would also make the skirt...then when anyone would ask about the skirt, I'd whip out the photos of the kit and the box itself and show it off. I LOVE finding mid-century stuff still new because it means *I* get to open it and love it as though I just ran to the store and bought it.

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  3. I have just found something similar in a box of fabric and sewing supplies I bought this week. It's a mail order dress kit from a (1960s I think) UK magazine. All the fabric is pre-cut and it comes with zip, buttons and instructions in the pack. I'll watch the feedback you get with interest because I'm about to face the same dilema.

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  4. The kit is cute, but even if you like the fabric, cotton gingham is easy to come by, so you could easily create the look without using the fabric. Also, you probably don't even want a metal zip in a skirt - plastic coil will wear better and vintage zippers may rust. I vote trace the pattern and recreate with modern materials.

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  5. I vote use/make it - the pattern is cute and the fabric sweet but what really really makes it stellar is the whole idea of it - it's like a long-lost memory that you can wear! You know what would be cute? Make it and take a photo and use the packaging as a mat - put the picture where the fabric shows through now!

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  6. I love it! Who knew something from Sears could look so hip? I couldn't bring myself to use it. I'd want to, but I wouldn't be able to.

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  7. I would sooooooo be trying to find another one so I could sew one and save the other lol!
    Nah, I'm not a packrat - why?

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  8. Go for it! Enjoy the vintage coolness as it was meant to be, as a finished garment. :)

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  9. That is by far and away the cutest thing I've seen in ages. I think you should go ahead and use it, but like other people have said, keep the kit packet etc to display. I'd feel so cool wearing a skirt like that knowing its little piece of history.

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  10. vintagekitchenkitschFebruary 27, 2010 at 5:01 PM

    I found something similar to that a while back only the one I saw was wool and on a hanger. Unfortunately, it was way too small for me and I didn't get it thinking someone else might be able to make it. So...I say if it's a design you like, trace the pattern but I would keep that little goody all nice and packed up and hang it on the wall. It looks to be an a-line so I think personally I would leave the pattern uncut. Whatever you decide is right, though. : )

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  11. Thanks, everyone, for all the great suggestions! Two things that really stood out for me - Katie's suggestion that modern materials might make a better skirt; and LaDonna'a comment that making it if I'm not going to wear it would be a waste. So, I think I'm going to make up a copy. And then based on that, I'll decide if I'm going to make up the real one. I'll keep you all posted!

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  12. Aww that's the cutest thing ever! Don't use it!! You can make that style of skirt really easily and the fabric is easy to find.

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  13. Agh! What a dilemma! Personally, I think I would have trouble opening, and would probably frame it and hang it in my sewing room (if I had a sewing room!). The illustrations and packaging in general are AMAZING! x

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  14. I say open it up, sew it and wear it. I face the same dilemma all the time with my vintage button cards. In the end I'd rather use them then go out and buy new ones because A. they are way cheaper (I got a huge sack of them for a song) and B. they are about 1,000 times cooler. The only thing is, I always make sure to take a photo first, and I have seriously not had any regrets. (I love vintage items, but if they are utilitarian items like buttons or patterns or aprons, well, I'll go ahead and USE them.)
    Your skirt kit is much the same - any vintage skirt you purchased - or even fabric to make up same - would probably cost more than what you paid for this kit. And there's the extra-coolness factor of being able to wear such a unique skirt. So I'd say go ahead and make it up - you've already taken the pictures, anyway - and then frame the packaging and put it on display in your sewing room!

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  15. Definitely use it!!!! Please!

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  16. I know it is just me being the way I am, but I would probably never open it (especially since it is such a common style of pattern). I'd hang that sucker on the wall like a prize!

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  17. I would not use the kit. I agree with the suggestion that you trace the pattern and make up the skirt in modern materials that reflect your taste and wardrobe. This kit is a little bit of sewing history and if you use it up, it is gone. An empty package no longer has value.
    I would love to find a PERSONALITIES purse kit from the 1960's, but can't and my frame is gone. Once it's gone, it's gone.

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